Eclipsed Realms: The Tamer's Path

As I stepped into the reception area, I spotted my new teammates gathered around the mission board. Jun was flanked by a pair of young tamers, both clearly siblings. The resemblance was striking—both had ginger hair and piercing grey eyes. The guy introduced himself as George, and his sister was Amber. Their friendly demeanor and relaxed posture hinted at the bond they shared with Jun, which was later confirmed when they explained they had been childhood friends.

They greeted me warmly, clearly excited to have someone stronger guide them. From their conversations, I learned that they had already been in this dimension for a week under the Association's guide. However, their time with the guide had ended, and they were struggling to find suitable second partners. The creatures near the city, while plentiful, weren't living up to their expectations.

It seemed their lack of familial connections or special talents had put them at a disadvantage. Unlike tamers with unique talents or influential families backing them, these three were left to fend for themselves. This made them even more grateful for my presence.

Jun took out a holographic tablet and showed me the image of their target creature. It was a hulking bear, easily twice the size of a normal one, with an earthy brown body coated in rugged stone-like armor. Its name was the Terra Ursan—a powerful iron-rank beast known for its earth elemental abilities. Its earth attacks and defensive skills made it a reliable partner, though its potential was capped at gold rank, which was considered average for normal tamers.

Jun turned to me with a hopeful expression. "What do you think? I know it's not the most exceptional creature, but for me, it's a good fit. My current partner is also a bear, but it lacks any elemental powers."

I studied the hologram thoughtfully. The Terra Ursan was a solid choice, especially considering the limitations of this area. It was sturdy, reliable, and well-suited to Jun's style. "It's a good choice," I said after a moment. "It will complement your current partner and give you some elemental flexibility."

I paused before continuing. "That said, if you're open to other options, the Shadow Jaguar is a better long-term choice. It's incredibly fast, with shadow-based abilities that give it the upper hand in stealth and ambush tactics. Another solid option is the Mongoose Beast, known for its agility and venom resistance. Lastly, there's the Titan Boa, a powerhouse with overwhelming strength and constriction abilities."

The trio exchanged surprised glances. Amber's eyes lit up. "The Shadow Jaguar sounds amazing. But... isn't that creature way too dangerous? I've heard it's usually found at the bronze rank, and even the iron-rank ones are considered a nightmare to deal with."

She wasn't wrong. The Shadow Jaguar was notoriously elusive and dangerous, even at lower ranks. I could see why they'd be hesitant. "It's a matter of risk versus reward," I said. "If you want a partner with higher potential, it means facing greater challenges. The Terra Ursan, on the other hand, is a safer option and still a great choice for your current level."

Amber nodded, clearly torn. "I'd love to have a Shadow Jaguar, but I'm not sure we're ready for that kind of risk."

Jun stepped in with a determined smile. "Let's stick to the Terra Ursan for now. We can focus on getting stronger, and later, when we're more experienced, we can try for something like the Shadow Jaguar."

Their cautious approach was understandable. They weren't ready to gamble with their lives for a higher-risk partner. I respected their decision. "Alright," I said. "Let's go after the Terra Ursan. But be prepared—I'll be pushing you to your limits. If we're doing this, you'll need to give it your all."

They nodded in unison, their expressions filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. I couldn't blame them. This was going to be a good test—for them and for me.

Leaving the Reception area behind, I made my way with the group to the equipment shops. The bear they sought—Terra Ursan—was located far from the city, about 40 to 50 kilometers into the wilderness. It wasn't one of the creatures that roamed near the safety of the town, so proper preparation was critical.

The group suggested a trip to the shops to upgrade their gear. I didn't mind; in fact, I wanted to explore the shops myself. While I had the armor Asura crafted, I was curious to see if there was something better—or at least something that could inspire him to make improvements.

