46 The Unfortunate Biologist’s Perspective

I've never been the dependable type of individual despite being a Mercenary...

When I was young, my father forced me to be a Swordsman so I could apply to become a Mercenary. However, I just couldn't find passion in combat.

I don't know how other guys my age can stand the sight of violence... It's so scary...! Especially when you see how Mercenaries kill without remorse...

"Here's another subject we want you to study." An experienced member of the Mercenary Guild spoke while putting the corpse of a wolf on the table.

"Isn't this the third strange specimen today?" I asked the woman confusedly.

"The activity of the Beast Race has been acting up recently... and it almost seems like Dragons are... well... they are..." She blushed while not being able to put the words out of her mouth.

"Yeah... I get it. You don't have to say it." I stopped her there since this really wasn't a topic I wanted to get into with my benefactor. I wouldn't even have the profession of studying Beasts for a living if it wasn't for her showing the advantages of knowing Beast Biology.

Her name was Jenna and she was an old member of the Mercenary Guild who had quite a mature air around her as a veteran Mercenary with great contributions to the Guild itself.

Although she wasn't any older than thirty, just like I am now after giving up the path of swordsmanship... her looks and appearance really made others think of her as a 'true' Army Breaker.

What they didn't know is that her personality was a lot more timid than what she lets on... They misinterpret her shy behaviour as paranoia...

Not that I blame them considering her sharp eyes and scars from countless battles she had taken part in her long career. I feel that it's difficult to NOT feel sympathy towards her since she had a really rough childhood compared to my own... An orphan who joined the Guild at a young age to survive...

Getting back to the main point, I really can't understand the Dragon Race...!

Despite being proud magical creatures who think they are literally 'above' others (pun intended), they actually decide to fly over to the Dark Forests all over Sphera just to find... partners.

I know their True Attribute of the Fire Element causes them to have higher passion than others, but is it really necessary for them to leave their offspring everywhere...? They don't even care about what Race it is as long as it's of the opposite gender to them.

I'm speechless... Why did the Human Sovereign allow them to migrate to Sphera again...? Is ability to mimic their Attribute really that great?

"You must be tired. Please sit down and rest before you go. Don't worry about disturbing me since this won't take long." I said while starting my analysis of the Beast using tools at my disposal.

I cut the skin of the Dragon Wolf on a large table while also isolating the smell of the bloodied corpse so that it wouldn't cause Jenna discomfort.

Killing a Dragon Wolf is one thing while disposing of the body is another.

It's best to let a professional like me handle jobs like studying dead Beasts.

"How has compounding details regarding the weaknesses of various Beasts worked out? Has anyone bullied you?" She asked while relaxing herself.

"Not really. Everything has been going well after helped me get this job." A smile curved onto my face as the gratefulness I had towards her spilled out. There aren't many genuinely kind people in the world and finding someone who would help out a guy in need is like looking for Phoenixes.

"You praise me too much. You're skill in biology is what allowed many Mercenaries to survive in this chaotic world. Especially with how you have helped share knowledge on how to easier hunt other species." Jenna laughed it off as if it was no big deal.

Perhaps many would think that Humans were over-hunting Beasts considering the number of Mercenaries who made a living off selling materials that can be obtained from them.

However, as someone who studied Beasts and magical creatures of other species for a living... There's no way I wouldn't know that Humanity hasn't even slightly damaged the total amount of Beasts being produced over the years. Their numbers are the highest among every Race living on Sphera.

I can't help but admire their dreadful fertility rate... Beasts live in the sky, sea, on land and even within the magma underground. There wasn't one place in the world Beasts haven't reached. The same couldn't be said for humanity though since it took a long time for Humans to adapt to their lower Mana purity compared to Beasts.

Now in the modern era of Sphera, the number of Humans hadn't increased by all that much since there were many dying from dangerous magical creatures all over the world. This is despite how none of the other Races hadn't tried to eliminate humanity.

The five Neutral Factions created by the Elemental Races that have now migrated to Sphera might not actively hunt Humans but the danger they impose from carelessly killing off Humans couldn't be ignored. This is especially true for the Beast Race who instinctively crave Human meat.

Us Humans seem to be a delicacy for Beasts in particular... That's why the Mercenary Guild never runs out of requests to hunt Beasts in the area.

"When is your birthday anyway?" I asked carelessly since there wasn't anything else we could talk about. I'm not exactly the kind of lady's man who knew how to entertain the opposite sex.

"Tomorrow." I stopped dismantling the Beast she delivered momentarily after hearing her words... It looks like I don't have extra money to buy her a gift.

The payments I've been getting for my services as a researcher of Beasts have always been going my research project regarding the implanting of Beast DNA into a Human to create a Chimera.

Of course my research hasn't been going very well considering the incompatibility of the Light Mana Humans possess and the Dark Mana all manner of Beasts possess upon birth.

Beasts have a nature of devouring Ether while Humans learn ways in which to control it. I can't help but imagine the amount of money I'd be able to receive upon completing it~

Gold~ Gold~ Mountain of Gold~!

