At this moment, Alex stared at the thunder-patterned python not far away. Its head alone was as big as a truck, and it was charging straight toward him.
Alex's brow furrowed.
Did it spot me? No way... it shouldn't be possible.
But something felt off.
The python was charging like it was on a mission, but it wasn't injured—its thick scales protected it. So, if it was just after him, why was it moving so frantically?
This doesn't make sense. Something's wrong here.
Just then, his thoughts were interrupted by an eagle's sharp, piercing cry that echoed across the swamp, shaking the ground.
A massive black eagle, wings spread wide with a span of about thirty feet, shot through the sky, causing the python to move faster in a desperate panic.
The whole swamp seemed to tremble as the fierce battle unfolded above him. Alex could see the eagle dive, its claws gleaming with deadly intent as it struck the snake's thick hide, tearing through flesh in an instant.
The python reacted, raising its head to strike back with a ferocious force, knocking down trees in its path. But the eagle, quick as lightning, dodged and flapped its wings to stay out of reach.
Alex stood frozen for a moment, watching in awe as the two creatures fought, and then his attention snapped to the creature's stats that appeared in his vision.
[Black Cloud Snake Eagle]
[Level: Intermediate Level 1 (Level 11)]
[Health: 13,000]
[Attack Power: 1,200]
[Speed: 3,600]
[Skills: Black Cloud, Eagle Claw]
[Black Cloud: The Black Cloud Snake Eagle can flap its wings at high speed, creating a black cloud that clouds vision and stuns enemies.]
[Eagle Claw: The eagle concentrates its strength into its claws, making them sharp enough to cut through anything.]
Alex couldn't help but marvel at the stats of the Black Cloud Snake Eagle.
No wonder the Thunder Python is running for its life. This thing is a beast. If I could tame it, I'd be unstoppable...
But the eagle's speed was insane. There's no way I can hit it with a capsule now.
As the fight between the two creatures intensified, Alex watched as the Black Cloud Snake Eagle relentlessly attacked, its speed leaving no room for the python to retaliate. The swamp was soon drenched in the snake's blood.
The battle seemed to slow down as the eagle paused in mid-air, surveying the snake. It wasn't over yet, though.
In an unexpected move, the Thunder Pattern Python's tail shot up, striking at the eagle with lightning speed. But the eagle dodged just in time.
Then, the snake made a sudden break for it, fleeing in the opposite direction with surprising agility.
The eagle, seeing the escape, screeched once more, and within seconds, it was high in the air again, pursuing the snake with terrifying speed.
Alex's expression darkened. I guess I need to find a new target.
But then, something caught his eye. He glanced at the map, zooming in on the direction the Thunder Pattern Python was heading. It was a narrow valley filled with rocks and steep walls.
The Black Cloud Snake Eagle won't be able to chase it there. If the python hides in the valley, it might just survive.
A spark of excitement flickered in Alex's chest. If the snake lived, it would be seriously weakened, and easy to capture. It would be perfect for an experiment. Or maybe he could just kill it and level up.
Either way, I win.
He took off, following the blood trail as fast as he could. The swamp's terrain changed beneath him, and before long, he found himself standing in a valley. Jagged rocks littered the area, evidence of a recent battle.
In the distance, he spotted the Thunder Pattern Python, its massive body coiled near a rock wall, looking near death. Its tail was wrapped around the claws of the Black Cloud Snake Eagle, who had been electrocuted and was struggling to get free.
The situation was a mess. The snake was weakening, but it had managed to trap the eagle with its tail, delivering a powerful electric shock. The eagle, though still alive, had no strength left to fly.
I can't believe it... The Thunder Python outsmarted the eagle.
But then, Alex realized something important. The rocky terrain had slowed the eagle down enough for the snake to land a killing blow.
I guess the lower-level beasts can be clever after all...
This was the perfect opportunity to make his move.
Alex could finally use his capsule to capture the Black Cloud Snake Eagle.
Thinking of this, Alex immediately climbed onto the rocks and rushed toward the Black Cloud Snake Eagle.
The strange movement from Alex immediately caught the attention of the Black Cloud Snake Eagle, triggering its vigilance.
But there was electricity running through its body. Even if Alex was noticed, the eagle's wings would be paralyzed and unable to fly.
However, the eagle quickly realized that Alex was just a weak level 1 creature.
It relaxed, its focus shifting to using its sharp beak to tear off the tail of the thunder-patterned python.
Maybe it was because the two beasts were natural enemies. Or perhaps because the Black Cloud Snake Eagle often ate Thunder-patterned Pythons, it had developed a certain resistance to thunder and lightning. The lightning only paralyzed it temporarily—there were no fatal injuries.
Alex quickly closed the distance to the Black Cloud Snake Eagle. He took a moment to observe the situation. When he saw that the eagle was still in decent health, he frowned slightly.
But upon noticing that the eagle couldn't free itself from the thunder-patterned python's tail for the time being, Alex swiftly picked up some pebbles from the ground and threw them.
The Black Cloud Snake Eagle noticed the movement but, seeing the slow-moving stones, tilted its head in confusion.
