STRIKER: Independent Beast Tamer

The Corrupted Beasts living in this forbidden area are more powerful than the Beasts roaming outside. The University Beast Tamers are beginning to suffer.

If not for the team, they would have died earlier. They are putting in extra effort to injure these beasts right now.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Night came across a new place about 30 minutes later.

He finally found the ruins of an old abandoned structure. Looking at the signs of the old structure all over the place, he couldn't help but try to figure out the place.

Before coming here, he had heard that the place used to be a chemical plant. He had imagined the place would be dangerous because of something unknown.

But so far he had only faced beasts that were stronger than usual beasts. He thinks that the situation is totally unrelated to the forbidden place.

The Beasts are strong because of the pure natural energy here. So he thinks that the threat must be something else.

As he started to go around this area, he couldn't help but feel that something was amiss as time passed.

"What is this feeling?" Jeremy muttered.

The place was not very bright because of the strange environment, which added to the creepy feeling.

Rustle!

Suddenly, Jeremy saw something disappear from the corner of his eye. He knew it was real because he felt the sense of crisis as well.

"What was it?" he asked himself.

He turned around and looked ahead. That was the area covered with overgrown weeds and bushes. He couldn't see what was hiding there.

Jeremy held the katana blade in his right hand. His stance was battle-ready. Though he didn't see the beasts, he was sure something was lurking there.

Tap!

Jeremy then took a step forward. He started walking towards the place. His mind was clear, and his gaze never shifted from the spot.

Slice!

When he came to the spot, he swung the sword horizontally.

The blade sliced through the overgrown weeds in the blink of an eye. He then withdrew the sword.

Jeremy then saw the view hidden by the overgrown weeds. He spotted a lake from this distance.

He was trying to see the end of the lake, but apart from the water surface covering the endless sea, he couldn't see any end.

"Is this a sea or lake?" he joked.

But he knew it was a massive lake. As this realization occurred, for a second, he didn't know what to say.

It was their first time exploring this forbidden place. He knew Violet Heath and the others didn't have a map. They were just wishing to explore the outer edge of the forbidden area and then return.

But Jeremy thought that the real danger of the forbidden area might be this lake, not the land they were just standing on.

Plop!

Just as he was contemplating, he saw something go into the lake. The next second, he felt goosebumps all over his body.

He was inexperienced when it came to fighting against water-based corrupted beasts. He didn't want to go anywhere near the lake.

The threat of this place was still unknown. He didn't want to come across Tier-4 and Tier-5 Beasts.

Swoosh!

Just as he decided to leave, his senses screamed at him of danger. The next second, Jeremy moved sideways to avoid the attack.

Boom!

About 20 feet in length, a massive beast stomped on the ground.@@novelbin@@

The shockwave swept across the surroundings before impacting Jeremy Night.

Tap!

Jeremy's eyes were filled with disbelief as he was forced to retreat. His whole body screamed at him while watching the hybrid crocodile-like beast.

The corrupted beast had six legs, but its body reminded him of the land and river beast, the crocodile. The thing in front of him was the complete hybrid.

Boom!

The hybrid beast's eyes were pitch black. It saw that its human prey had escaped its grasp. The next second, it charged forward to attack.

Swoosh!

Jeremy Night's heart trembled. He didn't dare to judge the strength of the beasts. Its mere presence was making him shudder. If he stayed there, he could face death.

He fled without turning back.

Boom!

Jeremy could hear the deafening noise coming from behind. It was not an attack, but the hybrid crocodile's movement was causing the noise.

Jeremy was following the route back to leave. The paths were filled with ruins and dense vegetation. He still had a sliver of hope.

He didn't think that the hybrid crocodile could stay for long outside the back lake.

Shortly afterward,

He stopped hearing any noise, but he still didn't stop fleeing.

About 30 minutes later,

He returned to the area where he fought with the Tier-3 Tree Snake. His face looked like he had lost blood. His whole body was soaked with sweat.

Growl!

When he tried to catch his breath, a Tier-2 rat beast leaped at him from nowhere.

Cut!

Jeremy drew his blade. His blade flashed before cutting the rat beast in two.

