Eclipsed Realms: The Tamer's Path

Before heading out, I made sure to secure a training slot for the team. Once we were done with the hunt, it would be crucial to fine-tune our skills in a controlled environment. The training areas in this town were some of the best, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to push ourselves further.

For the day's hunt, I planned to tackle several formidable targets that had eluded or challenged us in the past. On the list were: the frost wolf that slipped through Asura's claws, the bug guardian of the butterfly monsters, the beetle boss from our first day, the titan boa, the lancer mongoose, and the orangutan we had narrowly escaped before. If time and circumstances allowed, I'd also consider targeting one of those elusive shell beasts.

The closest of these targets was the orangutan. Its territory wasn't too far from town, making it a logical starting point. With that decided, we headed toward the town gate, my companions walking alongside me in anticipation.

As we neared the gate, I spotted a familiar group—Jun and his companions. It had been two days since I last saw them, and in all the chaos, I had nearly forgotten about our tentative plans to work together.

"Jun!" I called out, waving as I approached them.

Hearing their names, the group stopped and turned, visibly surprised to see me. I could tell from their expressions they hadn't expected me to seek them out after being approached by top guilds.

Still, they smiled warmly as I caught up to them.

"Akira!" Jun greeted, clearly pleased.

We stepped aside to avoid blocking the busy gateway and settled near a fountain in a small plaza. The area was lively, with merchants peddling their goods and adventurers gearing up for the day's expeditions. A few food stalls added an inviting aroma to the air, making it a perfect spot to catch up.

As we sat by the fountain, Jun and his group filled me in on what they'd been up to.

"We haven't gone out since that day," Jun admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But we've been training hard. Seeing what's really out there... well, it was an eye-opener."

Amber chimed in, her voice carrying a mix of pride and determination. "I've been working with my assassin bug. It saw what humanity is capable of after the arena, and it's been more obedient ever since. I think it realized it needs me just as much as I need it."

George leaned back, grinning. "Upgraded my gear, too. I've got better armor and weapons now. I feel a lot more confident in taking on tougher challenges."

Hearing this made me genuinely happy. The fear and uncertainty they'd shown two days ago seemed to have transformed into resolve.

"That's good to hear," I said, nodding. "You've got potential. It's all about building on it step by step."

Amber glanced at me, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "So, did you end up joining a guild?"

"I did," I replied. "Silver Horizon."

Her eyes widened in excitement. "Silver Horizon? That's one of the top guilds, right? No wonder you're still alive after facing all those crazy monsters."

I chuckled. "They've been a big help, I won't deny that."

It was then that Amber leaned in, her tone shifting slightly. "So... about your gear. Can we see it?"

I didn't mind showing them. Pulling out my guild armor and orb, I let them inspect the items.

Amber's eyes practically sparkled as she examined the armor. "This is insane," she murmured, running her fingers over the sleek surface. "And this orb... it's beautiful. I can't believe it can transform into any weapon."

Even George seemed impressed, his usual composure replaced with a wide-eyed fascination. "This is next-level stuff. If this is standard issue for Silver Horizon, no wonder they're one of the best."

We continued chatting for another half hour, discussing gear, tactics, and strategies. They mentioned seeing my fight in the arena and how it had inspired them, despite my loss. Their admiration felt genuine, and it was clear they were eager to improve.

As much as I enjoyed catching up, I couldn't afford to delay the hunt any longer. Rising to my feet, I shook Jun's hand.

"Good luck with your earth bear hunt," I said.

"Thanks, Akira. You too," he replied.

With that, we parted ways. They headed off in search of their quarry, and I turned my attention back to the task at hand. The orangutan awaited, and this time, I wouldn't let it escape.

The Terrawrangler Kongurath wasn't going to be an easy target—none of the monkey beasts were. These creatures didn't live in isolation; they thrived in groups, relying on their numbers and collective intelligence to survive. Taking it down would require precision, strategy, and above all, timing.

Using the map provided by the association, I found the territory where the orangutan resided. It wasn't what I expected. The area was more like a primitive settlement, resembling something out of ancient human history. Trees served as makeshift homes, their hollowed-out trunks and branches carved into living spaces. Some of the smarter species had even built burrows underground.

The settlement buzzed with activity. Different species of monkeys interacted with each other, some grooming, others squabbling or playing. Interspersed among them were other beasts, creatures they seemed to coexist with. They weren't like the empire's civilized races, but calling them simple-minded would be a grave mistake. These creatures were shrewd, resourceful, and fiercely protective of their community.

At the center of it all was their leader—a silver-ranked king who radiated an aura of authority and power. Engaging with the entire settlement would be suicidal. We had to isolate the orangutan and take it down before reinforcements arrived.

From a safe distance, I observed the scene using the drones my guild gear provided. Invisible to the naked eye, these drones hovered silently above the settlement, transmitting detailed visuals directly to my visor.

The white-and-blue armor I wore amplified my abilities beyond what I thought possible. It didn't just enhance my strength and speed; it made me smarter, more efficient. The visor displayed everything the drones saw, and the integrated AI processed the data in real time. It identified potential threats, calculated distances, and even mapped out escape routes.

The sonar system was particularly impressive. It painted a 3D picture of the surrounding area, marking the positions of every significant energy source within a kilometer radius. I felt like a god surveying my domain.

After several minutes, I spotted our target—the orangutan. It was perched on a high branch, grooming itself lazily. The beast looked as imposing as I remembered: thick fur, powerful limbs, and an aura of raw, primal energy. This was one of the elites of the settlement, and it wasn't going to be taken down easily.

"Lilia, I need you to create a fruit with a strong scent," I said, my voice calm and steady.

She nodded, her hands glowing as she conjured a fruit that radiated an enticing aroma. I attached it to one of the drones, which flew directly over the orangutan, dropping low enough to catch its attention.

The beast noticed immediately. It glanced up, its nostrils flaring as it caught the scent of the fruit. The drone hovered tauntingly before darting off in the direction I had chosen. The orangutan roared, launching an earth bullet at the drone, but the nimble machine dodged effortlessly. Enraged, the beast gave chase.

I didn't lead it too far—just about ten kilometers from the settlement. Any further, and the orangutan might suspect a trap. The drone finally dropped the fruit in a small clearing surrounded by thick trees. As the orangutan reached down to grab it, I activated the barrier.

A shimmering dome of energy sprang up around the clearing, its edges glowing faintly. The drones had positioned themselves in a one-kilometer radius, projecting the barrier and locking the beast inside with me.

The orangutan looked around, its eyes narrowing as it realized the trap. It launched a volley of earth bullets at the barrier, but the energy shield absorbed the attacks without so much as a flicker.

I stepped forward, my armor gleaming in the sunlight. The orangutan's gaze shifted to me, but it didn't seem to recognize me in my current gear. Not that it mattered.

Alongside me stood Asura and Lilia, their presence radiating confidence.

I motioned to Asura. "This one's for Elythia," I said.

Asura nodded and stepped forward, his aura flaring. The sheer weight of his presence made the orangutan freeze in its tracks.

"This is a duel," Asura announced, his voice booming like thunder. "Fight her and prove your strength. If you win, you leave alive. If you lose... you die. Simple."

The orangutan bared its fangs, its rage simmering beneath its fur. But it understood the ultimatum. There was no escape, not with Asura standing there like a living mountain.

Elythia stepped forward, her twin lances glinting in her hands. She was calm, composed, and utterly focused.

The orangutan roared, pounding its chest before lunging at her. The battle had begun.