Monster Breeder

Bishop's POV

The Exam which lasted for an hour finally ended; stacks of paper were in front of me with lists of ingredients as well as the names of the creatures, if you read through the stack you would find that the ingredients that were listed weren't the ingredients that were recorded for public use for these animals. I want the best benefits possible so I'll be giving out the best work possible, in novels the main character would try to hide himself from the public only to fail epically at it in the next couple of chapters. Its true that attention brings more problems but attention also solves a lot of problems as well, case in point is the fact that I would have been rejected by Burk if Anna wasn't right there to help me out. When I was thinking of checking on Shade Anna finally walked in with her usual business-like smile, she didn't say anything to me instead she walked to the stack of papers beside me and read through them only to have her smile disappear moments later.

"What is this?" (Anna)

"The evolution process for the familiars that were released, if you don't believe me then you can check it yourself." (Me)

"But none of these combinations have ever…" (Anna)

Before she could even finish the sentence, she raced out of the room; I waited what seemed like forever but Anna finally came back with a pile of ingredients in her hands as well as a small cage, inside of the cage was a cat which had two tails. The cat was jet black with a white underbelly, this cat was what was known as a moonlit strider, a speed-type familiar that is excellent for night operations, this was one of the familiars that were released moments ago. I watched as Anna tested the ingredients right in front of me, when the evolution started Anna froze before became frightened as the cat became enlarged, it burst through the cage and escaped through the open door. Shortly after the cat's escape, I could hear shouting and screams coming from the lobby down the hall, Anna who was stunned for several minutes finally moved. With shaky hands she picked up the pile of papers and walked towards the door without saying anything, a few minutes after a new individual appeared in the doorway asking me to follow him.

The staff member wasn't eye catching in the least, in fact he seemed like a person to disappear within a crowd. After following the man to the second floor I found Anna sitting beside an old man who was looking over the stack of papers from earlier, when I took a step within the room my entire body became heavy almost to the point to which it would crush me. The system who usually remained silent unless a question was directed at it immediately released Shade who disappeared from its spot, before anyone could react two creatures started to fight. A black shadow flew through the air on the ceiling while a green shadow charged around the floor, you could hear the howls of both creatures but the pressure that was on me was now gone. vines shot out of no where and targeted the shadow on the ceiling but it was too fast to capture, the old man finally put down the stack of papers and turned towards me with a very cold gaze. He didn't even put the two beasts behind him into consideration as he looked me over.

"Enough." (Old Man)

With one word the creature on the ceiling immediately disappeared before reappearing beside Shade, with swift motions it immediately hit Shade in the side. Shade flew towards me causing the both of us to hit the wall, when I recovered, I found my hand drenched in foreign blood, looking down I found that Shade had two massive claw marks going down her side. Shade tried to get up to face the creature again but I immediately held her and began to heal the wounds, once she was healed, I immediately sent her back into the system. With a wave of my hand my handgun appeared out of nowhere and I aimed at the beast, with a rapid motion I unloaded the clip, the bullets flew through the air towards the creature on the ceiling but all of them except for one of the bullets missed. The bullet that hit caused the creature to fly towards the old man before hiding behind him with a low screeching sound. The old man was surprised by my actions but he didn't react in anger like those cheesy novel characters, instead he pulled the creature which was behind him into view looking over the new wound it received. The creature was a bat that was as large as a bowling ball, it had frills leading down its back, the bats wings were so thin you could see the veins within it. the bullet that hit it went through its left wing making it unable to fly, as I looked at the bat its information appeared in front of me.

[Name: Sonic Bat

Rank: 4

Type: Sonic

Skills: Sound Manipulation LV 8, Swift LV 7, Precise strike LV 7]

The force I felt earlier must have been sound waves pressing against me, it must have a similar effect as gravity. No matter what the reason it still attacked me as well as Shade, if I didn't retaliate then how could I call myself a monster trainer? Anna who was sitting beside the old man didn't show any emotions on her face, she only stared at me, to be more accurate she was staring at the handgun in my hand. Letting the handgun go it immediately deposited into my inventory, adjusting myself and my clothes I walked towards the couch opposite of Anna and the old man.

