Isura, Eastern continent of Thera.

Within a luscious forest, a horrid and dark cave sits near the end of the walking path. Just by looking, the cave exerts an aura filled with disgust and gore. Blood and bones are scattered around the entrance, keeping people away from this forest. A request was made for someone to investigate the cave and resolve what hides inside. A long trail runs deep inside the cave and on it is a young boy, making his way towards a large crater located at the end of the path.

The boy sports a hairband, covering half his frizzy brown hair. His unzipped jacket cloaks his dark combat top. His pants seem baggy around the waist but are slim towards his ankles, while his simple high-cut sneakers completed his look. He reaches the edge of the crater and quickly hides behind a large boulder, and peeks above to observe the vile beast. The body of a lion but with wings of a bat, plenty of livestock corpses is spread around its nest but the beast is acting cautiously and keeping its guard up. It seems as though the beast can sense the young boy nearby.

The boy with the medium build crouches back behind the boulder and looks down at his necklace. It begins to shine, three bright white dots.

 “A D-Rank and Stage 3. This will make number 10.”

He unsheathes the tonfa from his hips and holds them in his hands. Maintaining concentration, he whispers a chant of some kind.

“Ursae Style, First Form: Power Paws.”

A green aura began to form around the boy’s arms and tonfa.

“Okay, here we go!”

He jumps off the edge and lands before the beast. His landing immediately caught the beast’s attention, and it springs into a stance.

“Y’know, you look uglier up close. No wonder the folks nearby are afraid of you”

[!!!]

Like it understood what the boy said, the beast releases an angry howl towards him. The soundwaves reverberated through the cave, creating small trembles and falling rocks in the vicinity.

Among the falling rubble, the boy remained unfazed, and he began to charge straight at the beast. He swings at its body but the beast counters with its tail. A stalemate at first, the boy’s swing begins to slowly surpass the beast’s strength and is blown back. 

Suddenly, a female voice is heard. It was coming from the boy’s wristwatch.

“Oi Ulrick! What was that sound just then? You know I was resting here!”

She sounded unhappy about the beast’s attack.

The boy named Ulrick jumps back and quickly taps his wristwatch. The beast regains its balance and frantically swings its tail at Ulrick, but he dodges with precision while yelling his response at his watch.

“Relax Geno! It was just a howl. No need to be dramatic about it!”

“Alright, whatever. Oh! While you’re there, get a record of the beast. I want to put it in my book. Thanks in advance!”

CLICK

The watch’s screen goes black. He jumps back, away from the beast’s attack radius, and prepares himself.

“Sorry about that. Now let’s finish this.”

The beast yells in anger and swipes its front claws at him. Ulrick jumps into the air, straight above the beast’s head. He lands on the surface above and uses it as a boost pad, charging directly at it with force. 

He generates a wide swing with his tonfa and connects at the beast’s right cheek. Feeling the impact, the beast grimaces in pain and is blasted to the side of the crater.

The outcome of this attack didn’t look like one that would have come from a teenager. The beast was about three times his size and definitely weighed much more.

The rock face on the left crumbles upon the beast and although it took a hard hit, the beast gets back up slowly. From that one attack, the beast looked to be defeated, but it showed some spirit to continue. Impressed by its action, Ulrick readies himself. 

“What's wrong? Giving up already?.”

He rushes at it, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. Unable to keep its sight on the boy, the beast felt a heavy impact on its back legs. It falls back onto its tail but another strike lands on its front legs, bringing the beast down to the ground. Ulrick appears before the beast and places his right tonfa on top of its head

“It’s my win.”

With his weapon still shrouded, he raises his tonfa and delivers a powerful blow onto the beast’s skull, creating a massive split in the earth beneath them. The beast is no more, and the white glimmer from his necklace disappears. He deactivates the green force and puts his tonfa away.

“Five hits to defeat a Stage 3. I still need to get stronger.”

From the defeated beast, visible steam begins to linger.

“Gotta get the tracker.”

Ulrick reaches into his hidden breast pocket and grabs a device. 

Similar to a flask in design, the hand-size device has a screen on the front, filled with various information. He flips the lid off, and the steam flows into the device. 

As the steam is being collected, the body of the beast begins to disintegrate into thin air. Once all the content was collected, an electronic voice emerged from the flask.

Calculation in progress

....DING!

