Most of the documents were much more interesting than William would admit. Details that he had never noticed before were in near-perfect format. There were even sketches depicting all kinds of variants, either with or without colors.

  Most Aspects were also present, either in written form or with more emphasis on pictures. There were even strategies for how Hellgars acted, attacked, or defended, depending on the settings and numbers.

  Obliterating them straight on seemed to be a very common strategy, as they didn't need complications due to their regular defenses. Maybe that was because Walkers were pushing their limits and brutality, and killing a large number of low Ranks didn't do much, so they didn't consider it as necessary.

  Hellgars weren't keen on defense, nor were they the most promising beasts in terms of tactics of their hunts. All things considered, of course. Even in a rotten pile, there might be a good apple. Add a hundred, and things won't be fair.

  Complex thinking and battles require a lot of brains. Dark Aspects and Arcana needed a corresponding rider, which either pushed Darks into unique categories or bad or rather weak lines. The higher the Ranks were, the greater the threat became, and more prospects opened.

  William noticed physical changes caused by Corruption were most common. Hardened skin was fine, second to scales, fur, plate-like armor, hair, tendrils, and shimmering elements of all kinds. Many people called them auras, and many Darks possessed this weird air. Or perhaps Fogs were the answer? William wasn't sure.

  Visual and outer representations were nice, and what they could do was much different in reality. For a Carnijaw, four pillars of limbs and long tendrils for hair seemed heavy and respective. They were potent weapons because their base Rank was 5, and there was no Carnijaw at lower Ranks.

  The Federation determined various hazard levels based on such factors, and considerations of many Walkers followed the System. Major defenses and offensive mechanics were only one part of everything.

  Another Dark came to William's mind. Rank 6. Jawran. A big Space Dark. Its defenses became lethargic and different, and they were also burly and couldn't fly very well for long distances.

  Dense scales were great for changing protection, while their shape led to higher speed and flight maneuvers. It had its downs and ups, but it was large and dangerous when Dark Fog was around, buffing and changing the status quo.

  Unless Walkers had a corresponding raw power to finish such protections, one should think of weaknesses or straight up flee. That was a lesson fit for normal people as well. William learned that all firsthand. Luke showed him a good show from that helicopter. Rank 5 Walker cleaved Jawran in half with ease. In truth, it wasn't as easy as it displayed, but Luke would never acknowledge it.

  That Jawrans was more stupid than most of its kin. It flew way out into the open ocean, straining its movements in a dumb rush to reach his helicopter. Its limitations were like a gift for Luke, who finished it off when Dark Fog became no longer an issue.

  In a normal situation, around the land, jungles, or big lost cities with huge buildings, Jawrans were quite menacing. Killing it would take dozens of times more effort for Luke, if not more. Perhaps he wouldn't even bother fighting it at all.

  Not only were there many obstacles, but it wouldn't be open, fatigued, or alone. Out there, the fear of the dark forest prevailed.

  Sure, some Walkers could fly and hover like Luke, so playing around Darks of similar fields became easier, but it was not equal in their territories. How much they could do depended on luck, skills, coercion, and surroundings.

  Jawrans were high in size and sharpness, heeded by attacks with their jaws and wings. Cities could also hinder them, though it was more of a predator that was fine with wide cities, especially New York City.

  William had yet to go that far, even if he saw that city. Specifically, intimidating lands were unexplored Outside, yet rumors and many legends were also common. For now, he guessed a lot of things about Jawrans and what was available to read.

  Hellgars had defined patterns related to hunter instincts and beasts. Even bits of pride were there, but when food wasn’t fine, bloodthirst spiked their hunger and actions. Thus, they were known as the raging dogs of Darks. Add to it Dark Fog, and they could become wicked demons.

  That was a general consensus William agreed with. Relentless in their attacks, they wouldn’t stop until the prey was dead or impossible to hunt. Even then, they would continue until they either died or couldn't continue. On the most extreme side, if the foe was too dangerous, the sheer might of instincts could slam against their minds and create weird situations.

  Still, Darks hardly ran away like little kittens. If they did, there were reasons for it. Resemblance ended and started with cats, wolves, lions, and other similar animals. Ferociousness mixed with reputations, and a century later, monstrosities remained.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Even at Rank 1, a Hellgar would kill any animal. Four-legged, clawed limbs provided flexible, speed, and stable weapons, and their dominant hind legs had a certain curve to them, making running and jumping powerful. Claws and jaws were great for ripping, and their mouth was filled with hundreds of two to four-inch razor-sharp teeth.

  The documents contained pictures and sketches of many internals, and even cut images displayed their anatomy, which showed William how much time went into this research. They still didn't answer how they did it, since... well, dissecting these wicked monsters didn't sound like a fun time.

  Meanwhile, Ellie worked with Celeste, showing and reading to her out loud, or offered her more pictures instead. She either hummed, frowned, mumbled some comments, or felt unpleasant memories resurfacing in her mind.

  William was the same. Hellgars were nasty creatures, for sure.

  “Is that to your liking? This is a world we live in. We all know it, don't we?” Mi-Yung sat in front of his table, facing everyone. She rested her elbows on the table, and both of her palms rested on her chin.

