Fantasy Realm – Infinite Worlds Adventure

Alex and Menchi arrive at home. Rishi is sitting on the couch, reading a bunch of very complicated books, 5 books lying around him—as far as Alex can tell, they’re about the history of the wizarding world.

Tereza immediately walks toward them and asks, “Did the potion work?!”

“Yeah, there’s still a bit left of the mixture containing the heart,” Alex says, taking out his [Royal Thornback Matriarch (Mutated) Egg] and the remaining [Blood Mixture], which he places on the living room table.

“Sorry for that. Last time you’ll have to see this bloody liquid, I promise,” he jokes about his bad manners, grabbing his head as he feels a wave of dizziness.

“How was your day? What present did you bring me today?” Tereza jokes as she snuggles next to him on the couch.

“Just a little cute stalk I picked up by chance,” he says, handing her the [Mutated Dittany Stalk].

Everyone, even Rishi, walks over, immediately noticing the sparkling glow of this simple stalk.

“You have the devil’s LUK, how can you casually find something like this, seriously this is getting ridiculous,” Rishi comments.

“Wow! Thank you! This… it’s exactly what I need. I was just joking… I didn’t expect you to gift me something…” Tereza says with a joyful expression, hugging him and closing her eyes, a huge smile on her face.

“Tereza, you’re so lucky. What about me, huh? You’re getting unfair; you can’t be biased. What will you do about this, huh?” Menchi jokes, sitting down on Alex’s other side and snuggling close to him, just like Tereza.

Alex’s heart thumps a little, despite knowing she’s just joking around. He remains calm, obviously enjoying the attention from both of them.

“Of course, I haven’t forgotten you,” he says with a smile, handing her a huge stack of [Dittany], a few vials of [Horklump Juice], and the 20 [Bubotuber] he picked up from the Mountain Troll.

“Wow, so much [Dittany] and more [Horklump Juice]. Also, these are [Bubotuber], and you got many of them! They’re really rare and expensive! They’re all suitable for healing potions,” Menchi says, hugging Alex. She adds, “Thank you! I’ll create some powerful potions once I get a bit more experience, you’ll see! And not just these standard potions! I’ll create them with my Hatsu and develop my own brand of potion-making!”

I was expecting some potions in return sooner or later, but wasn’t expecting this absurd amount of ambition… her own style of potion-making… you know what? She impressed Snape, so why not?! This sounds really promising! What a surprise that she is broadening her horizons to Potions and not just cooking.

Alex suddenly notices Rishi and stares at him. After a few seconds, he says, “Sorry… I really don’t have anything for you… I can only offer you some [Acromantula Poison].”

“...”

“I’m fine, thank you,” Rishi says, his face twitching just a tiny bit.

Alex puts one hand on his head, complaining, “Damn, my head really hurts,” and takes out a [Superior Blood Replenishing Potion], gulping it down.

“Are you feeling okay?” Menchi asks, looking worried. Tereza also looks at him with concern.

“Yeah, I offered a bit too much of my blood to the egg. The potion will help, don’t worry! I could use some food, though,” Alex says with a confident expression.

“I’ll get to it in a few minutes! I want to stay like this a little bit longer,” Menchi says.

She and Tereza chat on the couch, Alex stuck between them. He decides to just lean his head back, relaxing a little. He feels a lot better after just a few minutes, strangely comfortable with Menchi and Tereza so close to him.

After half an hour, Menchi prepares a quick dinner, and the group eats together. Alex, especially hungry because of the potion, eats at least twice as much as he normally does. Finally, everyone is sitting in the same places as earlier—Tereza and Menchi each taking up one of Alex’s sides, and Rishi in a chair, still reading a book. Everyone stares at the egg, expecting a reaction, making Alex sigh.

“This can take a while… don’t stare at the egg,” Alex says, quickly adding, “Might be smarter to just go to sleep.”

Tereza yawns, causing Menchi to yawn as well just a second later.

“Don’t infect me,” Menchi complains with a smile.

“Sorry, I’m unexpectedly tired,” Tereza says, clearly doing her best to stay awake.

Guess the girls are tired; I shouldn’t let them stay awake just to support me. Not that they’ll be helpful.

“Sorry to ruin your fun, but I’ll take the egg and lie down for today. I’m tired as well. You can see the hopefully not monstrous pet tomorrow,” Alex says.

“Hmmm, okay,” Menchi agrees rather quickly, looking a bit grateful.

“Yeah, I’ll take a look tomorrow. If you need help, just yell!” Tereza says with a smile.

Let’s hope it doesn’t come down to that… I’m also feeling a bit light-headed.

Alex takes the egg, walks upstairs into his room, and lies down in his bed, the egg right next to him, tucked under the blanket. It has fully absorbed the remaining [Blood Mixture].

I honestly did all I could to give it the best shot at a bright future. If it doesn’t work, then this egg just wasn’t fated to thrive. But I’m already satisfied; if it gets born without a hitch, the rarity doesn’t really matter.

Despite the potion and the food, Alex still feels extremely sleepy. He takes out a few pieces of deer meat and places them on the table next to his bed, praying that whatever comes out of the egg won’t attack him and will just eat the meat if it’s hungry.

