13 Ch. 13 – Massive Pet Monsters Clash!
As time passed, everything stayed quiet in the forest. Yves looked around to make sure no one was nearby. Taro, having devoured every bit of the Rocktail Horned Rabbit except for the bones, sat contentedly beside Yves, licking his claws clean.
While resting, Yves decided to check Taro's information panel, curious to find out if there were any recent updates or alterations.
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⊂ Shadow Step Tanuki ⊃ (Taro)
Grade: Green Bronze-order
Realm: ☆☆
Species: Tanukius Umbralis/Noctisaurum
Special Trait: Shadow Step
Affinity: Shadow
Ability: Eclipse Blitz Dash, Shadow Claw Slash, Shadow Fang Barrage, Shadow Mirage, Shadow Veil
Evolution Route: Unlockable at Blue Silver-order Realm
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Observing the information on the screen, Yves touched his chin in thought and commented. "Hm... Taro's realm level went up by one star. Not bad."
"Looks like exploring and getting out here in the wilderness is really the key to faster growth. It's like a shortcut to leveling up. Guess the outside world has its way of being the best training ground for us."
"Sure, it has its drawbacks. It's not a walk in the park. The more tougher challenges you encounter, the higher the stakes. Yet, that's precisely what drives our body to adapt and become stronger. It's a gamble, but the rewards make it all worthwhile."
Thinking about their progress, Yves decided it was time to head back home. Adjusting his bag, now significantly heavier with the gathered materials. Thankfully, his strong physique allowed him to carry the load without hindrance.
"Alright, Taro, you ready?" Yves asked. "Let's make our way back. Lead the path and I'll be right behind you. If you sense anything unusual, give me a heads up."
As they prepared to leave, Taro, with a cheerful wag of his tail, took the position at the front.
A few minutes into their journey, a distant roar echoed through the air, accompanied by the sounds of fierce battling. Taro looked at Yves, a curious expression in his eyes. Yves simply bopped his head and said. "Let's check that out first."
With caution and silent movements, Taro and Yves advanced towards the source of the commotion. As they neared the sound, they took cover behind a tree and peeked out to observe. Within their view, a woman came into sight.
The woman was stunning with her short, black hair and a face that could easily be described as beautiful. Despite her beauty, her eyes carried a coldness. Her skin was as white as pearls, and she wore a tight black armor suit that perfectly highlighted her body's natural curves.
The sight had a mesmerizing effect, enough to make any onlooker momentarily lose focus or perhaps even leave them drooling.
Although Yves couldn't deny the girl's beauty, he maintained his composure. This wasn't the time for admiration, especially with a colossal panda standing in front of her. The panda was massive, almost double the size of an average panda.
Its fur had a blend of blues, icy whites, and brown colors, like a snowy mountain. Huge, shiny claws poked out from its paws, resembling sharp pieces of ice.
However, the creature's appearance was covered in wounds, with deep cuts and fresh blood diminishing its otherwise majestic presence. Moreover, the panda seemed exhausted, displaying a tired and limp posture.
In a fierce confrontation, the panda, which appeared to be the woman's pet monster, faced off against another colossal creature. Towering a bit more than the panda, a grizzly bear with rich, deep brown fur stood fiercely.
The bear's back and shoulders were decorated with lively green moss. Yet, what truly seized Yves' attention were the antlers crowning its head, also wrapped in the same lush moss.
While Yves observed, he couldn't help but notice that, in spite of the grizzly bear having injuries, they were not as severe as those on the panda. The noticeable wounds, though present, didn't seem to significantly lessen the grizzly bear's imposing presence.
Gazing intently at the panda monster, Yves triggered the appearance of the information panel.
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⊂ Giant Glacial Terra Panda ⊃
Grade: Green Bronze-order
Realm: ★★
Species: Ursus Glacialis/Terramajus
Special Trait: Frozen Juggernaut Rampage
Affinity: Ice, Earth
Ability: Frozen Maul Bite, Glacial Claw Swipe, Icy Boulder Toss, Tectonic Glacier Smash, Terra Body Slam
Evolution Route: Unlockable at Blue Silver-order Realm
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As Yves read through the information about the Giant Glacial Terra Panda, his expression shifted into one of deep thought. "Giant Glacial Terra Panda... that's a name that carries weight. I haven't come across this species before. It's got to be a unique variant."
