Chapter 18 - CHAPTER 17 KARL

After activating [Clairvoyance], Shadowslash also dash towards the Flaming Nimbus Lion to face it head on.

Each and every attack of the Flaming Nimbus Lion was predicted accurately by Shadowslash. Along with the support of JM, Foxxy and Flare the situation of the Flaming Nimbus Lion became a lot worse.

Shadowslash was doing his best to dodge the attacks because he knows one attack will definitely injure him placing all of them in danger.

*Roar!*

The Flaming Nimbus Lion suddenly let out a pained roar. This time its right eye was blinded by Shadowslash [Dark Slash].

"Everyone, aim for its legs and make sure those are the hind legs! JM, ready your [Quicksand] ability and after injuring the legs activate it."

When the Flaming Nimbus Lion was about to use its strongest move: the [Lion's Roar],  Shadowslash suddenly released a [Fireball] on its mouth causing the techniques to explode inside its mouth.

"Change of plans. JM now!" JM was already prepared. Upon hearing the go signal he activated it trapping the Flaming Nimbus Lion again.

After being trap again, the Flaming Nimbus Lion suddenly lets out a powerful roar. Its body greatly increased in size and it is now blazing. It only used one smack destroying the quicksand and creating a crater.

It also looks at Shadowslash with extreme hatred and pounced on him.

Shadowslash immediately dodged and used [Dark Slash] but his claws can't cut through the Flaming Nimbus Lion muscles. It became extremely tough.

"JM, please ready another quicksand after the berserk mode. Foxxy and Flame, just stay put as of the moment."

He then engaged in one on one fight with the Flaming Nimbus Lion. Their fight continued for nearly an hour, but despite that the Flaming Nimbus Lion did not land a hit on Shadowslash.

Shadowslash situation was different, his attack all landed to the Flaming Nimbus Lion's body. The problem is it did not even leave a scratch on it.

"Now JM!!!" Shadowslash suddenly flees. The Flaming Nimbus Lion tried to chase after him but, once again, fall into JM's quicksand. It raised its paw to destroy the quicksand's lime like before, when suddenly its body started to shrink until it returned to its original body size. It lets out its tongue while panting haggardly.

Shadowslash was also feeling the same as the Flaming Nimbus Lion. The both of them used all they have got and were now out of energy.

Foxxy, Flare and JM started to rain down their attacks to the Flaming Nimbus Lion and with no energy left, it had been continuously sinking without a means to retaliate.

An hour later, the Flaming Nimbus Lion was really beaten up. Nevertheless, it was still alive as it had a tenacious vitality and an unyielding will.

Seeing the Flaming Nimbus Lion still kept holding its own even if it is full of bruises and energy, with no signs that it has given up yet, Shadowslash instructed.

"Everybody stop!!!" Hearing his command, the three stopped bombarding the Flaming Nimbus Lion with their attacks and looked at him confusingly.

Shadowslash didn't speak but crawl towards to the Flaming Nimbus Lion's place. He looks at it in the eye and asks "Why do you still kept holding on knowing that it is futile?"

The Flaming Nimbus Lion eyes suddenly dimmed down. It looks at Shadowslash and there seems to be an unspoken sadness within them.

Shadowslash saw the pained and sad look of the Flaming Nimbus Lion and knows that it really had gone through some bitter experience.

"Then what about being my underling?" Upon hearing his proposal, the Flaming Nimbus Lion was about to refuse it immediately when it remembered its situation and seriously started to consider the idea.

'SYSTEM, if the Flaming Nimbus Lion accepts my proposal is there any method that can secure its loyalty and the safety of my family?'

In order to make sure that everything will be alright, Shadow still asked the SYSTEM.

(Take some of the blood on its heart and just leave the procedure to the System.)

He nodded and told the Flaming Nimbus Lion that the condition in joining him is a drop of blood from its heart.

The Flaming Nimbus Lion was still considering his offer and seeing that it was really in a grave situation, it finally agrees to Shadowslash and gave a drop of blood that came from its heart to him.

(Binded with Flaming Nimbus Lion! Successful!)

Shadowslash then messaged France through the SYSTEM to pick them all up because with the size of the Flaming Nimbus Lion, which is about the size of a bull, moving it with just them is impossible.

Half an hour later, Shadowslash and Karl were still resting. Due to their fight earlier, they still need to rest some more in order to recuperate well. (Karl is the name that Shadowslash has picked for the Flaming Nimbus Lion.)

