STRIKER: Independent Beast Tamer-Chapter 720: Part 1: Terror in the unexplored region
Unexplored Region
The Beast Tamers were on the verge of infighting. Those who wanted to go back were decisive; they knew conflict might occur, so they started their return journey.
The others, however, wanted the rewards.
According to their information, more data would lead to greater riches. They decided to add a few more areas to their path.
So, the second team marched forward. They ignored the first team that wanted to go back.
Time passed.
The second team went deeper into the unexplored area. They were able to add a few more locations to the map as stopping points.
They were careful when adding details; the resting areas were clearly mentioned, and the dangerous areas were boldly marked.
These dangerous areas included naturally treacherous terrain as well as the habitats of higher-tier beasts.
Night fell.
The second team was resting in an open area. Their current location was surrounded by uneven mountains.
The natural energy in the place was extremely rich, proving they were truly in the deeper parts of the unexplored region.
There were 15 members present, chatting and laughing. Some of them had made a bonfire and were smoking food.
The leader of the group was a Tier-8 Beast Tamer. He was an old man named Bernard.
In his prime, he had fought against a Tier-9 Beast Tamer. Though he had been injured, he was able to survive in the end.
Bernard swept his gaze across the group. No one's actions went unnoticed by him.
Seeing that the members were no longer cautious, he became displeased. They had let down their guard, focusing only on their jokes and conversation.
The old man used his mental power to check the surroundings. He didn't find any problems; there was not a single living thing for miles. His eyebrows relaxed. He closed his eyes and began to rest.
It wasn't as if he was the only one with power; the other members held strengths between Tier-7 and Tier-8 as well.
Still, as a leader, he was being extra cautious. Since he had verified the place was safe, he finally permitted himself to rest.
Time passed.
Among the members, a few closed their eyes and began to sleep while others continued chatting. At that moment, a fragrance from nowhere passed over the camp.
Everyone smelled the beautiful scent and became intoxicated.
They started losing their clarity. The Tier-7 Beast Tamers were the first to succumb, followed quickly by the Tier-8 Tamers.
Bernard was disturbed. He furrowed his eyebrows as the beautiful smell interrupted his rest. He snapped his eyes open and looked at the others. The scene stunned him.
Everyone was awake but intoxicated, no longer behaving like themselves. Only the Tier-8 Tamers were putting up a fight, and even they were struggling to remain conscious.
Bernard's face changed drastically. He immediately summoned his lifeline beast.
A light released from his body and shot into the sky. A huge flying bird appeared, a giant white sparrow circling in the air.
One of the reasons he had wanted to continue the mission was his reliance on this beast; if anything happened, he knew he could escape with it.
Bernard gave an order to his lifeline beast.
Screech!
The giant sparrow acted instantly. It flapped its long wings, generating a powerful force of wind directed at the Beast Tamers below.
Boom!
The unknown fragrance was swept away by the gust. The Tier-8 Tamers who had been struggling felt a sudden release from their intoxication.
"What happened?"
"Something is wrong!"
The members spoke up one after another. Then they saw the giant sparrow covering the sky.
"The lifeline beast is out. We are in danger," one of them said.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, everyone summoned their own lifeline beasts. Lights appeared everywhere as birds took to the sky and land-types hit the ground.
In the blink of an eye, the beasts appeared in their full forms. The coercion released from their bodies swept away the remaining fragrance.
Bernard smiled, glad his team took the right action upon waking up. He ordered the giant sparrow to find the source of the trouble.
Screech!
The bird let out a cry and moved forward, its sharp gaze scanning the land ahead. It spotted a lush field filled with beautiful flowers, the source of the fragrance.
As the sparrow flew over the field to continue its observation, it felt a sudden sense of crisis.
Bernard felt that crisis as well through their bond. The old man immediately recalled his beast. The giant sparrow made a U-turn and fled.
Bernard broke out into a cold sweat. Not many things could pose a threat to a Tier-8 lifeline beast.
As long as they avoided powerful corrupted beasts, they should have been safe. This time, however, Bernard wasn't sure. He sensed a terrifying beast living just ahead.
The giant sparrow returned. Bernard shared the information with the others to make a team decision. They could change the route to avoid a fight, or they could take the risk and face the crisis head-on.
Most favored the first option. Because half of the team had left earlier, they lacked their full strength.
If they had been whole, they might have stood their ground; even against multiple powerful corrupted beasts, their combined strength would have been a threat. Unfortunately, their numbers were halved.
It didn't take long to decide. They chose the first option.
Bernard sighed. He wasn't disappointed; he preferred the safe route as well.
"Okay, let's go," Bernard said.
Then, they tried to leave the place.
Boom!
An earth shattering noise sounded the next moment. The faces of everyone changed drastically.
Bernard ordered his giant sparrow. The sparrow once again flew forward. This time, the old man used his ability.
Both of them can share their vision. Soon, the vision of the giant sparrow was used by him. He sees a green land filled with beautiful flowers.
Seeing that he immediately understood it was the place where the fragrant came from. An unknown terror was hiding in that place.
