Webnovel Author In The Apocalypse World

"A Beast Tamer?" Kim Haru repeated, unfamiliar with the term.

"A Beast Tamer is someone with a special ability to establish unique bonds with animals. Using various methods, they can gradually make animals obey their commands. Generally, a Beast Tamer has a lifelong companion animal. It's said that as they level up, they can gain more companion animals."

"However, the specifics are unclear, as very few Beast Tamers manage to level up successfully. So, the information about them is kinda incomplete."

Had Kim Haru not known his own circumstances, he might have suspected he was a Beast Tamer too.

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But…

"Why do so few successfully level up?" Kim Haru asked. The ability to command animals sounded pretty powerful. It seemed like it should have great potential. Was the leveling-up process particularly difficult?

At this question, Ra Jinho sighed almost imperceptibly and looked at the captive Kang Hose with a trace of pity.

"The leveling process for Beast Tamers depends on animals. It's not inherently difficult. As long as they deepen their bond with animals and increase compatibility, their abilities will improve. However, all their attack methods rely on animals."

"In this world where food and clothing are scarce, how many people can't even feed themselves? What could they possibly use to feed other animals?"

Especially mutated animals—very few people knew what they needed, how to feed them, or how to cultivate a bond with them.

But this wasn't the main issue. After all, someone capable of becoming a Beast Tamer would naturally have an advantage in connecting with animals. They likely wouldn't lack the patience or care to build harmonious relationships with their animal companions.

The real problem was other people.

"Many people fear anything mutated. They think mutated animals are inherently opposed to humans, liable to go berserk at any moment. Particularly in the early stages of a Beast Tamer journey, when they lack strong self-defense abilities, both the Beast Tamer and their animals face severe rejection."

"If it were just rejection, that would be one thing. But some people take advantage of a Beast Tamer's distraction to kill their mutated animals."

Hearing this, Kim Haru could already guess what would come next.

As expected, Ra Jinho continued, "These people aren't satisfied with just killing the animals. They'll even eat the slain creatures."

"If a Beast Tamer loses their companion animal, they're essentially crippled. Even if the animal wasn't a primary companion, no Beast Tamer could endure seeing the perpetrator feast on their beloved animal right in front of them."

To many people in the apocalypse, it didn't matter how deep a bond you shared with an animal. They saw beasts as beasts. If they were hungry, eating one seemed perfectly reasonable.

"Many people pretend not to care about a Beast Tamer raising animals, but in reality, they view the animals as reserve food. When hunger or craving strikes, they might slaughter one without warning."

Under such circumstances, Beast Tamers initially have weak abilities and cannot protect their animals. However, if they can't protect their animals, they can't advance to higher levels. Without better and stronger abilities, they still can't protect their animals.

This creates a vicious cycle.

Therefore, upgrading as a Beast Tamer in such an environment is extraordinarily difficult.

If Kim Haru had initially demonstrated his skills in raising animals and space-type abilities instead of his planting techniques, some people might have mistaken him for a Beast Tamer.

"Mr. Kim, we would never do anything against your wishes!" Ra Jinho hurriedly assured him, but as he glanced at the surrounding Cryo Wolf, he realized there might have been some misunderstanding in his explanation about Beast Tamers. He quickly made a solemn vow to Kim Haru.

Kim Haru shook his head, indicating he didn't mind.

He knew that no one in the current Pyeongseong Safe Zone would secretly harm his animals. Besides, even if someone wanted to kill them, they would have to see if they were capable of doing so.

The defenseless little chicks and ducklings were all on his small farm, a place Kim Haru now knew was surrounded by mutated plants. Who would dare trespass it?

They probably couldn't even approach the outermost perimeter.

As for the animals Kim Haru brought out of the farm, the Cryo Wolf was, without a doubt, the king of the snowy terrain. They bullied others with impunity, and there was no question of anyone daring to kill them for meat.

Even the Hamster Tribe, which looked pitifully small, would turn anyone who underestimated them into a skeleton in seconds.

After all, Kim Haru had seen firsthand how sharp their teeth and claws were.

Moreover, it shouldn't be overlooked that the hamsters all possessed abilities. Their space manipulation was a natural racial talent and wasn't even counted among their special powers.

"What about the Bangnang Safe Zone?" Kim Haru asked.

Given how difficult the situation is for Beast Tamers, why would he choose to stay in the Bangnang Safe Zone? Does life there make a difference?

"The Bangnang Safe Zone is technically called a Safe Zone, but it doesn't have a Safe Zone Commander," Ra Jinho explained. "Its organizational structure consists of small groups. As long as you abide by the safe zone's common rules, no one will interfere with you. Compared to the administrative hierarchy of the other safe zones, it's more like a federation of groups."

The Bangnang Safe Zone didn't just lack a fixed leadership structure; even its location wasn't permanent. Essentially, it consisted only of people—nothing else. They would settle in one place for a while, and if it became unsuitable, they would move to another location. Anyone who fled or was expelled from a safe zone and gathered with others could be considered part of the Bangnang Safe Zone.

It's hard to say whether this reflects extraordinary inclusiveness.

Perhaps this environment is more suitable for Beast Tamers.

Kim Haru listened, trying to imagine how they managed to live like that.

He glanced behind him.

Kang Hose was bound tightly and escorted by the two Pyeongseong Rescue Team members. A cat and a dog with leashes around their necks followed him obediently.