Chapter 334

Chapter 334
## Chapter 334

It was fundamentally different.

The “Pet” mechanics that functioned within Pangenia.

Despite the system’s existence, almost no player bothered to cultivate a companion.

The logic was straightforward.

“They are frail and a nightmare to develop.”

To start, the variety of creatures capable of being domesticated was severely restricted.

This stemmed from the very physics of Pangenia.

Suspended in the heavens, its various territories were stitched together by warp gates, creating a sequestered reality.

This isolation meant the world was naturally hostile to foreign entities.

Attempting to break a monster that had already reached maturity was a fool’s errand; at most, one had to resort to kidnapping a hatchling or stealing an unhatched egg.

“Nine times out of ten, they perish the moment their surroundings shift.”

The environment remained the primary obstacle.

A specific monster species might have thrived in a singular location for eons.

The second they were transported to a different landmass via a warp, their biology would fail.

They were hypersensitive to even the smallest fluctuations, such as the local mana concentration, and usually ended up dead.

Even the survivors rarely reached their full biological potential.

Because of this, the payoff never justified the agonizing effort required. Consequently, players who specialized in “Taming” were virtually non-existent.

Of course, a few outliers had managed to successfully domesticate creatures and even pioneered species conversion through selective breeding, but such successes were confined to the lowest tiers.

Taming and breeding a high-tier entity, let alone something of mythic status?

That was pure fantasy.

As a result, the population shifted their focus toward “Souls” rather than traditional taming.

“The core essence of a monster called forth by a Soul can be transformed.”

A Soul was a loot drop with a vanishingly small drop rate.

One could use it as a mount or a combat summon, but they were so rare that they never appeared on the public auctions.

However, summoning wasn’t their only utility.

They served as vital components for crafting unique-tier armaments or as keys to unlock specific high-level trials.

For these reasons, few people actually used a Soul in its raw form.

The profit margins for using them as crafting materials for unique gear were simply too high to ignore.

“Until I pioneered it, the idea of evolving a Soul didn’t even exist.”

A creature manifested from a Soul didn’t follow standard growth curves.

Instead, it underwent evolution or Mutation (變異).

This meant that just because a Soul started as a juvenile, it wouldn’t necessarily mature into an adult of that same species.

Depending on the evolutionary path taken, there was a slim chance it could transition into an entirely different genus.

I was the individual who first brought this mechanic to light.

Following my discovery, the number of people attempting to evolve Souls surged. Some were rumored to have reached mythic tiers, but I remained certain that no one understood the intricacies of Soul evolution better than me.

“In truth, it was the sole method for a human to command a mythic species.”

*Was.*

Past tense.

That was the reality back when I was just a gamer.

Now that I had transitioned into a Player, the Golden Rule Shop offered the option to purchase mythic-grade eggs, though it remained an arduous path.

If this were a contest of hatching an “egg,” I might have felt less certain.

But when it came to the cultivation and combat prowess of a “Soul,” I was the undisputed master.

However.

“A Soul that actually grows.”

…A Soul that gains power by increasing its grade.

This was something I had never encountered.

By definition, a “Soul” was a summoning catalyst—an imprint of a deceased monster’s spirit.

It wasn’t a biological organism, so growth was technically impossible.

The only way to enhance its strength was to trigger a mutation or evolution by upgrading the Soul’s internal rank.

Perhaps this anomaly existed because this was a challenge within the World Tree’s dungeon?

Since the trials revolved around battling forgotten deities of antiquity, I realized that relying on conventional wisdom would only lead to failure.

“I have to operate under the assumption that both maturation and evolution are on the table.”

If that were the case…

This specific “Soul” was an extraordinary medium.

One that had likely never graced the world before.

If it could grow through grading up and then eventually evolve…

“It is absolutely worth the investment.”

The potential value was staggering.

In the past, I hadn’t been overly concerned with the Soul of the Hydragon because the projected utility of simply leveling up Randolph far outweighed the grueling process of raising the Hydragon.

Relatively speaking, the Hydragon’s value didn’t justify the drain on resources.

But this “Soul” was different.

It deserved my undivided attention and maximum effort.

More importantly.

“…Interaction is actually possible.”

Typically, a Soul is a mindless thrall.

It is merely the projected spirit of a dead beast.

It obeys its master, but communication is out of the question.

