Chapter: Shadows, Stories, and Science
Before Carl ever touched a weapon—before he fought monsters or bent shadows to his will—he held a pencil.
His earliest memories were of his mother's voice, telling bedtime stories while his father sat nearby, smiling faintly. He would draw while listening, scribbling dragons, heroes, and imaginary cities across every scrap of paper he could find.
He couldn't even write yet. But he could create.
Later, when he learned to write, he filled notebook after notebook. Even as he grew colder after his father's death, even as his heart withdrew, he kept writing—quietly, privately, endlessly.
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University Years – A Different Path
At university, everyone assumed Carl would pursue medicine or engineering. His science scores were exceptional, and his grasp of technological design was near professional level. Professors tried convincing him more than once:
"With your grades, Haruki, you could be a top researcher."
"Why not take a double major? Science and literature?"
"Don't throw your future into fiction."
But Carl didn't see it that way.
"This is my future," he had said, staring out the lecture hall window.
He published under a pen name—K. H. R. (Kureyama Haruki, reversed)—and grew a steady following. Even as a hunter, even after becoming an S-level Awakened, he never stopped writing.
Now, the world knew him by three titles:
The Shadow Hunter. The S-level. The Novelist.
And soon… Guild Master of Therym.
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Therym Guild – Core Team Formation
The recruitment response was overwhelming. Out of thousands of applicants, only a few hundred were accepted for final interviews.
But Carl needed a core team—people who could guide, lead, and create alongside him.
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1. Talia Voss – Field Biologist & D-Level Awakened
Talia was small, energetic, and wore oversized goggles even indoors. She specialized in monster anatomy and had dissected over fifty types in the last five years.
She walked into the interview with a scalpel, a tablet full of monster behavior charts, and zero fear.
"You give me the monster, I'll give you its weakness. No guesswork."
Though only a D-level Awakened, her sharp mind earned her the role of Head of Monster Ecology and Behavior.
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2. Dr. Liam Beckett – Rift Physicist, Civilian
A former university professor and lead theorist in rift energy study. Gray-haired, cynical, but passionate about uncovering how rifts function.
He once said:
"Magic? No, it's just physics we don't understand yet."
Carl made him the Head of Rift Science and Detector Research.
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3. Violet Reed – B-Level Hunter, Combat Engineer
Tall, broad-shouldered, with grease-stained gloves and a calm temperament. Violet had years of field experience and built her own weapons—many of which used converted monster cores.
"Research isn't useful if it doesn't work when your back's against the wall."
She became Chief of Field Engineering and Tactical Tools.
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4. Koji Watanabe – A-Level Awakened, Tactician
Carl had met Koji briefly during training missions in the past. A fellow half-Japanese, Koji had exceptional control over "Illusion Veil," a type of spatial distortion ability. He was calm, analytical, and loyal.
Carl trusted him.
He was chosen as Vice Commander and Head of Field Operations.
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Other Roles Filled:
Medics with healing-type powers for safe dissections and lab work.
Programmers and AI experts to manage rift data collection.
Linguists to analyze monster vocalizations.
Armor and weapon specialists to refine Therym-exclusive gear.
Rookie hunters in training—future defenders and researchers alike.
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Why Hunters Are Essential
Therym wasn't just about data and labs.
Research couldn't happen without monsters—and monsters only came through rifts.
So every field team included a combat unit: skilled hunters trained not just to fight, but to capture, subdue, and retrieve live or semi-intact monsters for analysis.
Some rifts were entered not to destroy—but to observe.
It was risky. But it was how they would learn.
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Carl's First Day with the Team
Standing before them—scientists, hunters, engineers, civilians—all gathered in Therym's central hall, Carl felt… uncertain for the first time in a while.
Not about his strength.
But about his ability to lead them.
Rosalind stood beside him. "They believe in you. Not just your power—your vision."
Adrian added with a grin, "You're the guy who beats S-class beasts and writes love stories. If that's not leadership, I don't know what is."
Carl stepped forward.
["We're not here just to fight monsters,"] he said, voice calm but firm.
["We're here to make sure the next generation doesn't have to."]
["Let's get to work."]
Applause followed. The Therym Guild had officially begun.