The countdown in Chris's mind – 09:30… 09:29… – was a terrifying metronome, each tick a step closer to death.
Pushing down the panic, he scanned the grand, ethereal chamber.
Scattered throughout the vast space, like fallen stars, were glowing orbs of energy. Hundreds, maybe thousands of them, floated gently in the air, each pulsing with its own unique light, its own subtle hum.
They varied in size, from tiny motes barely bigger than his fist to some that were as large as beach balls. These had to be the Primal Beast Essences.
He focused on the nearest orb, a dim, greyish light that flickered erratically.
As his gaze locked onto it, a new, translucent panel, shimmering with intricate blue lines, overlaid his vision, displaying crisp, analytical text.
[All-Seeing Eye Scan Activated ]
[SHADOW WISP REMNANT]
▌ Tier: F-Rank
▌ Classification: Lesser Spirit Fragment — Shadow Affinity
▌Grade: Common
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⟨ PRIMARY ATTRIBUTES ⟩
➤ Evasion: ★★★★☆
➤ Stealth (Dim Light): ★★★☆☆
⟨ SECONDARY ATTRIBUTES ⟩
➤ Physical Power: ☆☆☆☆☆
➤ Durability: ★☆☆☆☆
➤ Mana Capacity: ★☆☆☆☆
➤ Growth Potential: ☆☆☆☆☆
Chris's reaching hand paused. "Uhm, I should probably choose another one."
It was then it suddenly hit Chris like thunder. 'Only I could see the stats and information of these glowing orbs! Other would have to choose blindly but I get to choose whichever is best!'
"Hahahaha!"
Chris laughed like an maniac.
The timer ticked: 08:55… 08:54…
He quickly moved his gaze to another, larger orb. This one was a dull, earthy brown and felt heavy, even from a distance.
[Stone Golem]
▌ Tier: D-Rank
▌ Classification: Basic Elemental — Earth Affinity
▌ Class: Low-Mid | Common
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⟨ PRIMARY ATTRIBUTES ⟩
➤ Defense: ★★★★☆
➤ Physical Resilience: ★★★☆☆
⟨ SECONDARY ATTRIBUTES ⟩
➤ Speed: ★☆☆☆☆
➤ Agility: ☆☆☆☆☆
➤ Adaptability: ★☆☆☆☆
➤ Mana Regeneration: ★☆☆☆☆
➤ Growth Potential: ★★☆☆☆
"Painfully slow," Chris muttered. Not ideal when you're being hunted. The timer was now under eight minutes. 07:58… 07:57…
He frantically scanned essence after essence. His All-Seeing Eye worked tirelessly, its blue-lined panels flashing across his vision, delivering verdict after verdict.
There was a [Soggy Mud Puddle Core] (Tier F: "Amorphous, weak, smells bad. Zero offensive capabilities. Zero dignity."), a [Frenzied Squirrel demon] (Tier E: "Fast, erratic, easily distracted by nuts. Minimal combat power. Would lead an army of equally frenzied, nut-obsessed squirrels."), and a [Glimmering Fish Scale] (Tier D: "Slightly better underwater. You are not currently underwater. Limited use on land. Weak.")
Most were depressingly common, low-tier options with glaring drawbacks. Some were mid-tier but had crippling weaknesses or limited growth, just like the Stone Golem.
He saw a few that looked slightly more promising and of C-tier, like a [Sabertooth Tiger Demon essence] or a [Steelback BearDemon Essence], but Chris wasn't satisfied!
He could actually see the status of each essence, why would he be satisfied with just a C class?
Continue!
Chris cheered himself and continued to search for ones better than the C class he saw.
05:30… 05:29…
Cold sweat escaped Chris's back as he was getting frustrated
He was running out of time!
"What the hell!?"
Were all the good ones already taken by the other Ten billion-plus players?
Chris opened his eyes wide without blinking as he combed through the hundreds of Bloodlines.
All of a sudden, a bright holographic image blinked at the corner of his eyes.
Almost immediately Chris turned towards the side it was then he noticed something hidden behind four Demon orbs.
He immediately walked closer.
It wasn't just one color. It pulsed with a breathtaking, dual-toned light – a deep, vibrant crimson like freshly spilled blood, intertwined with a radiant, pure gold that shone like the heart of a sun. The two colors swirled and danced around each other in a perfect, mesmerizing helix.
This particular orb was slightly smaller than most, perhaps the size of a small ostrich egg, and it radiated almost no energy at all as though it was weak
He focused his All-Seeing Eye on it, a thrill of hope mixed with trepidation shooting through him. The blue analysis panel that appeared was more detailed, more extensive than any before. It practically filled his vision.
Here is your elite-tier, dominion-class formatting for the legendary Primal Beast Essence you just submitted—crafted with apex authority, refined system language, and powerful presentation:
⸻
╔═⟦ Primal Beast Essence; Heavenly Devil Crimson Tiger Essence⟧
▌ Tier: SSS (Apex-Tier)
▌ Rarity: Mythic (One-in-a-Billion)
▌ Classification: Dual-Nature Progenitor Beast (Divine & Demonic Hybrid)
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⟨ PRIMARY ATTRIBUTES ⟩
➤ Strength: ★★★★★
➤ Agility: ★★★★★
➤ Durability: ★★★★★
➤ Perception: ★★★★★
➤ Stamina: ★★★★★
➤ Energy Reserves: ★★★★★ (Divine Mana / Demonic Fury – Dual Scaling)
⟨ SECONDARY ATTRIBUTES ⟩
➤ Regeneration: ★★★★☆
➤ Elemental Affinities: ★★★★☆ (Fire | Light | Shadow – Innate)
➤ Mental Fortitude: ★★★★☆
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⟨ Abilities ⟩
1)Dual-Affinity:
Grants the ability to manipulate Divine Mana (sacred) and Demonic Fury (chaotic) simultaneously.
• Enables advanced hybrid techniques, wide elemental manipulation, and situational dominance.
• Dual casting, dual affinities, dual resistances.
2) [Transformations]
◈Humanoid Beast King Form (Default)
— Bipedal, hybrid form. Blends human intellect and dexterity with beast strength and heightened senses.
◈ Celestial Tiger Form (locked)
◈ Infernal Tiger Form(locked)
◈ Ultimate Potential – Heaven Demon Fusion (locked)
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[SYSTEM WARNING]: Choosing this essence carries Extreme risk. Its immense power signature will inevitably attract significant attention from powerful Divine Factions (Gods, High-Tier Heroes) who will view you as a prime threat or an abomination. Other Legendary-Tier Beast Kings will also see you as a major rival. Your journey will be fraught with perilous challenges from the very beginning. High Risk, High Reward.]
Chris read the description and his eyes went wide, stunned.
His heart pounding heavily like a war drum, threatening to leap out of his chest at any moment.
SSS-Tier. Mythic. Heavenly Devil Crimson Tiger. The words echoed in his mind, each one making his mouth drop even harder!
The warning about "extreme risk" and attracting divine attention didn't even get to him.
Even if he thought about it, so what?
An SSS rank demon essense was like getting his life back and with this demon essence he would be able to survive even better in this world.
He couldn't just drop it because of the risk it involves. Even then, he would deal with the risks when it came.
The timer in his mind count down even faster.
02:15… 02:14…
He looked at the magnificent, pulsating orb of crimson and gold. With a laugh, he reached out his hand.
"I choose you!"