Chapter 1 - Starting Over
In the stillness of midnight, under the cool blue lights of Sky Sector 9's Elite District, Auron's mind was racing.
Seated in the silent shadows of his small, private office, he clutched a sleek black folder in his hand, flipping through a pile of termination documents he had just received. Outside his window, beyond the glittering towers and the faint hum of night traffic, lay the Spire Complex, where his life had changed forever. Once a leader among beast masters and a famous guild commander, Auron was now reduced to an outcast, forced to start again from scratch.
For years, Auron had been the respected Beast Handler Commander of "Seraph", one of the most elite beastmaster organizations in the world. He'd built his reputation through long battles and masterful training of mythical beasts that only a handful could tame. Under his guidance, Seraph had successfully defended the Western States, accumulating a treasure trove of rare creatures and gear. But now, all of it was gone, vanished in the swipe of a signature.
"Years of fighting, and it only took a piece of paper to destroy it all," Auron muttered, barely containing his frustration. He glanced down at the contract, the glowing red ink marking his dismissal: a decision he'd resisted until the end. He had refused to support a merger with "Worldsinger", a merciless corporate guild bent on controlling every inch of the beast-handling industry.
"Forget them," he growled to himself, tearing the document in two and letting the pieces fall onto the floor. He wasn't about to let a corporation steal everything he'd worked for. "If I have to, I'll start over."
At dawn, he awoke with a plan forming in his mind. His fingers itched with excitement as he checked the time on his outdated phone. The world he knew was shifting fast, and a new VR system, "Empyrea Online", was about to launch. The highly realistic virtual landscape promised the ultimate beast-mastering experience, where creatures of legendary power could be tamed and trained. For those with the skill and courage, there were untold riches to be won, and Auron knew it would be the perfect place to rebuild from scratch.
Just then, his old friend Kael called. "Hey, Auron, are you still up for that guild recruitment test at the university? Seraph's holding tryouts. Thought you might want to go and—"
"Kael," Auron cut him off, grinning as he reached for his coat. "I'm not joining Seraph's program. I'm starting my own beast guild. Are you with me?"
Silence hung over the line, then a burst of laughter. "You've lost it! Just 'two' of us? You remember what it costs to buy 'one' bio-enhanced beast? Or a Level 1 Tamer's gear alone?"
"Trust me," Auron said, his voice calm. "The money isn't the problem. We'll start small, and we'll use Empyrea Online to build our skills. In ten days, we'll get ourselves a training pass for free."
Kael was quiet for a while, then sighed. "Alright, let's do this. But I hope you're ready for the risk."
Auron chuckled, slinging a basic gear bag over his shoulder. "The higher the risk, the better the reward."
---
As Auron strode through the gates of the city's University District, he felt an odd thrill at being back at the starting line. Where most people would struggle to survive in *Empyrea Online*'s harsh environment, he had the knowledge and expertise to get a head start.
For months, he'd collected any leaked information about the game he could find. He knew that this virtual realm was home to rare creatures, mystical landscapes, and items that could empower a beast tamer's bond with their beasts in unprecedented ways. The free student pass they would receive at the launch would give him and Kael ten days to lay the foundation of a new beast-taming empire.
As Kael joined him in the university courtyard, Auron saw a familiar determination in his eyes. The last remnants of doubt had disappeared.
"What's the plan?" Kael asked.
Auron held up a finger. "First, we train. Then, we gather a few strong beginner beasts, ones that nobody else thinks are worth taming. After ten days, we start selling information to the wealthier players—the ones who don't have our experience."
He paused. "And there's one more thing: I'm going after the *Scorch Dragon*."
Kael's eyes widened. The Scorch Dragon was a Level 80 beast, so rare and deadly that rumors claimed it had never been tamed. Even in the virtual world, that creature's stats were rumored to be massive, its loyalty nearly impossible to secure. But Auron knew its weaknesses, having spent years researching ancient creatures.
---
The days leading up to the launch were filled with preparations. Auron taught Kael everything he knew, reviewing every move, every training regimen, and every tactic. They were soon ready for anything the game could throw at them.
On launch day, Auron entered the game with a deep breath, feeling the world envelop him in breathtaking clarity. Forests stretched to the horizon, and mountains towered in the distance, filled with creatures both mythical and deadly. His body tingled with a surge of power as he took his first steps.
"Welcome, Beast Tamer Auron," a soft, ethereal voice said as he appeared in the game's starting area. "In this world, you will encounter challenges that test your courage, your loyalty, and your bond with the beasts around you. Are you prepared?"
Auron smiled. "More than you know."
Together, he and Kael navigated the starting forests, capturing a small, fiery hawk for Kael and a shadowy wolf cub for Auron. Though these creatures were low-level, Auron saw the fierce potential in their eyes. They were more than capable of growing strong, and he knew how to make it happen.
Over the next few days, they hunted relentlessly, developing strategies that other players couldn't fathom. They learned the terrain, tracked rare creatures, and built up their beast-mastering abilities, knowing every extra stat and tactic would be vital. Auron's skills had only sharpened with time, and he made sure Kael was ready to face the challenges ahead.
On the ninth day, Auron spotted the Scorch Dragon. High on the cliffs, its fiery wings stretched against the sunset. With a quick glance at Kael, he moved forward, knowing that their mission was far from over.
"If we succeed today, we'll be unstoppable," he said, grinning.
Kael nodded, determined. They climbed the rocky cliffs, knowing the greatest challenge of their lives awaited them, and that one final capture would seal their place as legends in the world of Empyrea.