"It's a bird," Blake chuckled as he saw a bird's shape ingrained in his left hand.
It wasn't just any bird but an eagle, a majestic creature known for its prowess and strength.
—-Haah!
He exhaled loudly, feeling his muscles cramp. Gathering mana and reaching the first ring had caused his body to heal a bit, but it was far from enough.
His whole body hurt, and he could still feel the broken bones in his hand, as he couldn't even move a finger of his right hand.
"Not the most optimum condition, but this one shall make do with it," saying that he got up from his bed and sat on the computer table just beside the bed.
The room was a tiny room filled with posters of different kinds of beasts. Each poster showcased their unique characteristics and abilities, reflecting his fascination with these creatures.
The previous Blake hadn't been able to afford primary education, so he had starved himself for two months. Eating only the bare minimum, he had saved up enough money to purchase an old computer from a second-hand pawn shop.
Despite its age and limitations, the computer was his prized possession, a gateway to the knowledge he craved.
"It's been a long while," Blake looked at the computer in front of him with a look of longing.
The last time he had used a computer was back in his time on Earth as Luke Wallace, a time that felt like a distant memory. To his surprise, he had found that technology on Earth hadn't evolved much since then, possibly due to the impact of the apocalypse.
While there were new concepts and businesses emerging, the foundation of technology remained essentially unchanged. The so-called 'flying cars' and 'futuristic cities' had yet to materialize, and the world was still waiting for the next big breakthrough.
However, one notable development was the increased prevalence of people flying on their pets. For those fortunate enough to possess a giant beast as a companion, the skies had become a new frontier for exploration and travel.
The sight of humans soaring through the air on the backs of their loyal beasts was a testament to the bond between them and the power of these incredible creatures.
Sitting at the computer, Blake connected its plug to the power source and turned the computer on.
It took quite a while for his old computer to start up, but eventually, it did. Not wasting even a second, Blake eagerly opened the web browser.
He searched for information regarding beasts and insignias on the internet, hoping to learn more about this fascinating world. As he delved deeper into the subject, he discovered the following key pieces of information:
Firstly, the world was filled with various types of beasts, ranging from those resembling Earth's animals to those bearing no resemblance at all to any earthly beings.
In addition to beasts, people could also acquire monsters through their insignias. However, those who ended up with monsters usually received lower-level ones, such as goblins and gnomes.
The intelligence of beasts and monsters varied depending on their rank and characteristics. Some were highly intelligent, while others were more instinctive in nature.
Certain beasts had natural advantages or disadvantages against specific types of beasts, while others possessed enough strength to challenge any kind of beast or monster.
Most beasts had an elemental affinity or a unique trait that defined their abilities. Those with rare elements or unique attributes were typically stronger than their more common counterparts.
All monsters and beasts were ranked from lowest to highest as follows: Fledgling, Novice, Adept, Elite, Quasi-Guardian, Guardian, Quasi-Sovereign, and Sovereign Rank.
A beast's rank greatly influenced the level of its Tamer. Therefore, if a person's first beast insignia was high-ranked, they would begin their journey as a Tamer with a higher rank.
As he continued his research, Blake found that there were various types of beasts, each with their own unique characteristics and abilities. These types included elemental affinities such as Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Poison, and Lightning, as well as more specific classifications like Flying, Aquatic, Feline, and Canine.
These types of beasts could be further qualified based on their unique traits, such as enhanced strength, heightened agility, or extraordinary regenerative abilities. Some beasts even possessed rare or unique skills, which made them highly sought after by Tamers.
Blake looked up posts regarding how to actually utilize these beast insignias, and the answer was surprisingly simple.
"I just need to think about it?"
He glanced at his hand, and as he focused his thoughts on his eagle insignia, it began to glow with a light blue hue. A faint shadow emerged from the mark on his hand, floating in front of him. Gradually, it transformed into a beautiful creature, resembling an eagle in both shape and size.
The eagle appeared to be a juvenile, not yet fully grown, with its plumage displaying an exquisite combination of vibrant blue and rich purple hues. The feathers were slightly fluffier than those of a mature eagle, giving it an air of innocence and vulnerability. Its eyes, large and curious, shone with a hint of playfulness and intelligence.
Standing at nearly 3 feet tall, the young eagle was an impressive sight to behold. Its wings, while not fully developed, hinted at the incredible power and speed it would possess once it reached maturity. The talons, though small, looked sharp and deadly, ready to grasp prey or defend against threats.
Blake couldn't help but marvel at this magnificent creature, the product of his very own beast insignia. He felt an instant connection to the young eagle, sensing that they were destined to grow and learn together.
As Blake continued to gaze at the young eagle, he felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch the magnificent creature. With a mixture of excitement and caution, he extended his hand toward the bird, wondering how it would react.
To his surprise, the eagle seemed to sense the connection between them, allowing Blake to approach without fear. As his fingers gently brushed against its soft feathers, Blake marveled at the delicate texture, so different from what he had expected. He could feel the warmth of the creature's body beneath the layer of plumage, a testament to the life pulsing within it.
The eagle, initially cautious, soon began to relax under Blake's gentle touch. It seemed to recognize the bond between them, a connection that transcended the physical realm. As Blake continued to stroke the bird's feathers, the young creature started to enjoy the attention, even leaning into his hand and rubbing its head against his palm.
As Blake and the eagle continued to interact, their bond grew stronger. Suddenly, they heard loud knocks on the door.
Remembering that the previous Blake didn't have anyone who would visit him, even if he was in dire need, Blake cautiously opened the door after recalling his eagle beast back into his insignia.
He was greeted by two men and a woman, all dressed in police uniforms. The woman seemed to be the leader of the group.
"Excuse us," she said politely, "we'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind."
Blake raised an eyebrow, trying to play it cool. "Sure, officers, what's the matter?"
The officers informed him that he had been seen on a CCTV camera near the warehouse, stumbling out half-dead. There had been a mass murder in the warehouse, and they had found a man named Jack, but he had lost his sanity and was shouting in fear at anyone who approached him.
The officers didn't seem amused. So, Blake decided to come up with a story. "You see, I was just passing by the warehouse when a monster attacked me. I fought it off, but as you can see, I got pretty banged up in the process."
The officers didn't seem to buy his story, but with only one CCTV in the area and no solid evidence, they couldn't arrest him. Blake was aware of this fact from his memories and played it safe by making up a story.
This was one of the severe drawbacks of these slums. Incidents like murder and such were widespread, and the police had only moved because it was a mass murder.
The woman warned him not to leave the country while the investigation was ongoing and suggested he get his injuries checked at a hospital.
"I appreciate the concern, officers, but don't worry about me. I've had worse," Blake said, trying to brush off the suggestion.
With that, the officers left, and Blake closed the door behind them. He knew he needed to be more cautious in the future, as the situation could have gone much worse if the police had more evidence.
He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, "Ah, the irony, law enforcement in a world where it's survival of the fittest. It's like trying to cage a bunch of lions with chicken wire!"
It was already almost 5 am in the morning, so Blake proceeded with his mana breathing to fix up his broken body slowly.
Not to mention, he also needed to register in the Tamer's Association since he had awakened as a Tamer. Even though he couldn't be bothered with it, he knew the millions of drawbacks of not being a registered Tamer, so he eventually had to register himself.
Not to mention the free government subsidiary from registering was something the current Blake needed. He needed to pay back all the loans of the previous Blake.
He wasn't in the mood to kill all the creditors just yet, not to mention it would be too bothersome.