My enthusiasm didn't last long...
(How long have I been walking? Half an hour? More? Less?)
That's right, I've been walking in this jungle for a long time without seeing anything exciting.
*Cuckoo!
Except for the sounds of birds and the occasional small bug, I haven't seen anything extraordinary.
*ssss!
"Oh! Finally, something that isn't an ugly insect," I exclaimed with excitement when I saw an animal resembling a snake.
It was small, about the size of a phone charging cable, blue with yellow stripes, and had elongated pupils.
(I remember from a documentary that those with such pupils are venomous), I recalled.
*Approaching
I approached slowly, not wanting to scare it but also not close enough to get bitten.
*ssss...
*Gaze
The snake noticed my presence and stared at me, motionless.
[Native Elapidae - Female - Growth Stage: Newborn
Abilities: Neurotoxic Venom (F), Wild Scent (F), Thermoreception (F), Infrared Vision (F)
Overall Classification: F]
(So, a baby... this little one will definitely become dangerous in the future), I thought.
Despite it being an extremely venomous creature that could bite me later, its eyes were quite endearing...
(Come on, Ethan, these creatures are cute when they're born, but they'll turn into monsters later!!), I tried to convince myself to kill it, but...
*Approach
The snake slithered closer.
I didn't step back even as it climbed up my leg, because looking into its eyes...
(I don't feel any malice...)
It was strange, but just by looking into its eyes, I knew it wasn't a threat to me...
[Special Offer for New Tamers! 94% off on:
Combo: Super Luxurious Beast Collar + Tech Bracelet x1000:
Reach the maximum bond with your favorite beasts with this beautifully decorated collar + bracelet combo equipped with the best technology a master could wish for!
The Collar Includes:
Universal Translator: Able to translate all languages in the tower's database. Now you'll understand what those barks mean!
Tracker (Requires a Technological Core): Track all your beasts easily and precisely with this addition. Includes the physical and spiritual state of the beast!
Ultra Luxurious Design: No one will think ill seeing this incredible design made with various precious stones, giving a noble touch to anyone wearing it. Doesn't matter if it's a dog or a humanoid!
Master's Signature (Spiritual): You can force your beast to obey your commands.
Shared Talent: Share a talent (only those granted by the tower) with your beasts!
*Note: The beast must voluntarily accept the collar for it to work.
The Bracelet Includes:
Technological Terminal: Access the database of a Technological Core (synchronization permission required) and use its simplest functionalities. (Depends on core power).
Allied Connection: See other allied bracelet wearers connected to a Technological Core, check their location in real time, and communicate instantly. (Tracking and communication range depends on Technological Core power).
*Note: An 'A' rarity Technological Core or higher is required to support it.
Value: 1,000,000 premium credits
Time remaining on offer: 10:30]
"That's a good deal, after all, information is crucial in a conflict," I quickly analyzed the offer.
(Not buying it would be a waste... especially with that 'shared talent').
"Could it share the god of discounts?" I exclaimed in surprise.
I bought it immediately.
[Remaining balance: 12,937,000]
After the purchase, I took out a collar to check...
(Holy... this looks luxurious).
A base of white gold, intricately crafted with detailed engravings. Along the collar, elongated gems like emeralds and sapphires are precisely cut to highlight their brilliance and color. The gems are set in a continuous design, creating a symphony of lights and reflections. Between the gems, small round diamonds add an extra touch of sparkle. The collar's clasp is a masterpiece itself, securing the piece with elegance and safety.
(How ironic that this collar, which you could easily call a 'slave collar,' has such incredible decoration).
Unfortunately, it was too big for this little one, as it seemed like a collar for a normal human at first glance.
(Will it shrink?), I wondered, though it might be exaggerated. After all, not all beasts have the same neck... or even have a neck.
*ssss...?
*Holding
I gently picked up the snake and placed it in my hand with the collar.
*Tink!
The collar glowed briefly before a message appeared from the Technological Core on my arm.
[Temporarily incompatible with this creature: Native Elapidae
Reason: The subject is too young to withstand the collar's signature]
(What a pity), I thought, disappointed.