His eyes lingered on the list of abilities. "Five abilities, just like Taro. That's more than your average pet monster. This further solidifies my thoughts— There's no doubt about it's a mutant one."
Tapping on the special trait and ability section, two new holographic panels popped up, shimmering in front of Yves.
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Special Trait:
⊂ Frozen Juggernaut Rampage ⊃
: Giant Glacial Terra Panda transforms into an unstoppable force of frosty devastation. In this state, its body becomes a constant source of ice magic. While this grants the creature immense power and leaves a frozen impact with every move, it comes at a cost. The continuous release of icy magic clouds the panda's thoughts, making it act on pure instinct rather than strategic thinking.
Activation: When the Giant Glacial Terra Panda senses it's on the brink of defeat.
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Ability:
⊂ Frozen Maul Bite ⊃
: Giant Glacial Terra Panda unleashes a ferocious assault where its mighty jaws close around the target with bone-chilling intensity. The bite not only delivers strong physical damage but also leaves the bitten area enveloped in frost.
⊂ Glacial Claw Swipe ⊃
: Giant Glacial Terra Panda infuses its claws with ice magic, executing a massive swipe toward its opponent. This attack slices through enemies, dealing significant damage while inflicting a temporary chilling effect.
⊂ Icy Boulder Toss ⊃
: With a ground-shaking stomp, the Giant Glacial Terra Panda smashes the earth beneath. Channeling ice magic, it forms a frost-coated boulder from the debris. Throwing the Icy Boulder at enemies, creates a freezing blast on impact, dealing damage and slowing enemy movement.
⊂ Tectonic Glacier Smash ⊃
: Giant Glacial Terra Panda initiates a powerful slam that sends shockwaves through the terrain. The impact creates a rupture in the earth, releasing ice magic that damages and temporarily immobilizes enemies in the area.
⊂ Terra Body Slam ⊃
: Giant Glacial Terra Panda charges up, shrouding its colossal frame in a frigid layer of ice, then executes a bone-crushing body slam onto its foes.
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Studying the abilities, Yves thought. "That explains the frozen chaos around here. The Giant Glacial Terra Panda's abilities really did a number on the surroundings. Look at those cracks in the ground and the frozen tree trunks. It's like a winter wonderland turned disaster zone."
Surveying the area, Yves observed the aftermath of the Giant Glacial Terra Panda's attack. The ground beneath the Giant Glacial Terra Panda was no longer a forest floor. It's now an ice-covered terrain. "Nature's been through the freezer, that's for sure."
However, Yves couldn't help but notice that the ice seemed to respect a certain boundary around the grizzly bear. His brow furrowed in curiosity.
"Yet, how come the bear remains unaffected?" The cogs in his mind turned as he pondered over the peculiar scene.
Suddenly, it clicked. An explanation crystalized in his thoughts. "Ah, I get it now. The grizzly bear must possess some kind of ability or special trait that acts as a countermeasure to the ice magic of the Giant Glacial Terra Panda."
With this realization, Yves shifted his focus toward the grizzly bear, interested to learn more about its unique abilities.
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⊂ Mossback Crowned Grizzly Bear ⊃
Grade: Green Bronze-order
Realm: ★★★★★
Species: Silvus Arboreus/Ursidae
Special Trait: King's Aura
Affinity: Earth, Plant
Ability: Boulder Barrier Stomp, Bountiful Healing Roar, Crown of Thorns, Primal Antler Thrust, Rooted Claw Rampage
Evolution Route: Unlockable at Blue Silver-order Realm
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As Yves' eyes quickly scrolled down through the information, a curse word escaped his lips.
"Oh, shit."
"No wonder the Giant Glacial Terra Panda is exhausted and beaten up."
"This Mossback Crowned Grizzly Bear is no ordinary opponent. It's a mutant variant, just like Taro and the panda, but this one is stepping into a whole new league."
"This bear is right on the brink of reaching the next grade—the Blue Silver-order!"
