STRIKER: Independent Beast Tamer

City A (14th Zone):

The group soon arrived at the Beast Taming Association’s store. Instructor Jacob took the lead and entered the shop.

Jeremy swept his gaze across the place. Betsy and Lowe were wearing the uniform of Star University, making them easily recognizable.

One of the staff approached to assist them. Instructor Jacob inquired about a special liquid.

The staff was surprised, as few beast tamers purchased that liquid except influential figures. They guided the group to a guest room.

After settling them in, the staff informed the manager, who arrived a few minutes later.

He recognized the importance of instructors, especially those from Central University 14, a prominent beast-taming institution.

He couldn’t ignore them. Meeting Instructor Jacob, he learned about their requirements and glanced at the students.

However, he didn’t recognize the students and spoke only to Instructor Jacob. Jacob explained that they urgently needed the special liquid.

The manager didn’t ask further questions and instructed the staff to bring the available special liquids, assuming it was related to a mission.

Jeremy, Betsy, and Daniel remained silent.

Shortly afterward, the staff returned with a storage ring containing one hundred small bottles, each filled with the special liquid.

The manager took the ring, checked it, and confirmed there were indeed one hundred bottles.

To ensure transparency in front of Instructor Jacob and the students, he took out one bottle, opened the cork, and a potent smell filled the room.

Jeremy was stunned, unprepared for the scent’s intensity. Betsy and Daniel felt uncomfortable as well.

”This bad smell is supposed to lure the corrupted beast out?” Betsy thought.

Daniel, overwhelmed by the odor, immediately left the room, with Betsy following him.

Only Jeremy remained. He looked at the manager and Instructor Jacob. The manager declared, ”It’s the real one. If you want, you can check the remaining bottles.”

”No need for that,” Jacob replied.

The manager corked the bottle, placed it back in the storage ring, and handed it to Instructor Jacob. Smiling, he began discussing payment.

Hearing this, Jeremy stepped forward and asked, ”What’s the price?”

The manager was taken aback, but before he could respond, Instructor Jacob shook his head and said, ”No, I’ll cover this.”

With that, Jacob walked outside with the manager. Jeremy, dumbfounded, sighed inwardly and followed. He joined Betsy and Daniel, who were engaged in a serious discussion.

Seeing him approach, Betsy turned and asked, ”Do you think that liquid can lure the worm beast?”

”I don’t know. Let’s see if it works,” Jeremy replied.

Meanwhile, Instructor Jacob completed the purchase and returned. Seeing Jeremy’s expression, he said, ”Don’t overthink it. The corrupted beast problem concerns everyone.”

Jeremy smiled and responded, ”Alright, I’ll do my best to track down those worm beasts. Give me the storage ring.”

Jacob smiled, took out the storage ring, but hesitated before handing it over.

Jeremy raised his eyebrows, and Betsy and Daniel looked confused, unsure of Jacob’s intentions.

”If you need any help, you can call us,” Jacob said.

Jeremy nodded in understanding and accepted the storage ring. Betsy and Daniel sighed in relief.

The group left the store. Instructor Jacob asked, ”What’s your next step?”

”I’m heading back to City C,” Jeremy replied. ”If I find the Tier-5 worm beast, I’ll inform you.”

Jacob nodded. ”Okay. Let’s drop you off at the airport.”

They left for the airport, where Jeremy parted ways with them. At the counter, he purchased a ticket and boarded his flight.

Meanwhile, Instructor Jacob drove Betsy and Daniel back to the university, arriving twenty minutes later.

He instructed them not to spread news of Jeremy’s return, knowing it would spread like wildfire if it got out.

Betsy and Daniel headed toward the department building. Jacob’s eyes gleamed with concern.

He didn’t agree with Jeremy’s plan. How could a Tier-2 beast tamer confront a Tier-5 worm beast? Still, he admired Jeremy’s courage.

Betsy and Daniel, both Tier-1 beast tamers, knew their limits and hadn’t volunteered to join Jeremy.

Jacob decided to consult Elder Derek. He couldn’t leave Jeremy alone, though he knew Jeremy wouldn’t accept help. His eyes reflected his internal struggle.

Why was Jeremy so determined to solve this alone? A single word from him could rally support, yet he insisted on handling it himself.

