NOVEL WEB Chapter 34: Chapter 33
It was clear that Regulus had been keeping an eye on me and knew exactly what had taken place over the last few days. His sharp gaze told me that he'd pieced together far more than I had intended to show.
"I assume you're here to ask for guidance in learning Tamer skills," Regulus said, leaning back in his chair with that knowing look. It wasn't even phrased as a question. He already knew the answer.
"Yes," I replied simply, leaving out my discomfort about how much they seemed to be watching me. That wasn't something I wanted to argue about right now.
Regulus nodded, unsurprised. "It's easy enough. Go with Atlas. The Silver Horizon Guild is one of the best when it comes to research and training. Or, if you're open to it, join the government directly. We can provide you with guidance as well."
The suggestion made me pause. I hadn't really considered how the guilds and the government interacted—or whether there were significant advantages to joining one over the other. I frowned slightly, trying to piece things together. "Can I leave a guild whenever I want? Are there consequences for leaving?"
Regulus gave a slight smile, as though expecting the question. "If you leave with a valid reason, there won't be much trouble. You'd need to return the resources and equipment provided to you—beyond what was paid as salary—and compensate for any training they gave you." He held up a hand. "However, if you leave without good reason, you'll face serious difficulties. No other guild will trust you. You'd essentially become untouchable."
The thought of being blacklisted didn't sit well, so I asked the next logical question. "Can you explain the structure of the guild system and how it interacts with the government? I want to make an informed decision."
Regulus's face lit up slightly at the opportunity to explain. It was clear he liked getting people invested in the system—especially people like me. "Of course. Let's start with the basics."
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"The guild system is simple," he began. "A guild can be formed when a group of at least ten bronze-ranked tamers register with the government. These tamers must first pass a screening to confirm they are free of corruption—greed, bloodlust, and other destructive traits. That's done by the Creatures of Light, who can see through any being's intentions and nature."
He paused for emphasis, letting that sink in. It sounded intense, but reassuring at the same time. There was some level of fairness here.
"Once verified," Regulus continued, "a guild must establish a base of operations—an office or headquarters. From there, they're required to take on tasks that benefit humanity. These are often government-funded missions like hunting dangerous monsters, gathering rare resources, or exploring dangerous regions."
"So, they're like private contractors?" I asked, trying to clarify.
"Exactly," Regulus confirmed. "But a guild doesn't have to focus purely on combat. Some guilds specialize in research, blacksmithing, magic, or other areas. As long as their work benefits society, they fulfill their purpose."
He gestured as though moving through a hierarchy. "Guilds have a simple chain of command. At the top, there's the Guild Master. Below him are advisors, then elite members, followed by standard members, newbies, and probationary recruits. It's organized, but flexible."
I nodded, understanding the structure so far. "And what rules do guilds have to follow?"
Regulus's tone grew serious. "There are strict rules enforced by the government. They cannot harm humanity under any circumstances. If a guild member is nearby during an attack, they're obligated to intervene. Research must be shared with the government—no secrets or monopolization of discoveries. Most importantly, they cannot engage in wars with other empires without explicit permission.
"And one more thing," he added, meeting my eyes. "A guild cannot mistreat its members. No abuse, no torture, no executions. Humanity may have changed, but our moral compass remains intact."
That was a relief. For all the chaos I'd seen so far, the system wasn't as oppressive as I feared. The guilds were bound to help society, and they couldn't force me into anything I hadn't agreed to. It felt like a fair deal.
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Regulus paused to let me process, then leaned forward. "Now, let's talk about the government."
I perked up, curious about how the two systems intertwined.
"The government is different from what you might remember," Regulus began. "After Earth was devastated, the remaining nations united under a single leadership system. At the top is the World Leader, elected by the Grand Elders—essentially presidents of the remaining countries. The World Leader focuses only on the most critical, large-scale decisions."
He went on, explaining that each country still operated with its own government and laws. However, certain areas—like the military, research, and diplomacy—were unified and operated under the direct control of the World Leader.
"The army is one force now," he continued. "It protects humanity as a whole. The same goes for research. We have a single Research Department that focuses on everything from energy studies to monster evolution. That department is under the World Leader's direct command, and it's the best place for someone like you."
