Rheo checked the time. It was getting late, so it was better to postpone the monster-catching scheme till the next day.
Raizen, noticing his defeated expression, let out a low screech, it eyes looked depressed.
[Status: Craving]
So it wanted to eat them?
They clearly weren't on the same page, as he wished to catch and tame the muscle rats, the bird wanted to eat them.
The bird then flew up and coiled into his soul void.
RIN
His phone rang as a notification appeared.
He checked it—it was from his little sister.
Big brother, I won't be home tonight. Lin Yuxuan is having a late-night birthday party. See you tomorrow
Although Lin Yuxuan was his little sister's best friend, his face still wrinkled slightly in anger.
He grimaced. His sister's school was resuming the next day, and yet she still wanted to party at someone else's house.
Without giving procrastination any opportunity, Rheo quickly sat down on the chair and began searching about muscle rats.
Muscle rats: Earth type.
Starting Tier and Grade: Tier-five Wild-grade monsters.
Abilities: Can dig tunnels at astounding speed, can lift heavy weights. Attack mostly by throwing heavy boulders.
Habitat: Live in caves, and in tunnels dug under rocks and boulders.
Monster drops: Iron-grade monster core.
Achievements in heavyweight lifting contests see more...
"I'll catch one tomorrow. I just have to lure it somewhere without any boulders,"
His eyes sparkled, burning with a light of zeal.
Tomorrow, he must catch a monster.
But he felt tired.
Without a second thought, Rheo leaned back into the leather chair, and before he knew it, his eyelids grew heavy, and he dozed off.
Rheo's eyes opened to see a familiar glare—cheeks flushed with obvious anger.
He had slept off in the study chair.
He bent his neck, which ached slightly from the awkward sleeping position.
"Big brother, don't tell me you forgot today was my resumption day! What about my physical registrations? Time is almost gone!"
He stood up and rubbed his eyes, yawning widely without a care.
He sized his little sister up. The young maiden was well-dressed in a clean and neat uniform.
"Sorry, I'll go freshen up.
He rushed into the bathroom, and after a few minutes, he was ready.
"So fast?!"
His little sister's eyes widened in surprise.
He moved closer and knocked his finger lightly against her head.
"Let's go."
Just after they exited the house, Raizen flew out with its wings flared wide.
It seemed its favorite person had arrived.
Rheo rolled his eyes slightly.
"Wow! Raizen, you've grown bigger!"
The bird flew around his little sister in delight, twisting and doing different air stunts.
When they were about to board a cab, he called Raizen back.
But the bird seemed unhappy, so he allowed it to fly above the cab
He planned to branch off into the lair Raizen had found.
However, there was a possibility it had already been cleared.
Still, it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot.
When they reached the school, something strange happened.
His little sister refused to come out of the cab.
He turned and looked at her—her face devoid of expression.
Then, after a moment, she jumped on him and gave him a tight hug.
"Thanks, Big Brother, for always looking out for me."
He struggled to break free from the tight embrace.
"Little sister, I'm just doing what a big brother is supposed to do."
"I knew about the funds the government gave our family. You didn't touch it for yourself because you wanted me to go to my dream school. I really appreciate it."
He looked into the distance without saying a word.
Many students were being dropped off by their parents in sleek, expensive cars. Some even arrived by air—the undeniable sound of aircraft resounded in the school's airspace as they landed on the campus airfield.
Although his little sister had always dreamed of attending this school, it was an undeniable fact that it was the best and most expensive boarding school in all of New Pearl.
He gently squeezed her head, her long black hair smooth against his palm.
Then he released her from the embrace and stepped out of the car.
As they alighted, the towering gate and fence of the school gave the impression of absolute protection.
I will protect my family, no matter the cost.
Rheo bumped his fists together.
"Don't hesitate to call me when you need anything, okay?"
His little sister nodded while petting Raizen, who seemed unwilling to leave her. The bird's eyes were teary.
Watching this development, he thought hard for a cheerful parting idea.
"Raizen, the muscle rat that we want to catch...
A joyful screech erupted as Raizen flew over.
He clearly liked food more.
Since the Earth had undergone significant changes, the portion inhabited by humans was about one percent of Earth's surface, while monsters occupied the rest.
This shift was largely due to plant-type monsters, which spread their kind across the land, allowing animal-type monsters to colonize even more regions.
Every day, lairs were raided and monsters were defeated.
In no time, following Raizen, he reached the location of the muscle rats' lair.
It was about a thirty-minute walk.
If Raizen's strength stat were high enough, it could have served as a mount.
[Stats: STR 10 | AGI 15 | END 10 | INT 8]
He looked at the data in his mind. Raizen's strength stat was 10—only half of an EsperHorn Beetle's strength stat.
Most lowest-grade pet mounts were at least tier-five, and according to his theory on monster stats, an increase in tier would probably increase a monster's stats.
So Raizen still needed to increase its tier to become rideable.
By eating same-element nutritional meals, monsters could increase their tier one level at a time, but it was a long, time- and money-consuming process.
The best and fastest method was to use monster gene formulas.
The thick woods spread sprawlingly in front of them.
A strong wind blew past his face, making the trees rustle and bend
For a moment, he found it hard to move forward.
Cold ran down his spine as multiple skin-crawling sounds scraped through the air.
He turned to the bird. Obviously, many monsters lived in this lair—not only the muscle rat species.
Then he pointed upward. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as if trying not to draw any monster's attention.
"Raizen, I need you to go up and scan what types of monsters live in this lair."