Ethan gasped silently in shock. His hand was still feeling the slight warmth from the Chaos Incarnate as he knelt on the dusty, muddy earth. He was officially partners with a Slime boss and a huge black slime that towered over him.
He pulled up the party menu with nervous fingers. He had to see the figures. An keen, focused curiosity was replacing the shock of the contract. He needed to understand the exact nature of the boss monster that had just been destined for him.
[PARTY MEMBER: GRAND CHAOS SLIME LVL 40]
HP: 8000
MP: 4500
Strength: 150
Agility: 20
Intelligence: 250
Ethan's mouth hung open as he gazed at the screen. It was a dizzying sight. "Eight thousand health points," he pushed himself back a little. "I'm down to two hundred! It wouldn't even detect a tickling if I stood here all day."
The HP 8,000 and Strength 150 were unquestionably pure boss numbers. It was his own tank. However, the Agility 20 gave him a brief, apprehensive burst of laughter. Moving as slowly but its agility stat is similar to his stat, the enormous beast was same to his speed. He would have to plan their moves and scout.
However, the Intelligence 250 was the most significant figure.
"Wait," Ethan tapped the screen to make sure. "Slimes are not very intelligent! They are drooling blobs who only consume food! Some of the top human players I've read about have lower intelligence scores than that one.
Everything was explained by the sheer, unfathomable Intelligence: the silent, profound anguish he had initially witnessed in the cave, the readiness to give up, and the rapid realization of his "Unbreakable Promise." The Chaos Incarnate was a highly intelligent being imprisoned by ancient magic, not merely a monster. It was now free and prepared to follow the person who had broken its bindings.
He understood that the Favor he had done had actually saved a sentient being, not a stupid monster. This was going to be a very powerful, yet challenging bond.
The abilities list was the true treasure, and he scrolled down to find it. How they are going to manage to survive higher Level grounds together would depend on his and Slime bosses skills.
Skills:
INCANTATION OF DESPAIR: ACTIVE: Massive AOE damage that grows stronger the more the target has felt. ( high Mana cost ) ( Cooldown: 30 mins )
ARCANE BINDING: ACTIVE: Can temporarily bind the single enemy, paralyzing the target upto 10 seconds ( high mana ) ( Cooldown : 5 mins )
NULL BODY: GROWTH PASSIVE: Physical attacks below level 20 do no damage
NEW SKILL!!: CHAOS LENS: UNIQUE PASSIVE: When in a party with System witness class, the slime acts as a Mobile Photo Stabilization Unit, drastically reducing camera shake and extending the effective range of Temporal shutter ( No mana cost ) ( No Cooldown )
Ethan's brain felt like it was doing a blackflip, he read the Chaos lens skill three times!!
"It's a professional tripod!" and kicked a nearby rock out of joy. "A giant, indestructible, self-propelled, magical camera stand with eight thousand HP!"
The Slime boss's special ability made filming more important than fighting. The massive and sluggish slime was the ideal foundation for steadying his own naturally unsteady, fast-paced pictures. The "Mobile Photo Stabilization Unit" declaration was a revolutionary advantage, not just a fancy title. Now he could capture crisp, clear images even in the middle of a furious monster attack or a fast-paced pursuit. Higher PV and greater revenue would be assured because his films would be stable and his photographs would be cleaner.
The other abilities were also very impressive. Their secret was protected as Null Body made it impossible for any more obnoxious mid-level players to disturb their party. His emergency button for surviving formidable foes was Arcane Binding. Ten seconds of paralysis was more than enough time for a Level 60 boss to get away or get the last, money-shot if he came too close.
"This isn't just a pet," as he gazed up at the enormous black slime. "This is a team. I scout and shoot; you remain motionless and avoid death. We have the most messed-up, flawless relationship in the entire game.
The slime shifted slightly as it waited for the next command, its enormous yellow eyes fixed on Ethan.
"You need a name," chose Ethan. "Being 'Grand Chaos Slime' all the time is not possible. It's quite bothersome and takes too long to type and say it.
He gazed at the thing. It was a black mountain of strength, enormous, steady, and immobile. He could only shoot flawless photos now because of it. It served as his foundation and base.
"I know," and he snapped his fingers. "You don't move that much. You're enormous. For the greatest photographs, you keep me steady. Isn't that what a camera needs?
He gestured toward the slime. "Your name is Anchor,". "My anchor is you. The one thing that prevents me from shakiness or flying away. "What do you think?"
Although the massive black mass remained silent, the high Intelligence 250 in its eyes appeared to flicker, almost as if it were nodding contentedly. As Ethan accepted the name, the purple rune on his hand pulsed a little.
"Good," Ethan remarked with his first true smile. "It's anchor. Let's discuss the money now.
He possessed the muscle, the money, and the secret. He had to pay off the debt now.
He mentally performed the quick calculation.
Debt total: $1,540,210.44
$61,845.00 has been earned thus far from Marsh Slime and Chaos Incarnate.
His earnings totaled $61,845. The amount was finally real, but he was still more than $1.4 million away. He could strike it when the iron is hot.
He was unable to stay in the mid-level zones. He required mythical, legendary content. He required targets that were only discussed in whispers by Level 50 players.
Ethan brushed off the mud and got to his feet. Anchor remained motionless, awaiting the order from its partner.
"Okay, partner," as he raised his gaze to the enormous blob. "Time to go shopping and then hunting."
He required improved equipment items that could withstand impact and accelerate. He required a secure location to handle his profits. Above all, he needed a location where Level 40 mobs were so prevalent that each time they passed by players, there wouldn't be a huge, undetectable panic.
He displayed the map. The city of starters was out. There were no mid-level zones.
He gestured toward a huge, shadowy mountain range in the north of the global map, which was largely obscured by a fog and had not been visited by many high-level players.
[LOCATION: THE CRAIGS OF FINAL LIGHT LEVEL 60 ZONE]
Ethan experienced the same exhilarating, familiar panic. The potential PV value was enormous, but the level 60 stuff was extremely risky. He could pay off a significant portion of his debt—possibly as much as half a million dollars in one sitting—if he could live long enough to take pictures of a Level 60 beast.
Ethan stated "We need to get to the Crags of Final Light," in a firm and clear voice. "They claim that the Ember Dragon, a fabled creature, resides there. We're set for life if we can get a photo of that".
Anchor, the enormous black slime, slowly turned to face the direction Ethan was pointing as it moved its enormous body. Let's go.
Ethan was aware that he was taking a huge risk the instant he entered that high-level area. He needed the shot, but he had the tripod.
With his huge new Guardian silently following him, he began to move toward the teleport center in preparation for the next game-changing shot.