Sounds of flapping were heard and France came to their view, but what was very funny was that Karl tense up when it felt France's aura. However, seeing that it seems to be a subordinate of Shadowslash it was bewildered beyond belief as to why would such a strong monster becomes an underling of a weaker one. It shook its head erasing such question in its mind, it will only gave it headaches.

Then the four of them rode France's back while Karl was being carried by France's talon, beside it was the Bloody Fruit Tree.

They all arrived at the cave. Shadowslash was conspicuously happy to their success. Even though they did not kill Karl in the battle earlier, they have all leveled up. The dragon meat was outstandingly awesome. His [Dark Slash] even upgraded into {Blue Quality} and turns into [Double Dark Slash]. Moreover, his [Fireball] have also upgraded and have its quality raised. He then used his SP to level up the [Double Dark Slash] into level 5, and his [Fireball] into level 3.

He now assembled everyone and introduced Karl to them. After a couple of pleasantries, they returned to their trainings while Karl went to Leafinia to heal his injuries and his eye.

What made Shadowslash very happy is that France hunted 2 Water Types and 1 Ice Type Gold Rank monsters. They were already given  to Clwyd who now reached a Bronze Rank.

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Name : Clwyd

Monster : Ice Water Elemental Lizard

Race : Elemental Monster

Grade : Superior

Level : Bronze Rank Level 6

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Skills : Ice Spike [Blue Quality] (Lvl 1) (C+) (Create a sharp spike that can shoot enemies down, has the penetrating ability) (5 Mana/Use)

Hydro Blast [Violet Quality] (Lvl 0) (Zero) (Produce a strong blast of water that can even penetrate steel) (20 Mana/Use)

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Energy : 66

Mana : 71

Mana Restoration : 1/minute

Attributes : Ice/Water

Passive Ability : Elemental Body (First, it can greatly increase the power of elemental attack by 100%. Second, it can enhance the mastery of elemental move. Lastly, it can also easily regenerate its limb or body, except its core, by absorbing elemental energy) (Weakness : has a weak defence.)

Passive Ability 2 : Core (Can store Ice and Water elements. It can strongly enhance the mana and energy of the monster) (the core can be split by quality. The quality is dependent on the user grade.)

Passive Ability 3 : Enhance Elemental Absorption (Absorbing Elemental Energy is now super fast.)

Passive Ability 4 : Enhance Water

Manipulation (Mastering Water Type skills will be a lot easier and the Mana being used in using a Water Type skill will be lessen by 30%.)

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With this, Clwyd can guard the cave entrance much more efficiently without unnecessary troubles.

Night came: After having dinner, all of them started to sleep. What surprised everyone was that Karl ate thrice the amount of the dragon's meat. In addition to that, a surprising effect was noted- its red skin started to glow! It walks like a drunk person and finally slept. Actually it wanted to sleep underneath the Luminous Tree of Life but after being taught a lesson by France, it didn't have the same idea as before.

The next morning, Shadowslash had everybody gathered, except for France because last night it entered the evolution process.

"Okay. Today we are going into teams to explore and hunt into the forest Flare and mother will be coming with me. Our mission is to Rank up again."

"JM, Dorothy, Foxxy and Flora, the four of you will be going on a hunting spree. I will have France observe you for protection and evaluation."

They then started their expedition. Shadowslash also brought Mary and Flare deeper into the forest.

He will be responsible for tanking the monsters while his mother and Flare will be in charged for support.

After searching for an hour, they were not able to find a suitable prey. They saw many monsters but none was suitable for his mother or Flare for use to evolve.

When they were searching in an area, they found another cave. They noted that the heat emitting from inside the cave seems very beneficial for him and the others. Therefore, they entered but suddenly went somewhere to hide because inside they saw a huge fire dragon sleeping. They decided it is best to leave the place.

They continued searching somewhere else until finally they found a suitable prey.

Fire Breathing Savage Wolf (Silver Lvl 7) (Rare) (Fire Type)

He begun to use [Shadow Clone] and all of them attacked together. Despite the fact that  he knows that his clone can not help that much, it can still serve as meat shield for them.

The Fire Breathing Savage Wolf saw Shadowslash as a free meal and was delighted to see such meal delivering itself.

Shadowslash then saw that the Fire Breathing Savage Wolf lunge on him so he quickly dodged and use [Double Dark Slash] to attack its hind leg.

The Fire Breathing Savage Wolf then let out a yelp. It was too careless and let Shadowslash injured its left leg, now it was limping.