"Beast essence is the soul of the beast. Just like us it cannot stay outside without an anchor for long. It will eventually disintegrate and turn into just another source of power inside the core to be absorbed by Contractors and other beasts."

"Moving on, your first beast determines your foundation. Future growth. Compatibility. Combat instincts. Physical adaptation."

Silver watched quietly. This part aligns perfectly with the novel. The first integration mattered more than talent sometimes.

That was because weak foundations created permanent limits.

Marcus gestured towards the wastelands beyond the fortified zone.

"The beasts in this sector are low-ranked and monitored constantly. Most range between Tier 1 and Tier 2 threat levels."

That alone made several Awakeners visibly relax slightly. Marcus noticed immediately and smiled coldly.

"Do not misunderstand. A Tier 1 beast can still tear your throat out."

The nervousness instantly returned. Silver knew it was probably intention on his part. He could already imagine the disaster that overconfidence could bring.

Marcus pointed towards a series of digital modules being distributed by the staff.

"You’ll each receive a tracking module. Follow the designated zone restrictions exactly."

Silver accepted one as it was handed to him. It was a small watch-like device. The moment he turned it on, the small screen lit up and a map immediately appeared on the screen.

Several coloured regions appeared across the surrounding wasteland.

Green.

Yellow.

Red.

Marcus continued explaining.

"Green zones contain low-risk beast populations suitable for first integration."

"Yellow zones contain unstable migration activity. Enter at your own risk."

"And red zones..." his expression flattened slightly," ... are areas where we recover bodies."

Nobody looked eager anymore.

Marcus continued approvingly.

"Good. Fear means your survival instincts still work, cause you need them."

A few experienced Contractors behind him looked vaguely amused. This reminded Silver of when he had joined the military. It had been the same.

’Guess it never changes, huh’

He almost chuckled but kept it to himself.

Marcus resumed.

"You are free to choose your own beast."

That part immediately changed the atmosphere. Interest, excitement, and ambition could be felt almost physically in the air around the Awakeners. Because every contractor wanted something valuable.

Speed type beasts.

Strength mutations.

Sensory adaptation.

Elemental traits if lucky.

Marcus raised one finger.

"But choose intelligently."

The projection display shifted again, now showing several failed integrations.

Distorted tattoos.

Soul fractures.

Parasiting and takeovers.

Madness.

"Compatibility matters more than rarity."

The image paused on a contractor whose arm had grotesquely mutated into a partial beast flesh.

"A poor synchronization can permanently damage your soul structure."

Silence followed. Marcus let it settle for a while before continuing.

"You are not hunting trophies today. You are searching for compatibility."

That was logical in a sense for everyone present except for the protagonist and his harem of course.

The first integration needed stability above all else. More powerful integrations would come later once the soul matured.

Marcus finally gestured towards the Veteran Contractors stationed around the perimeter.

"These supervisors will intervene only if necessary."

Translation:

Don’t expect rescue immediately.

"You are expected to fight targets yourselves, " he looked at everyone pointedly," track them. Injure them. Synchronise manually."

One of the younger awakener raised his hand nervously.

"What if we can’t defeat one alone?"

Marcus looked unimpressed.

"Then choose a weaker one."

A few people looked embarrassed afterwards. It was understandable that some had clearly thought of using their instructors or paying for those from the lower district to help them.

Shawn, meanwhile, remained completely calm beside the transport vehicles. Even just standing there you could see that the environment suited him.

Silver glanced down briefly at the handgun resting near his waist. Then towards the combat knife beside it.

Nervousness stirred faintly in his chest. It wasn’t fear exactly, it leaned more towards anticipation because beyond this checkpoint, his real life started.

And somewhere out in the wastelands, a beast waited that would be part of his soul forever. It would set the very foundation of his life.

He could already feel it in his boots but he had to be patient, irrationally might lead to his death before he could reach far. The fact that they were going to be alone also added to that factor.

They were going to fight a real beast that found human flesh delicious.

.

.

.

The moment the briefing ended, the Rookie integration zone exploded with movement.

Groups formed instantly.

Some Awakeners clustered around stronger Awakeners, others moved to groups and teams pre-arranged by their families. Several Elite descendants already had scouts who had arrived earlier discussing beast patterns near the safer green zone while the supporting crew checked equipment one final time before departure.

Nobody wanted a weak integration beast. And nobody wanted to die trying to get a better one.

The wastelands beyond the checkpoint stretched endlessly beneath grey morning sky, broken highways and overgrown ruins stretching into the remains of another civilisation. Which technically they were.

Silver adjusted the strap of his weapon holster quietly while observing the movement around him.

The world beyond the collapse must have been absurdly enormous. Something the old ruins made that obvious in uncomfortable ways.

Entire cities existed out there now as beast territories. Subway systems became underground nests. Hospitals turned into mutation zones.

Even oceans remained constantly unexplored because marine beasts evolved faster than humanity could attack. Just like in the movies Silver had watched while on Earth, they had depicted almost the same scenario that happened in this world.

The ocean had been the first to show signs of mutations, which hadn’t been taken seriously at first before rapidly moving inland. And the rest is history.

The longer the spiritual density increased over the decades, the less the planet resembled the old world.

A notification flickered briefly near Silver’s vision.

[Quest recommendation]

Current priority:

Complete the first successful beast integration.

Suggested action: 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Increase survival probability.

"... very inspiring advice, " he said inwardly.

The system ignored him completely.

Nearby, several young Awakeners finally began leaving the checkpoint in organised groups.

Those going to the green zones left first since it was safe, predictable, and controlled. Most of them already had a template of what they wanted. What they were going to do now was use scouts to locate their specific first beast.

Silver remained standing still for another moment, though his thoughts drifting elsewhere.

The Red zone.

The memory surfaced slowly.