The system stated as Ryuk’s eyes flashed.
He dragged his gaze to the dragon egg in the room, and everything finally came to a clear understanding in his mind.
Yet, he couldn’t help but turn to look at the void egg.
"Just what are you?" he asked, his hands stretching out and grabbing at the chains.
But then—
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!
A blast of force rang out as he was instantly sent flying backward, slamming into the altar behind him and shattering into pieces before smashing into the cave wall.
CRACKLEEEE!
CRACKKKKLE!
The sound of lightning crackling rang through the cave, sending Ryuk’s body spasming from shock. A wild, dark surge of energy surrounded his form, continuously shocking him.
But Ryuk snarled as his form instantly morphed, transforming into a veiled individual shrouded in shimmering dark energy, with veins of ever-changing nanobots coursing beneath his skin.
His hand grabbed at the chain once more, but the moment he did, a violent shock traveled all along its length.
Yet, instantly, the nanobots adapted, absorbing the crackling electricity, redirecting it through Ryuk’s veil, and passing it into his other arm.
Instantly, both of Ryuk’s arms grasped the chain.
Dark lightning zapped powerfully around the room, slithering and flashing as the energy surged. Ryuk forcefully pulled on the chains, veins bulging beneath his arms, and then—
CRACKKKK!
Cracks began spreading through the entire chain, and then—
SHATTER!
CLANK!
CLANK!
CLAAAANK!
They broke. The pieces scattered onto the ground, and the egg, finally freed, soared downward—but never reached the ground.
A snowy white hand grabbed it from beneath.
[Physical scan of the egg finally completed.]
[Creature type of the egg cannot be scanned.]
[Health factor of the egg: 3%!]
[Warning, Host: The life in this egg has only a few more hours before being fully eliminated and erased.]
[Conditions are worsening!]
The system stated as Ryuk looked at the egg, his eyes flashing with various thoughts.
One thing was certain—he had no idea what the egg was. What type of creature lay within it? It could be an untalented mutated beast, but he doubted that.
If the Rattleconda wanted new life to grow its power, then it had to ensure that this egg had the potential to go beyond its own current limits, at the very least.
But there was also the possibility that the egg’s consciousness had already been damaged by the Rattleconda’s sinister plan judging from its 100% health factor plummeting to a mere 3%.
This would no doubt affect the creature within since its life was nearly snuffed out.
The egg before him was no longer a worthy investment, judging by its rapid decline toward death.
Should he just leave it alone and let fate take its course, or...
"No. I’ll force a good fate for it!" Ryuk thought, steeling his mind as he asked.
"Hey, System! Got any way to help?!"
[Yes, Host. Buying a Pet Incubator would help!]
[SHOP]
[Pet Incubator: A one-time system item that facilitates the quick maturing of eggs and enhances their health factor.]
[Price: 13,000 Purchase Points]
[Total Purchase Points possessed by Host: 13,000]
The system stated, and Ryuk bit his lip.
"These are my remaining points. If I use all of this, I won’t be able to buy healing pills for Isha’s battle. Is it really worth it?" he mused to himself.
But with a sigh, he ordered—
"Buy it!"
[Congratulations, Host has bought an Ice Incubator. The object has been placed within Host’s Pet World.]
The system stated as Ryuk paused, his consciousness dipping into his Pet World.
Inside, he found Isha, who was poking at a large, gem-like cube—big enough to contain a large egg.
Isha riased an eyebrow as he spotted Ryuk holding the egg in his hands.
"I don’t know what this egg is, Isha... but it’s close to dying. I’m putting it in this incubator, even if the chances of its survival aren’t very good."
"Hopefully, it survives."
Ryuk’s voice was solemn as he walked toward the incubator. The moment he approached, the incubator opened immediately.
With one last look at the egg, Ryuk gently placed it inside. The incubator shut tight, a strange undulating ripple forming along the runic lines that appeared upon placement.
"I’ve done all I can to help, little egg. Whether you survive or not... I’m afraid it’s up to you now."
Ryuk mused, and his consciousness faded away from the Pet World, returning him back to the cave.
With that settled, Ryuk’s greedy eyes scanned the room, looking at the various treasures rolling with void energy. There were countless Void Stones, some strange furs, and other grimoires. Instantly, Ryuk placed everything into his Shop Inventory.
And of course, he didn’t forget to place the Life Replacement Art as well.
While he might not need it now, it was still a treasure. Ryuk had to make sure he wiped everything clean.
With everything stored, Ryuk looked at the sparkling cave ceiling, clapped his hands, and began heading out.
He had done a good job.
But just as he was about to leave—
DING!
[Host is forgetting something…]
The system stated, and Ryuk’s eyes flashed.
"And what is that?"
[New Artifact Found!]
[Name: Abyss Cave]
[Grade: A]
[Description: Speeds up the growth rate of anything that possesses dark energy!]
The system’s notification flashed, and Ryuk’s eyes widened in shock, looking at the grotesque, ominous dark cave.
"So this is an artifact... I thought it was just a shiny cave."
Ryuk stared with fascination, but the greedy light in his eyes grew even brighter as he walked toward the cave.
Grabbing its edges, veins bulged on his arms as the floor beneath him cracked into nothing. With a forceful yank, the cave was lifted into the air, instantly fading away—stored into Ryuk’s Shop Inventory.
"Now, now… I’ve gotten it all. Time to head to the next beast—"
Ryuk stated to himself.
But he had yet to take a single step when a voice echoed.
"Oh, there’s no need for that, you bastard!!"
His eyes snapped up. He raised his head to the sky—
Finding four enormous shadows looming over his entire body.
"Are… are those—"
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAARRRRR!!!
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAARRRRR!!!
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAARRRRR!!!
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAARRRRR!!!