"What the hell was that?" (Me)

"A test, our guild master is a person that judges' people by their actions instead of words, though the test might have gotten out of hand." (Anna)

"That's not good enough, my familiar responded after feeling that I was in danger and then almost lost its life, the guild is made to test trainers and promote them not to kill their familiars and turn them into vegetables." (Me)

"…" (Anna)

"Brat watch yourself." (Old Man)

"Like hell; I've traveled from stronghold to stronghold researching familiars, when I finally decide on a stronghold to stay in, I get attacked by guild staff, tell me why should I stay in this guild after what happened?" (Me)

"That…" (Anna)

"Anna give him platinum grade benefits without the restrictions." (Old Man)

"Explain." (Me)

"Platinum grade benefits are for the elite of the elite; in the history of the alliance there have only been five platinum grade individuals, out of those five only one was a monster breeder but they only did that on the side. You'll get the best materials, a personal strike team to collect fresh materials, information, and if the need arises legal counsel." (Anna)

"What were the restrictions?" (Me)

"That you were supervised 24/7, you never leave the government sanctioned building without permission, and you only took the missions the government gave you." (Anna)

"Yah I would have rejected that in a heartbeat." (Me)

"Brat the rewards outweigh the restrictions." (Old Man)

"Would you have taken it?" (Me)

"No, I'm not a tool to be disposed of." (Old Man)

"Exactly, which is why I want to select my own team, I can't have people betraying me." (Me)

"Do what you wish, Anna deal with the paperwork." (Old Man)

"Yes, guild master!" (Anna)

"Oh, and brat if I ever see you again, you'll regret ever setting foot within my guild." (Old Man)

The threat wasn't an empty promise, even now as the withered old man walked out of the room, I could feel the bloodl.u.s.t and power behind his words. Just before leaving though I saw something moving within his shadow, I don't know what it is exactly but I'm sure it's a familiar, the bat must have been a secondary familiar while the creature in his shadow was his main. When I have enough time to fully dedicate myself to training, I should improve myself, Shade is strong but if I die there will be no point.

"Well on that note please follow me to your new residents." (Anna)

Just like before Anna had a business-like smile on her face even after everything transpired, before leaving the guild hall she informed another receptionist that she will be out for a while. Once outside we walked to the edge of town where the surroundings began to change from rough to completely unlivable, the buildings looked like they would collapse at any moment. The surrounding people had sunken faces and ragged clothes, if this was some sort of joke I'm not laughing. Anna stopped in front of a wrecked mansion that was leaning to the left, it was originally a three-story building with two balconies in the front, a front porch, and an oak front door.

"This should be the location; well I'll be back in a few hours with the potential candidates for your team." (Anna)

"Why the hell am I put in this shit hole with a building that is barely on its last leg?!" (Me)

"I'm sorry the guild master is the one that controls these things, if you have a complaint take it up with him." (Anna)

"…." (Me)

Anna knew that I wouldn't complain to the guild master as she gave one last business-like smile before leaving, this was complete bullshit the old man is putting emotions before logic. I can provide them with the best services possible and yet the guild sticks me in a shithole like this? fine I'll see how they react when I rise in power.

[You have taken another step to becoming a monster breeder, as this is your first residence you have a free remodel token, do you wish to use it now?]

'What does it do?'

[Remodels your residents to become a base of operations which will fulfill your needs as a monster breeder]

'Alright do it.'

As I gave permission to the system the entire building was engulfed by a blanket of light but it vanished faster than it appeared but in its place was something completely different than what was there a moment ago. The outside of the building was a three-story building with a front porch; to the right there was a garage door that measured the entire three stories, the front door was an automated sliding door, when I walked in, I saw a receptionist desk and to the left was a waiting area. While moving through my new building I found that beyond the receptionist desk it became more of a vet's office than anything, the garage door which was beside the actual building was in truth a lab built for large familiars. On the second floor was what could only be described as staff housing, there was everything from spare rooms to a lounge area with its own floor bar. Finally, the third floor was actually my own residents; everything from a king-sized bed to an outdoor gazebo with a hot tub, if not for the first floor I would say this was a perfect lodge that you could get when visiting Tennessee. Walking to the king-sized bed I finally opened my own status; I have ignored it for so long as I was too focused on surviving up to this point.

[Name: Bishop LV1 (90%)

Rank: 1

Credits: 800

Skills: Heal LV 8, Weapon Mastery-Firearms LV 3]

'The firearm mastery is new and I'm guessing that the ninety percent is how much experience I've gathered so far, so the question is what happens when I level up?'

[User does not have the authority to know that, please raise your rank to gain authority]

'Figures the system wouldn't answer.'

[Unauthorized individuals have entered facility; do you wish to dispose of them?]