Alex closes his eyes and nearly instantly falls asleep.

It takes a few hours, but Alex awakens as he hears some strange sounds next to his head.

Alex uses Gyo and notices movements from the egg, which is slightly tumbling next to him. He turns on the small oil lamp beside his bed and curiously studies the soccer ball-sized egg, which is now violently shaking, reminding him of an actual soccer ball.

It takes a few more minutes until Alex notices a sharp spider leg piercing through one part of the egg.

Purple, huh? It’s shiny… also looks sharp… and deadly.

Alex gulps, as he watches the egg.

A few minutes later, the egg tumbles over, and its inhabitant begins to greedily crunch on the eggshell. Finally, it tosses the shell aside and looks in Alex’s direction.

Alex stares into the spider’s many ruby-red eyes, immediately sighing in relief.

It’s a spider… obviously. But it’s not disgusting, scary, or hostile. It looks kinda… noble and precious. Like a piece of jewelry made for a bunch of nobles.

The “little” spider in front of Alex is as large as his head and shines in a deep purple color. Its body has a light metallic sheen, and it’s neither fat like a tarantula nor skinny like other spiders. It has no hair, and while it looks powerful and dangerous, it doesn’t appear hostile or monstrous like the Thornback Spiders Alex has encountered before. Instead, it looks like a magical gemstone—mystical and absolutely precious.

Similar to its eyes, Alex also notices a few red lines on its body, like tattoos, that stand out against its otherwise purple body.

System… by now, I’d like some help. Why am I not getting a message here? I remember the description on the egg, which mentioned that the pet needs to accept me, and only then will a soul-bond be established. I guess the quickest way to do that would be… Hopefully I have done enough for it to be at least neutral with me and doesn’t me as an enemy or prey.

Alex carefully, without making any hostile moves, takes his [Butchering Knife] out of his inventory and slowly makes a small cut on his hand, letting blood ooze out.

The spider immediately reacts, its eyes locking onto the blood.

This is kinda scary… I can’t believe I’m actually doing this. I wouldn’t have thought it would be possible before this mission. Actually, this spider looks kinda cool. Like a smooth purple jewel with shiny ruby veins and eyes. Damn, I’m sure collectors would drool over it. Not that I’d ever sell it.

Alex slowly and carefully stretches out his bloody hand toward the spider.

The spider, very cautiously, almost looking frightened but with a distinct curiosity in its eyes, crawls toward Alex’s hand and begins to lick off the blood.

It only takes a second before the spider makes a distinct sound.

Sounds like a cry?

It speeds up, greedily licking up the remaining blood on Alex’s hand, but it doesn’t bite or try to hurt him. Finally, the spider walks onto Alex’s arm, staring curiously into his eyes, its head lowered submissively, looking at him almost pleadingly.

[Mutated Thornback Queen Hatchling is offering a Soul-Contract]

[Contract offered classifies as full slave contract - Mutated Thornback Queen Hatchling offers you total control and swears unwavering obedience & loyalty]

[Do you accept this Soul contract?

Warning: Without taming skills, you can only possess one Pet and can’t have more than one Soul contract]

“Borrowing Snape’s words… Obviously,” Alex says to the silly system.

[Mutated Thornback Queen Hatchling is now your Pet]

[Congratulations Player, for raising the Relationship with your Pet to Worshipped. It can’t be further increased and will never decline]

Worshipped?! That’s the friggin maximum? How?!

[As a Reward for raising your Relationship with your Pet to Worshipped, you have obtained the skill: Telepathic Bond lvl MAX]

[Mutated Thornback Queen Hatchling Innate skills detected]

Thornback Conquering Trailblazer lvl MAX

Type: Boon

Effect: All stats +3, HP + 100, MP + 50, Modified starting stats and growths. Increased IQ, awareness, and individuality. Allows the user access to a limited amount of player skills in addition to the usual pet skills.

Effect: Magical Exoskeleton: Increased Defense and Magic Defense based on PHY + additional increase per level. Increased Regeneration, can regenerate its entire body, as long as the head and heart are not destroyed. Regeneration speed & strength increases with level.

Effect: Ruby Teeth: Increased Damage and piercing ability with biting attacks based on STR + additional increase per level.

Effect: Potential for Evolution - Can evolve under rare conditions.

Note: You have overcome your natural enemy, been nurtured by your Soulmate, consumed both Essences and have obtained absolute power and the possibility of further evolution.

Overall Rating: SSS

Mutated Thornback Queen Hatchling starting stats are:

STR: 5 (+3), AGI: 5 (+3), PHY: 5 (+3), SNS: 5 (+3), CHA: 5 (+3), MNA: 5 (+3), INT: 5 (+3) SPR: 5 (+3), LUK: 5 (+3), NEN: 5 (+3)

Growth Rate: All stats +2 per level

What?! NEN? Why the fuck does it have Nen?! Also, these stats… and the growth rate. I feel a strange connection with this pet. Wait, is the system continuing with its messages, more innate skills? This one is already overpowered; how can it have more?

