"...So, congratulations, Sean! You're officially a monkey owner. Try not to let him redecorate your apartment with his… artistic flair." Lady Flower winked, knowing full well the chaos that even a low-ranking Iron Monkey could unleash. "Now, Flowery, say goodbye to Sean. We have a birthday party to attend, and your cousin is expecting you to bring a mountain of presents."
Seeing the two leave, Sean activates his system and a mysterious sense of connection can be felt between him and the yellow monkey. It was like they were two halves of the same banana, finally reunited.
[Spiritual Tamer template is activated. Attribute template is unlocked. Spirit +10.]
[Creation of Black Ape Body Tempering Technique is updated to Monkey Body Tempering Technique.
Requirements; (1) Train a martial art technique that is related to any monkey species; (2) A martial to serve as a foundation -Martial Stance-; (3) Sign a contract with any monkey species -Iron Monkey-.]
Reading the system's notification, his expression turns strange as he has all three requirements already but he's quite reluctant to learn that technique. It was like the system was offering him a free trip to paradise, but the catch was he had to wear a banana suit the entire time.
He shakes his head and admonished himself.
'Why am I hesitant!? Foolish! So what if that technique is quite deprived and shameless!? As long as I can learn it, I can start my journey! Besides, who knows? Maybe the banana suit is actually comfortable.'
He rubs the head of his new partner. "Since you and I are connected of this moment, I should give a name." He paused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "How about… Bob? No, too boring. Steve? Nah, doesn't fit. I've got it! How about… Wuk?"
The yellow monkey doesn't know why but it feels that it can understand what he's saying. It was like Sean was speaking the universal language of monkey business.
It jumps and starts clapping as it agreeing to his words. It seemed to approve of its new name.
[Spiritual Tamer update. Contracts: 1/2]
[Name: Wuk
Species: Iron Monkey
Grade: Common
Rank: Vital Realm (Iron)
Innate Trait: Iron Body
Skills: None
Requirements for evolution: (1) Learn at least 1 Skill; (2) Increase vital power; (3) Consume 1 kilogram of iron.]
His eyes lights up, evolving one's mystique creature is what all Spiritual Tamer deeply wish. It was like leveling up in a video game, but with real-life consequences.
Upon learning that he has the knowledge to evolve his is quite a cheat. He was basically playing the game with a strategy guide.
Smiling foolishly, he went to the feeding center. He had a sudden craving for bananas.
He's clearly in a great mood, unaware of his surroundings. He was so focused on his newfound monkey-owning status that he wasn't paying attention to where he was going.
Suddenly, he bumps into someone, causing him to fall. He landed on his butt with a resounding thud.
"Watch where you going gigolo!" A rough voice was heard.
Grimacing slightly, he immediately knew who he bumped into. It was Greg, the shop's resident musclehead and Dorothy's self-proclaimed admirer.
A large man with crooked lips was looking at him with disdain. He looked like he'd been stung by a bee on both sides of his mouth.
He's one of the promising martial artist in this shop, he's currently pursuing Dorothy and considers him as a nuisance. He saw Sean as a rival, even though Sean had absolutely no interest in Dorothy.
"Sorry sir Lips, I mean sir Greg." Sean said, stifling a laugh.
"You!-" Greg sputtered, his face turning red.
What he hated the most is people mentioning his lips. It was a sensitive subject, and Sean knew exactly how to push his buttons.
Sean doesn't give him any face by calling him that. He was tired of being the nice guy.
Looking at the fuming person in front of him, he ignores him and passed by. He had more important things to worry about than Greg's bruised ego.
He had been cordial with this person and even treated him with respect but he saw him as only a pushover. It was a classic case of taking kindness for weakness.
Because of this, he no longer treated him with respect since last month. He'd decided to stand up for himself, even if it meant making a few enemies along the way.
No matter how calm he is, this doesn't mean that others can just continue stepping on him. He was done being a doormat.
In the confine of this shop, no one would dare to make a move to him physically. Greg knew that attacking Sean would result in immediate termination.
After feeding all the mystique creatures assigned to him, he went back home. He was exhausted, but he had a newfound sense of purpose.
He decided to still learn the Black Ape Fist, for that, he had to be absent for a couple of days. He needed to master the technique if he wanted to unlock the full potential of his Monkey Body Tempering Technique.
Fortunately, school is quite free in this world as long as his reason involves growing stronger, his absence would be overlooked. The education system prioritized practical skills over theoretical knowledge.
"I'm home!" Sean shouted, stepping inside his small but cozy house.
Entering a comfy small house, he shouted. He was greeted by the familiar scent of his aunt's cooking, which was usually a mix of delicious and slightly terrifying.
This house is owned by aunt. His guardian of this world. She was the closest thing he had to a family in this strange new world.
"Sean, you're back." A calm voice appears in the hallway. It was his aunt, her face etched with weariness.