You have defeated D-Rank, Stage 3: Winged Lion (1)

Your marks have been updated - D-Rank: 10/10

“With this, I’ve finished my first set of marks.”

He puts the device away and begins to climb up the crater. Once he got to the top, he ran back to the entrance, not wasting any time to see his friend.

----------------------------------------

Ulrick reaches the cave entrance and is greeted to a large forest area. Already nightfall, the tall trees, and beautiful flowers are illuminated by the fireflies gathered around them. The lovely view relaxes Ulrick, that is until a female appears in his sights. 

The girl in question had long blonde hair that was tied by a red rope towards the end. Her robe-like clothing comprises the colors white and blue, with light armor around her chest and left shoulder. She also had tall brown boots that gave her a slight height advantage compared to Ulrick.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“So… how’d it go? Did you get the record as I asked you to?”

“Such a view is ruined by you, Geno.”

“Shut up and tell me what I want.”

The two begin traveling through the forest and making their way back to the village that requested the beast hunt. During which, Ulrick describes the beast he fought to Geno. The beast’s appearance, rank, and attack patterns, also him reaching one of his marks. Engrossed in their conversation; they decided to camp in the forest, knowing they won’t reach the village until sunrise tomorrow. 

“You make dinner tonight.”

“What? I made dinner last time, it’s your turn. I just fought a beast and completed one of my marks. Don’t you think I deserve some rest?”

The bickering went on, but ultimately Ulrick got stuck with cooking duty. They find a safe spot to stay for the night and they lay their sleeping bag by a tall tree. He goes looking for food, while Geno searches for branches to start a fire. Ulrick finds food in the shape of two rabbits, the perfect meal for a successful mission. 

As he prepares the meat, Geno takes out a book from her backpack. A thick book with the title ‘Beastology Records’ on the front; although it appears to be in childish writing. She places the book on a nearby stump and flicks through the pages; looking for a specific record. She finds the page, which shows a description of a beast similar to what Ulrick defeated. 

“The record I got from the Kastrai Lodge is of a C-Rank Winged Lion. However, the wings were of an eagle.”

She ponders even further about the possibilities.

“Could different ranks of the same beast have different features?”

While her mind was too focused on her records, Ulrick called out for her.

“Hey, Geno! The food is ready, eat it while it’s hot”

“Oh ho! Thanks, Ulri- cooked over the fire again? Can’t you make something like stew or pasta.”

“Just appreciate what I made, and you cook next time!”

They went back and forth once more until Geno decided to call it a night. Ulrick kicks dirt onto the fire and they both entered their sleeping bags. Laying under the clear night sky, they both fall to sleep to the ambient nature sounds of the forest.

----------------------------------------

To the east of the cave, resides a small fisherman village along the coast of the continent. Every day at midnight, the men would set sail to collect fish and return home by sunset. The women at home sot through the catching haul and place them into large baskets for the Village Head and his son to deliver to the nearby town and exchange for income. All was going well when the beast appeared and halted their lives. For weeks, this monster kept haunting their village but thankfully no one was killed. One day the Village Head's son, Henry, left the village to request Seekers to defeat the beast. Since his departure, there hasn't been any word and the village is on its last legs. 

The present morning, the Village Head goes around and sees how his people are doing. So far, everyone has been doing well, but reaching the end of their food ration is starting to become a concern. The Head also worries for his son, Henry, who hasn't returned from the Lodge. The Head visits the last home, and it's his son's childhood friend.

“Good morning, Head.”

“Samuel, how are you and your family?”

"We're hanging there. We still have some rations to survive on but..."

"I understand."

Before he departs, a little boy comes running by and speaks to the village elder.

"Excuse me sir, but are the shriekers back from the fight?"

Both the Head and Samuel were perplexed at the little boy's question. Samuel pats his head and asks him about it.

"Jonas, what are you talking about?"

"Shriekers, daddy! They came by a few days ago and said they'll fight the bad beast.".

"...!!!"

The two adults immediately understood what was being said.

"Head, did you know about this?"

"I don't, Samuel. I would have heard about Seekers coming through our village."

Moments later, galloping is heard from the village’s southern entrance. The horse’s strides became louder by the second and a male voice begins to yell for his father and friend.

“Father! Samuel!”

Henry stops before them and greets them with excitement.

