Stormshell's Evolution (2), Unexpected Attack!

"Don't get too lazy. You still need to train your body to get used to your newly evolved skills," Zuriel said, lightly tapping his shell.

Stormshell let out a disgruntled growl, but Zuriel chose to turn a deaf ear and focus intently on the other sound at hand.

Zuriel focused on evolving Coral Shock Trap.

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Upgrade Inherited Skill: Coral Shock Trap (Yellow)(Intermediate)––> Coral Shock Trap (Green) (Novice)

Cost: 4,850 EP

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Thankfully, the cost of developing a natural skill seemed lower than evolving an edited skill. He understood this was logical, given the type of edit he made.

Zuriel proceeded with the transaction.

[ Beastmaster Editor Points: 32,150 EP. ]

Zuriel decided to evolve it to Green rank perfection level.

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Upgrade Inherited Skill: Coral Shock Trap (Green)(Novice)––> Coral Shock Trap (Green) (Perfection)

Cost: 11,400 EP

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Zuriel confirmed the transaction.

[ Beastmaster Editor Points: 20,750 EP. ]

'I will evolve it again,' Zuriel thought, deciding to evolve Stormshell's skill to blue grade after a brief contemplation.

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Upgrade Inherited Skill: Coral Shock Trap (Green)(Novice)––> Coral Shock Trap (Green) (Advanced)

Cost: 13,950 EP

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[ Beastmaster Editor Points: 6,800 EP. ]

After confirming the transaction, Zuriel thought, "This should be enough." He was left with only a meagre 6,800 editor points, drastically dropping from his previous 154,900. It truly pained him to watch the editor points he had earned through tireless work vanish so abruptly.

Zuriel stood up from the bed, bent down, and stretched his hand under the bed. He then brought out an old wooden rectangular box with a minimalist design. He sat on his bed and placed the box on his thigh before opening it.

On the first day, after harvesting editor points from Malik, Zuriel discovered the box under his bed. However, he didn't dare open it because he feared a fatal trap was inside the box and would activate if he did.

He decided to wait until he had increased Stormshell's rank and skills to protect himself in case something went wrong. But when he finally opened the box and found no trap, Zuriel realized that his fears had made him overly paranoid.

Inside the box lay a tattered black banner adorned with a crimson skull and streaks that resembled claw marks. The scent of blood filled the air, making his stomach turn, and an eerie feeling settled over the room, sending a chill down his spine.

Even Stormshell stepped backwards as though feeling threatened by the mysterious flag, his eyes blazing with the intent to attack

"Don't worry, it won't harm you," Zuriel said. He stretched his hand and petted his head.

Stormshell purred under his touch but still didn't let down his guard.

Observing this, Zuriel sighed. But he didn't blame him, especially considering the banner's identity. He held the flag and cast inspect—a spell used by the beastmaster to examine a magic tool or an item—on the banner.

The information immediately emerged in his mind.

[ Death flag banner-Legendary rank fourth-grade magic tool.

Description: A damaged piece of the Death Flag that's in poor condition.

Effect: Upon raising the Death Flag, an aura of madness will engulf all magical beasts within a 50-meter radius. While in this state of madness, the beasts can still be influenced by the will of the flagbearer. The stronger the flagbearer's will, the longer they can control the madness and guide its direction. +100% increase in mana for the wielder, a +50% increase in mana and regeneration for all beasts and selected allies. Usable after reaching Novice Beastmaster rank. ]

"As expected, it's the same magic tool. No matter, everyone wants to get a piece of it, and the Zahara Household is willing to fight to the death for it, " Zuriel thought, reading through the description and effect of the flag.

In the earlier version of the novel, Malik conspired against the Zahara Household to obtain the Death Flag due to his personal grievances. He also discovered the location of a special dungeon and was drawn to its powerful effects.

During the era of beast tamers, few could resist the allure of such significant boosts: a 100% increase in mana for themselves, a 50% increase for their beasts, an additional 150% increase overall, and a further 50% boost for their chosen allies.