In its not-so-intelligent mind, it couldn't figure out why this level 1 creature would throw stones at it. It didn't bother to react and allowed the pebbles to hit it while continuing its task of tearing the tail apart.
Alex, standing nearby, breathed a sigh of relief. He held a capsule firmly in his hand, launching stones at the eagle with rapid force. Among the stones was the capsule.
"Click..."
The inconspicuous capsule hit the eagle's wing, mixing with the stones.
At the moment of impact, the capsule suddenly bloomed silently, like a brilliant firework.
In the blink of an eye, a pure white stream of light enveloped the Black Cloud Snake Eagle, who had been tilting its head, still confused about the situation.
After just a few breaths, Alex felt a slight shake in his mind.
[bite!]
[Using the Ordinary Beast Control Capsule successfully!]
[Current pet: Black Cloud Snake Eagle]
[Name: (unnamed)]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Qualification: Mutable evolution (not turned on)]
[Note: Pets and their hosts are connected and can use direct commands from their minds!]
"Have you figured it out..." Alex realized.
He was lucky this time. He had come expecting to catch the thunder-patterned python, but instead, he had captured the Black Cloud Snake Eagle.
With this mid-level fighter, he was much safer. And it could fly him through the sky, providing greater safety.
Alex nodded slightly.
At that moment, the white light surrounding the eagle quickly faded. The Black Cloud Snake Eagle, now free from the light, looked at Alex. Its eyes became much more affectionate.
If it hadn't been tied down by the snake's tail, it might have wanted to approach and rub its head against Alex.
Seeing the affection in the eagle's eyes, Alex felt a large stone lift from his chest.
"Now the two of us are one family, so it's time to give you a name."
"Seeing as you're so dark, let's call you... Dabai..." Alex nodded to himself.
[bite!]
[The pet is named Dabai (Black Cloud Snake Eagle)]
Dabai, who was not far away, tilted its head at the sound of its new name.
It understood, but didn't quite understand at all…
"Dabai, come here," Alex chuckled.
Dabai seemed to comprehend, and the numbing sensation in its body faded. It freed itself from the snake's tail after a few efforts, and then it jumped to Alex.
Instead of flying as an eagle usually would, it folded its wings and jumped toward Alex, gently rubbing its head against his shoulder.
Alex chuckled at the sight. It almost felt like something out of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, though Dabai was much bigger than Brother Eagle.
After the touching moment passed, Alex spoke in his mind, "Dabai, go step on the head of the Thunder-patterned Python."
Without hesitation, Dabai jumped back, pressing its sharp eagle claws down firmly on the head of the thunder-patterned python.
At this moment, Alex saw that the Thunder-patterned Python was completely immobile.
He grabbed his sword and approached.
He had to admit, the thunder-patterned python was enormous—its bald head was the size of a truck, a true giant!
When Alex tried using his long sword, he found that although it was sharp enough to pierce the python's defenses, the beast was just too large. Even if it stood still and allowed Alex to attack, it would still take a while to kill.
It was clear that if other players without weapons encountered the Thunder-patterned Python, they'd be in trouble.
After dozens of strikes, Alex's arms were sore, but he finally received the system prompt.
[Kill the elementary (level 10) exotic beast Thunder Pattern Python!]
[Experience gained: 1000]
[The player level has been raised to level 2]
[The player level has been improved...]
[...]
[The player level has been raised to level 6]
[Player: Alex]
[Race: Human]
[Current level: Level 6]
[Strength: 64]
[Speed: 64]
[Constitution: 64]
[Health: 640]
[Energy: 0]
[Experience: 270/640]
[Item: Fine Steel Long Sword...]
[...]
"What a fatass..." Alex chuckled. "Eat Dabai's share first, and then we'll head to the Thunder Python's lair."
Dabai nodded, not fully understanding.
He walked toward the Thunder-patterned Python and quickly began biting and swallowing it.
Alex paid no mind.
The Thunder-patterned Python was torn apart by Dabai's eagle claws. The remains were useless except for its meat and bones, so Alex let Dabai eat first.
Alex then opened the regional chat to see if there were any new updates.
[Fuck! I just killed a level 1 ant! I got experience!]
[Help! I'm being chased by a level 2 purple mouse! Who can save me!]
[Woo woo woo I'm so scared! I want to go home!]
[Hahaha! I just killed a level 2 earthworm! I've leveled up! I'm a level 1 boss now! Hahaha…]
[Oh my god! How!? Teach me, boss! How did you kill that earthworm?]
[I-i-i'll worship you, boss! Teach me too, boss!]
The post quickly spiraled into flattery.
Alex frowned. He had hoped to find some new information, but it seemed everyone was just getting the hang of things.
He clicked on the world channel, hoping for a better conversation.
[Have you noticed? The sardines on the island are level 2! Kill one and you can upgrade to level 1!]
[The lizards in the desert are easy to kill. I've killed six and am now level 2!]
[Hahaha! Worship my great lighthouse people! I am already level 2! Embracing freedom is your last hope!]
[Long live the lighthouse of freedom!]