And yet…

*Whimper!*

*Yip!*

*Woof woof woof!*

Once the skirmish ended, the Baby Hydragon trotted over and wagged its tail enthusiastically.

Could I really categorize this being as a mere Soul or a simple summon?

To any observer, it was a living, breathing creature.

“Excellent work.”

I reached out and patted each of its nine small heads in sequence.

《Communication successful.》

《The ‘Baby Hydragon’ feels more attached to you.》

《The ‘Baby Hydragon’ has defeated the ‘Iron Horn Goat Boss’ after a grueling 3-hour engagement.》

《You have unlocked the extraordinary feat: ‘Defying the Odds’.》

《You have unlocked the extraordinary feat: ‘Edge of Death’.》

《Total Experience gain boosted by 500%.》

《The ‘Baby Hydragon’ has ascended to Grade 6.》

《Proficiency gain speed increased by 2,100%.》

《The ability ‘Bite’ has reached its maximum level.》

Name: Baby Hydragon (Grade 6)

Strength: 37

Constitution: 55

Agility: 31

Intelligence: 29

Mana: 33

Ability: Bite (Max)

Just as I suspected, its rank skyrocketed.

The “Iron Horn Goat Boss” was a creature known for high durability but lackluster offense, making it a gateway boss for those leaving the novice zones.

The little one had finally brought it down after three hours of struggle.

“Its Constitution has surged.”

Perhaps because it had to rely on its inherent healing during a desperate fight?

Its HP was disproportionately high compared to its other attributes.

This confirmed that the method of engagement directly dictated the growth results.

I continued to stroke the Baby Hydragon’s heads with care.

Of course, the creature wasn’t the only one who had endured the ordeal.

“‘Sense Sharing’ is literal. We are truly linked.”

Every time it took a hit, the agony lanced through me as well.

In fact, I felt it with double the intensity.

On the flip side, I could subtly guide its movements with my thoughts.

I intervened mostly during lethal moments or to direct a strike at a weak point.

“If it falls, I’m in serious trouble too.”

The danger was real; the doubled pain meant my own life was tethered to its performance.

But this shared suffering forged a deeper “understanding” between us.

It was the source of our growing bond.

I paused to think.

It would be safer to stay in this area and grind low-risk targets, but…

*Woof woof!*

*Hiss!*

The Baby Hydragon seemed to have found its courage. It was currently baring its teeth at the nearby “Iron Horn Goats” like a predator sizing up snacks.

I looked toward the horizon beyond the current fields.

“The ‘Desert Wolf Boss’ should be our next target…”

…*Whine?*

*Shaaaak!*

The Baby Hydragon let out a sound of pure dread.

The next zone belonged to carnivores, not grazers.

The lethality of those creatures was on a completely different level than a goat.

However, I had no interest in the common “Desert Wolf.”

I had a singular strategy.

“We are hunting nothing but bosses.”

The apex predator that spawned only once per region.

I intended to hunt that specific target repeatedly.

There was a logical reason for this brutality.

“A Soul’s internal rank only climbs when it takes down a foe of a superior rank.”

I wasn’t satisfied with just the visible Grade.

To elevate the hidden “Soul Class,” we needed to embrace hardship and adversity!

“Have faith in me. I won’t let you die.”

The Baby Hydragon’s eyes, which had been looking at me with soulful devotion, began to twitch uncontrollably.

—

The Desert Wolf Boss.

A massive canine standing two meters tall, draped in slate-gray fur.

Logically, there was no way a creature half its size, like the Baby Hydragon, should be able to win.

Naturally, I had to provide support, but…

“Go on! You’ve got this!”

I shouted “encouragement” from a safe distance.

When I promised I wouldn’t let it die, I didn’t necessarily mean I would step in the moment things got dicey.

“Trust in your own strength as much as you trust me!”

*Kuaaaaaa!*

*Hiss! Hiss!*

*Yelp!*

The Baby Hydragon was trembling in sheer terror.

Its expression was the definition of someone who had been utterly betrayed by a confidant.

It was a living nightmare for the little beast.

Yet, the cheering wasn’t just noise.

Two of the Hydragon’s heads suddenly snapped forward in a counterstrike.

