Astral Hoarder: Embrace of Malevolence

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| Universal Tamer System || Stats || Skills | Beasts | Missions | Store | 

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Name: Zimo Banks

BC (Beast Coins): 110

Level: 1

States: {Hint: States for a peak human are at 100s for every category}

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Health, Well-Being, Satiety: 34% --

Energy, Stamina, Vitality: 42% --

Mentality, Decision-Making, Focus: 24% --

Mana, Casting, Magical Power: 67%

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Physical Stats: {Hint: Basic Stats for a peak normal human are at 10s for every category}

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Dexterity (Agility, Flexibility) → 14

Strength (Speed, Power) → 10

Constitution (Endurance, Health) → 8

Intelligence (Memory, Reasoning) → 16

Charisma (Charm, Persuasion) → 14

Wisdom (Intuition, Adaptability) → 19

Spirit (Mental State, Character) → 20

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Magical Stats: {Hint: Basic Stats for a peak normal human are at 0s for every category}

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Mana (Magical Energy Pool) → 3 (3 * 1)

Arcane Knowledge (Magical Ability) → Rank 2F

Mystic Control (Magical Energy Control and Talent) →Rank 2S

Elemental Affinity (Connection to Elements) → Darkness(S Rank), Evil(F Rank), Fire(B Rank)

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Pfft... what the hell was he going to do with this Evil Affinity now? He was right at the edge of his life was he not? Was it going to save his life? Probably not.

ZImo felt the ground go colder, realising that he might be losing feeling in his extremities. That was bad. He would die once his Health went to 0, but it seemed his Mentality was going to reach 0 first even after the cute little nap he took, so he was going to pass out even before managing to do anything about his situation. Not that he could do anything anyway.

So after using that skill, he was left with 2 Mana. But what was he going to do with 2 Mana? What was he going to do with all that? 

But still, thinking about this Evil Affinity, Zimo shook his head. It seemed he had finally crossed over to the dark side, he thought, chuckling inwardly. And then that sluggishness came back to him. Damn it. He was tired again.

Zimo's next few minutes were a blur as he soon found himself out in the darkness under the blackened sky. He heard some words from people, some complaining that Maya had done something bad and others complaining that this was inhumane. But in those last moments, Zimo did not care about it. 

None of it mattered. All that mattered was whether he was going to live through this or not. But it seemed that while he was in the hands of Maya and Jacques, he would have to bear with the idea of not making it out. 

And then after a bit more time, with Zimo falling in and out of consciousness due to his low State levels, he found himself looking up at a darkened sky.

The air was thick, humid, and ripe with the stench of rot. Zimo had all but forgotten about the fact that he was getting dragged over the black rain that was still on the ground, but now all of it didn't matter anyway. But he soon realised some interesting irony in the situation. It was the fact that he was either going to turn into one of those Deadspawns, or get eaten by them and turn into one anyway.

This smell, this rot, it was the smell of his fate. It was disgusting, a grotesque perfume carried by the slow, shuffling steps of the Deadspawn around him. Their groans cut through the darkness like the mournful cries of forgotten souls. And it seemed all the groans were coming for him.

He felt pain and fear, but he also felt this deep, dark, uncaring, apathy that was removing all of those emotions from his body. All he cared about was any way to prolong his life. If he could find it, he would take it. 

It was the Store! He had BC, did he not? He had already seen that it had potions in there and he could use them to help him get better. 

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| Universal Tamer System | Stats | Skills | Beasts | Missions || Store || 

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BC (Beast Coins): 110BC

Market

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1. [Potions]

2. [Tools and Items]

3. [Food, Supplies, and Amenities]

4. [Beast Eggs]

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>> [Item Storage]

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Jason navigated to the Potions, seeing a massive list that had overwhelmed him at first. Potions of Strength, regeneration, Health, Energy, Vitality, everything... Everything was there, waiting for him. And it was pretty interesting to see for him. But Jason only had one potion he wanted.

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| Potion of Regeneration(Grade 1) | 

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Grade: Grade 1

Type: Regeneration Potion

Description: Regeneration potions are magical concoctions that accelerate healing and regenerate lost limbs. They work by entering the bloodstream and initiating the regenerative process. The speed and extent of healing depend on the injury and potion potency.

Price: 100 BC

[Buy!]

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Zimo did not hesitate. [Buy!]

After that, he navigated back to the main page to see his Items.

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| Items | 

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All items previously acquired are stored and categorized here. Please remember, that you can only export an item once, and it cannot be returned. Take care.

