“Of course, you should be able to meet the organizations that I had mentioned sooner or later. Monsters are your first concern in this industry, so a question for you, Ms. Yumina. Why do we call the usual monsters as Types?”

“Isn’t it to differentiate the named ones and the others?”

“That’s right,” Gaston smiled at her. “We ranked numbered monsters by the level of their danger. From Type-1 to Type-6’s. Type-1’s are the smaller monsters that are seen everywhere. They possessed the same characteristics, sometimes we call them pawns because of their same appearance. Type-1 to Type-3 monsters usually stay the same. However, there might be a chance when a monster steps into the Type-4 category. The monsters that enter the Type-4 category have a chance at the highest chance of becoming a NAMED-type monster. The NAMED Classes are categorized as BRAWLERS, FLYERS, HUNTERS, GOLIATHS, and BEHEMOTHS.”

On the projected screen was the appearance of the NAMED-classed monsters. The Brawler was a four-legged humanoid-like creature that has a resemblance to humans, and looked like a HUNTER class, but lacked the rock-like carapace of the HUNTER-class. The FLYERS were bird-like creatures with their belly exposed and had the typical rock-like appearance that the biomass entities have. The GOLIATH was fifteen meters abomination. The BEHEMOTH-class are gigantic monsters that are fifty meters tall on average. The largest of these monsters were last seen in the mountains of the Himalayas. They were exterminated by the AETF with the use of ichorium-based weapons that tore through their chest and head. They were the only monsters in this era that are given kill orders when spotted.

Gaston pressed next to the following slide. “It is interesting that the multi-functional weapons were made to combat immediate threats like NAMED ones. Just as soldiers are trained to handle range weaponry, Breakers, and Evolved Humans are trained to handle the Biomass Entities by using said weapons to combat them. A Ranged weapon is preferable when facing biomass entities, however, the heat sink of your multi-functional weapon will melt if overused. We have not solved this problem, so you should keep using your exhaust clips to release the heat of your weapon.”

“I know that.”

“Of course.”

Gaston continued his orientation. Yumina eyed the slide diligently. Gaston stopped on one particular slide.

“Do you know what this is?”

On the slide was a bracer that was worn on the left arm. It was similar to a wrist pad that Gaston was wearing. Yumina nodded her head, stood up, and answered.

“That is the device that measures up our ichor and bioenergy levels.”

“Yes, and the ionization of your bioenergy. Think of your body as a container of Ichor and bioenergy. But your bioenergy, depending on your mutation, could cause hidden disasters. There are areas on the otherside that will turn your body into solidified Ichorium if you ever step into that place. That is why although most of the Breakers are safe on the earthside. They can be put into extreme danger on the otherside. You have no raid experience, right?”

“Yes.”

“And that is why you must keep your wrist guard on. Once you are afflicted with Corrosion Syndrome, there is a chance that you will suffer an untimely death.”

“Sir, I must ask this. Even though we are powered by Ichorium and sustained by it. Why must we guard against the very substance that gives us strength?”

“Too much will cause your bodies to crumble. Just as the body can take in salt if taken lightly, too much salt is harmful to your body. If you have read Dr. Harman Stroman’s publication in how the Evolved Human body takes in ichor, then you would understand the full details of why this could be. I shall send you the full document for you to read on.”

“That is,” she stuttered. A complicated look on her face. Gaston thought it was unlikely for anyone to read any official documentation from published Professors.

“I’ll send out a Japanese Translation for you. Ms. Yumina Houki, a word of advice from me. Do you want to hear it?” he requested the data and send the download link to Yumina

Yumina nodded warily and then accepted the pending request. Gaston was pleased and continued with his orientation. Though their initial meeting made Gaston think that she was a snobby young woman. He came to realize that maybe she was just stiff about her prospects of joining the Babaika Lions. Even she would have heard the glories of such a Company that is led by three renowned Breakers. Not to mention she was meeting important bigshots.

But he wouldn’t allow this young lady to mistake this dangerous profession as calm and easy.

“Ignorance leads to death.”

Gaston spoke gravely, his tone like ice in the middle of the snow. The Gaston who sported a calm, polite and toneless expression was gone. Yumina, who had gotten used to Gaston, shuddered for a reason. She did not understand why, but it made her wary of how Gaston looked.

“I’ve been thrown into the split-realm once. It was a Cruiser-class ship that was headed to the Balkan Regions. Perhaps you have heard of it? The Golden Gate incident?”

“Ah, I did, Sir.”

“Among the five hundred passengers of a civilian-class Cruiser. Only ten of us remained alive. I managed because I had experienced, I had my pistol, and I was with the Breakers. I survive with a few Breakers leading the way. It was hell. The world that we were thrown into was nothing more than a reflection of hell itself. Some didn't know better, the other Breakers stepped into pure ichorium fields that tore them apart. It was the same as blades growing out of your body, piercing out of your skin.”

“Sir, I have taken a step into ichorium fields as well. But it didn’t harm me.”

“I told you that there was an outbreak years ago, right? Impure Ichor is what you have to worry about, and even though too much ichor could energize you, if there is a mixture of impure in the ichor, then you should be prepared for the worst. Pure Ichor can be bad, but impure ichor would be terrible for your body since the body of a breaker will naturally accept it. Think of it as inhaling pollutants, but this pollutant is consumed by your body unconsciously, absorbed, and turned into the very bioenergy that gives you super strength, and the ability to use your mutations. The more you consume this impure ichor, the more your body is tainted by ichorium. The wrist guard on your left arm acts as your body’s third layer of defense. Ichor can get past your natural bioshield, but the shield generated by your wrist guard filters the ichor that gets in. It is programmed to disperse the impure Ichor and at the same time fuel the ichorium battery of your wrist guard. You do need to change it now and then.”