'I guess it's show time, system there's no need I'll be down in a moment.'

Getting up and adjusting myself accordingly I walked down the stairs to the first floor where I was met with Anna and another group of people however the business-like smile which was usually plastered on Anna's face was gone and shock replaced it. the group beside Anna all stared at me like they were judging me; some had respect, some didn't show any emotions, finally some showed disgust, given that most of these individuals were armed I'd say they were the potential team members. Nine out of twenty of them were female while the other eleven were males, most were wearing cheap and run-down armor faces shrunken in and they looked weak.

"I see you've been busy while I've been gone, but even if I ask, I'm sure you won't tell me your secrets, these are the available operatives that were selected please look over them and choose who you wish to join your team." (Anna)

"Thank you for your services, I trust you can see yourself out." (Me)

Anna looked offended but she gave me another business-like smile before leaving, the group didn't move from their location but they did stare as Anna left. The guild is a very large organization that has a lot of influence in this world however the branch here doesn't have any power in all reality and they have been corrupted by the power that they have been given which is why I'm in such a dump and given these people. If I want to continue, I need allies, the question is who do I trust?

'System is there a way for you to tell if someone is lying?'

[Yes, the system can monitor another's vitals to determine if they are speaking the truth or not]

'Well that's handy.'

"Alright let's get down to business, you were selected as potential team members however I must tell you now that this position is not for the faint of heart. Before I hire any of you, we will perform a simple test, outside of this city there's no walls, soldiers, or even neighbors protecting you. Your job is to capture two beasts that compliment each other, once you have completed this task return here and we will proceed with the next step." (Me)

Normally a monster breeder wouldn't test their team but I'm not a normal breeder; most teams rely on wealth and equipment to succeed however that's not the route I'm taking, I'm a monster breeder so I will breed 'monsters' it doesn't matter if they are beast or otherwise. As I was about to walk back upstairs one of the team members stepped out the group, this individual was the only one in the entire group that blatantly showed hostility towards me. The individual in question was a burly man dressed in fine clothes, he had a short sword strapped to his waist which swayed back and forth while he was moving. The team consisted of unwanted mercenaries which means that they are either unskilled or troublesome, I guess this man is one of the latter.

"I'm not doing some damn test for some damn kid that is barely old enough to leave his mothers side!" (Burly Man)

"What's your name?" (Me)

"Johnson." (Johnson)

"Well Johnson, what qualifications do you have to think your better than everyone else here?" (Me)

"I'm from the Steinhart family!" (Johnson)

"So, you have become a mercenary, which means you have forsaken your noble privileges for gold and adventure. You are trying to become a monster breeders mercenary and yet you refuse to follow my orders and refuse to leave the safety of this city. Leave, I have no use for a useless mercenary in my employment." (Me)

"Like you have the qualifications to kick me out of here, I'll have you know if you don't agree to take me on, no one will pay for your serves, in addition to that are won't be able to buy any materials within this city." (Johnson)

"Are you threatening me?" (Me)

"I think I am." (Johnson)

"Very bold of you, sadly you aren't capable of threatening me, please move away from the door." (Me)

[Unwelcome individual detected do you wish to remove this individual from the premises?]

'Yes.'

The group of mercenaries looked confused as to why I asked them to move but they did what I asked right on time, as the last member moved out of the way currents of electricity appeared out of nowhere striking Johnson. The current was too strong for him resulting in him being thrown out of the building, once he landed one could see that his entire c.h.e.s.t area was scorched black and his luxurious clothes were completely ruined though he was still alive.

"Let this set an example for the rest of you; obey my orders and you will be compensated; disobey my orders and you will be punished. This will be your last chance to walk away, as you may know if a mercenary leaves his employer without the approval of the employer it is the same as a soldier deserting his post and everyone knows the punishment for that." (Me)

As I finished speaking, I looked over the mercenary group but almost all of them looked excited, though three of the mercenaries didn't look so good. In this world only two things matter; money and power, if one has money then they can buy power from other people, but if you had both then you were guaranteed to succeed, this means that your subordinates will succeed as well. The three mercenaries that looked pale were Johnsons groupies, they stuck with him the entire time and were smirking when he was threatening me, now that he has been dealt with their confidence received a major hit. The three immediately requested their withdrawal of the test before immediately scurrying away though they didn't forget to drag Johnson with them. Shaking my head at this scene I turned around and walked back to my bedroom, the mercenaries received their mission, now the only thing to do is to way.