1. [Potions (1 Item)]

2. [Tools and Items (1 Item)]

3. [Food, Supplies, and Amenities (1 Item)]

4. [Beast Eggs (1 Item)]

[Buy!]

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Zimo knew that items could only be taken out and never returned. He did not care about that. He just wanted his potion. 

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| Items | 

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All items previously acquired are stored and categorized here. Please remember, that you can only export an item once, and it cannot be returned. Take care.

1. [Potions (1 Item)]

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>> (Grade 1) Potion of Regeneration [Export!]

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2. [Tools and Items (0 Items)]

3. [Food, Supplies, and Amenities (0 Items)]

4. [Beast Eggs (0 Items)]

[Buy!]

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Zimo wasted no time. He exported the potion immediately and when that happened, he saw a red potion appear in the air, floating in the air in a way that made him light up his dim eyes in wonder. And then in the next moment, when it fell next to him, he smirked again this time in sadness as he saw the potion that was in a vial, begin rolling away from him towards the zombies who kicked it away even more, shuffling over it as they came towards him.

"No, no, no, no..." Zimo said watching as the potion slid away. He had no arms, no legs. What was he going to do to get it back?? How was he going to save himself? ZImo could not even head over there since that would mean his immediate death. How messed up were things going to get for him?

This... this was a disgusting play of fate was it not? He had done something he thought would save him, his last play, his last act of defiance in this unfair world, but now... "This is it," Zimo muttered bitterly, his voice weak. His dry lips cracked as he tried to smile, but it came out as a grimace. "If there's a heaven, I hope it's warm. Not like... this."

"Grraaahh…"

"Grooo…"

The sound of shuffling feet and groaning grew louder, and closer. His breathing shallowed as he looked up, not willing to see the Deadspawn come towards him. Tears welled up in his eyes, unbidden and hot against his cold cheeks.

"Pathetic," he whispered to himself as he held back the urge to sob. "All I wanted was... to survive. Just a little longer..."

Suddenly, amidst the groans and shambling steps, a low, guttural growl reverberated through the air. It was different… This was not some Deadspawn. The Sound was deep and resonant, a sound that seemed to stir something primal within him, a deep dark natural fear, that even he could not explain.

Zimo's heart stuttered in its weak rhythm, his eyes flickering open. What was that? And then when he struggled for a moment, finally managing to look to the direction the sound was coming from, he couldn't help but gasp.

Out of the shadows stepped a creature. Its sleek, black fur shimmered faintly under a blanket of perpetual darkness that seemed to follow it, making its shape seem ephemeral. The creature moved with an unsettling grace, its glowing green eyes locked onto Zimo.

It was like it was covered in shadows and those eyes... Zimo couldn't help but be mesmerised as he gazed deeply into them. They burned with an intelligence that chilled him more than the night air ever could.

"What... are you?" Zimo croaked, his voice barely audible. He was curious. Maybe he should activate [Beast Eye]? But if he did that he would be left with too little mana to activate [Tame]... What should he do? At this moment, Zimo realised that he still had a will to live. He was still calculating a possible way out.

The Beast didn't charge. It didn't snarl or roar. It simply stared, tilting its head as if considering him, taking small measured steps towards him. Zimo felt pinned under its gaze, as though it were weighing his soul against some invisible scale.

For a moment, he thought this was how he would die. Not by the hands of the Deadspwan, but under the claws of this dark predator. This was not bad too. It was by a Beast that he had gotten hurt anyway, and now it was by a beast that he would die. Poetic.

As he thought this far, he realised that he had long stopped hearing the shuffling feet and the groans. Something had happened. Now, he turned away from the Beast, to look around, only to see the Deadspawn, stilled and silent, he couldn't believe it.

The Deadspawn... they hesitated to move towards Zimo. No, it was more like they were hesitating to move towards the black thing beside him. Their grotesque movements faltered, their lifeless heads twitching as if they sensed something more terrible than themselves. And ZImo now understood why. This thing did feel extremely terrible.

The beast's growl deepened, reverberating in Zimo's chest as suddenly it got closer to Zimo. He squeezed his eyes shut, another tear slipping free from the grip of his eyelids. Please dont eat me, was what he wanted to say to the Beast, but if he said something like that, would the Beast listen? 

Zimo had been expecting pain to grace him. But instead of pain, Zimo felt... warmth?!

What was this?

It was a strange sensation, faint but unmistakable. There was no way he was feeling that. He opened his eyes slowly, his vision blurring, and saw the creature standing inches from him. 

