Surrounding the shrine, four animals were tied up, comprising a mink, an owl, and a cicada.
The remaining one resembled a lynx but was much smaller in size, about the size of a house cat, similar to the mink next to it.
These had all been prepared by Char in advance.
Having learned that the magic pets were transformations of nearby animals, how could he not make preparations in advance?
The Star Worm was the first time, and it was because of this experience that he acquired this information, so there was no way to prepare in advance; the Lantern Firefly was an emergency, and at that time, he had no other options but to hope to recruit a new magic pet to save his life.
Now that he had ample time, of course, he made preparations in advance.
There's definitely a difference between magic pets born from the metamorphosis of harmless animals like fireflies and those from aggressive animals like minks and owls.
So, before his third recruitment attempt, he specifically captured several animals that suited his preferences.
Minks and lynxes are both astonishingly efficient hunters and also have a pleasant appearance. If they could transform into magic pets, their combat power would certainly be admirable, and their challenge level might even surpass that of the Lantern Firefly.
As for the owl, not only is it a bird of prey but also a nocturnal creature. If it could transform into a magic pet, it would be of great assistance to Char.
In fact, Char secretly hoped even more to recruit the owl as a magic pet this time than the mink or lynx.
Not only because the owl is a nocturnal creature, which could greatly ensure the safety of the carriage at night and serve as a devoted Night Watcher, but also because it's a bird with the advantage of flight.
Don't think that the Star Worm and the Lantern Firefly can fly as well – but is the flight of an insect the same as the flight of a bird?
Actually, in addition to minks, lynxes, and owls, other animals like snakes and lizards also make viable options, as their transformation into magic pets would not result in weak combat abilities.
But Char didn't like snakes. Lizards were okay, but he didn't particularly favor them; they couldn't compare to minks, lynxes, or owls.
If there were no other choices, he would of course accept them, and ensure not to show his personal preferences outwardly to avoid upsetting the magic pets; but when there were options, why subject himself to discomfort?
Actually, if it weren't for the fact that he couldn't temporarily catch larger predators like wolves, leopards, tigers, or eagles, he would have wanted to catch such animals to offer to the Prayer Fragment for selection.
The reason why there was also a cicada, a weak insect, in this situation, lies in the fact that this cicada was no ordinary animal.
Char's gaze swept over the cerulean body of the cicada.
[Wind Bullet Cicada]
[Skills]: Wind Bullet (Level 0)
[Challenge Level]: 0
[Introduction]: The Wind Bullet Cicada is a common demon beast in the forest. With their beautiful cerulean bodies, and by vibrating their wings at high frequencies alongside the wind attribute magic power, they can also launch air bullet-like attacks.
That's right, this was a demon beast!
Although, like the initial Star Worm, it belonged to the weakest category of demon beasts at Challenge Level 0, even the weakest demon beast is still a demon beast; in truth, among the four animals present, the Wind Bullet Cicada had the strongest combat ability.
When it was captured initially, the Wind Bullet Cicada was the most difficult to seize, and it was pure luck that it was caught in the end because its speed was much faster than both the Lantern Firefly and the Star Worm.
Char silently recited the hierarchy of his preferences in his heart.
What he hoped to recruit most was, of course, the Wind Bullet Cicada.
Even though it's highly probable that using the Prayer Fragment to recruit could only result in regular animals, as the first two recruitments yielded ordinary animals,
to recruit a demon beast might very likely require a higher-Level Prayer Crystal.
But what if?
What if it were possible?
The Wind Bullet Cicada had a Challenge Level of only 0, its combat ability was not much different from that of an owl, so there was still a chance it could be recruited.
If he really succeeded, then he would hit the jackpot.
That's why Char also included the Wind Bullet Cicada in the list of options.
Following the Wind Bullet Cicada, the owl was the second choice, and as for the ferret and the lynx, there wasn't much difference to Char, either would do.
After silently praying, Char wasted no more time and immediately launched his Prayer.
He wasn't asking for a demon beast with a Challenge Level of 4, as long as the new Magic Pet's Challenge Level could reach 3, he would be quite satisfied.
At the very least, like the Lantern Firefly, a Challenge Level of 2 would suffice.
With two Magic Pets of Challenge Level 2, plus the Star Worm and himself, even if the Steel Teeth Pigs came knocking tonight, he wouldn't be afraid.
Golden light coursed through, starlight surged.
Within the shrine, the Prayer Fragment erupted with a holy and gorgeous light, then turned into a lightning-like figure and shot out of the shrine.
Then, Char watched in disbelief as the golden lightning, sparkling with starlight, bypassed the four prepared animals, shot out of the carriage, and vanished into the night.
This…
He was utterly speechless!
A wave of annoyance crossed his face, but he still quickly ran out of the carriage.
The Lantern Firefly and the Star Worm hurried to follow.
The Prayer Light was as fast as lightning. While Char stood dumbfounded, speechless, it had already gone through the bushes and toward a nearby stream, where it struck a clump of grass directly.
In the grass, a dopey frog lay quietly.
As the dreamlike Prayer Light approached, it didn't think to evade. Instead, irritated by the bright light in its eyes, it covered them with its front paws connected to its webbed feet.
The Prayer Light landed on the frog, and the entire frog began to emit a fantastical golden glow speckled with starlight.
Within the sacred light, the frog rapidly increased in size. The position it was lying in slowly changed to a half-crouch, half-upright posture, and at the same time, something seemed to be growing on its back.
Finally, the Prayer Light faded, plunging the creek's grass back into darkness, leaving only the cool moonlight.
By the time Char ran out of the carriage, the frog's metamorphosis had nearly finished, and he caught sight of the waning Prayer Light, glittering with starlight, before it ultimately disappeared.
A magic frog the size of a grinding wheel appeared by the creek, overwhelming the grass where it originally hid.
This frog had lake-blue skin, big eyes with a clear yet foolish gaze, a round and cute body shape, adorable and endearing. Its two front legs propped up its body, almost merging with the hind legs, maintaining a semi-upright posture.
Yet the most striking thing was its back, which bore a lotus leaf resembling a rain-shielding umbrella.
[Lotus Leaf Frog]
[Attributes]: Strength 17, Defense 13, Agility 12, Constitution 20, Intelligence 9, Perception 11
[Life Value]: 715/715
[Magic Power]: 63/63
[Skills]: Tongue Strike (0th circle), Water Arrow (1st circle)
[Challenge Level]: 1
[Introduction]: The Lotus Leaf Frog is a weak demon beast with a gentle nature, slow movements, and a reaction three beats slower. Its combat power is also barely acceptable, with only two means of attack: rapid water arrows from its mouth and attacks with its long tongue. But no matter, the Lotus Leaf Frog is still an excellent "Diplomat" in the forest. They have great popularity and maintain good relations with many demon beasts.