The tension in the air was thick, every eye locked onto me as I stood in front of the imposing mech and its angelic partner. The mech's voice boomed once more, cutting through the silence.
"Who are you? We have no record of your existence in our registry. State your origin."
I hesitated, feeling the weight of their gazes—the soldiers on the walls, the drones overhead, the massive mech before me. Monsters and men, all waiting for a single misstep to give them a reason to act.
I glanced at the knight, but he said nothing, his glowing form exuding a quiet expectation. This was on me.
My mind raced. If I revealed too much, I might endanger my universe, just as I feared doing to theirs. If I lied poorly, I risked being branded a threat and attacked. The pressure was suffocating.
As I scrambled for a response, the golden figure beside the mech stepped forward. It was a humanoid being of light, radiating an otherworldly beauty. Its white wings shimmered, and its golden armor gleamed as though it were crafted by the sun itself. The being's calm voice broke the silence.
"Enough," it said to the mech, its tone commanding yet serene. "Let him pass. You can see he bears no corruption or ill intent."
The mech hesitated, then tilted slightly toward the angelic figure. Their exchange was brief, almost telepathic in nature, and I caught none of it. The silence stretched for what felt like an eternity before the mech's gaze returned to me.
"Very well," the mech said reluctantly. "You may enter, but your guardian must remain outside. We do not allow non-humans into our city unless under strict regulation."
The knight stepped forward then, his glowing form towering over everyone present. He didn't speak immediately, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the mech and the angel.
"You would deny me entry while I bring you one of your own?" His voice was low and dangerous, each word laced with barely contained power. "Know this—if you harm Akira, I will return, and your walls, your weapons, your very lives will be forfeit. Not even the Holy Light will protect you from me."
The mech flinched ever so slightly, its red glow dimming as if acknowledging the knight's overwhelming presence.
"Understood," the pilot said, his voice quieter now.
The angel inclined its head respectfully. "You have our word. No harm will come to him under our watch."
The knight's gaze lingered for a moment before he stepped back. "See that you keep your word."
He turned to me, placing a massive hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "This is your path now. Walk it wisely."
Before he left, he raised one hand, allowing his energy to briefly manifest in a show of power. The soldiers gasped, and I heard the mech pilot mutter under his breath, "Emerald rank…"
Without another word, the knight launched into the sky, leaving an emerald streak in his wake.
The mech's weapons lowered, and the gates to the town opened. The golden angel gestured for me to enter, its expression unreadable.
Voltis and Laila had been hidden in my taming space before we landed, a precaution we'd agreed on to avoid unnecessary questions. Now, it was just me and Asura stepping into this human settlement.
The walls loomed high above us, and as we crossed the threshold, I felt the weight of countless eyes on me. These were humans—my kind—but they felt as alien to me as any beast I had encountered in the forest.
Asura walked beside me, his expression calm, but I could sense his readiness to act if needed. He leaned in slightly, his voice low. "This place feels… tense. Be careful."
I nodded, my gaze forward as we entered the unknown. This was a new chapter, and I wasn't sure if it would lead to answers or more questions. Either way, there was no turning back.
As I stood before the hulking mech warrior, the command was given for everyone to disperse. The once-tense walls began to clear as soldiers and drones returned to their posts, leaving me alone with the towering figure.
"You," the mech said, pointing directly at me, "follow me."
The mech's metallic form shifted, layers of armor retracting and folding into itself with a series of mechanical clicks and hisses. What emerged was a man in his late thirties, standing over two meters tall, his muscular frame riddled with scars across his face and bare arms. His short brown hair was streaked with gray, and his mechanical eyes glowed faintly, scanning me with an unsettling precision.
Embedded in his chest was a power core, pulsating softly—a clear indicator of his mechanical route. Judging by his age and enhancements, it was obvious he was one of the earlier pioneers of this path.
"I'm Regulus," he introduced himself, his voice rough yet authoritative. "Mayor of this city, Safe Haven Plant Region Iron Rank, and its guardian."
He gestured toward the town behind him. "This is one of several Safe Havens in the region, each tailored to different types of creatures. But for now, let's talk somewhere private."
As I followed him through the bustling streets, I took in my surroundings. Most of the people I saw were iron rank, with a few bronze rank individuals scattered among them. Silver rank humans were a rare sight, and none of them came close to Regulus's overwhelming presence.
The question burned in my mind, and I couldn't help but ask as we walked. "Mayor Regulus, why did you let me enter?"
He stopped abruptly, turning to face me. His mechanical eyes narrowed slightly as if assessing me again. "You don't know?"
I shook my head, confused.
Regulus sighed, his expression unreadable. "This isn't something we should discuss out in the open. Let's get to my office."
The heart of the town was dominated by the Tamer Association building, a massive structure with sleek, modern architecture that occupied an area the size of a football stadium. It towered four stories high, bristling with holographic displays and robotic guards patrolling the perimeter.
Inside, the building felt like stepping into the future. Advanced holograms flickered, displaying maps, mission boards, and live feeds. Automated drones buzzed about, assisting tamers with tasks. Regulus explained as we walked.
"This is where tamers gather data, trade resources, take on missions, and even train or battle. It's the hub of everything you'll need."
The efficiency of the place was astounding. Most of the other buildings in the town seemed to serve basic needs—housing and food—but this was where all the action happened.
Finally, we took an elevator to his office, a spacious and elegant room that radiated authority and comfort. He gestured for me to sit on a plush sofa while he moved toward a sleek coffee machine.
"What'll it be?" he asked.
"Tea," I replied, my voice steady despite the tension I felt.
He returned moments later with a steaming cup, setting it down in front of me before taking a seat across from me.
"Now," he began, his tone serious, "let's talk. Do you have any idea who vouched for you?"