Jacob headed to Elder Derek’s office, aware that Derek had tried contacting him earlier, but he hadn’t responded.

Upon arriving, he announced his presence, and Elder Derek invited him in.

Elder Derek, seated behind his desk, raised his eyebrows upon seeing Jacob. ”Take a seat,” he said. Once Jacob sat, Derek continued, ”I called you several times, but you didn’t answer.”

Jacob’s expression grew serious. Noticing this, Derek paused his work, sensing something was wrong.

”What happened?” Derek asked.

”We went to see Jeremy Night,” Jacob replied.

”What?” Derek exclaimed, surprised. Collecting his thoughts, he smiled and asked, ”Did he come back to visit his parents?”

During the beast invasion, Derek had visited City C to reassure Jeremy’s parents that their son was safe.

He looked at Jacob and added, ”It’s good he’s back. Did he mention returning to campus to meet everyone?”

Jacob’s face grew solemn. ”Something’s up.”

He explained what had happened to Jeremy in City C. Ten minutes later, Derek’s face was filled with shock. He hadn’t expected Jeremy to encounter such serious trouble.

”This is a major issue. We can’t let him face it alone,” Derek said solemnly.

”But he refuses help. He wants to track the beast’s whereabouts on his own,” Jacob replied.

”Is he crazy? Do his parents know about this?” Derek asked.

Jacob shook his head. ”His father and the other city governors likely have plans, but Jeremy wants to help them. City C lacks powerful beast tamers. If a Tier-5 worm beast attacks, it could be a disaster on the scale of the beast invasion.”

”Let’s inform the Dean. She might send someone to help. A single Tier-6 beast tamer could handle a Tier-5 worm beast,” Derek suggested.

Jacob nodded, and they left to meet the Dean.

Meanwhile, Jeremy’s flight headed toward City C.

Dean’s Office:

Dean Carolyn was seated behind her desk when Jacob and Elder Derek arrived. Surprised by their serious expressions, she invited them in. As Derek explained Jeremy’s situation, her expression turned grim.

After a few minutes, she felt conflicted, relieved that Jeremy was safe but worried about the new danger he faced.

”A Tier-5 worm beast near City C is no ordinary problem. Recent changes in the wilderness outside the city might be connected to its appearance,” she said.

”Dean, we need to help him. He’s planning to go alone and has no one from the 10th Zone with him,” Jacob urged.

Her eyes gleamed with determination. ”I’ll contact City Governor Elton,” she said, making the call immediately. After speaking with him, she learned new information.

Ending the call, she turned to them. ”Jeremy’s father and others have requested assistance from City Governor Elton. He’s sending Commander Harris, someone Jeremy knows, a Tier-6 beast tamer.”

Derek nodded, relieved. ”That’s good news.”

”If it’s Commander Harris, then he will definitely help Jeremy Night,” Jacob said.

Because Jeremy Night worked under him during the Beast Invasion here. ”Since he’s going there, we can be at ease here,” Derek commented.

Meanwhile, Not long after, Jeremy Night left. Beast Tamer Harris boarded the flight to City C with his small team.

Apart from him, there are four Tier-5 Beast Tamers. They are going to investigate first. If the threat is found to be large, they will request backup in return.

Jeremy, who is traveling ahead of them, doesn’t know about it. A few hours later, the flight touched down at City C Airport.

After exiting the place, Jeremy calls the Night Family Head Guard to pick him up. It didn’t take long for the Night Family Head Guard to appear.

He picks up Jeremy Night and starts driving back to the Night Family Mansion. Jeremy decides to start his mission the next morning.

There are risks, but he has made up his mind to do the search.

Soon, the flying car reaches the Night Family Mansion. Shortly afterward, Jeremy went inside the home and saw his father and mother.

He didn’t speak much about his travels. After speaking a few words with them, he went back to his room. He entered the bath to take a shower. The bath lasted for 20 minutes.

Then he changed into comfortable clothes before going to sleep. Meanwhile, Ron Night was busy. He left the home and went to the City Administration Building.

He knows that a team of Beast Tamers is going to arrive from City A. He is going to pick them up at the airport.

The other two City Governors are here in the office. They are going to have a meeting soon.

An hour later,

Harris and his team arrived at the airport. When they walked out, Ron Night went to greet them.

Harris knew what was going on here. City Governor Elton had briefed him.