As we walked, I studied their existing equipment. They wore basic tamer armor—sleek, functional, and almost futuristic in design, reminding me of the suits from Halo. The armor was flexible, didn't hinder movement, and could withstand a decent amount of damage. It even came with A.I. assistance, which helped with navigation, aim correction, and real-time threat assessments.

Their weapons were also standard issue: rifles capable of dealing with iron-rank threats, daggers for close combat, and grenades. Beyond the basics, each of them had chosen specialized weapons. Jun carried a sword, George used drones, and Amber wielded a chain with a spearhead at the end.

Their talents were modest but practical. Jun explained that his talent, Sword Mastery, gave him innate skills with a blade, though it didn't make him superhuman. Amber had a low-level magnetic talent, which allowed her to manipulate her chain weapon with impressive precision. George's minor talent in electronics enabled him to control drones with his mind.

I silently compared their abilities to mine. Their talents, while useful, didn't hold a candle to what I had at my disposal. My Monster Encyclopedia talent alone was far beyond their capabilities, but I kept that to myself. They didn't ask about my talent, which I appreciated—it showed they respected boundaries. However, their silence also confirmed their assumption that my talent must be exceptional, especially since I had been personally escorted into the town by a gold-rank leader.

We stopped at the weapon shop first. The shop was well-organized, with holographic displays showcasing a variety of weapons. Each display provided detailed information about the item, including its rank, capabilities, and recommended use.

I wandered past the silver-rank weapons—a sword, lance, spear, and gun that were far beyond my current level. They caught my eye, but I focused on the bronze-rank section instead. After some deliberation, I purchased a laser rifle and a lightning lance.

The laser rifle was a sleek, compact weapon that fired high-temperature heat beams. It came equipped with a fire stone and rune inscriptions, allowing it to function as a continuous beam weapon or charge for a single, devastating shot. It also had automatic aiming capabilities, making it a reliable addition to my arsenal.

The lightning lance, on the other hand, was more hands-on. Embedded with a lightning stone and etched with runes, it converted the wielder's energy into lightning energy. The lance could also rotate, delivering powerful electric shocks on contact. I handed it to Asura in the taming space to study and practice with, knowing it could inspire improvements to his future creations.

Next, we visited the tamer equipment shop. This was where tamers could purchase traps, nets, and other tools for capturing creatures. The group decided on a shock net specifically designed for subduing iron-rank creatures, which would come in handy against the Terra Ursan. I didn't buy anything here, though I mentally noted the various options for future use.

At the medicine shop, we stocked up on healing pills and poisons. I also bought some low-rank poisonous and healing materials for Laila to experiment with. While these materials weren't the best quality, they were sufficient for now. The shop catalogs also hinted at higher-tier items available for those with the rank and resources to afford them. This solidified my resolve to earn more money and rise in rank.

Finally, I purchased a bronze-ranked earth armor. This armor prioritized defense over flexibility, making it an interesting addition to my collection. I let Asura inspect it while I focused on preparing for our mission.

As we walked to the town's entrance, I took the time to observe my new teammates more closely. Amber was the most outgoing of the three. She talked enthusiastically about her new chain-spear and the armor upgrades she'd made. It was clear she loved combat and had a passion for weapons. George, in contrast, was quiet and reserved, his attention focused on the new drones hovering around him. These drones were equipped with bullet and flame beam capabilities, making them versatile tools for both reconnaissance and combat. Jun seemed the most optimistic and trusting of the group, eager to finally tame his second partner.

Their optimism contrasted sharply with my cautious nature. While I appreciated their trust, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Jun's faith in me was misplaced. Yes, I had made an impression when I entered the town, escorted by a gold-rank leader. But that alone wasn't reason enough to trust a stranger. Was I being overly paranoid? Maybe humanity in this world had grown so united that betrayal was a foreign concept to them. Or perhaps I'd just spent too much time navigating a world where trust was a rare commodity.

Either way, I decided to put those thoughts aside for now. The mission ahead would reveal more about their abilities—and their character.