Hunters and beasts each have their own classification system. The people living in GreenHaven can be described in one of three categories:
Humans with Regular Jobs:
These individuals form the backbone of Greenhaven's bustling urban life. They are shopkeepers, office workers, artisans, and service providers. Dressed in modest attire suitable for their respective professions, they navigate the city's rhythm with a sense of routine and familiarity.
Their attire ranges from the casual jeans and t-shirts of retail workers to the formal suits of corporate employees. Amidst the extraordinary events unfolding in the city, these people represent ordinary, everyday life.
They are often seen commuting, interacting in cafes, and going about their daily tasks, largely unaware of the deeper mysteries surrounding Greenhaven.
Government Employees:
Government employees in Greenhaven are often seen in official uniforms or smart attire, depending on their roles. They range from the street-level bureaucracy, like postal workers and public transport employees, to higher echelons, including administrators and officials.
Their clothing is more formal and standardized, often with badges or insignias denoting their department.
These individuals work in various sectors, such as public safety, urban planning, and administration. They maintain the city's infrastructure, ensure public services run smoothly, and implement government policies. Some may have a more direct role in managing the challenges posed by the Verdant Wilds.
Hunters:
Hunters are a breed apart in Greenhaven. Rugged and experienced, they carry an aura of mystery.
They dress in practical, durable clothing suitable for venturing into the Verdant Wilds. This often includes weather-resistant jackets, utility belts, boots, and protective gear.
Many hunters carry specialized equipment and weapons, some possibly adorned with signs of enchantments. Their attire symbolizes their status and achievements. Hunters are respected, sometimes feared, for their skills and knowledge of the creatures in the forest.
They move with a purposeful stride, eyes always alert, and often gather in taverns or specific areas in the city to share information, trade gear, or recruit for expeditions into the forest.
Beasts come in various forms and differ in strength. Some are passive, meaning they won't harm humans unless attacked.
These passive beasts are often found near the border of the forest, and hunters generally avoid targeting them when possible.
Of course, there are some malicious hunters who target these creatures, seeing them as easy prey and selling their meat and hides in the black market. However, this practice is frowned upon in the hunting community.
Apart from the passive varieties, there are beasts that are inherently predatory, widely known as awakened beasts. In contrast to their passive counterparts, awakened beasts are endowed with a range of extraordinary abilities, commonly referred to as powers.
The powers identified among these creatures are diverse, encompassing abilities like telekinesis, elemental magic, shapeshifting, and, in exceedingly rare instances, time manipulation.
To date, hunters have cataloged over 100 different types of awakened beasts, and it's believed that an equal number remain undiscovered.
To assess the threat level of these creatures, hunters use a categorization system based on assigned levels, which currently range from 1 to 10.
Beasts at level 10 are particularly formidable, typically requiring the collaborative effort of dozens of the world's most skilled hunters to successfully subdue them.
Hunters believe that even stronger monsters exist in the forest and, more notably, in dungeons. However, due to numerous unexplored regions, there have been no definitive sightings, only unverified rumours.
Dungeons are not widely known, as they are closely guarded by the government for unclear reasons.
Hunters in this world adhere to a unique Classification System, spanning from Initiate to Master ranks. This system employs a coloured badge, alongside an inherent mystical aura visible only to those with the requisite knowledge, with each rank distinguished by a distinct colour:
Rank 1 - Initiate (Red Emblem): Representing the fiery determination of new hunters.
Rank 2 - Journeyman (Green Emblem): Symbolizing the agility and adaptability required at this stage.
Rank 3 - Guardian (Silver Emblem): Denoting seasoned hunters' grounded strength and resilience.
Rank 4 - Sage (Golden Emblem): Reflecting the powerful insight and wisdom gained through experience.
Rank 5 - Master (Black Emblem): Emblematic of the rare, unparalleled mastery and prowess in hunting.
Currently, in Greenhaven, only five hunters who have achieved the esteemed Rank 5 - Master rank have been made public. These individuals are not just hunters but legends, revered for their extraordinary skills and achievements. Everyone believes there are more, but for some reason, they remain hidden from the public.
For Alex, both the city and the forest were important. The city was like the NPCs of the game; he could eventually talk to people and learn to trade with them for money and items.
As for the Forest, it was the place where he could go to level up, find unique treasures, and equip himself to become strong enough to venture deeper into the forest.
The first thing Alex needed to do was equip himself with whatever he could and obtain a hunter rank 1 - Initiate badge, which is necessary to allow him to start his forest adventure.