Feeling a connection with Fizz, Yves mentally reached out to communicate with the Water Slime.
"Welcome back, Fizz. Can you hear me? Give me a little jump if you can." he projected his thoughts, hoping for a response.
Fizz wobbled for a moment, then sprang into action with an enthusiastic leap. It bounced up and down, displaying its excitement in a series of energetic jumps.
"Nice. We're officially contracted now, Fizz."
Yves then turned his attention to their morning routine. "Let's get you guys breakfast first."
He fetched some recently picked berries from the Blueberry Blood Shrub stored in the refrigerator. Tossing a handful towards Taro, the little creature skillfully snagged them in mid-air, gobbling them up in no time.
Yves then turned to Fizz, offering it a berry, which the slime absorbed into its body with ease. "Consider it a small treat, Fizz." Yves chuckled, watching as Fizz consumed the berry.
Next, Yves retrieved the glass enclosure containing the Black Iron-order Monster Corpses with corrosive properties. With caution in his movements, he carefully held it by its specially made handle, mindful of the dangerous contents within.
Yves knew all too well the potential danger of these corrosive corpses. Just one small touch is enough to melt his skin. He set the enclosure down, making sure it was close enough for Fizz to access comfortably.
"Okay, Fizz, dive in and chow down. Let's see what these monsters can do for you."
Fizz eagerly hopped into the enclosure, its see-through body wrapping around each monster corpse one by one, absorbing their properties with each gulp. The corpses slowly disappeared inside Fizz, melting away into its jelly-like form.
As Fizz slurped up each corpse, its body glowed a little, showing it was taking in the corrosive attributes. Yves watched closely as Fizz consumed the monsters, their essence becoming a part of the slime's body.
"Hmm... I think my theory is on point." Yves remarked thoughtfully. "If Fizz consumes enough of these corpses, there's a good chance it will develop corrosive properties of its own."
While Fizz was preoccupied with the corroded remains, Yves busied himself with preparing a meal for Taro. He fetched assorted Black Iron-grade monster corpses—mostly insects and birds—and served them to the Shadow Step Tanuki, who enthusiastically devoured the food.
Afterward, Yves tended to Blue, the Blueberry Blood Shrub, ensuring it received its daily care and nourishment. With his chores completed, Yves took a moment to do some stretching exercises, feeling the tension ease from his muscles.
As Yves stretched he began to think about his plans for the day. With the school vacation giving him a bit of breathing room, Yves realized he had about 15 days left before the crucial test that would decide his future as a pet monster tamer.
Passing this exam would secure him a spot in a prestigious tamer academy, where he could further develop his skills and help his pet monsters grow stronger.
Knowing the importance of these 15 days, Yves made a commitment to use them wisely. His main focus was on strengthening Fizz and Taro as much as possible. But to do that, he needed more resources, which meant heading back into the Great Lushwood Forest to hunt.
Not only would hunting provide valuable training opportunities for his pet monsters, but it would also generate the income he needed. It was a practical way to accomplish two goals at once—improving his monsters' abilities while earning money to support their growth.
After making this decision, Yves quickly prepared himself for the trip ahead. He took a refreshing bath, feeling the warm water wash away the fatigue from his muscles. Once clean and rejuvenated, he dressed in the same outfit he always wore when venturing into the forest.
With his belongings packed and his pet monsters called back to his side, Yves was ready to go. He double-checked his gears making sure nothing was forgotten, then stepped out of the apartment, locking the door behind him.
Outside, the sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow over the bustling city streets. Yves mounted his road bike and set off towards the Great Lushwood Forest.
.
.
.
Just as Yves was about to voice his curiosity about the lack of monsters, a rustling noise broke the peaceful silence, causing Yves and his companions to tense in anticipation. As the sound drew nearer, Yves braced himself, tightening his grip on the hilt of his dagger.
Emerging from the dense bushes, a wolf with dark brown fur bounded into view, its golden eyes gleaming with hunger. The creature's fur was matted with dirt and leaves, and scars crisscrossed its snout, evidence of past battles. With bared teeth and raised claws, it lunged at them, aiming to strike with deadly precision.
But Taro, high on alertness, sprang into action, intercepting the attack with a swift motion of his own claws, deflecting the wolf's assault just in time.
The wolf growled angrily, showing its sharp teeth as it got ready to launch another attack. Its fur stood on end as it locked eyes with Yves, clearly indicating its hostile intentions.
As Yves focused on the wolf, the holographic screen he had been expecting appeared, providing vital information about their opponent.
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⊂ Oak Forest Wolf ⊃
Grade: Black Iron-order
Realm: ★★★★★
Species: Canis Sylvatica/Robustum
Special Trait: Bark Skin
Affinity: Normal, Plant
Ability: Brutal Bite, Leaf Dash
Evolution Route: Guardian Forest Wolf
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He tapped on the special trait and ability sections, bringing up more detailed descriptions.
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Special Trait:
⊂ Bark Skin ⊃
: Oak Forest Wolf's entire body is enveloped in a dense layer of tree-like armor, providing exceptional defense against physical attacks and environmental hazards. This natural armor grants it increased resilience and durability, allowing it to withstand the dangers of the forest.
Activation: The trait is always active, offering continuous protection to the Oak Forest Wolf in any situation.
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Ability:
⊂ Brutal Bite ⊃
: With a mighty lunge, the Oak Forest Wolf delivers a bone-crushing bite, exerting three times its usual strength. The force of the attack leaves the target with grievous wounds, causing them to bleed profusely and leaving them vulnerable to further assaults.
⊂ Leaf Dash ⊃
: Harnessing the power of plant magic, the Oak Forest Wolf envelops itself in a cyclone of leaves, enhancing its speed and agility. This leafy shroud obscures its form, making it elusive and difficult to track.
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After analyzing the Oak Forest Wolf's data, Yves relayed the information to Fizz and Taro. He explained to Taro that the wolf's Brutal Bite could cause serious harm with its powerful force, so it was safer for him to stay back for now.
"Taro, I need you to hang back a bit and be ready to support."
Then, turning to Fizz, he commanded the Water Slime to take the lead in the battle. Although the Oak Forest Wolf was one realm star higher than Fizz, Yves had confidence in his Water Slime's abilities. He believed Fizz could hold its own and perhaps even emerge victorious in the encounter.
"Fizz, it's your time to shine. Let's see what you're capable of."