Laz looked through the library and found what he was looking for. An introduction to the powers of this world.

This world was called Zara, which he already knew. One interesting fact was that it was one giant supercontinent. This is actual fact as there have been mages in the past who flew around the whole planet before confirming it's spherical shape.

The powers that be in this world were the 10 countries that rule it and 1 other.

First, there is the Caledon Empire in the north. This empire is locked behind the Northern portion of the Iza Chain. Their culture is not very well known in Zara. According to the book, there were two passes through the mountains and one way around through ocean routes. This was very difficult as extremely strong monsters roamed the northern ocean. The passes were high up in the mountains and required someone to be at least Level 300 to traverse them.

The next power wasn't unified and wasn't even an organized country. The Iza Tribelands were to the west of the continent and cover most of the west coast. The people there are hardy warrior tribes that rarely leave their jungle and snowy mountains. Outsiders are rarely welcomed and the local wildlife gets more dangerous the higher you climb. Monsters above level 500 have been reported there.

Another significant and, by the sound of it, dangerous country was the Iquoran Theocracy. They were located in the Northeast of the continent. They worshiped a creature that had been around for a very long time. It reportedly could heal large masses of people and possessed large white wings and a human figure. From Laz’s perspective, it sounded just like an angel. Putting aside the religious ramifications, it was written that the people there were very zealous of their God, so it is best to steer clear.

An interesting Kingdom that the book brought up had no official name, but was called by all as the Barbarian Kingdom. It was located in between the Theocracy and Caledon Empire in the Northeast. This Kingdom was the epitome of might makes right. It was highly uncivilized and the strongest person ruled as King or Queen. This tended to be the most volatile kingdom in terms of the political state. The ruler tended to change on average every ten to fifty years. The ruler usually was around level 500 which meant that it took a lot of training to catch up. Since the incoming ruler usually killed all who were close behind in strength, it required the future ruler to train in secret. This usually resulted in a delay.

On to the next country, the book described the Shade Lands. This was the first country that was race-specific. This Land was ruled by dark elves. It was in the central plains of the continent to the right of the Iza Tribelands. The actual cities were located in the caverns and tunnels that lied below this particular section of plains. Dark elves were inherently creatures of the dark with many of them possessing natural darkness or shadow affinities. Most of the inner workings of this Queendom was unknown except that it was a matriarchal society that did not welcome outsiders often.

Next, the book introduces a mage kingdom known as the Spell Spire, due to the spire-shaped rock formations that the mages there built houses on. Primarily forested, this kingdom abounds with mages and magic of all types. The pursuit of knowledge is the primary occupation of most in this land. The largest library in Zara is located in their capital city, Eolas.

Another non-human kingdom, the Aquian Kingdom is controlled by sea elves. These elves seemed to essentially be mermaids from the stories back in his world. When in the water they had large fish sales and when on land walked on two legs. They covered the southern seaboard of Zara. There were multiple cities throughout including several underwater cities meant for the elves. These sea elves are usually blessed with a natural water affinity. Due to their oceanic advantages, they control most oceanic trade routes and are often hired to protect ships.

Dwarves also existed in this world. In a small kingdom squeezed between two large powers lies the Ironback Kingdom. This kingdom is entirely underground in dwarven made cities that have hallowed out entire mountains. They have been able to maintain their ancestral land only due to their expertise in creating traps and weapons. Some of their traps have the capability of killing individuals of level 500 or above and have before. They can’t expand due to the time it takes for their mountains to be hallowed out.

Next, we have a true superpower and bastion of equality. The League is a country that has representatives from most races in their council. This council is composed of Level 500 members of their respective races. This makes them very powerful and prevents bias. They vote on issues that decide the fates of their subjects. Primarily a meritocracy, the League didn't allow discrimination and relied on a similar, but more organized method than the Barbarian Kingdom to determine the council members. What allows them to have so many powerful figures is the abundant amount of dungeons and high-level monsters available in the Caledon Mountain range in their north. This also happened to be where he was. He was supposedly located in the border city of Zion.

Onto the last country, there was Malok’s Kingdom, otherwise known as Malok’s Autocracy. This was a kingdom that was formed by one confirmed level 600 individual named Malok. He had come out of nowhere at least 100 years ago and carved a large chunk out of the countries of Zara. He was confirmed to be one of the strongest individuals on the continent, besides some members of this next order.

The final and most powerful power of the continent was not located in any country but was instead spread out through the continent and headquartered on a large island in the Northwest. The Order of Resolve was reportedly the strongest organization on the continent. It had 8 orders and 1 headquarters. They had orders in every country except for Malok’s Autocracy and the Tribelands. Each order was composed of 100 members and 1 of them was the Master of that order. The members of the order were Level 200-499. The Master was Level 500. No one knew what level those at the headquarters were and the most details people knew was that when they had a deficit of 10 or more official members they began a new generation of disciples. Each order took 100 disciples each. These disciples were required to be below level 100, have 200 Willpower, 200 Constitution, and have Monster Hunter II title. The trials continue for 10 years if passed then disciples level to 200 and officially become members of the Order. That is the extent we know of the testing process. Few come out alive. Those who do refuse to share information. The Order is one of the greatest mysteries of the continent. The Headquarters is known as Ascetic Island due to the monk order that resides there and the Order of Resolve’s focus on training the mind and the body.

Laz closed the book. He determined that of all the countries he was very lucky to have been transported to the League. It was the most orderly and well-governed nation in all of Zara.

He left the Library and wandered throughout the town. Laz made his way to Old Bear Inn. He asked a few locals the way and soon he found himself walking down a dark alley that came to a dead end. There was a giant door over which a sign was hung that indicated this was the place.

