[ Follower Name: Grakar ]
[ Age: 12 ]
[ Lifespan: 50 years ]
[ Bloodline: Abyssal Hydrajaw Crocodile (E) ]
[ Loyalty: 100% ]
[ Level: 11 ]
[ Strength: 31 ]
[ Agility: 25 ]
[ Defense: 35 ]
[ Skills: Abyssal Chomp (E), Crushing Tail (E), Scale Hardening (E), Beast Speech (F) ]
Yuki glanced at the stats as Grakar slowly opened his eyes.
The crocodilian beast took a moment to observe his transformed body.
He felt stronger, lighter, and far more in control.
More importantly, he could see clearly in the dark now.
"Crunch!"
He crunched down on the trunk of a nearby tree, eager to test the strange sensation of strength swelling in his jaws.
As he did the sturdy bark cracked and splintered under the pressure of his bite, shattering into a crushed mess. If an ordinary human had been there, they would have been obliterated before they had a chance to scream. Like a crushing watermelon.
Grakar finally turned toward the figure who had given him this new power. The one he now called his master.
"My Lo—"
He was about to kneel once more, but Yuki raised a hand and stopped him.
"Enough. Save the gratitude for later. Help me find those pure-blooded creatures now," he said, already moving forward.
Grakar scratched his head sheepishly, then grinned. Then without another word, he followed his master with obedient steps, his heavy tail swaying behind him like a weapon waiting to strike.
The evening had fully settled as Yuki and Grakar advanced into the deeper parts of the Blueflame Forest. Along the way, they encountered a few low-level beasts, which they dispatched with minimal effort. Yuki did not initiate any extractions, as those creatures lacked viable bloodlines or abilities of value.
Eventually, they arrived at a large tree resembling a Banyan. Though the surrounding environment was shrouded in darkness, both Yuki and Grakar maintained clear visibility, with Grakar exhibiting superior night vision.
Grakar pointed toward the upper branches of the tree. "Is was on top, my Lord. When I fled from my village, I caught a glimpse of it. I am confident it possess strong bloodlines and considerable power."
Yuki processed the information and asked, "Is that a bird? I cannot see anything clearly from here."
Grakar responded, "Yes, my Lord. It resemble crows, but its body emits a glow like the sun. They are dangerous, so caution is advised."
With this in mind, Yuki made a decision. "Then make some noise. Let us see if we can provoke a reaction and assess their strength."
Grakar hesitated before replying,
"If that is your order, my Lord, then I shall comply."
Whoosh!
Before Yuki could add anything, the oversized crocodilian took off with all the zeal of a loyal knight charging into battle.
Bang!
Grakar rammed headfirst into the ancient banyan-like tree, sending vibrations through the roots. Leaves fluttered down like feathers. But the result was less than glorious.
"Wuuugh..." Grakar's eyes rolled as he stumbled back, dazed. He wobbled for a second before flopping belly-first onto the ground like a sack of overripe potatoes.
Yuki facepalmed.
"Damn it, I told you to make some noise, not commit suicide Grakar."
Before either could recover from the moment, a piercing shriek sliced through the night sky.
Screech!
A burst of radiant flame descended from above, illuminating the forest in a harsh orange hue.
Yuki looked carefully.
A magnificent creature hovered above them, its wings blazing like fire, its eyes fierce and ancient.
Ding!
[ Sun Crow - Level 12 ]
[ Extractions Available ]
[ Warning: Descendant of Three-Legged Sun Crow. Extreme Caution Advised. ]
"F*ck, that's a level 12 creature with a superior bloodline! We're done for!"
Yuki didn't hesitate. He spun on his heels and shouted,
"Grakar, run!"
Grakar didn't need to be told again. His clawed limbs scrambled over roots and soil, moving like a startled reptilian bolt of green.
Screech!
A deafening cry echoed from above, followed by a flash of blinding heat. The Fire Crow opened its beak and released a scorching stream of flames.
Sizzzle, Sizzle...
Yuki and Grakar felt the heated air behind them. The blast missed by mere inches, but the intensity singed their backs and scorched the earth into blackened ash.
Had they been even a second slower, their charred bones would be all that remained.
"My Lord, can't we take it down together?" Grakar asked between desperate breaths.
Yuki glanced behind as he leapt over a fallen branch. The Sun Crow swooped low again, its burning wings creating a storm of fire with each beat. A tornado of flame carved a trench through the underbrush, trees evaporating into sparks.
The sheer heat sent sweat dripping from Yuki's brow despite his partial frost affinity. Every instinct screamed danger.
"That's a Sun Crow, Grakar. A descendant of a Three-Legged Crow. Taking it down is impossible right now."
"But... You're a Dragon. Can you not use your Dragon Breath, my Lord?" Grakar huffed, pumping all four limbs for speed.
"Alright, let me try."
Yuki suddenly halted mid-run, turned back, and inhaled sharply.
"Roar!"
A stream of white frost erupted from his mouth, colliding directly with the incoming breath of flame.
Steam burst into the air as fire and ice clashed, hissing and roaring like wild beasts locked in combat. For a fleeting moment, the frost breath seemed to hold its own. But it was still an F-Rank skill, and the Fire Crow's power overwhelmed it within seconds.
The inferno surged through the fog, roaring forward.
"Whoosh—!"
Yuki leapt away just in time.
Sizzle.
He landed, smoke rising from the scorched patches on his back scales.
"Argh.."
His breathing was ragged as burning pain prickled his flesh.
"Swoosh!"
Grakar launched forward without hesitation, fury surging in his blood.
"I will not let you harm my Lord!" he bellowed. "Take this!"
He jumped into the air with surprising agility for his bulk, tail spinning into a powerful arc aimed at the Fire Crow.
Crushing Tail!
But the crow twisted with elegance, wings flicking as it evaded the strike with ease. Its eyes glowed with mocking disdain. Flames gathered again at the edge of its beak, aimed directly at Grakar mid-air.
Yuki's pupils dilated.
[ WindLeap Dash ]
[ Frost Breath ]
He shot forward like a streak of white lightning, landing just in front of Grakar and unleashing his frost breath again.
"Fwoooooosh! Sizzle, Sizzle!"
Flames and frost collided once more, violently. And Steam spread in the night air again.
The winner was once again the Sun Crow, in terms of magical force and Mana.
But—
something changed suddenly.
[ Congratulations, Host! Your Skill "Frost Breath" has been upgraded to E-Rank ]
[ Range and power have doubled ]