It was his aunt, she looks exhausted but she still forced a smile for him. She worked tirelessly to provide for him, and he was grateful for her sacrifices.
She has slir eyes with white hair, her height is actually quite short, her body is quite disproportionate to the large chest that she carries. She was a kind and gentle soul, but she had a hidden strength that Sean admired.
He smiled back before taking off his shoe and entering. He carefully placed his shoes on the rack, a habit he'd picked up from his aunt.
Their house is bought by the remaining savings from the two family and some money from the government for the compensation for Sean's parents' death. It was a modest home, but it was filled with love and warmth.
The reason why they risked to buy this small house is because this location is much safer compared to the apartment they were living on all those years ago. They wanted to create a safe haven for themselves in a world that was becoming increasingly dangerous.
"Aunt, are you alright? Did any of your clients gave you some problem?" He teases, causing his aunt to sigh. He knew that her job as a masseuse could be physically and emotionally draining.
He teases, causing his aunt to sigh. She had a dry sense of humor that Sean found endearing.
In fact, their two families aren't even related, they were just neighbors according to the memories of the Sean. They'd become like family over the years, supporting each other through thick and thin.
"It seems that the situation for us common folk isn't looking good, the number of martial artists are growing much larger," She complains before opening a can of beer. She deserved a cold one after a long day of work.
She complains before opening a can of beer. She had a habit of speaking her mind, which Sean appreciated.
Sean agrees with her words, humans are quite tough, they already started to grow exponentially after suffering from multiple setbacks. They were a resilient species, capable of adapting to even the most challenging circumstances.
The number of martial artists every year is growing larger but this caused those that are already of age to be discriminated. It was a competitive world, and those who couldn't keep up were often left behind.
Taking a deep breath, he decided to tell his aunt that he had awakened. He knew that she would be worried, but he also knew that she would support him.
Awakened. This is the term that the human of this world calls those that has entered the path of Spiritual Tamer. It was a term that carried a lot of weight and responsibility.
This is the term that the human of this world calls those that has entered the path of Spiritual Tamer. It was a life-changing event, a turning point in their destiny.
Contracting a mystique creature is quite demanding. It required a strong will and a deep connection to the spiritual realm.
This is the reason why only true martial artist are able to form a contract. They had the physical and mental fortitude to withstand the strain of bonding with a mystique creature.
They have to offset the burden of their body and soul with vital power. It was a delicate balance between strength and spirit.
The majority of martial artists are quite picky with their contracts as they have a limited space. They couldn't just contract any mystique creature; they had to choose wisely.
Spiritual Tamer, on the other hand, has a great advantage on this department. They had a greater capacity for contracting mystique creatures, making them valuable assets.
Their souls are baptized by spiritual energy, strengthening it, even if they haven't reached the vital realm, they can sign a contract with low level mystique creatures already. It was like having a cheat code for contracting.
This is the reason why most power would try to nurture a Spiritual Tamer as they can sign more mystique creature compared to that of an ordinary martial artist. They were seen as investments, potential powerhouses who could bolster their ranks.
"Aunt, I have awakened," Sean said, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
His words caused his aunt to become dazed. She stared at him with wide eyes, trying to process what he had just said.
"You what!?" She exclaimed, her voice barely a whisper.
Suddenly, two voices appears nearby. It was like they had materialized out of thin air.
One was a girl that looks like his aunt but has large cute eyes, shining with lively light. It was Hina, his aunt's daughter, a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm.
Besides her was a girl with a very bold outfit, kind of like a gyaru style of his former world. It was Nima, Hina's best friend, a wealthy and well-connected socialite.
He didn't even notice the two. He was so focused on his aunt that he hadn't realized they were there.
His eyes widens as he realizes that his secret didn't even last one day before being spread to people he doesn't want to know. He cursed his loose lips.
"I mean that I have awakened from being a foolish person and decided to fully undrtake the harsh path of martial arts by enrolling myself on the newly ascended Black Ape Dojo," Sean said, quickly backtracking. He tried to play it off as a joke, but he could tell that they weren't buying it.
He rephrased his words causing the two girls to be confused. They exchanged skeptical glances, unsure of what to believe.
The short girl still looks at him with doubtful expression but this explanation is much more believable compared to what they first thought. She narrowed her eyes, trying to decipher his true intentions.
"Tch! You're shocking people for nothing, mom, I'm going to train at Nima this week," The short girl stretches his cheeks as she said this. "Don't wait up for me."
This girl isn't a stranger but his aunt's daughter, named Hina, she's unlike her gentle and mature mother. She was a tomboy, preferring training to socializing.
She likes to play, quite lively and strong-headed. She had a fiery spirit and a rebellious streak that Sean admired.
Her friends are like her too and some sadly has the same background as her. They were a tight-knit group, bound together by their shared experiences.
Losing loved ones during the last portal break. It was a tragedy that had left a deep scar on their community.