His words carried weight. It was clear he saw my potential not just as a tamer, but as someone with a unique specialty in evolution and research.
"The government system is stable," he concluded. "If you join the Research Department, you'll have access to the best resources and training. But," he paused, his tone firm, "there are limitations. Once you gain access to classified research, you won't be able to leave. You'll remain within the department's jurisdiction, even if you resign."
I took a deep breath. It wasn't a harsh rule, but it was restrictive. Once in, there'd be no going back—not entirely.
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Regulus gave me a moment to absorb everything. "So," he said finally, "you have a choice. Guilds are flexible. You can learn, grow, and leave if you need to—as long as you're fair about it. The government, on the other hand, offers unmatched resources, but at the cost of freedom."
I already knew my answer. "For now, I'll stick with the guilds," I said, meeting his gaze. "I'm not ready to tie myself to one place."
Regulus smiled knowingly, as if he'd expected that. "Fair enough. Join a guild, prove your worth, and when the time comes, you'll have even more doors open to you."
His confidence in me was unexpected, but not unwelcome. I left his office with a clearer understanding of my options and a renewed determination to grow stronger.
The world was becoming clearer to me, especially the human systems and their structure. Armed with that knowledge, I returned to the library with a single focus—learning the basics of tamer skills.
Even though I had already decided to join Silver Horizon, I wanted to be prepared. I wasn't going to walk in blind or rely solely on their training. Preparation was everything, especially in a world where knowledge could mean survival.
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I spent the better part of the afternoon digging into the second level of tamer skills. This level was referred to as Runic Language, and it was both fascinating and daunting. At its core, it involved writing instructions using a universal magical language. The closest analogy I could think of was programming.
Each skill was like a program—lines of code written in runic script, designed to achieve a specific effect. Once a skill was created and imprinted onto a tamer's soul, it became second nature. There was no need to "write" it again; the soul acted as a repository, storing the skill for future use.
This revelation explained a lot about the cards in my soul space. They were essentially pre-written programs—runic scripts transformed into a tangible form. That was why my stat boosts felt stronger than those of other tamers. The skill embedded in my soul was exceptionally well-designed.
However, even powerful stats had their limits. Without understanding and versatility, brute force alone wouldn't carry me far.
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As I dug deeper, I found information on learning these skills. It was clear that I had no background in anything remotely close to programming, so the road ahead wouldn't be easy. But my memory was sharp. If nothing else, I could memorize codes and practice them until they became second nature.
The library had a section dedicated to freely available skills for Bronze-ranked tamers. These were considered essential for survival and didn't require points or affiliation to access. I skimmed through the list and chose four skills that stood out to me:
Luminous Spark
A basic but useful skill, Luminous Spark created a bright flash of light that covered a wide area, blinding anyone caught in its radius. It wasn't particularly powerful, but it could turn the tide of a fight by disorienting enemies.
Banner of Courage
This skill was more supportive, designed to bolster the courage of my partners. It blocked out fear and negative thoughts, ensuring they could fight without hesitation.
Holy Awe
A more advanced skill, Holy Awe emitted an aura of divine might and purity. Enemies caught within its range would be momentarily stunned, their movements halted by sheer intimidation. However, its effectiveness depended heavily on the user's understanding and mastery of the runic language.
Amplifier
The most complex of the four, Amplifier created a magical circle that enhanced any attack passing through it. Depending on my skill level, it could amplify the power of an attack by twofold—or even more.
The challenge wasn't just memorizing the codes but also understanding their purpose and visualizing their effects. Without a clear mental picture of how a skill worked, no amount of memorization would help.
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Satisfied with my selections, I copied the runic codes onto my device and committed to memorizing them. I left the library with a renewed sense of purpose.
My next destination was the training area. My partners needed more combat experience, and so did I. Watching them fight wasn't just about making them stronger—it was a learning opportunity for me as well. Every move, every tactic, could be replicated if I understood the underlying principles and wrote the corresponding code.
When I arrived at the training area, it was as crowded as ever. I found a spot to wait, leaning back to let my mind rest for a moment. The challenge ahead was monumental, but I was determined. With the knowledge I was gathering, the skills I was learning, and the bond I was building with my partners, I could feel myself growing stronger.
It was only the beginning, but every step forward was a step closer to mastering this world.