Pfff!

The mutilated corpse dropped to the ground, dying it with blood. Jeremy didn't spare a glance before sitting on the small bedrock.

Phew!

He heaved a sigh of relief a few minutes later.

Jeremy's gaze fell on his right hand holding the katana. He could see his right hand trembling a little. He had faced a dangerous beast and managed to escape alive in the end.

"That was definitely not a Tier-4 Beast!"

Jeremy's eyes flickered. He had faced the Tier-4 Beast during the beast invasion. At that time, he hadn't felt such a sense of crisis as he had just now.

His heart calmed down after a while. They had come here to explore and find new resources, but Jeremy found the truth that the real forbidden area was located deeper.

They were just wandering around the outer edge. Jeremy planned to tell Senior Violet Heath. It was too dangerous for them to explore the deeper areas.

The Corrupted Beasts living around the outer edge were already overwhelming for them. After gaining some clarity in his thoughts, Jeremy started going back towards the exit.

...

About 15 minutes later,

Jeremy returns to the exit. But he is taken aback by the scene before him. Not only has he returned, others have come back as well.

He sees the University Beast Tamers are injured. They are taking care of their injuries. Seeing that, Jeremy doesn't know what to say.

He predicted this earlier. The Beasts here are stronger. It was not easy for them to defeat.

"This kid is alive!"

"Looks like his clothes are fine."

"He didn't seem to be injured."

"What a lucky bastard!"

The University Beast Tamers found that a First Year Student returned alive. They knew Jeremy Night was strong, but that doesn't mean he can do well here as well.

They were all experienced seniors. Even though they were battered and bruised, they are looking at each other's faces in shock.

Everyone thought Jeremy Night was lucky to come back alive. They don't think he had come across any beasts here.

Jeremy is hearing their sarcastic remarks. He sighed inwardly. These Seniors are injured by the beasts living in the Outer Edge.

If they had encountered a hybrid crocodile, many of them would have passed out in fear. Jeremy then finds a place to sit down.

He sits away from the University Beast Tamers.

Shortly afterwards,

The Heath Family Beast Tamers returned. They are looking miserable and injured. None of them were fine. They are carrying the injured with them as well.

Seeing that, Jeremy was able to confirm something: the number of corrupted beasts living in the outer edge area is larger than he thought.

On the other hand, some of the Heath Family Beast Tamers saw the situation. They found the University Beast Tamers were injured like them.

Seeing them, their mood got better. But when they saw a person sitting alone, their eyes widened in disbelief.

"How is this possible?"

"This kid is alive and well."

"Did he go to explore?"

"I think this kid was scared to go out."

"He must have been staying here."

"Yeah, you are right!"

"What a coward!"

The Heath Family Beast Tamers voiced their dissatisfaction. They are cursing at Jeremy Night. They thought their miss had brought the wrong person to join the team.

Their hateful words were heard by the University Beast Tamers, but they didn't care. Instead, they are smiling as well.

They were supposed to refute and support Jeremy Night as fellow University Beast Tamers, but this time everyone was against him.

Jeremy Night didn't look at them. Instead, he is staring at the sky. He doesn't want to answer these losers. His reaction would anger them.

If any fight breaks out here, it might lead to an unwanted situation.

Jeremy chooses to stay silent.

The Heath Family Beast Tamers saw the situation. They snorted before finding a place to sit down.

Not long after,

Two more figures appeared. They were none other than Violet Heath and her Guardian Vivian. Violet Heath looks exhausted.

She had completely used her elemental energy.

The Guardian Vivian seemed alright, but she had fought a hard battle as well. Unlike others, they had fought and killed a Tier-4 Corrupted Beast.

Violet Heath's gaze fell on the two groups first: the Heath Family Beast Tamers and the University Beast Tamers.

Seeing that they were bruised and injured, her eyes flashed with a complex glint.

"Vivian, it's time to leave. This place is more dangerous than we had imagined," Violet Heath said to her.

"Okay, miss," Vivian replied.

Hearing that, Violet nodded her head. Then Violet Heath's gaze fell on Jeremy Night. Her eyes filled with a surprise.