“Father! I rode as soon as I heard the news. Have they returned?”

The village head and Samuel both shake their heads.

“We've just heard about the Seekers, son. But no, they haven't returned.”

“Henry! Looks like your trip to the Lodge was a success!"

Though he left home while the beast was close by, Henry is thankful all his hard work paid off. Soon his village will return to the way it was.

As they exchanged words, two figures emerged in the direction of the forest. It was Ulrick and Geno, the Seekers that Samuel’s kid spoke of. The Village Head, happy to see them alive and safe, quickly approaches them and asks them the important question.

“Strong Seekers, were you… able to finish the beast?”

 “Yep! You guys should be safe now.”

Before the Head could express any happiness, he wanted to be absolutely sure.

“Please excuse my rudeness, but may I see the proof?”

“Oh sure, one second.”

Ulrick reaches into his pocket and takes out the flask device, scrolling through the screen.

“Hmm… there! Here you go.”

He shows the screen to the village’s head, which displayed the following:

7....

8….

9….

10. D-Rank, Stage 3: Winged Lion (1)

There it was! The description perfectly matched the monster that has been tormenting them the past weeks. The head looks back at Ulrick, who’s sporting a large grin on his face. He knew Ulrick wasn’t lying, but he needed confirmation to believe the impossible. 

Unable to contain his emotions, the head turns towards his village and yells at the top of his voice.

“My people! The Seekers have quelled the beast! We have been freed from our fears! Come out! Relish in the sunlight!”

Little by little, the villagers open their doors. Acting like they were seeing daylight for the first time, they gradually leave their homes and assemble at the center of the village. Jonas approaches his father while Henry's wife confirms with him.

"Papa, did they do it?”

“Is it true, Henry?”

Both nod and tears form in their eyes. Even with their answers, most were still unable to believe the news.

“C’mon guys, the beast is gone. Act a little more cheerful, will you?”

Ulrick’s large smile portrayed a thousand words. It finally reached the villagers and all their faces went from disbelief to ecstasy. The people were cheering, crying, and smiling from cheek to cheek. Husbands hugging their wives, mothers kissing their children, kids jumping for joy. It was as if a curse was lifted from this place. During the celebration, an elderly woman slowly walks up to Geno and grabs her hand firmly.

“Thank you, child”

The villagers saw the granny’s action, and everyone followed suit. They rushed towards Ulrick and Geno and gathered around their saviors, thanking them from the bottom of their hearts.

“Thank you, Seekers!”

“You’ve saved us from that wretched life”

“Thanks, Big Sis! Big Brother!”

Everybody’s generosity overlapped, so much it became too difficult to thank each and every person. With a loud voice, Geno responds to the villagers' gratitude.

“It’s fine everyone, we're happy to help. Please use that same energy when rebuilding your community!”

The village’s morale shot up, and everyone was excited to have their lives back. Henry forces his way through the crowd and speaks to their heroes.

“Thank you once again. Please take this with you for your reward.”

He hands Geno a completion pass with a code and his signature.

“I will happily accept it. Thanks again.”

She stores the document in her side bag and announces their farewell to the village.

“I know it has been very short, but we must be off.”

Although the village wasn't able to celebrate this moment with their saviors, they were happy to see them off.

They both leave the village through the southern entrance, the same way Henry arrived from. As Ulrick waves his goodbye to the villagers, a young voice is heard, calling for them.

“Big Bro! Big Sis!”

Ulrick pauses and sees the boy, while Geno stops and turns. 

“Hey Geno, it’s that kid who told us the way to the cave.”

“Hmm…. you’re right. Wonder what he wants?”

The boy catches up and embraces Ulrick’s leg. Ulrick then crouches down and speaks to the boy on his level.

“Hey little guy, what’s up?”

“You’ll come back and see us again, right?”

“… What’s your name?”

“It’s Jonas.”

Both Ulrick and Geno look at each other. Jonas gives them a sad but adorable look. Unable to disappoint him, Ulrick and Geno smiled and simultaneously responded.

“Of course, Jonas!”

The little boy smiles and runs back to his family who was waiting at the entrance. All the villagers stop at the entrance and continue waving and shouting goodbye to their heroes. Geno and Ulrick leave the saved village and travel to the closest Lodge, the North Isura Lodge.

----------------------------------------