  “Sure. Are Hellgars and their variants the same everywhere? How about Korea?”

  “They are. They are not. Higher-ranked ones can get a bit out there. These documents don't have them, though, I could fetch their full line if you want to. Up to Rank 8 it goes, eh?” she taunted him with a smile.

  “Please... no more. I don't want to hear about it!”

  “At least you learn.”

  “What about... Hound?” Celeste suddenly asked her, patting Hound’s head and scratching his chin. He purred and howled in soft tones, eyes shivering and fur tingling like his wavering weight and size. It was like a trembling washing machine, looking shaky and broken. He never got it. Never!

  Celeste never scratched him like that.

  “Hounds are Hounds. They are part of Fengs.”

  “And?” Celeste demanded more. Much more.

  “I won't say more.”

  “... Please?” Celeste tried to sound as sincere and great as she could be. Ellie cheered, glad that she got that far.

  “Um... What is there to tell? They are like elevated Hellgars to another level and filled with more unique and upper Dark Aspects. Rank 5 and up points to their eyes and… size, usually. Darks at that Rank manifest much stronger Arcana properties. Add to that obnoxious power and hierarchy of their points, and they could be annoying. Hounds are like that... usually.”

  This one didn't take it as an offense, praise, or anything extra or minor.

  Celeste listened to her and was glad she asked Mi-Yung about it, because Dreadus didn't want to mention it at all.

  “In general, Beast Family act with territorial instincts, feed, battle, and have a prevailing desire to eat, get stronger, and hunt. Some of this surrounds whole regions, and certain locations, so they either have to travel far or stick to more places if they want to hunt. Alone, or in the pack, both work. Some stay in their own ecosystem, corrupted lands, or gutless holes. We don't ask them, so all we can do is assume their steps, get to know them, and kill them. Motives, patterns, and weaknesses come a long way when we make missions and hunt them back.”

  William hummed and dug deeper into the remaining documents. To his utmost shock, he discovered even more crazy varieties that were fitted for Rank 4 at minimum—without a warranted name change, even.

  They could get as small as five feet, even at that Rank, while the upper limit seemed to be ten feet tall. Their jaw would vary even more, though their distinct shape more or less remained. Terrific jaw, almost no chin, bulging upper head and eyes, and nasty furs and tendrils.

  The color scheme also showed changes, either by vividness, marking them with mild elemental effects, or thicker or sharper fur. Spikes and even curved bone blades could poke through their skeleton, either from their heads, limbs, or spine.

  “What makes these changes? Eating? Hunting? Is it similar to growing like Walkers do? You said something like that earlier.” William said, glancing at Mi-Yung.

  “It makes sense, so yes. Researchers and history proved it, and it wouldn't make any other sense.”

  Accepting her answer, William read until he had had enough. There was a lot to them, yet William was a lot more familiar with beasts than Mi-Yung was aware of, yet he still took those pictures, comments, hints, and sketches as important.

  They could get mutated, albeit it was deterministic to luck, success, and change. William wondered if high-ranking Darks were as varied as this. For now, he thought it was more than likely.

  “Done already?” Mi-Yung asked with a smile and gestured for Ellie as well. They weren't over, but it seemed they weren't far from a healthy change. Celeste had her shortcomings.

  “I guess,” Ellie added.

  William slapped documents into one big pile and looked at Mi-Yung. “I wouldn't mind having these at hand, or if they would be about the Walkers instead.” He fished for answers and used a great bait. Maybe she will bite.

  “I bet many would mind that, but yes. You can take a couple of pages away as long as it is required under fitting circumstances. If it is not, then you won't get it. This place is no charity.”

  “Oh... how sad?” William leaned back, scratching his cheeks with his card.

  Ellie and Celeste had nothing to add.

  “There are a lot of things. Let's just say that it is better to keep this stuff here.” She answered like a politician and didn't say more.

  It didn’t frustrate William, since there was a lot to gain out of this room alone.

  “How about another pile? Or... a next room?” he offered.

  “What are you interested in? Shouldn't we vote?” Mi-Yung aimed this question at the girls.

  Ellie shook her head, and Celeste would be fine either way. She felt like riding others anyway.

  “More Darks, locations around the world, or their nests. Chose.”

  “No idea. You decide.”

  “Then to the next room we go.” Mi-Yung clapped without waiting for a second. She got to her feet and grabbed those documents. “By the way, a lot of documents have spread out knowledge, and even connected links. If one has time, one gains more than listening to lectures. I can't inform you more than this; otherwise, I would talk for hours to no end. You will figure out the basics at a much better pace in other ways.”

  “Sure. Six weeks and these books are a lot, and I am in no hurry,” William said as he got up.

  “After Rank 1, don't say it’s light. There are a lot of things to say when you are a full-fledged Walker, and you will fight against them by yourself and discover them even better.”

  “Me too?” Celeste said, a finger aiming at her own face.

  “Yes. You too... or.. yeah? What about you, anyway? Will you come to the Examination as well? Will you really Awaken normally?”

  Celeste shrugged, unsure what waking up even meant in this context. She didn't remember if that was important or up to Dreadus.