I shook my head, unsure what to say.
"The beings who vouched for you are the Guardians of Order and Balance—Legends in this universe."
My heart skipped a beat. The word "Legends" triggered something within me, bringing forth fragmented memories and data about these mythical beings. They were at the pinnacle of power, shaping the very fabric of this world.
"They've instructed me to help you adjust and ensure your survival here," Regulus continued, his mechanical eyes locking onto mine. "But I don't understand why. Care to explain?"
"I don't know," I said truthfully. "I was lost in the jungle and trying to find my way back home. That's all."
"Then why aren't you in our registry?"
I hesitated, then replied carefully. "I didn't live in your world."
Regulus's eyes glowed faintly as he processed my words, his gaze unwavering. "Fine. Let's assume you lived in the Beast Empire. What's your plan now?"
"I want to grow stronger," I said earnestly. "I've felt what it's like to be weak, to be helpless in the face of danger. I don't want to experience that again. And I want to help humanity catch up to the other species. We're so far behind."
He leaned back in his chair, nodding slowly. "You say you've been trained. Prove it."
I expected this. "Bring me a creature stuck at iron rank, and I'll show you."
Regulus didn't hesitate. Speaking into an earpiece, he ordered one of the handlers to bring a creature from their reserves. As I sipped my tea, the door opened, and a wolf was led in—a large, gray-furred beast that radiated iron rank energy.
"This wolf has been stuck at its peak for months," Regulus said. "No path forward. What do you see?"
I studied the wolf, its energy patterns, and its innate potential. It didn't take long to find the answer.
"It needs frost energy," I said confidently. "Feed it frost-based resources and have it kill a hundred ice-aligned beasts. Avoid fire energy—it'll counteract the process."
Regulus raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. With a flick of his wrist, an ice crystal appeared in his hand. He passed it to the wolf, which devoured it eagerly.
Seconds later, its body began to change. Its fur turned a shimmering white with light blue streaks, and two curved horns sprouted from its head. Its size doubled, and the room filled with a frigid aura.
"A Frosthorn Wolf," Regulus murmured, clearly impressed. "Smaller than a full frost wolf, but still remarkable."
I remained silent, letting the result speak for itself.
As the Frosthorn Wolf was led out, Regulus signaled for the area to be cleared. The room was quickly vacated, leaving only the two of us. He fixed me with a piercing gaze, his mechanical eyes glowing faintly as if analyzing every aspect of me.
"How many types of creatures have you learned about?" he asked, leaning back in his chair. "I assume your knowledge is limited to those under the Beast Empire."
I shook my head slightly. "I have a good understanding of all types, not just those under the Beast Empire."
Regulus raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "That's impressive," he muttered. "Even without that claim, you'd be valuable. Humanity desperately needs researchers who can identify paths of evolution. We've yet to reach emerald rank, but our goal is clear."
"Diamond rank," I guessed aloud.
He nodded. "Exactly. If humanity can reach diamond rank, we'll finally stand on equal footing with the mid-grade kingdoms under the Beast Empire. But our ultimate dream is greater—to produce a legend rank. With just one legend, we could elevate humanity to the status of an empire."
I could feel the weight of his words and the sheer ambition behind them. But I also felt the pressure mounting on me.
"You mentioned paths to evolution," he said after a pause. "Do you know a path to emerald rank for any creature?"
I hesitated. I wasn't sure if I could trust him yet. "I have the path mapped out until gold rank for most creatures," I said cautiously. "Beyond that, I'd need access to your databases and resources for further research."
Regulus studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded. "Fair enough. You'll get authorization up to your rank—bronze. That will allow you access to information on bronze-rank creatures and some other important data. Gold-rank access will take time—at least a month of observation. The higher-ups need to be certain of your intentions."
"I understand," I replied. It made sense. Trust wasn't something easily given, especially when the stakes were this high.
"We can't afford to take risks," Regulus continued. "Humanity is united now, but strict rules and harsh punishments keep it that way. We can't let selfishness or betrayal destroy what we've built."
I nodded again. "I'll prove myself."
Regulus leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "Good. Now, about your immediate needs—housing, money?"
I smiled wryly. "I'll need both. I don't have anything right now."
"You'll be assigned a residence within the Tamer Association complex," he replied. "A stipend appropriate for your rank will be provided. If you want more, you'll need to take on missions. That's the quickest way to earn."
"Thank you," I said earnestly.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"Can I go to Earth?"
Regulus's gaze narrowed slightly. "Not yet. After a month, once you've earned gold-rank authorization, you'll have access. But don't expect much—Earth isn't suited for training. The energy levels there are too low for anyone to grow beyond iron rank."
"I just want to visit, not train," I clarified.
"Understood." He stood up, signaling the end of our meeting. "I'll have someone guide you around the town and help you settle in. Remember: fighting outside the arena is strictly forbidden, and killing is an absolute no. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal clear," I replied.
The door opened, and a man stepped inside. He was in his thirties, with short black hair and an athletic build. His sharp gaze spoke of experience, a seasoned fighter who had seen his share of battles.
"This is Wang," Regulus introduced. "He'll show you around."
Wang gave me a polite nod, and I followed him out of the office.
Before leaving, I glanced back at Regulus. His British-accented voice and demeanor reminded me of someone from Europe, though his origins could have been elsewhere. Wang, in contrast, seemed distinctly Chinese. Despite their differences, they both carried the same hardened aura, a mark of survivors who had endured humanity's harsh climb back from the brink.
As we walked through the association building, Wang spoke. "I'll show you the key areas—the mission board, the training facilities, and your quarters. Anything else you need, just ask."
"Thanks," I said, falling into step beside him. The sheer scale of the Tamer Association, coupled with the gravity of my situation, began to sink in. This was just the beginning.