The night stretched wide and silver above the forests east of the city. Zeke glided lazily through the mist, his golden flip-flops leaving faint streaks of light across the sky.
[Ding! New Quest: Eliminate the Heavenly Earth Serpent (Foundation Establishment Beast). Reward: 500 SP.]
He groaned. "Another killing quest? Can't I get one where I nap?"
[Objective: Extermination.]
"See? Even you sound bored."
He angled downward, the wind cool against his face. The forest below pulsed with foul Qi, trees half-withered as if the earth itself were sick.
The System map blinked. Target within range.
"Alright, let's wrap this up—"
The ground exploded.
A pillar of dust and boulders tore open the clearing. From the chaos rose a serpent bigger than any he had ever seen—its scales a flowing bronze-jade sheen, its eyes molten gold.
Zeke hovered midair, blinking. "…You're way too pretty to kill."
[Clarification: Target classified as high-risk predator.]
"Yeah, well, I classify it as adorable."
The Heavenly Earth Serpent reared back and roared. The blast of wind it unleashed knocked him spinning.
"Okay! Rude introduction!"
It dived straight into the ground—vanishing like it had plunged into water—and erupted again behind him. Zeke flipped away, nearly losing a sandal.
"You can fly and burrow? Show-off!"
He steadied himself. "Alright, big guy, let's dance."
The beast crashed through stone, tail snapping trees like twigs. Zeke dodged, weaving through the air, laughing between gasps.
[Warning: Host is underestimating opponent.]
"I call it getting to know them."
He yanked a glowing sphere from his inventory—the unmistakable hum of a Golden Core Grenade filled the air. The Heavenly Earth Serpent froze mid-lunge.
"Now," Zeke said, smile sharp, "we can keep wrecking the forest or you can sign some paperwork."
The serpent hissed, unsure.
Zeke tossed the grenade lightly in the air, catching it. "Careful. It's got a hair-trigger."
The serpent's head lowered a fraction.
"Smart," Zeke said. A scroll materialized in front of him, its symbols pulsing—Slave Contract (Basic).
"Just a signature in Qi. Easy."
The serpent hesitated, then pressed its snout to the scroll. Light flared, the parchment burning away.
[Ding! Contract Complete. Heavenly Earth Serpent bound to Host.]
[Ding! Quest Updated → Completed. Reward: 1 000 SP.]
The serpent exhaled, body relaxing.
"This one… serves," its voice echoed in his mind.
"You sound thrilled."
"You threatened annihilation."
"Negotiation tactic."
[Bond established. Emotional link active.]
"Oh great," Zeke muttered, "now I can feel your judgment."
A rustle came from the treeline. Alora dropped down, blade drawn, eyes wide at the sight of the massive creature bowing before Zeke.
"That's a Heavenly Beast," she breathed. "How did you even find one here?"
Zeke dusted off his coat. "Quest said kill it. I got creative."
"You found a divine-grade spirit beast by accident?"
"Yup. Universe loves me."
[Correction: Host stumbled upon inaccurate directional data.]
"Hey, don't ruin the legend."
Alora's tone sharpened. "Zeke, Heavenly Beasts don't live anywhere near here. They should be in immortal zones!"
"Guess he's on vacation."
"And you just… tamed it?"
"Technically, I offered employment."
"You threatened me," the Heavenly Earth Serpent said flatly.
"Details."
Alora groaned. "You attract disasters like it's a hobby."
"Lifestyle," Zeke corrected.
"Master radiates chaos," the serpent noted, almost approving.
"See?" Zeke grinned. "He gets me."
Testing the bond was the fun part.
"Fly," Zeke ordered.
The Heavenly Earth Serpent rose gracefully, wings of compressed air curling around its form.
"Burrow."
It slipped into the earth without a trace and surfaced beside him moments later.
Zeke's eyes lit. "That's so cool."
"You are easily impressed."
"And you talk back. Perfect partnership."
Alora crossed her arms. "You actually survived."
"Correction: I recruited."
"He threatened me," the serpent repeated.
Alora sighed. "And now you've brought home something that can fly, dig, and probably flatten a city."
"Efficient security system, right?"
"You're an idiot."
"An effective one."
By dawn, they were heading home. Zeke lounged atop the Heavenly Earth Serpent's head as it glided through the air, occasionally diving into the earth like a fish through water. Alora followed below, her expression the picture of disbelief.
"You're riding a divine beast," she called.
"I prefer Heavenly companion."
"Master lacks shame," the serpent said.
"Compliment accepted."
Panic exploded when a colossal serpent soared over the city walls.
"Enemy attack! Wait – it's him!"
Zeke waved cheerfully. "Morning!"
Alora landed by the gates. "Stand down!"
The Heavenly Earth Serpent coiled behind Zeke, scales glittering.
"See? They love you already."
"They are screaming," it replied.
"Screaming is just excited breathing."
[Ding! New Companion Registered: Heavenly Earth Serpent.]
[New Feature Unlocked: Companion Status Panel.]
Realm: Mid Foundation Establishment
Loyalty: 45 %
Mood: Irritated but obedient
"Forty-five percent already?" Zeke beamed. "We're bonding fast."
[Clarification: Obedience, not affection.]
"Same thing if you squint."
In the manor courtyard, Alora stood stiffly while the beast half-burrowed into the soil behind him.
"You realize bringing that thing here will terrify everyone."
"Fear builds respect."
"Or panic."
"Semantics."
"Master's female smells like threat," the Heavenly Earth Serpent murmured.
Alora's brow twitched. "What did it say?"
"Compliment, probably."
[Ding! New Category Unlocked – Beast Contracts & Companion Enhancements.]
Zeke scrolled through the glowing list:
Spirit Beast Nutrient Orb – 50 SP
Beast Speech Amplifier – 30 SP
Loyalty Booster – 200 SP
Elemental Evolution Pill – 400 SP
"Loyalty Booster, huh? Sounds like therapy."
[Warning: Artificial loyalty may cause backlash.]
"Everything worth having does."
That night, the Heavenly Earth Serpent slid beneath the city like a silent tide.
"You're the guardian beast now," Zeke said. "Don't eat anyone."
"Define anyone."
"Humans."
"Understood… mostly."
The earth rippled once and fell still.
Alora watched the ground settle. "That thing's too strong."
"That's why it fits right in."
Later, under the glow of the protective array, Zeke leaned against the balcony rail, watching the city lights flicker.
[Host's actions have altered regional balance. Threat level increased.]
"That's called progress."
Alora passed by, shaking her head. "You're proud again."
"Always."
[Ding! New Quest Generating …]
Zeke smirked. "Let's hope it's cuter than the last one."
The System hummed softly as the city slept, safe beneath the watch of the Heavenly Earth Serpent—the first of many legends to kneel before him.