This was why Malik had stolen his ship and crew members, using them as cannon fodders to raid the dungeon. With this magical tool, it didn't matter who their enemy was; as long as they were within the same rank, they would be defeated.

For him and Stormshell, a magical beast possessing two special edited skills, this was indispensable for his survival.

Over the past three days, Finn had charted a course for the dungeon's location. While he wasn't exactly sure where it was, having only read about the area in the novel, the name alone was enough for him to steer the ship in the right direction. They were expected to arrive at the dungeon sometime tomorrow.

If they didn't encounter the Salt Rock Shelter leader, this would grant him another opportunity to grow stronger.

Zuriel carefully folded the flag and placed it inside the box before sealing it securely. He then tucked the box under his bed and decided to rest that night in preparation for tomorrow's big event—collecting more editor points from Malik and planning for the dungeon.

"Come here," Zuriel said, gesturing at Stormshell to join him.

Stromshell raced into his arms and happily snuggled into them.

"Attack anyone who enters this room, then alert me," Zuriel said. If any of his crew members entered his room without permission and suffered injuries from Stormshell's attack, it was their fault for plotting evil schemes against him while he was asleep.

After ensuring that he was comfortable, Zuriel dozed off to sleep.

However, after twenty, his comfort was shattered when someone knocked against his door, echoing throughout his room.

BAMMM!! BAMMM!!

Zuriel was stirred awake and rubbed his sleepy eyes. He looked at the door with furrowed brows.

"Who's there?" Zuriel asked, frowning. He pulled the box from under his bed, swiftly opened it, took the flag out and tucked it under his shirt for safe protection.

He couldn't help but wonder who was so disrespectful that they would wake their captain in such a way.

"It's Finn," Finn echoed.

"Oh, I'm coming," Zuriel responded, walking towards the door with Stormshell. He positioned Stormshell in front of him.

After giving Stormshell an order to attack without hesitation if his life was threatened, Zuriel opened the locks and pulled the door open.

"What's going on?" Zuriel asked, frowning as he noticed the troubled expression on Finn's face. A sudden thought struck him, causing his heart to race. He imagined Malik had escaped his prison and had already rallied the crew members to turn against him.

But that should be impossible! He had checked his drawers earlier today and found that the slave contracts were still there, so how did Mallk manage to turn them against him without them?

Zuriel didn't know the answer, so he could only wait for Finn's response.

"We are under attack, Captain," Finnn responded.

Zuriel's expression hardened, and he realized it was even worse than he had expected. "By who?" he asked, his expression and tone solemn.

Finn's response made his heart sink.

"It's a ship from the Salt Rock Shelter. I suspect that it's the Salt Rock Shelter leader. They had already caught up with us and are attacking, " Finn responded with some hesitation. "Captain... Why don't you call the powerful beastmaster in hiding that your father has sent along to protect you? Perhaps with his help, he could hold back the Shelter leader while we escape."

Zuriel furrowed his brows in confusion at Finn's words, but soon understanding dawned on him. He realized that Finn believed his father had sent him out of the shelter with a powerful beastmaster guarding him from the shadows.

Unfortunately, he was very far from the truth. After all, how could a clan still barely standing afford to send one of their most formidable beastmasters to accompany him?

He knew his father might have already suggested a similar plan, but the elders who were still backing him and didn't intend to die young could have opposed his idea. His father might have agreed to the plan because the Zahara Household was already on the verge of collapse, and he did not want to be the one to drive it into total destruction by pursuing it any further.

"You have misunderstood, Finn. My father did not send anyone to protect me. I am here alone, without the support of the Zahara household," Zuriel said, shaking his head in response.

"What?" Finn exclaimed, his expression filled with a mixture of shock and disbelief. Then, his expression morphed into one of fear.

"Captain, what do we do then?" Finn asked, beads of sweat gathered on his forehead. From the confidence Zuriel showed when speaking to Malik, he thought some powerful beastmaster was protecting Zuriel from the shadows. But, seeing that he was the one making up things, he couldn't help but dread their encounter with the Salt Rock Shelter ship.