"Be careful out there, girls like you two are currently prime targets for underground forces," He warns with teasing tone. He knew that they were capable of taking care of themselves, but he couldn't help but worry.
He warns with teasing tone. He tried to lighten the mood, but he could sense the tension in the air.
The underground forces isn't really active much on their city as they don't possess something unique to attract them. They usually preyed on weaker communities, exploiting their resources and their people.
The expressions of the girls became somber. The mood of the entire room turns gloomy. The threat of the underground forces was a constant reminder of the dangers that lurked in their world.
He frowns and asks. "Tell me, why are you guys scared? This city might be small but the federation's control here is much stronger than the other cities." He tried to reassure them, but he could see the fear in their eyes.
"You don't know, huh? The situation of the federation is becoming more chaotic," Nima explains, unlike them, her father is a rich individual and has a lot of connection with the inner circle and true major power. She had access to information that most people didn't.
Nima explains, unlike them, her father is a rich individual and has a lot of connection with the inner circle and true major power. She had a serious demeanor that belied her young age.
"Do not tell anyone but I heard from my father that after the last portal break, the density of spiritual energy is rapidly increasing, causing the number of mystique creatures to grow exponentially," Nima whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's like the world is becoming a giant incubator for monsters."
Sean frowns, this isn't looking too good, the governing power in this city isn't that strong, if such thing is truly true, then those hyenas would definitely gather here. He knew that their city wouldn't be able to withstand a large-scale attack.
Clenching his fist, he realised that he needed to grow stronger fast. He had a responsibility to protect his aunt and his friends.
"Thank you, Nima, for you to tell such a secret to our family proves just how much you trust us," Sean said, his voice filled with gratitude. He knew that she was taking a risk by sharing this information with them.
Hina slaps his head. "What do you mean trust us? You mean she trust me!" She was always quick to correct him, a trait that Sean found both annoying and endearing.
Smiling wryly, he looks at the girls and sighs, taking a deep breath, he decided not to hide it. He couldn't keep it a secret any longer.
"Earlier, when I said that I had awakened, I meant that I had become a Spiritual Tamer," Sean confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.
His words once again plunge the room into silence. The girls stared at him in disbelief.
Without hesitation, Nima grabs his hand, with shining eyes, she quickly asks. "Are you telling the truth!?" She looked like she'd just won the lottery.
Seeing her glimmering eyes that looks like stars, a chill runs down his spine. He was starting to regret his decision to tell them the truth.
"Yes, I just contracted an Iron Monkey from the pet shop that I am working in," Sean admitted, his voice resigned.
He can only say the truth now that the stares of the girls are boring down on him. He knew that he couldn't escape their scrutiny.
"That's great! Why won't you work under my father? I'm sure that with our support, you're definitely going to reach Vital Realm in less than half a year," Nima gushed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We can provide you with the best training, the best resources, everything you need to become a powerful Spiritual Tamer!"
He quickly shakes his head. "I want to continue working to the pet shop that hired me, I want to repay this gift of theirs, in the meanwhile, I'm going to join the Black Ape Dojo." He was grateful for her offer, but he had his own path to follow.
Hearing his answer disappointed her but after listening to his latter words, she starts to ponder. She was clearly weighing her options.
"Uncle Toji is actually my father's cousin, he can be considered as a member of Gold Family, so you can still work under my father even if you join the Black Ape Dojo," She explains. "We can arrange for you to train with him in your spare time."
She explains. She was determined to get him to join their team.
His eyes lights up as he thanks her. "That would be amazing! Thank you so much, Nima!"
"Please take care of me," Nima was ecstatic, to actually managed to nab a newly awakened individual is something that she can brag to her father. She was already planning her victory speech.
Nima was ecstatic, to actually managed to nab a newly awakened individual is something that she can brag to her father. She was practically glowing with pride.
'If mother knows about this.' Unfortunately, this train of thought made her eyes dim, just like her best friend, she also lost someone dear to him during the last portal break. The memories were still fresh in her mind.
Whether you're poor or rich, the monsters, terms for mystique creatures that has been infected by radioactive energy doesn't discriminate. They were a threat to everyone, regardless of their social status.
They only sought to destroy and absorb, they don't think of leaving anything behind as if destruction is the only purpose for their existence. They were a force of nature, driven by a primal urge to consume and destroy.
The three girls kept him from resting as they started asking him question regarding his awakening. He felt like he was being interrogated.
Especially Nima, asking him about the sensation when he awakened, from her eyes, she seems to be confident that she can awaken too, which confuses him. He didn't understand why she was so fixated on awakening.
No one should be able to know if they can awaken or not. It was a mystery, a roll of the dice.
Returning to his room mentally exhausted, he takes out a couple of books. He needed to escape the chaos and find some peace and quiet.
These are collection of his old man, they're just low-level martial art technique that sold in the streets or in some random corners, full of nonsense and exaggerated effects.