Chapter twenty five
Chapter 25: Crow's Search for a New Copy
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Crow walked through the bustling streets of the city, his mind focused and his steps purposeful. The Queen Bee, Hell Hound, Divine White Tiger, and the rest of his powerful beasts had become reliable companions. However, he knew the challenges ahead would require more. His current collection of beasts, while strong, wasn't enough to ensure his victory in the upcoming trials. Crow needed more strength, more power, more beasts to tame.
His journey in search of a new copy had brought him to the city's Beast Tamer Guild, where rumors had spread about an unclaimed dungeon that could be the perfect challenge. Copies weren't always easy to find, especially unclaimed ones. Most dungeons were fought over by the top-tier tamers, but Crow was no ordinary beast tamer. His abilities were growing, and with the Beast Taming System enhancing his connection to his beasts, he was ready to take on the unknown.
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The Guild's Announcement
Inside the guild hall, a large announcement board displayed the latest dungeons available. Crow's eyes scanned the list, moving past dungeons that were already claimed or deemed too easy. He was looking for something that would truly challenge him, a place where he could test the limits of his abilities and tame new beasts. As he scanned the list, he found what he was searching for:
Copy Name: Whispering Cavern
Rank: Low A
Creatures Inside: Unknown
Special Conditions: Only accessible at night. Taming and capturing beasts within is said to be extremely difficult. The environment is harsh, and the beasts within have been rumored to have highly evolved traits.
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This was it. Crow felt a surge of excitement. The Whispering Cavern was a place that many tamers had avoided, not because it was too difficult, but because of the unpredictability. The creatures inside were rumored to be evolved versions of already powerful beasts. And it only opened during the night, adding to its mystique.
"I'll take it," Crow said to himself, his voice steady and full of determination.
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Entering the Whispering Cavern
With his team of beasts at his side, Crow made his way to the Whispering Cavern. The entrance was hidden deep within a forest at the edge of the city. As they walked deeper into the trees, the air became cooler, and the light dimmed, signaling the approach of nightfall. Crow's tamed beasts were alert, their senses heightened in anticipation of what awaited them.
The entrance to the cavern was a narrow crack in the earth, barely wide enough for Crow to fit through. The moment he stepped inside, he could feel the change in the air. The cavern was vast, stretching far beyond what he could see. The ground beneath him was uneven, and the faint sound of whispering wind echoed through the tunnels, sending a chill down his spine.
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The First Encounter
The group ventured deeper into the cavern, their footsteps muffled by the damp ground. Crow had already sensed the presence of creatures nearby. His beasts were on edge, their ears twitching as they sensed movement in the shadows.
Suddenly, a beast emerged from the darkness ahead: a Gloom Serpent, its scales shimmering with a dark, eerie glow. It was a level 20 beast, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Crow quickly assessed it, his instincts kicking in.
Gloom Serpent (Level 20)
Health: 40,000
Attack: 15,000
Defense: 10,000
Speed: 20,000
Special Ability: Poison Mist – Releases a cloud of toxic gas that causes confusion and damage over time to enemies within its range.
Passive Ability: Ethereal Movement – Can phase through walls and obstacles, making it difficult to track.
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Crow knew this would be a difficult fight. The Gloom Serpent was fast, and its Poison Mist ability could easily cripple any beast that wasn't prepared. He quickly signaled his team to prepare for battle.
"Hell Hound, attack from the front. Vermilion Bird, be ready to assist from above," Crow commanded, his voice calm but commanding. He knew this fight wouldn't be like the others. He needed to be strategic.
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The Battle
The Hell Hound lunged forward, its jaws snapping as it tried to catch the Gloom Serpent by surprise. The serpent slithered quickly, its body twisting and darting around the Hell Hound's strikes with ease.
At the same time, the Vermilion Bird swooped down from above, releasing a stream of fire toward the serpent. The flames hit the serpent's scales but didn't seem to cause much damage, as the creature's body was resistant to fire.
Crow was quick to notice the creature's resistance to physical and fire attacks, and he switched his strategy.
"Divine White Tiger, Eclipse Wolf, attack together!" Crow ordered. The Divine White Tiger charged forward, its claws glowing with divine energy. The Eclipse Wolf followed close behind, its shadowy fangs bared and ready.
As the two beasts attacked from different angles, the Gloom Serpent was forced into a defensive stance. It unleashed a Poison Mist, covering the area in a thick, toxic fog. Crow immediately activated his Soul Chains ability, binding the serpent in place temporarily, preventing it from using its evasive powers.
The Hell Hound and Eclipse Wolf coordinated their attacks, landing several powerful blows on the serpent. With a final strike from the Divine White Tiger, the Gloom Serpent fell to the ground, defeated.
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The Rewards
With the battle over, Crow knelt down, reaching into the serpent's remains. He felt a surge of energy as he retrieved a Mystical Egg, glowing faintly with a strange aura.
Mystical Egg (Gloom Serpent Lineage)
Potential: Mythical
Special Abilities: Potential to inherit the Poison Mist ability and Ethereal Movement.
Crow's eyes gleamed with excitement. Another beast to add to his growing army, and this one had the potential to be even more powerful than the previous ones.
His beasts had leveled up during the battle, gaining valuable experience. The Hell Hound and Divine White Tiger were now at Level 14, and the Eclipse Wolf was now at Level 12.
As Crow collected his rewards and prepared to continue exploring the cavern, he realized that this was just the beginning. The Whispering Cavern had proven to be a dangerous but rewarding place. With each battle, his beasts grew stronger, and with each new creature, his army expanded.
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[TO BE CONTINUED...]
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In this chapter, Crow faces off against a powerful Gloom Serpent, a Level 20 beast with unique abilities. The encounter tests Crow's strategy and his beasts' abilities. The reward—a Mystical Egg with the potential to hatch into another powerful creature—marks another step in his growth as a Beast Tamer.