He stepped in. Instantly, he noticed the quiet and calm atmosphere that suffused the space. There was a large bear of a man hunched over the bar. He was cleaning the bar with a rag. The man was absolutely monstrous. He was at least 7’6”. He analyzed him.

Old Bear

???

The man was clearly retired. He looked like he had once been a warrior. Now he appeared to be an aged man who could still beat the crap out of him.

“Welcome traveler, what would you like? A room, a hot meal and ale or both?” Old Bear said in a deep grumble.

“Well, I’d be very very thank full if you could provide me with some clothes. You see one of the guardsmen directed me here with the hope that you could provide me some that would fit.” Laz asked in a polite voice. He certainly didn't want to offend the man who could likely rip him in half with little effort.

The Old Bear nodded and walked into a back room. In a moment the man stepped out with a pair of black clothes that looked as though they'd fit a giant. Laz thanked him and walked over to a hallway. He changed right there.

The clothes fit like a glove. “What are these made of?” Laz asked the innkeeper.

“They are adventuring clothes that my son left behind. They are built to expand if needed. They should be able to fit me at their max capacity. They also reform on your body after being given some blood to bond it. They don't protect you from anything and are skin tight. They're meant to be clothes worn underneath the armor. They don't provide protection, but they fit your needs. I had no use for them anyway.” Old Bear replied.

“Thank you. I'm new to the area and have been wondering if there is a way to make some quick money?” Laz provided an excuse for his lack of knowledge.

“You go to the nearby task list. It also has as few organizations looking for talented recruits. However, unless you want to die do not join the Order of Resolve. I was once a disciple and I was insanely lucky just to survive. I can confirm that if you join their trial only 25 of 800 disciples will live. Now off with you and remember my words!” The Old Bear was speaking normally and then at mention of the order, he got heated to the point of anger.

Laz thanked him and left the bar. He proceeded to the center of town where he was told he could find the task list. He looked around still amazed at all of the different races he was seeing. He saw what looked like fairies, elves with gills and blue hair, more dark elves, dwarves, several varieties of beastmen, and a few things he had no clue of.

He finally got to the task list and saw right in the center an advertisement for the Order. It was a recruitment notice that listed the requirements for entry. They required 200 constitution, 200 willpower, and Monster Hunter II all below level 100. He did the math and realized that they required you to invest heavily in the durability of the mind and the body from the start. This Order seemed like it would fit his class. He asked around about their feelings towards the Order. They all had varying levels of respect and fear towards them. Order members were reputed for being able to take big damage and were known for not dying often despite their constant adventures. Other than that they were fuzzy on the details. One man however knew that the last recruitment for the order had taken place 124 years ago. This sealed the deal for Laz, he wanted to be in this Order. Just to check about the uniqueness of his classes, he asked the locals where healers came from. He was informed that most came from the Theocracy and that any others that went and offered public healing tended to disappear. He expanded his question to ask about battle healers. The man had never heard of such a thing. He also asked about space magic. The man said that it was a rare profession and that if he could make teleportation circles he could make lots of money. Laz thanked the man and asked where he could find the Order.

Laz approached the place he was told to never go. He found a man who was even larger than the Old Bear had been. He approached the table and said “I'm here to join the Order.”

“Display your willpower and constitution stats. Also set Monster Hunter II as your active title. If you don't know how just will it to happen and it will work.” The man listed casually while looking him straight in the eye. Laz stared back noticing a deep calm in the man’s eyes. The man seemed like he would be equally calm battling towering monsters as he would be filling out paperwork.

Laz willed the stats to display and for his title to display.

Constitution 215 Willpower 220

Laz

Monster Hunter II

Level 72

He willed it to be visible for the man as well. The man looked and confirmed the result. Then he said “Congratulations! You are the last disciple to be chosen in the League Branch. This is one of 4 Order monasteries in the League. I will transport you to the main branch and from there you will be taken to the headquarters for testing.” The man said all of this with a light amused tone. Almost like he knew something Laz didn’t. The man walked off to a circle of runes. He told Laz to step into the center. Laz did and felt a massive surge of mana around him.

The man looked at the ground Laz had once stood on. He sighed and spoke. “I hope this one isn't culled. He looked to be an ideal adventurer of the Order. Life goes on while Death skims the sides.” He sat down and moved no more.

A second passed and he was standing in a large courtyard. Around him were grouped many young men and some women as well. The moment he arrived a giant of a man stood up. Everyone’s attention was drawn to him. The man had to be at least 9 feet tall. There was a palpable weight in the air likely from his aura of weight.

The man rumbled, “I am the Master of this Order. You will all be transported to the headquarters of the Order of Resolve. Look around, in this courtyard there are 100 of you. In 7 other countries, there are 700 more of you. All of you have hopes, dreams, and ambitions. When this is done there will be 25 of you, out of 800. I encourage you to make friends so long as you are alright with killing them. Goodbye.” Laz felt a colossal wave of mana. All around them space warped and they found themselves in a massive spacial tunnel. The tunnel dragged people out into smaller tunnels that only sucked up one person before dissipating. Laz soon found himself dragged off to the side. He panicked before suddenly appearing in a room.

He calmed himself down and looked around at the room. It was very plain. Around him were rocky cave walls. In fact, all around him was a dome of stone with only one opening. A narrow hole was dug through the stone in the ceiling.

He looked at the floor and noticed something that was glowing there. It read, “Duel 1/5”. Laz looked around and realized that he had no way to escape. He looked around the chamber and then back up to the hole. Laz was worried about his oxygen supply in this room. He laid down on the hard stone and calmed himself down. He noticed that there was a drip of pure clean water from that hole in the ceiling. Laz decided that since he had no idea when the duel would start he would try to train. He didn't want to lose his oxygen so he decided to focus on calmer training.

Laz settled in for a long session of meditation.

Identify reached Tier 1 Level 5!