Looking at the mine in front of him, Wang Jue was ecstatic.
Today was a lucky day.
"Don't panic. Steady."
Wang Jue suppressed his urge to dig the mine immediately.
It was impossible to avoid the little beast in front of him if he wanted to collect this batch of materials now. Metal Eaters had a natural inclination for metals, so Wang Jue thought that if he rashly appeared, he might be treated as an enemy by the Metal Eater.
However, Wang Jue was not worried that he wouldn't be able to defeat this beast. In fact, Quina's level was higher than this Metal Eater.
They would have no problem taking care of it.
But the moment Wang Jue saw the Metal Eater, he had another thought.
The hint indicated that the Metal Eater has an extremely keen sense of smell for metals and minerals. If I can bring it along, it would be equivalent to having an accurate navigation system when searching for rare metals in the future!
But how can I subdue this Metal Eater?
Wang Jue recalled something he had found when he was browsing through the system's products. He thought that it might be very suitable for the current situation.
With a thought, he opened the system's products column.
A moment later.
"Found it!"
[Pet Contract Scroll: You can sign an equal master-servant contract with the target. This scroll cannot be used on intelligent creatures. The contract will be decided according to the target's level or condition.]
[Price: 800 Gold Coins]
Very expensive!
Even though Wang Jue was rich now, he only had 1,300 gold coins left.
Wang Jue gritted his teeth and tapped the purchase button.
Instantly, 800 gold coins disappeared. Wang Jue couldn't help but feel a pinch.
However, if he could sign a contract with the beast before him, everything would be worth it.
Wang Jue felt that the using Pet Contract Scroll on this Metal Eater that was currently still young was feasible.
Even if he failed, it didn't matter. At most, he would just let Quina take action and carry out the plan of capturing the beast before taming it.
He told Quina to keep a lookout on the surroundings while he advanced slowly.
He approached the mine slowly.
The Metal Eater took a glance at him and ignored him. It lowered its head and continued to toil over a piece of ore.
Nice teeth.
Unlike the creatures that Wang Jue had encountered before, it didn't attack the moment they met.
And unlike what Wang Jue had imagined, the little beast didn't display any form of resistance or offense with Wang Jue's approach.
It seemed that the two of them were fated.
Wang Jue carefully moved to a spot about ten meters away.
He took out the Pet Contract Scroll and tore it open while facing the Metal Eater.
A blue beam of light landed accurately on the beast.
The beam slowly shrank.
The little beast shook its head.
It was as if it was being harassed while it was happily enjoying its food.
It suddenly became furious.
It dashed towards Wang Jue on all fours.
It was not big, but it was extremely fast.
With a bang, a rock was split open with a slap from the little beast.
Gravel flew in all directions and a piece struck Wang Jue's arm.
Frowning, Wang Jue held his sword with both hands and dodged the little beast's attack before thrusting forward.
Clang…
The ring of metals sounded.
A layer of black metallic luster covered the surface of the Metal Eater.
The metalized defense is stronger than I've imagined.
However, Wang Jue's goal was not to kill.
Wang Jue didn't attack again and dodged nimbly.
The Metal Eater attacked without end, leaving small pits on the ground.
Evil Spirit's Hail of Arrows!
The ground that was contaminated by the rain of arrows was like a swamp that held back the Metal Eater.
Quina shot a speed reduction skill at it, effectively controlling its attack speed.
If he wanted to bind a Metal Eater, he could not use offensive means that were too powerful.
Its four limbs exerted force, trying to break free.
At this moment, the blue beam of light enveloping its body suddenly tightened.
The Metal Eater's resistance gradually weakened.
If it resisted the rain of arrows, it would not have the strength to fight the binding.
"Ow…!"
The Metal Eater raised its forelimbs slightly, and a metallic luster instantly spread throughout its entire body.
It wanted to break free from the restriction.
Wang Jue kept his eyes fixed on it and abruptly dodged to the side as it came flying.
The Metal Eater beast that charged out was like a cannonball that was shot dozens of meters out.
It crashed into a huge boulder in the distance that was several meters tall.
It shook its head.
The rocks exploded and shattered rocks rained down.
The contract's blue beam finally completed its binding.
"This little beast doesn't look very smart.
"But if you're too smart, then I won't be able to do anything with you today."
[System notification: Metal Eater (Young) has been binded. Tap to check the details.]
The fetters covering the Metal Eater gradually faded.
Its defense was extremely strong.
Even though it had been attacked by the rain of arrows earlier; even though it had struck its head on rock, it was basically uninjured.
The little beast looked at Wang Jue and shook its head.
Its small mind was filled with great puzzlement.
It slowly crawled forward. Eyes wide open.
Wang Jue didn't move away. There was already a strange connection between him and the Metal Eater.
"Ow?"
The little Metal Eater in front of him opened its mouth.
It looked like it was asking for food.
Wang Jue found a piece of iron block and put it into its mouth.
And then touched its fur.
It was soft.
He couldn't tell at all that such fur could not be cut by a slash from a sword.
The beast was not fierce at all.
On the contrary, it was rather adorable.
It did not even reach the height of Wang Jue's thighs when it was crawling.
If he had not personally experienced the strength of the little Metal Eater, he would have thought that it was a cute pet.
"You have dark hair. I'll call you Black."
The simple-minded Metal Eater didn't quite understand and cocked its head to a side.
Then, it turned his gaze and stared at the iron blocks in the mine.
Wang Jue could sense from their subtle connection that it wanted to eat.
"…"
He suddenly felt a little regretful. This fellow was definitely a glutton. Furthermore, it was a glutton who liked to eat ores.
Ordinary people would not be able to afford to raise it.
Wang Jue smiled bitterly and threw a few more fist-sized pieces of iron at it again.
After a while.
"Ow ow…"
"Why are you hungry again? Alright, eat, eat."
"Sigh, you shall stay in the mine from now on."
From the look of it, it seemed quite reluctant to leave the mine.
It was perfect to have it guard this place then.
The mine was rather far from the core of his territory. Without the deterrence of the Metal Eater, he would not find it strange at all if some wild beasts were to appear.
"Mm, I still have to build an ore yard here."
The ore yard was a basic structure.
There was only one function for it. Collect materials.
The mined ores did not need to be transported back to the territory. They would go directly to the repository.
He pondered for a moment.
Then, he opened the trading panel.
Then posted another 600ml of spiritual spring water for sale. The price was still 100 gold coins.
The construction of the mine required gold coins. As for iron blocks and other materials, Wang Jue didn't lack them.
Then, Black suddenly bit the ends of Wang Jue's pants.
Its limbs were scrabbling backwards as if it wanted to drag Wang Jue somewhere.
Puzzled, Wang Jue followed Black into the mine.
Inside the mine, in a col.
Between some black rocks was a black treasure chest.
If one did not look carefully, one would easily overlook it.
The hints told him there was no danger.
Wang Jue understood. Black had discovered the treasure chest previously, but the treasure chest was a regulated treasure.
Even a ferocious beast like the Metal Eater was helpless against it.
The Metal Eater raised its forelimbs and slapped down a few times. The mountain rock that held the treasure chest instantly shattered.
Wang Jue walked forward and opened the treasure chest.