Who in their right minds don't love the scene of gold coins forming a river~?

I made some more small talk with Jenna before making my way to the notice board where 'Missions' would be posted. The branch of the Mercenary Guild I became a part of has been getting bad reputation due to certain misfits getting into trouble with the Drakeyol Kingdom's authorities but I'm sure it's not as bad at it sounds~!

After all, there are some really nice guys who work as Mercenaries that I have come to appreciate over the years as a specialised Beast Biologist!

"Harry~! How's work been lately?" I called out to a guy I recognised who was drinking himself to death with some of his close companions.

"Terrible! You mudafu- *Burp* You back to earning a pretty penny by dismantling Beasts all day! You whiny coward!" Harry spoke in a drunken rage which earned the laughs of his companions as they tried to calm him down. Hmmm... It looks like having more work doesn't necessarily mean having more money to spend, huh?

It's a good thing my job has nothing to do with fighting~ I'm so happy~!

"So your the 'Dismantler' I've heard about these days?" My spine chilled as an arm rapped around my neck in this noisy environment. The main hall of the Guild was too crowded with bustling people for anyone to notice I had got myself in a bit of a pinch.

Damn... I can't even feel my Mana Flame... This guy must definitely be a Dark Specialist! Only they have the ability to use techniques that specialise in capture and other sorts of crimes...

The man pretended to make small talk with me as he brought me out of the Guild's main hall. I couldn't even lift a finger in resistance as I felt the Dark Attribute he had sunk into my skin locking up my joints. He put a knife to my throat after bringing me to an empty alley where we could talk.

"Jordan Darby, Ex-Swordsman and now founder of a new branch of the Mercenary Guild that specialises in researching the physical qualities of Beasts. I even heard you have been experimenting on how to create hybridised Humans who can tap into the true hidden power of mimicked Attributes. You had become quite famous when you first started showing the results of your efforts, you know? I really admire you." Although this kidnapper said he admired me, I really wasn't able to believe him considering how he said it so emotionlessly...!

How does he know my name? What does this guy even want from me?!

"If you want something then take it...! I have nothing of interest and have failed multiple times in my experiments. You won't find anything interesting in my research notes. Please spare my life!" I begged without a hint of shame.

I'm sure he would have still captured me even if he didn't sneak up behind me. I'm such a weakling of an Ex-Swordsman...! My father would have disowned me if he saw my plight.

"You're really easy to intimidate, huh? I kinda expected more from you... Oh well, I'll get to the main point." The man took the knife away from my neck and continued to speak emotionlessly.

"I need you to do me a 'favour'." The man 'requested' with a harmless smile.

"If it's something related to studying Beasts than I'm in!" I responded with feigned enthusiasm since I didn't want to be killed by this guy. It's best to give up when one has no other option!

"No no, your services as a researcher are great and all but that Intrinsic Spell of yours is something we really need right now." A chill ran down my spine again after I heard his nonchalant tone.

How does he know of my Spell? I've only used it once in a dangerous situation in my lifetime... How could he know its functions from just that?!

"Can I politely refuse...?"

"You can if you wanna die." His eyes turned frosty as the edge of his knife touched my skin. Wait! I don't want to die! I have so much to live for...!

"I accept! I accept your 'request' so please don't kill me!" I almost wet myself after experiencing such a dangerous situation for the first time in my life. This guy is too scary!

"Great! I'm glad you're such an understanding individual. Don't worry about the compensation though. I'm offering you 1000 gold coins to use your Intrinsic Spell in a certain location of a Noble's household. Your payment will be transferred directly to your bedside regardless if our plan succeeds or not." The man said assuringly after seeing the hesitation in my heart.

"1000?!" I exclaimed in shock!

Am I dreaming or is he lying? Is he really going to pay me such a large amount for using my Spell in a certain place? Wait... This could be a trap...!

This task could be dangerous.

But the payment is so eye catching~!

I could die on such an assignment.

But it's 1000 gold coins~! I could buy Jenna a mansion and live happily ever after with her as long as I don't over spend such a luxurious amount~

Ah...! My reason and desire are having a showdown to see who's stronger!

It was an insta-kill with the winner being my desire since 1000 gold coins were really to buy for~! I don't know where this guy's from but I somehow feel he's pretty trustworthy and I must follow his orders- I mean, help him out from his really bad predicament!

"Dead!" I said while nodding my head happily... which I regretted so badly after seeing the results of what was supposed to be a 'simple request'...!

The men I met after going to this 'random' Noble's household were all extremely strong. I infiltrated the household by switching places with a look-alike who seemed to have been prepared beforehand so I could enter through the gates of the household.

I knew I messed up really badly when I saw the corpse of the 'Leader' who gave us the opportunity to infiltrate this prestigious Noble Household's Guards!

When the second-in-command, who seemed unwilling to accept defeat, saw his superior, he dragged his boss' corpse to the location designated for me to use my Intrinsic Spell.

We got in a line in front of the Noble Household we infiltrated and the second-in-command started bickering with the Noble in charge of us...

