"Very well, from today your name will be..." Yuki paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the creature's thick scales, the sturdy limbs, and the unwavering submission in its posture.
"...Grakar. It means 'Stone Fang' in one of the old draconic tongues I read about," he bluffed with a confident nod. "Solid, sharp, and reliable. Suits you, doesn't it?"
The crocodile's eyes lit up with something close to awe.
"Grakar... Yes! A noble name. This servant thanks you, Lord!" he declared, lowering his head once more in respect.
[ Congratulations, Host! You have gained your first follower. You can now view his stats ]
"Oh, let me see then.."
[ Follower Name: Grakar ]
[ Age: 12 ]
[ Lifespan: 50 years ]
[ Bloodline: Greenscale Crocodile (F) ]
[ Loyalty: 90% ]
[ Level: 11 ]
[ Strength: 27 ]
[ Agility: 21 ]
[ Defense: 29 ]
[ Skills: Crushing Tail (E), Scale Hardening (E), Beast Speech (F) ]
--
Yuki glanced at Grakar's stats and understood what difference in bloodline grades truly means. Even though Grakar was at level 11, he had almost equal stats to Yuki, who was at level 5.
For the beasts who don't have any System Support, Bloodline is everything. Bloodline determines their potential and fate.
Lesser bloodline doesn't make the strongest even if become level 100. The disparity of bloodline grades was really clear. He himself was another living proof of that. He wasn't born with high grade Dragon Bloodline, that's why he was so weak at the beginning.
With this clarification, he become more determined to evolve his own bloodline as soon as possible.
Back to the present:
He coughed lightly, pretending the praise didn't get to him.
"Good. Now rise, Grakar. From now on, you will follow me. Protect me when I command it. Hunt when I tell you. And in return, I will help you evolve into something greater than you are."
Grakar thumped his powerful tail against the ground, expressing his loyalty.
"Yes, My Lord. This Grakar swears on his blood and bones."
Yuki smiled slightly, turning back toward the opposite direction he had originally come from. The sun was still high, though a little westward now. They had time.
"Come on. We need to find some beasts to hunt. Only through battle can we grow and evolve," Yuki said, taking the lead along the narrow village path.
Grakar followed closely behind, his heavy steps making soft thuds against the dirt road.
After a moment of silence, he asked,
"Noble Lord, may I know what kind of creatures we are seeking? If you plan to face those mindless ones, I would prefer to prepare myself accordingly."
Yuki laughed, glancing over his shoulder with amusement.
"Haha. Are you scared already?"
"Yes. I myself is not as brave as you, Lord."
"I see. Do not worry. We will try to avoid them if we can. But if there are no pure-blooded creatures nearby, we may have no choice but to face them."
Grakar's eyes flickered at the mention of pure-blooded creatures.
"My Lord, I may know of a place where such beasts dwell. But I must warn you, they are strong."
Yuki came to a halt, his eyes lighting up with interest. "Oh? You know of such a place, Grakar? Excellent. That is where we shall go."
Grakar hesitated, his brow furrowed with concern. "But, my Lord, the sun is setting. The place is far, and the journey long. Are you sure we should proceed now?"
Yuki turned to him with a curious gaze. "Why? Is there danger along the way?"
Grakar shook his head slowly. "It is not that, my Lord. It is simply that... this useless servant cannot see well at night. I am a disgrace to my kind, who are known for their excellent night vision," he added with clear embarrassment.
Yuki paused, then gave a small smile of understanding. Not everyone was blessed the same. If not for the traits inherited from the Nightmare Hydra, he too would have struggled to see in the dark.
"I understand..." Yuki inwardly thought of a solution.
After a while of walking, he paused under a large tree and looked at the green crocodile's face.
"I think I've found a solution to your problem, Grakar. Let's make you evolve."
Grakar's eyes lit up. "Is it true, my Lord?"
"Yes. But you have to learn to endure if you want strength, understand?"
Grakar thumped his chest. "I am ready for anything. I can endure."
"Very well, let's see how much you can endure."
With that, Yuki raised his hand and sent him into the Fusion Lab.
Inside, Grakar screamed with panic and apprehension.
But he soon calmed as Yuki's voice echoed all around him.
'My Lord is so mighty. To be able to do things like this is simply divine. I was right to choose him as my master.'
As he muttered internally, a dark red glowing orb suddenly pierced into his mind with invisible force.
"Argh..."
Grakar howled, feeling his internal organs burn and his blood boil. Mutations spread through his body. Six butterfly-like dark wings started to sprout from his back. But he gritted his teeth and endured, remembering Yuki's command.
He had to survive.
He had to become stronger.
He had to prove to his kin that he was not a failure. Nor a disappointment.
Grakar's roars echoed within the Fusion Lab as the process intensified. His muscles twisted, bones cracked, and his tail stretched longer, now lined with jagged ridges. Black steam hissed from his nostrils, and the once murky green hue of his scales deepened into an abyssal emerald. A crown-like ridge formed atop his head, giving him a regal yet ferocious appearance.
> [ Fusion Complete ]
[ Grakar has successfully evolved into: Abyssal Hydrajaw Crocodile (E) ]
[ New Skill Acquired: Abyssal Chomp (E) ]
> A destructive bite empowered by abyssal energy. Can disrupt magical defenses and tear through armor.
[ Passive Traits Unlocked: Night Vision, water affinity, Wind affinity. ]
[ Stat Boosts: Strength +4, Agility +4 Defense +6 ]
The pain dulled, replaced by overwhelming vitality. Grakar opened his glowing eyes, now tinged with deep crimson.
"Ha ha, looks like it was a success."