The Bondmaker's Heir

In a world shared by humans and thousands upon thousands of extraordinary creatures known as the Monsters of Plenty, a person's future can depend on the monster fighting, working, or simply walking beside them. These creatures are more than weapons. Some find water beneath barren land, others heal wounds, carry enormous loads, track missing people, help farmers grow food, guard caravans, explore forgotten ruins, or fight with powers no ordinary human could match. Through devices known as Creators of the Bond, skilled trainers can form bonds with these creatures and build teams capable of changing their lives. But ten-year-old Kobi begins with none of that. Seven years after his homeland, the Kingdom of Ardan, was defeated and occupied, Kobi lives in an orphan house with only fragments of memories of his parents. His father served in the Royal Vanguard. His mother belonged to the mysterious Royal Pathfinder Corps. Both remained loyal to their kingdom during its final days, and both disappeared during the war. All Kobi has left of them is a strange eight-pointed amulet he has carried since childhood. Under the laws of the impoverished kingdom, orphaned children are supported only until they are considered capable of surviving on their own. For Kobi, that means his tenth birthday marks the end of his protected life. He leaves with worn clothes, a thin blanket, a handful of coins, quick hands, a sharp mind, and far too much pride to simply beg for survival. Kobi soon discovers that the same extraordinary dexterity that once made him an excellent pickpocket can earn honest money through street performances. His knowledge of the market also turns him into a surprisingly effective runner and negotiator. Yet food, shelter, and safety remain daily struggles. Then a mysterious old man changes everything. He gives Kobi something the boy could never afford: an old Creator of the Bond. Catching a monster, however, is not as simple as owning the device. A wild creature must first be weakened enough for the Creator to respond. As its condition falls, the device blinks faster and the probability of a successful capture rises—but pushing too far can badly injure or even kill the creature. And Kobi has no monster to help him catch his first. After repeated failures, he encounters an extremely rare Scrufflet: a small, injured creature considered almost useless in its basic form. It is weak. So is Kobi. It is struggling to survive. So is Kobi. And hidden inside both of them is the potential to become something far greater. Kobi names his first monster Rascal, beginning a journey that will take them through thousands of quests, battles, discoveries, failures and victories. At first, their goals are small: earn enough for dinner, find somewhere to sleep, remove troublesome monsters from a garden, escort a merchant, protect a wagon, or capture another common creature that can strengthen their tiny team. But small quests lead to larger ones. Missing travelers lead to bandits. Bandits lead to organized criminal groups. Caravan work opens roads to distant villages and cities. Monster hunts reveal forgotten places. Ancient ruins hold secrets connected to the fallen kingdom. Local officials begin noticing the orphan and his unusual team. And the defeated Kingdom of Ardan has not truly disappeared. The conquerors rule its lands, but old loyalties remain. Some desire rebellion. Others prefer peace. Officials exploit the occupation, while others genuinely protect the people under their authority. Somewhere beneath years of war, propaganda and forgotten history lies the truth about Ardan's fall—and about what Kobi's parents were doing during its final days. As Kobi becomes stronger, the world around him grows larger. He may become a trusted agent of a village chief, a protector of ordinary citizens, a monster hunter, caravan guardian, businessman, explorer, or an important figure in the struggle over Ardan's fut

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