Ethan raised his gaze to see Anchor standing in the woods, still enormous and black. This is not the kind of city they could enter. The Headquarters staff would eventually find him when a Level 40 Guardian created a widespread panic.
"All right, big man. It's time to return to the Photo storage again".
He chose the option for storage. In an instant, the enormous black slime reduced to a single, throbbing purple icon on the screen as it swirled into the lens with a low, whooshing sound.
"That's better." a Level 40 boss is just a file on my desktop.
He began running in the direction of Skyline Point, the closest large city. Because it was a high-level hub, there was strict security, but there were also black marketplaces. He was in urgent need of speed gear.
He arrived to Skyline Point's tall, futuristic Teleport Hub. The place had an ozone and clean metal scent. All of the players in this game took slow, confident steps while wearing heavy, expensive armor. Ethan felt like a scared bunny in his inexpensive starting attire.
He proceeded to the automated kiosk and selected The Crags of Final Light as his destination.
A red flash appeared on the screen. [DESTINATION LIMITED]. NEEDS AUTHORIZED CLEARANCE OR LEVEL 60]
It's Level 60, of course.
He swiftly displayed an alternative menu. [BUY TEMPORARY ACCESS PASS: CRAGS OF FINAL LIGHT]
His eyes watered at the price that appeared. $3,500 USD only for the ticket.
He was only momentarily hesitant. The ticket held the secret to both the millions of dollars he required and the Ember Dragon.
He selected [PURCHASE].
A thin, metallic pass was slowly extended by the attendant, a bored-looking NPC wearing a clean white uniform.
It's a Level 60 pass. "Are you certain you have the clearance?"
"I have the money."
All the attendant could do was shrug.
Ethan required armor that didn't restrict his progress. He required improvements in pure agility.
He discovered the infamous Shadow Alley Market, a filthy, gloomy area tucked down beneath the city's main forge. Here, players may purchase equipment without being questioned.
He discovered a stall run by Vex, a little, sour-looking woman. Her equipment appeared illicit and quite potent.
"Kid, what do you want? I'm not a potion vendor.
"I need to move quickly. Clean, pure speed. light equipment. Something refined. His camera was placed on the counter.
At last, Vex raised his head and studied his attire. "Speed is costly. The good material is for combatants who are able to outrun bullets. It appears that you battle garden gnomes.
"I'm pursuing a Level 60 dragon after defeating a Level 40 boss. Do you think that's fast enough?
Vex ceased honing a dagger. She stared at him for a long time. "Huh, boss fights? Either you're lying or you're insane. "Show me the cash."
Ethan used his HUD to open his bank account. The $61,845 was clearly visible.
Vex's eyes grew wide. "All right, child. Perhaps you battle something greater than gnomes. I've got it that is The Shadow-Weave Jacket and Whisper-Step Boots".
She pulled a thin, dark jacket and a pair of boots made of soft, black leather that appeared to weigh nothing.
"The boots give you a +10 bonus to Agility," Vex clarified. Additionally, stealth thread is used to weave the jacket. High-level mobs find it more difficult to follow your heat signature as a result. You become less interesting but you won't become invisible."
"How much?"
"The jacket costs $3,000. Five thousand is the cost of the boots. Eight thousand in total.
Ethan flinched. It was crazy to pay eight thousand dollars for two articles of clothing, but he couldn't take the chance of depending just on luck. He sent the money over right away.
"Over here. Now leave my sight before the Feds question why a Level 13 child is purchasing equipment meant for Level 45 scouts."
Ethan put on the new equipment right away. He felt as though he was wearing air in the boots. His motions felt quicker and more precise right away. Despite spending eight thousand dollars, he felt twice as competent.
He still required a secure location. In the city's oldest and most peaceful neighborhood, he came across a poster for a straightforward, inexpensive, and extremely private studio apartment. For six months, the rent was paid in full. The first priority was privacy.
He reached the apartment. It was dull, dusty, and little. Excellent.
He glanced at the camera. To ensure that the binding was stable, he had to let go of Anchor.
He drew the curtains, shut the door, and locked it twice.
"All right, Anchor. Come on out. We must discuss".
The Release Temporary Capture instruction was triggered by him.
The enormous, black slime filled the little studio apartment as the whirling vortex burst. The slime immediately made contact with the walls and the low ceiling. Its darkness darkened the whole space.
Ethan chuckled. It was simply ridiculous to have a massive, sentient Slime boss cramped into such a little space.
"I apologize for the room. However, this is our new headquarters. Greetings, Anchor".
The slime remained still, but its enormous yellow eyes slowly blinked as it scanned the cramped area. It appeared to be happy just to be away from the camera lens.
Pulling up a chair, Ethan took another look at the map. The strategy at the Crags of Final Light had to be planned.
"Up there, the Ember Dragon lives. Its Level 60 . I have the camera and speed, and you have the HP. But without a big plan, we can't get close enough to record it."
We're going to use a huge tripod to film a dragon.
He looked at his financial overview after closing the map. The teleport pass, the apartment, and the equipment had all been paid for by him. He had spent almost twelve thousand dollars.
Fifty thousand remain, twelve thousand gone. That debt is enormous. On the dragon, I have to make at least ten times that.
He reached into his small inventory and took out a small health potion. He turned to face Anchor, who filled the room with his peaceful slumber.
"It's time for bed. We are facing a dragon early tomorrow morning.
He lay on the tiny bed. Although it was uncomfortable, he had a strong monster for a roommate and was safe and wealthy. He instantly fell asleep, dreaming of steady, flawless shoots and enormous flames.