STRIKER: Independent Beast Tamer

City C (Wilderness):

Jeremy Night gazed in the direction of the Horned Lizard. The Family Head Guards had reported the sighting to the City Governors.

The three City Governors were terrified, especially Ron Night, who was shocked to his core. This time, he didn’t hesitate.

Swoosh!

He immediately left the City Administration Building and headed toward the wilderness. Petra’s father and Levy’s father were equally alarmed.

They hadn’t expected a Tier-6 Horned Lizard to appear near their city. Speechless, they were unsure how to react. Ron’s son had somehow provoked the beast, luring it out.

They didn’t know whether to praise Jeremy or not. Without powerful beast tamers to resolve the crisis, they could only rely on Elder Harris.

---

Meanwhile:

Harris and the four beast tamers spotted the Horned Lizard. The sight of its massive body left them stunned.

In their own City A, such corrupted beasts were considered highly dangerous, and now one had appeared near City C.

The three female beast tamers were in shock, while Rory, the male beast tamer, looked grim.

As Tier-5 beast tamers, their attacks were unlikely to harm the Horned Lizard. Rory knew corrupted beasts were stronger than beast tamers of the same rank.

He doubted even Elder Harris could defeat it, recalling how a Tier-5 Worm Beast had challenged Harris. The Horned Lizard was even stronger.

Harris, however, calmly observed the resting Horned Lizard. He was uncertain whether to be angry with Jeremy Night.

He knew such problems were inevitable, but they were expected two or three years later. Jeremy Night had prematurely drawn out these hidden beasts.

There was a reason Harris hadn’t told Jeremy everything. In recent days, City A had received unverified reports about the emergence of new high-tier corrupted beasts in the wilderness.

This wasn’t unique to their city; the entire 14th Zone’s wilderness was undergoing changes, affecting cities in various locations.

Elder Harris ordered the beast tamers to retreat. Tier-5 beast tamers stood no chance against a Tier-6 corrupted beast.

”You should stand a couple of hundred meters away,” Harris instructed.

Nodding, the four beast tamers left. It was nighttime, and anything could happen, other corrupted beasts might appear. The four beast tamers had to stay vigilant.

---

At the same time:

Ron Night arrived at the scene. Seeing Jeremy, he sighed in relief, though anger was evident on his face. The Family Head Guards and Patrol Guards greeted the City Governor, and Ron nodded in acknowledgment.

Jeremy was stunned to see his father arrive so quickly. He could tell his father was furious.

Ron approached him and said, ”You have no idea what you’ve done. First, it was a Tier-5 Worm Beast. Now, it’s a Tier-6 Horned Lizard. We only have Elder Harris to rely on. What if he can’t handle it? We still don’t know what’s happening here.”

His shouting silenced everyone. The three Family Head Guards were at a loss for words. They knew Young Master Jeremy was trying to help, but the situation had spiraled beyond anyone’s expectations.

Jeremy listened and acknowledged his mistake. At the same time, he had discovered something unusual in the wilderness.

”Father, Elder Harris knows something, but he’s hiding it from us,” Jeremy said.

Ron was taken aback but noticed his son’s serious expression. He decided to address the issue later. For now, resolving the crisis was the priority.

”Where’s the Elder?” Ron asked.

”He’s gone to confront the Horned Lizard,” Jeremy replied.

Ron knew he couldn’t assist Elder Harris directly. His only option was to request further assistance from City A.

Turning to his son, he said, ”You’re coming with me.”

He instructed the Head Guards and Patrol members to stay. Jeremy, however, was reluctant. He believed he should remain, as he was capable of handling Tier-4 corrupted beasts.

”Father, I can deal with the corrupted beasts,” Jeremy insisted.

”I know, but you’re causing too many problems right now. It’s my job to handle things here. You came to rest for a few days, but I think you should return home,” Ron replied.

Jeremy didn’t know how to respond. He could tell his father was furious. If he weren’t the son of the City Governor, he might have faced harsher consequences.

”Alright,” Jeremy said reluctantly.

He nodded to the Night Family Head Guard in gratitude for his help before leaving with his father.

On the way to the Night Family Mansion, Ron remained silent.

About twenty minutes later, they arrived. It was already nighttime, and the area was quiet. Jeremy had expected his father to stay, but Ron spoke.

”I’m going back to the City Administration Building. We need further assistance. You will not leave the mansion unless I say so, son.”

Jeremy nodded. After his father left, he entered the mansion and found his mother, Nora, still waiting.

He explained everything about the Horned Lizard’s appearance. Nora was shocked, unable to fathom why such dangerous corrupted beasts were near City C.

”According to Elder Harris, something has changed in the wilderness. These corrupted beasts are coming from elsewhere,” Jeremy said.

”Mother, I don’t think City C is safe for you and Father. You should both come with me to the 10th Zone.”

Nora shook her head. ”We can’t leave now. The Human Alliance hasn’t appointed a new City Governor yet. Until then, your father can’t abandon his duties. Besides, the dangers here are far less than in the 10th Zone.”

Jeremy fell silent. His mother was right. The 10th Zone was far more dangerous, with a Colossal Beast residing in the core of its wilderness.

Here, the Tier-6 Horned Lizard was a problem, but it was manageable compared to the Colossal Beast. He recalled how two Lords from the Human Alliance had once come to rescue their city.

He then spoke to his mother before heading to his room. However, he knew his mother wouldn’t sleep until his father returned from the office.

Jeremy had lost his ability to sleep as well. He decided to request help from Instructor Jacob. As Jacob had mentioned, Dean Carolyn could resolve their current problem.