《High-level resonance achieved via Hidden Trait: ‘Beast Lord’.》

《Encouragement effect: All attributes increased by 5% for 5 minutes.》

《Sense Sharing active! The ‘Baby Hydragon’ has clamped onto the ‘Desert Wolf Boss’’s jugular.》

《The ability ‘Bite’ has evolved into ‘Vitals Bite’.》

The wolf’s counterattacks were savage.

Each time its claws or teeth found purchase, I winced from the shared agony.

Still, it wasn’t enough to drop the Hydragon instantly.

The creature used its incredible natural recovery to stabilize and then relentlessly lunged for the wolf’s weak spots.

The situation remained precarious, but I didn’t budge.

“The second rule for raising a Soul’s class: never interfere.”

The summoned “Soul” had to achieve victory in total isolation.

Normally, a “Soul” is a supplementary tool for a player.

That usually implies the player and the summon fight as a unit.

But to force a “Soul Class” advancement, one must never provide combat assistance.

It has to resolve the conflict entirely on its own.

This was why the secret of Soul evolution remained buried for so long.

The summon had to solo a higher-tier entity.

Only such unconventional tactics could trigger the change.

…How many hours passed in that blood-soaked struggle?

《The ‘Baby Hydragon’ has successfully hunted the ‘Desert Wolf Boss’ after a 5-hour battle.》

《You have achieved the extraordinary feat: ‘Consecutive Boss Slayer’.》

《You have achieved the extraordinary feat: ‘A Cut Above’.》

《Total Experience gain boosted by 500%.》

《The ‘Baby Hydragon’ has reached Grade 10.》

《Proficiency gain speed increased by 2,100%.》

《The ability ‘Vitals Bite’ has reached its maximum level.》

*Phew!*

I exhaled a long breath of relief and checked on the Baby Hydragon.

*Pant! Pant!*

*Ssssss!*

The little creature was gasping for air, exhausted.

Then, it happened.

*Whoosh! Whoooosh!*

A vibrant azure radiance began to pulse from its body.

Its frame expanded, and its silhouette began to shift.

Was this a mutation?

Or perhaps it was skipping straight to adulthood?

Whatever the case, it was about to become exponentially more powerful.

This was the proof that my training regimen was correct.

I watched the metamorphosis with intense focus.

And then…

《The ‘Soul Class’ has crossed the threshold.》

《The ‘Baby Hydragon’ is undergoing evolution.》

《The sovereign of the subterranean vaults, carved from the rarest gems.》

《Evolution into ‘Dianax (Grade 10, Mineral, Earth Affinity, Boss)’ is complete.》

《You can now utilize the ability ‘Vitals Bite (Max)’.》

《Unique ability acquired: ‘Jewel Beam (Lv. 1)’.》

“…Wow.”

Looking at the new form, I couldn’t help but let out a soft breath of awe.

It wasn’t a Hydragon anymore; it was an entirely different entity.

Beyond just a species change, it had achieved a much higher classification.

Dianax.

A monster that was virtually a myth even among experts.

It was a legendary creature I had heard of but never actually seen.

This meant it was even rarer than the Soul of the Hydragon, which was already considered a once-in-a-lifetime find.

I stared at the Dianax, mesmerized.

“Just like the stories said.”

Legend held that Dianax was a creature composed of the most elusive mineral on the planet.

A substance more precious than the scales of a dragon.

The myths weren’t exaggerating.

The material comprising the Dianax was…

“…Supermetal Orichalcum.”

This was the core component for unique-tier gear—items so rare they were widely believed to be uncraftable.

Just how far was this evolution going to go?

These were minerals known to exist in theory, but no explorer had ever successfully claimed a deposit.

Society called them “Supermetals.”

Orichalcum was the pinnacle of that category, and since it was impossible to source, it remained a name in a textbook.

It was one of the primary drivers for adventurers who threw their lives away in unreachable swamps or lethal dungeons.

Finding a vein of supermetal wasn’t just a lucky break; it was a “super hit” that changed the world.

And the desire for it wasn’t just about scarcity.

“The components for legendary gear that remain unmade because the parts don’t exist. Supermetals are the key to revolutionizing magical engineering due to their perfect mana conductivity.”

It was the ultimate versatile resource.

If handed to a blacksmith, they would weep with joy before hitting the forge. If presented to the scholars of the Magic Tower, they would collapse in shock and seal themselves in their laboratories for a year straight.