"I can't wait for you either, little friend," I said as I put the snake back on the ground, releasing it.
I couldn't take her with me since she might get scared and bite me, accidentally killing me, or even escape and bite someone else in Genesis.
Waiting? I'm not that desperate for pets.
"If we meet again and you don't bite me, I'll put the collar on you," I told the little snake, knowing she didn't understand.
*ssss
She just looked at me for a moment and then continued on her way. And so ended the only interesting interaction in this place.
*Heat
"The temperature is rising, huh," I said aloud, feeling the heat.
(A bit of water wouldn't hurt), I thought, taking out a bottle of water.
*Glup!
*Glup!
*Glup!
--
*Steps
*Steps
As I walked, I pondered why I wasn't seeing any monsters around, despite this deployment point being quite dangerous.
(A big predator or a community of them...)
Animals aren't stupid; when they see or sense a superior predator, they avoid places where it might be.
(Now that I think about it... weren't the goblins pretty close to the base Luke set up?)
It's not hard to conclude that there might be an enemy base relatively nearby, scaring off the local monsters.
"High danger probably refers to them...", I realized.
*Steps
*Steps
I kept walking, more convinced that there would be goblins around until...
"Hmm? These herbs...", I stopped when I noticed something curious on the ground.
*Crouch
I crouched to examine the herbs on the ground and found they were crushed, but not just that.
—Tracks... —I said seriously upon seeing what appeared to be tracks.
They were recent and continued in a certain direction.
--
*Slow step
*Slow step
I followed the tracks with my rifle ready, convinced it was a goblin or some bipedal animal.
*Slow step
(The tracks are getting fresher, but... no noise), the silence around me was unsettling.
*Crack!
At that moment, I heard a strange sound.
*Aim
I quickly aimed my rifle at the source of the sound and saw...
"A bird?"
Yes, it was a medium-sized yellow bird, apparently building its nest.
*Chirp?
As I aimed, the bird noticed me and looked at me curiously.
*Shake head
I shook my head and continued following the tracks.
*Slow steps
*Slow steps
--
*Slow steps
*Slow ste-
(There it is)
"Grooo..."
What my eyes saw was a lone goblin... naked?
(Ugh, gross!... but it's unarmed), indeed, the goblin had left its weapon (a knife) on the ground.
(What's it doing?)
"Graaa!" I heard a strange growl from the lone goblin.
It seemed to be looking in a certain direction, but... why?
Unfortunately, I couldn't see anything as it had its back to me.
(Must be some bug interrupting it while it pees or something, I should take this chance...)
*Extremely slow step
*Extremely slow step
I approached it slowly, aiming at its head with my rifle.
*Extremely slow step
*Extremely slow step
"Groooo!!!" It seemed like the bug bothering it didn't want to leave, and the goblin was getting angry.
It was even waving its hands...
*Extremely slow step
*Step
Thanks to that distraction, I got right behind it and...
*Aiming at its head.
*Click!
"Grooo?"
*BANG!!!
The sound of a powerful shot echoed through the surroundings...
*Splatter!
Needless to say, its head exploded like a watermelon.
"Ha, ha! That's what you get for going AFK, loser," I exclaimed joyfully as I watched its remains.
[ You have killed an enemy of the opposing race (Gobrakian)!
Rating: (F+)
Skills: Stealth Agility (F), Ingenious Traps (F), Small Weapon Mastery (F), Pain Resistance (F+), Monstrous Vitality (E), Berserker (E), Primal Aura (F+)
Muta-gen Material found! Gather enough biological material from this type of individual to synthesize muta-gens in the laboratory! ]
"Store," I touched it and stored it in my inventory.
(Now then, what was bothering it? I should thank it), I didn't forget my accomplice who deserved my gratitude.
"Let's see"
At first glance, the spot where the goblin was growling seemed like some kind of thicket.
(There must be something inside)
*Rustle! (moving the thicket)
When I moved it, what I saw was...
"Nyan?"
Small cat-like pupils, no...
(A... a cat girl?)