STRIKER: Independent Beast Tamer

5th Zone, City A

City Governor’s Office

Head Harold and the others sighed in relief after learning that Governor Martin was not blaming them. Instead, someone else had committed the crime and shifted the blame onto them.

Harold said, ”If the illegal organization continues to attack us, I’m afraid the casualties will be higher. Then I would have no choice but to confront them as well.”

His words had an underlying meaning. Obviously, he wouldn’t wait for his members to die in the wilderness. He had brought this organization to this level after many hurdles.

He wouldn’t let anyone attack them for no reason.

Martin’s eyes flickered. As he had expected, Head Harold was playing his cards. As a Governor, he couldn’t ignore the threats.

If the top forces fought against each other, it would be an open invitation to outside threats. The corrupted beasts with intellect wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

”Alright, I’ll talk to them,” Martin said.

Head Harold smiled and asked, ”Governor, do you believe the person behind the organization will agree? Not only were the Skull Gang members involved, but there were also reports that other illegal organizations had teamed up to target our teams.”

”What are you going to do?” Martin asked.

”Since it’s between the Skull Gang members and us, I want you to stop the other forces,” he said.

Martin was quiet, but his eyes flashed with a gleam.

”Okay,” he uttered. ”But I don’t want any killings inside the city.”

”Alright,” Harold said.

Then he stood up. Seeing this, the other higher-ups stood up behind him. They decided to leave. After nodding to Governor Martin, they left the place.

When they were gone, Martin raised his eyebrows.

”Was he going to use this situation to raise the prestige of the Red Moon Chamber?”Martin thought.

He thought it was likely possible. Everyone knew that the former Red Chamber had merged with the 10th Zone’s Shadow Moon to form a single organization with a branch in the 10th Zone.

As far as he knew, the head of the 10th Zone was not ordinary either. They were old veterans with connections. He wouldn’t be surprised if they had connections extending to the Human Alliance.

So, he was not going to stop their movement. The mission was selected by him. The illegal organizations were causing a headache for him as well.

”So be it,” Martin uttered.

He wouldn’t try to interfere this time. He hoped that the Red Moon Chamber would inflict maximum damage on the illegal organization.

...

Red Moon Chamber

The following day

Harold was in his office. He was going through the casualty report. The attack by the Skull Gang and the illegal organization had caused significant casualties.

The death toll was in the double digits, and the injured were in the triple digits. The total strength of the official teams was 500.

Yet the casualties were in the double digits. It was not a small number. Several teams were wiped out from the 50 teams.

His eyes turned cold. After having that meeting with Governor Martin, he had held another meeting with the higher-ups and elders.

Everyone discussed what to do next. From Governor Martin’s statement earlier, the doubts in their minds were cleared.

The 48th Team was not responsible for the Skull Gang members’ death. Yet the illegal organization had decided to target them anyway. They needed an excuse, and someone gave it to them.

Buzz!

Suddenly, a phone call disturbed his thoughts. He picked up the device and saw the contact name. The person calling was none other than his friend, Head Neil Moon.

He answered the call.

”Harold, what’s going on right now?” Neil Moon’s impatient voice sounded.

Head Harold started replying in a relaxed tone. He had already briefed him on everything last night. Now his friend was asking for an update.

”I have decided to confront them. Otherwise, we will be made an example of for selecting the crime-fighting mission. The other Beast Taming forces won’t hesitate to target us in the future,” Head Harold said.

”So, what’s your plan?” Neil asked.

”Governor Martin made it clear. He doesn’t want bloodshed inside the city. But he would ignore everything happening outside in the wilderness,” Harold replied.

”Then, what are you waiting for?”

”Send the beast tamers and a few elders. They will take care of it,” Neil Moon said.

Hearing that, Harold revealed a bitter smile on his face.

He said, ”Do you think this is the 10th Zone?”

”The fear of the illegal organization is strong here. That’s why no one touches them inside the city. I’m afraid no one will follow my orders. Instead, they might leave the organization,” Harold said with a sigh.

”What?” Neil uttered in shock.

”The founder of the illegal organization was a Tier-9 Beast Tamer from the Human Alliance. We don’t know how much he was involved. That’s why the Governors are not wiping them out,” Harold replied.

”I have an idea. But I don’t know whether you will agree,” Neil said.

Harold’s eyes flickered.

”What is it?” he asked.

”Instead of sending higher-ups and elders, just send one person. He will take care of the illegal members Tier-4 and below,” Neil said. ”Once they suffer heavy damage, I don’t think they will continue to target the members.”

”One person?”

”What are you talking about?” Harold asked.

”Yes, just send that kid, Jeremy Night, to the wilderness. He will take care of the illegal members. And trust me, no one will believe it,” Neil said.

Quiet.

There was silence for a couple of seconds. Harold’s heart was in turmoil. He had barred the kid from entering the wilderness.

He had given orders to the kid to become a Tier-3 Beast Tamer first. He knew about the kid’s ability to fight across ranks.

He was pondering. He didn’t know whether it was the right thing to do. But his friend was saying it.

”Don’t worry, the kid has survived three Beast Invasions. He has killed numerous Tier-3 and Tier-4 Corrupted Beasts.”

”The illegal members are not that much of a threat to him. As long as the big guys don’t appear, he will be safe,” Neil Moon tried to convince him once again.