Nen Prodigy lvl 0

Type: Boon

Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet’s level.

Effect: Combines Basic Nen, Advanced Nen and designates individual Hatsu as Limitless Legacy (Available instantly)

Effect: Leveling this skill will level every subskill automatically

Effect: Every Nen Ability + 10% in effectiveness + 2% per level

Effect: Every Nen Ability - 10% in cost + 2% per level

Overall Rating: SS+

Limitless Legacy lvl 0

Type: Enhancement / Specialization

Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet’s level

Effect: Passively increases every Thornback Legacy ability effect by 10% + 2% per level

Effect: Enables the user to use AURA to enhance every Thornback Legacy ability by an additional 100% +10% per level. Thornback Legacy abilities can still be used without AURA cost.

Effect: Grants a small chance to permanently alter each individual Thornback Legacy ability after special conditions are fulfilled.

Note: The real Legacy starts now!

“Nen Prodigy? That’s my skill! Did feeding it my blood give it to her? Didn’t expect that… anyway it also has a hatsu, and it seems to be rare as well. Never seen such an ability. It seems to be connected to another skill.

Thornback Legacy lvl 0

Type: Boon

Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet’s level.

Effect: Grants all abilities of the Thornback Tribe.

Note: Everything your Bloodline contains, you have claimed for yourself.

Overall Rating: S

Thornback Poison lvl 0

Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet’s level.

Effect: Biting attacks deal an additional 10 + 1 per level of Acid damage.

Effect: Biting attacks have a chance to poison the enemy, dealing 20 + 2 Poison damage per minute and decreasing the target's movement speed, attack speed, and reactions by 10 + 2% per level. Can stack up to 5 times.

Thornback Poison Spit lvl 0

Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet’s level

Effect: Gathers up Thornback Poison in the user's mouth and forcefully shoots it outwards dealing thrice the damage of Thornback Poison and having twice the chance to affect the target with up to three stacks of Poison.

Effect: Maximum range of 20 meters + 5 per level.

Thornback Web Shooting lvl 0

Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet’s level

Effect: Webs the target, slowing it down and making it unable to move if hit by enough web. Strength, Duration, Control and Range increase per level.

Thornback Burrow lvl 0

Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet’s level

Effect: Allows the user to dig into suitable ground and move stealthily underground. Digging speed & efficiency increases per level.

Thornback Bite lvl 0

Leveling Requirements: Automatically levels up along with the Pet’s level

Effect: Activates a magical monstrous ruthless biting ability, able to pierce through nearly everything, including magical shields. Requires a windup and can’t be used instantly. Biting damage +200% +20% per level. Armor & Spell Penetration increased by 50% + 5% per level.

Alex reads all the abilities of the little spider in shock! It has three innate skills and is classified as a Gold-ranked pet. To Alex’s sheer joy, all three of its innate skills are absolutely stunning, especially the Nen Prodigy skill, which is as good as Alex’s own ability. It even comes with a unique Hatsu that complements its other innate skill, enabling it to use Aura to boost it. Alex also notes that Thornback Conquering Trailblazer was probably heavily influenced by his efforts yesterday, making him glad he went through all that effort to feed it the [Basilisk Heart].

“Damn, you’re so strong! Incredible! How can a pet have more impressive innate skills than me?!” Alex says, looking at the little shiny purple spider in front of him.

Joy!

Hmmm?! Did it just talk to me? How?! Oh, the system mentioned Telepathic Bond lvl Max.

Joy! Joy! Joy!

…Yeah, I’m happy too.

Alex slowly touches the spider, feeling its cool, metallic-looking body. He notes that it doesn’t have any hair and almost looks mechanical. He guesses that the Magical Exoskeleton—perhaps something it gained from the Basilisk, is responsible for this.

So weird… is this really a spider? It almost looks like a magical cyborg.

Confusion! Sadness! Disappointment!

No! Don’t be sad… I think you’re just perfect like this! I prefer you this way, honestly! To be honest, you almost look like a shining purple gem, maybe like an amethyst with glowing red ruby veins and ruby eyes. You’re as beautiful as the most famous jewels I know!

Jewel?

Yeah, Jewel… now that I hear you say it, or more like I hear your thoughts, I think that’s a pretty good name! I think I’ll call you Jewel!

Jewel? Jewel! Joy! Joy! Joy! Love! Love!

Jewel jumps into Alex’s face, giving him a special spider hug, he once was having nightmares about. He grabs her softly and places her back on the bed.

Well, I’m happy you like the name and me as well, I like you too! … are you hungry?

Hungry! Hungry! Hungry! Hungry! Hungry!

Well… here you go. Eat slowly.

Alex grabs the prepared deer meat and offers it to Jewel, who greedily devours it. Alex notes its sharp and deadly-looking Ruby-colored teeth. After finishing the meat, Jewel climbs onto Alex’s head, grabs it carefully, and quickly falls asleep.

Tired… Tired…

…Sleeping like this will be a challenge… Anyway, it’s still the middle of the night. Might as well try to sleep for a few more hours.

Alex lies back down, feeling strangely comfortable and cool with Jewel on top of his head, and quickly falls asleep.