The Amethyst Caverns 3

The collapsed body of the Amethyst Monitor lay on the ground. Puppet limped back to Aura. The leaves making up its body were torn and tattered, with lime green juices flowing out. Even though it had no blood, the bleeding effect of the Amethyst Monitor's Gem Shrapnel still took effect. Aura carefully picked Puppet up. He took out the first aid kit and wrapped up all its wounds with bandages. By the time he was done, Puppet looked like a mummy. Lydian made her way back to Aura.

"That was an exciting battle!"

"It was too close, fighting with a level disadvantage is not a good idea. Puppet and I are completely drained of mana. We should stop here for today. The monitor's scent is still around here, so wild monsters shouldn't bother us." The brother and sister had some food to eat, set up their sleeping bags, and settled in. Puppet had recovered to certain degree, so Aura had him absorb the Amethyst Monitor corpse.

[Leafy Marionette gained 9 exp]

[Leafy Marionette leveled up]

[You leveled up]

[Aura - Monster Trainer]

Race: Human

Level: 3

Health: 12/12 (+1) (Healthy)

Constitution: 5

Strength: 5

Agility: 5

Defense: 5

Mana: 8/24 (+2)

[Currently Contracted Monsters]

Leafy Marionette - Level 3

[Leafy Marionette - Aura]

Type: Wood/Mystical

Level: 3

Health: 16/24 (+2) (Hurt)

Constitution: 9 (+1)

Strength: 5 (+1)

Agility: 4 (+1)

Defense: 4 (+1)

Mana: 11/39 (+4)

[Skills]

Leafy Costume...

Puppet Strings...

With Puppet's level up and increased stats, Aura had more confidence to venture deeper into the cavern. Not much time had passed after The Awakening, and the highest level monsters at the depth Lydian's first monster would be at would at most be level 4.

The next morning, Aura and Lydian continued down the many winding paths.

"We've already traveled a few miles, which is about halfway to the location. We should be able to arrive later today," Aura said while looking at the map he had drawn. Now that they were deeper into the caverns, there was also the possibility of finding materials useful for strengthening monsters. After walking for hours, occasionally stopping to chase off wild monsters or resting, they arrived at the entrance of a large open space.

"This is strange, have you noticed there have been a lot less wild monsters around here? There's probably a very strong one in front, or a large group."

"Should we head back and go down another path then?"

"No, this is not a bad thing. There's a good chance that this is the target we're looking for!" The two peeked around the corner and saw a small group of monsters milling around inside. Aura laughed, "How do you like the monster I found for you? They're majestic, aren't they?"

The group of monsters consisted of transparent, crystalline horses. Their bodies were like expertly crafted glass sculptures, shimmering in the dim light. Their eyes were the darkest black like onyx, and their white manes flowed gracefully on the backs of their necks. Lydian's eyes widened when she say them. "They're great!"

[Crystal Horse - Wild]

Type: Earth

Level: 3

Health: 24/24 (Healthy)

Constitution: 6

Strength: 6

Agility: 9

Defense: 6

Mana: 28/28

[Skills]

Stampede - Crystal Horse charges at the enemy, trampling everything in its way underfoot

Shatter - Crystal Horse shatters the earth, destabilizing the ground and launching earth spikes at the target

"There are too many monsters in the group to fight. If they see us attack one of them, they will start to stampede," Aura stated. "We have to find a way to block off the herd when we catch one." He pulled off his backpack and took out two packages of explosives. "Stick this one on that wall."

After their explosives were in place, Aura summoned out Puppet. "We should aim for that level 1 Crystal Horse. Your soul isn't strong enough to subdue the stronger ones. When Puppet pulls it over, try and contact it as fast as possible."

Aura threw a piece of spirit jade in front of him and hid behind a stalagmite with Puppet and Lydian. The oblivious Crystal Horse saw something delicious on the ground and trotted over. The others saw this but thought nothing of it and remained standing around. When the Crystal Horse bent down to eat it, Puppet threw its strings all over the horse, wrapped it up, and started to drag it over. The Crystal Horse neighed in panic but couldn't struggle out of the threads. Its friends started running over, but it was too far away. Aura pressed the detonator and with a loud rumble a large section of the cavern collapsed.

"Hurry and contract it. Its suppressed right now and you should have no trouble doing so." Lydian bent down and put her palm on the struggling Crystal Horse. A soft blue glow enveloped it then faded away. The animosity on the horse's face disappeared and it looked at the hand on its body with a newfound feeling of intimacy.

"I did it!" cried Lydian, "Look! It's so cute!"

"Recall it and start running! The collapsed tunnel won't hold for long, and we'll be in trouble if they see us."