"Don't mess this up." The man behind me whispered as he gestured his hand towards me. I couldn't help but reflexively use my Intrinsic Spell in fear since I was sure he'd kill me if I didn't!

[Intrinsic Spell: Ether Ripple]

A drop of my Mana turned into a thread that pierced the ground under my feet and shook the Ether within the magic resistant bricks along the floor.

The traps within the ground were disarmed by my Intrinsic Spell, but everything didn't go the way I expected after I erased the traps in the ground...!

"You traitors seem well prepared."

"But you forgot one thing."

"The Swordwick Household isn't called the Monster House for no reason!"

These words echoed in my ear as I turned to see that the man behind me had lost his head- ARGH!!! He got killed! Someone has just died!

That was the last thing I remembered before my eyeballs rolled backwards as I fell unconscious from the sight of extreme violence that had taken place.

I am so screwed...!

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Author's Notes: Hi guys, Stuman here~ This is my last chapter of this story along with that Auxiliary Chapter where I posted a big Xianxia Rant. (You should check it out if you have the time, you might like it~) Now you may be wondering why I didn't use the box used for the Author's Thoughts to express myself, and the reason for this is because what I'm about to express takes up too much words to fit in there.

The reason I wanted to personally talk to you guys is because I feel that there are many readers these days who genuinely don't know what 'constructive criticism' means.

If you think that 'being in the right' when talking about a writer's flaw is all you need for a constructive criticism, then you're very wrong.

Although it sounds tedious, but a criticism needs to be long and have examples on how a writer can properly improve for it to be considered 'constructive'. Anything else is just a bias opinion that holds no weight whatsoever, even a child can complain about a book not living up to their standards or expectations. If you guys felt like helping an Author improve for even a moment while reading their story, then you mustn't forget this advice.

Authors like me, who are only amateurs who posted their story after putting in actual effort into writing, have low self-esteem. Writing criticisms that are too brief will of course bring about misunderstandings while praises that don't explain why the reader liked the story will also similarly not help whatsoever.

Just because an Author can read hundreds of books doesn't mean his way of writing will improve in any way, shape or form. Reading other stories written by more 'competent Authors' doesn't mean an Author will suddenly become Er Gen. (Refering to the twat on chapter three who thinks reading better stories equals better writing skill. I write out of passion and don't get paid whatsoever for sitting down to do my hobby. Your opinion of this matters less to me than a proper constructive criticism that can help me improve the quality of my work.)

In the end, what I'm trying say is that Authors WOULD improve their writing if they knew how to, a brief 'this is an info-dump' does NOT help a writer pinpoint mistakes. A long criticism containing an opinion, a reasonable argument or advice from personal experience, and an example on what can be changed to suit the tone of the story helps more. It's tedious, I know, but Authors go through a lot more up write chapters. Even the so-called 'junk-food' chapters that are written faster than others...

I've stopped writing this story for two reasons: One is the kind of nagging I got on RRL by assholes who don't even know the first thing about the MANY types of writers in the world and how they were always dissatisfied no matter what I wrote. If I wrote exposition, they would call it out as if I didn't know I was writing a long explanation and act like they are 'sharp-eyed' readers by basically telling me to 'improve' without offering even the slightest bit of advice on HOW that can actually be done. It's as if they think writing is easy and brief criticisms with no substance whatsoever has weight in their argument. Of course, if a writer retorts then he's an immature brat who doesn't 'appreciate their advice'. Not saying there aren't any genuinely bad Authors out there but if the story is 'average', then that means the amateur writer actually put a lot of work into it since he can't rival professional Authors. He needs advice every now and again since he could accidentally make mistakes while writing.

As for my second reason, I'm genuinely uninterested in writing any further because I just realised I hate readers. It's not like I personally 'hate' you lovely readers who have supported me with comments that allowed me to improve my writing skills, it's just that I hate having to go through the same process of painstakingly writing, getting shot down by readers who think their brief comments are like Simon Cowell's criticisms, then having to deal with the replying to moronic asshole in the corner who thinks I care if he stops reading further or not. You can hate a story all you want, just don't expect an Author to care if you specifically have stopped reading, because I know I don't. You're opinions are your own and I'm not submissive enough to cater to readers who only have 'opinions' without actual 'advice'.

Thank you for reading my last chapter and see you later~ I'm probably not going to post a story here without proper thought ever again but don't let that affect you guys. I mean, I'm quite sure most of you are like me and don't care if one random amateur doesn't post his work. I'm not saying this out of despise as well since I truly have never taken comments that were not to my liking to heart. I'm just not confident I can write a 'good story' right now and want some alone time to myself so I can think of another story.

You guys have genuinely been helpful. And no, the commenter on third chapter has nothing to do with my loss of interest in this story. I had long decided to pass this story to someone else and wrote this long piece of advice for everyone. Not that guy specifically. If my words have affected you guys the slightest, then please be more tolerant with other Author and at least TRY to sound reasonable when your making your argument.

And remember, not writing anything is easier than writing 'junk-food' for you all to read~