“I see.”

“I’m sure that Ms. Yumina has heard of this before or at least has some knowledge about it. You are a Rookie by this industry’s standards, but you are experienced when it comes to slaying monsters. I’ve seen your record, and your ‘errant tour’ with Mr. Akito Hiro had been recorded diligently by the UETF, and the Consortium Branch of Japan.”

“Oh, so that’s why they know me..”

Gaston raised a brow. He pressed next to the next slide. “Gears are separated by their tier. You have combat training, so I would have to assume that you know how to handle most of the weapons and gear that you are issued. Nonetheless, it is stated in the laws Consortium’s ACT of 2042 that every licensed Breaker must have marksman, and close-quarter combat training.”

Yumina groaned. Gaston could feel that she had some bad memories when it comes to those training. Gaston did hear that they can be rigorous, and even the most eager would find it hard to pass the close-quarter combat training. Some passed barely, but most of the time they are pulled back in and graded again.

“You shouldn’t be tested again,” Gaston said. “But do not forget your training, Ms. Yumina.”

“Just call me Yumina, Sir.”

“Very well, Yumina. I have your records here, and most of them are good. Nonetheless, you are still under probation. You have gained merit in the defense of Tokyo Bay, but it seems that you weren’t properly educated in regards to a raid. As much as I like to teach you about how to act and perform during a raid, and how one should handle your role in a split-realm. There is a limit to what I can teach. I believe that Boris could teach you about what to do when it comes to raids.”

Yumina nodded. She typed on her mobile device. “What about the protocols, Sir?”

“As for your protocols, I do not have much control over this matter. But I do insist that you keep up with your paperwork. File your reports, so you do not lose merit. The Babaika Lions are rather attentive when it comes to paperwork. So I advise that you do not miss one, Yumina.”

“I understand.”

Gaston continued, “Now remember that you are allowed to tune your multi-functional weapons. However, if it is beyond your capability, please do not tamper with any of the technologies that are beyond your competence level. Tampering with the configurations of a battery that has reached a critical mass might lead to your sudden death, and implosion. I’m sure that everyone has told you this.”

“They did,” she swallowed.

“Good. Now there are repair kits available that have instructions on how to do emergency repairs. So hopefully you wouldn’t have to deal with such matters and not suddenly turn yourself into a humanoid ichorium.”

Gaston stopped for a while. He opened up his wrist pad. “Excuse me for a moment,” Gaston said as he operated the AR-module and allowed data to be received on his device. He frowned at the ten gigabytes worth of documents that were pending for him to accept. He turned his attention to his wrist pad again, activated the filtering module, and made sure to separate the information based on what he needed. He didn’t understand why Janna would send so much information to him. Well, he did ask for the information in the first place.

“Pardon, I didn’t expect that it would be long,” Gaston said.

“It’s okay, Sir Adjutant.”

Gaston continued his orientation with Yumina. Yumina Houki was a curious being, and if her dossier was right. Then she would naturally be inclined to learn. Akito Hiro had taught her a lot during her time as an apprentice. He might be a licensed Breaker, and though there are dojos that teach young Breakers and prepare them in the past couple of years. The protocols and rules have and will always change. Although the rookie was only his minor responsibility, Gaston didn’t dare to slack off when it came to teaching her.

This orientation was nothing more than a formal justification to send subsidies and funding to the Breaker Companies. To the rest of the world, the Consortium-licensed Breaker Companies are no different from mining and oil companies. The only difference is that the Breaker Companies do not solely harvest, and produce materials. They also protect and secure territories and areas that are under their jurisdiction.

Gaston had an idea of how much is the bidding process when it comes to acquiring jurisdiction over a nation. So when he heard that the Babaika Lions got the jurisdiction, and the contract to operate in Japan. It caused quite a stir in the UEDF, AETF, and PMC circles. Over the years, the Babaika Lions have been high-profile, ridiculously building up their operations, and gaining achievement, renown, and reputation among the circle. Some malicious individuals tried to stir the company, but all they received was a slap to the face.

There were many upstart companies, and in this era, the Babaika Company was among the many companies that attracted the attention of investors, sponsors, and the media the most. Their first battle and appearance had always been one of the most defining moments of the past years.

Gaston knew that the Lioness of the Babaika Lions made the company this way. Knowing this, he even added a few warnings to Yumina. The expectations of the Lioness could be rather high and it was dangerous as well. Yumina Houki was a newcomer, but Gaston’s guts told him that the Babaika Company solely recruiting someone without passing their demand for high-end breakers was suspicious.

It also didn’t help that the UEDF had included it in his contract to monitor the newcomer of the Babaika Company. He didn’t understand why they were putting so much attention on the rookie, but it was not up to Gaston to guess what their intentions were. Janna had told him to be careful, and he had started to wonder if there was more to this contract than the usual paperwork and the usual verbal warning to the company. He was a mouthpiece of the UEDF, and although this contract paid his bills and debts.

Gaston Hardy felt like he had taken a step in a sand spit the more he thought about it.