The Focused Logic Bubble (now a permanent EX-Tier skill) entirely silenced Ethan's emotional reaction systems as he sat deep in the chilly, dark mountain crack. The fear that had afflicted him had completely vanished from his head, leaving him a pure processing unit.
Using the 215 Attribute Points from his level leap was the first task. He retrieved his Level 53 stat window and ready to distribute stats to get more stronger. He needs to allocate logically according to the situation.
[VITALITY: 28->70]
[INTELLIGENCE: 15->120]
[AGILITY: 17-> 40]
[PERCEPTION: 35->40]
[STRENGTH = 5 , LUCK = 5]
[ETHAN BELLWETHER
LEVEL 53 [ M1 ]
EXP: 44500/150,000
CLASS: SYSTEM WITNESS (EX-TIER)
HP: 250->3,500
MP: 150-> 4,800]
[SYSTEM ALERT: ANTI-EXPLOIT PROTOCOL STARTED]
[WARNING: DETECTED REPETITIVE SSS-RANK CAPTURE ATTEMPT]
[A Mythic Frame Exhaustion status is now applicable to the target Ancient Ember Dragon.
All further cinematic captures of this particular target will be converted at a -99% PV rate.
Reason: It is against system integrity to use the same narrative object for multiple Mythic Payouts.]
Ethan registered the information calmly, his eyes still functioning inside the Logic Bubble.
"The System is closing the loophole the Dragon is no longer a feasible objective for rapid financial gain. We need to locate a fresh, untapped legendary mob".
Under the icy clarity of the Logic Bubble, his thoughts came up with the main solution: a stealthy escape.
[DRAGON BEHAVIOR ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS]
[Threat Status: The dragon has retreated, showing that it is uninterested in a small, harmless target.
The best course of action is to use the absence to carry out a stealthy escape using the shortest most secure path.
Limitation: It is unreasonable to confront. The mythic PV has been nerfed. The loss of Chaos Core Guardian, an asset worth over $1,000,000, is unbearable.]
After setting Anchor down, Ethan started to issue the last order.
"The Dragon has departed Anchor. In order to escape, we are climbing the north face. We are not fighting the dragon we can escape without getting any damage got it Anchor".
The Chaos core Guardian remained motionless. Its surface glowed orange from the Core Scale that had been consumed, and it swelled slightly. Anchor let out a low resonant thrum a sound that expressed complete disapproval without using words.
The plasma blast was recalled by the slime. It recalled the humiliation of hiding.
Anchor showed a desire to face the Dragon by turning its body and rolling back toward the nest of the dragon where it resides.
[PARTNER RESOLUTION CONFLICT DETECTED]
[CHAOS CORE GUARDIAN RESOLUTION 95% FIGHT]
Even through the Logic Bubble Ethan could feel the distant faint echo of frustration. He felt forced to speak in terms of logic alone.
"It makes no sense to fight. We get nothing. The PV is no longer valid".
Anchor came to a halt and projected a dim picture of the Dragon's Core Scale that it had just eaten. It was very apparent what it wanted. It sought to demonstrate that the scale was earned.
It was time for a compromise.
But did i just see the slime making a brief image, is it learning from me or because of the class, well lets check that later.
A real test of their bond, Ethan had to modify the plan in response to his partner's motivation.
[RECALCULATING: NEEDS COMPROMISE ACTION
Goal: Get out of the crags.
Satisfying Partner Resolution (Fight) is the secondary goal.
Action: Conduct a Tactical Confrontation with the sole purpose of causing a non-lethal wound and obtaining a secondary non-PV asset in order to purchase the required window for departure.]
After inhaling mentally, Ethan issued the new order.
"A new strategy. We'll make a loud noise to entice the dragon back. We'll wound it with Ember Dash and Arcane Binding. Next we sprint. Temporal shutter should only be used when absolutely essential".
Anchor's orange glow grew stronger as it pulsed in agreement.
A large chunk of rock was lifted by Ethan. He threw the rock into the deep gorge after emerging from the crevice. The sound was a brazen challenge that reverberated for miles.
The dragon came back at once. It only stayed over the canyon its gaze fixed on the small figure on the ridge without bothering to descend.
With a huge roar, the dragon swept its tail in an attempt to smash the entire ridge.
"Anchor! full size! "Ember Dash!"
The Chaos Core Guardian grew to its full potential. Anchor launched itself up the side of the tail like a black cannonball channeling the core energy into the Ember Dash just as the tail sweep was about to happen.
The heat and tremendous friction of the dragon's hide were repelled by Anchor's Ember Shell. It affected the dragon's tail joint which had the thinnest scales.
[CHAOS CORE GUARDIAN ANCHOR ATTACKS EMBER DRAGON USED EMBER DASH]
[DAMAGE TO THE EMBER DRAGON: 1000 CRITICAL HIT!!]
Ethan have seen the damage it was enormous but less significant when compared to the Dragon HP pool and defense.
The surprise was everything yet the harm was insignificant. The dragon furiously shook its tail and roared in annoyance rather than pain.
A piece of the Dragon's tail spike a huge crystallized obsidian was ripped off by Anchor using its greatly enhanced skill and strength when it was flung off the tail.
[ITEM ACQUIRED: EMBER SPIKE SHARD (LEGENDARY FRAGMENT)]
Now truly irritated the dragon unleashed its full plasma attack.
"Temporal Shutter! Now!" With a scream Ethan drained his enormous MP reserves for the last-ditch effort to flee.
The world slowed to a crawl. Ethan grabbed the enormous contracting Anchor and started running down the north face. Behind him the Dragon's plasma breath was a terrifyingly slow stream of light. He continued till they passed the zone boundary and the Temporal Shutter switched off.
Exhausted but victorious, they fell into a safe area's snow.
Miles away the Blacksmith was stranded in a messy, gloomy workshop in Aethelheim. To finish a personalized armor order he need a special high-magic reagent. He had used every available resource.
An unusual and urgent alert flashed on his personal HUD. The tone was professional and presented as a chance.
[QUEST ALERT: PARTNER ACQUISITION]
[OBJECTIVE: A unique highly individual know for operating near dangerous high level zones is currently processing an Ember spike fragment that contains a unprecedented metallurgical signature.]
[ACTION: Meet the player known as Systems Witness and acquire the Ember Shard fragment for the further analysis and for your blacksmithing]
[LOCATION: Trace the residual signal of the Ember spike fragment to the source]
[REWARD: Unlock exclusive high tier armor blueprints]
The blacksmith stopped hammering. His attention was drawn to the message's "Ember Spike Fragment." This was a unique professional opportunity.
He mumbled, "An Ember Spike Shard... and a rogue player," as he picked up his tracking equipment. "Someone found the hardest raw material in the game, and I need it for a custom commission."
He started packing his equipment. "I'll keep an eye on the remaining signature A simple meeting and wondered this is going to be interesting".