Its nostrils flared as it sniffed him, its luminous eyes scanning him with an almost curious intensity. When Zimo looked into the creature's eyes, he couldn't believe it… What was that… Was it trying to say something to him? 

And then, Zimo felt it.

A pull.

A tether, invisible but undeniable, had formed between him and the Beast. Or maybe it was always there. Maybe he had just been too clueless to see it.

It was as if something ancient and profound had awakened within him. Even Zimo had no clue how to define or understand it. This was a connection he couldn't explain but felt deep in his bones and he had no idea where it came from.

"What is this?" Zimo whispered, his breath catching in his chest. Damn… he was dying.

The creature leaned closer, its eyes glowing brighter, and for the first time in what felt like forever, Zimo's heart raced. His battered body screamed in protest somehow, telling him to take action. Maybe it was him, or maybe it was the creature communicating with him. 

He didn't know why he was doing it. He didn't know what would happen.

The beast didn't move away. It watched him, waiting.

And then, with a faint whisper of a thought, the word formed in his mind.

"[Tame]." Zimo said that and then in the next moment, he felt something moving within him. It was that energy he felt before. Before it was moving towards his eyes, but now it was moving towards his chest, flowing out and then the scene changed.

Symbols began to glow faintly in the space between them, runes that seemed to dance with an ancient power. As a golden light spread out, surrounding and going around Zimo and the Beast, Zimo stared at all this, and how incredible it felt to him to be in a situation like this. Was it working?

The creature's green eyes widened, and then, impossibly, it smiled.

What...? This... It wasn't the kind of smile one would expect from an animal. It was a grin that carried a strange, almost human understanding, a knowing that sent a shiver down Zimo's spine.

"What... is this?" Zimo repeated, his voice barely audible.

The beast lowered its head, pressing its cold, wet nose against his forehead. In that instant, Zimo felt a surge of power, unlike anything he had ever known. It wasn't overwhelming or painful. It flowed through him, almost raising him from the deathly state he was in before.

It was grounding, like roots anchoring him to the earth while lifting his spirit higher than it had ever been. The symbols in the air flared brightly before fading into the darkness. The Beast stepped back, its piercing eyes never leaving his. And then, Zimo understood.

"You..." he started, his voice faltering. "You're with me now."

The beast gave a low rumble, almost like a purr, and sat back on its haunches. Its gaze shifted briefly to the zombies, which had begun retreating, their grotesque forms stumbling away as if repelled by some unseen force.

Zimo let out a shaky breath, his body sagging against the pavement. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, he didn't feel entirely alone. Even more amazingly, he felt a change within him. What was this? Had he just levelled up again?

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|| Universal Tamer System || Stats | Skills | Beasts | Missions | Store | 

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Congratulations on Taming Your First Beast. As a Reward, you have received:

—> Level up + 1

—> BC + 100 BC → 110BC

—> Your Physical Stats have experienced a Boost due to your resonance with the Beast!

—> Your Magical Stats have experienced a Boost due to your Resonance with the Beast!

Congratulations! You have Levelled up! You have received the following:

—> BC + (2) * 10BC → 130BC

Well Done! This is just your first Beast. Congratulations on Becoming a Tamer and Starting your Journey into the World of Taming. 

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Wow… Jason decided to check it out. He turned the page to the Stats Page and when he saw the Stas again, he couldn't believe it.

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| Universal Tamer System || Stats || Skills | Beasts | Missions | Store | 

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Name: Zimo Banks (Human)

BC (Beast Coins): 130

Level: 2

States: {Hint: States for a peak human are at 100s for every category}

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Health, Well-Being and Satiety: 68% ++

Energy, Stamina and Vitality: 66% ++

Mentality, Decision-Making and Focus: 40% ++

Mana, Casting and Magical Power: 100%

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Physical Stats:

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Dexterity (Agility, Flexibility) → 13 +1 (+28) → 52

Strength (Speed, Power) → 9 +1 (+21) → 31

Constitution (Endurance, Health) → 7 +1 (+20) → 28

Intelligence (Memory, Reasoning) → 15 +1 (+13) → 29

Charisma (Charm, Persuasion) → 13 +1 (+29) → 43

Wisdom (Intuition, Adaptability) → 18 +1 (+14) → 33

Spirit (Mental State, Character) → 19 +1 (+16) → 36

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Magical Stats:

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Mana (Magical Energy Pool) → 6 (3 * 2) + 20 → 26

Arcane Knowledge (Magical Talent) → Rank 2F → 2C

Mystic Control (Magical Energy Control) → Rank 2A → 2S

Elemental Affinity (Connection to Elements) → Darkness(S Rank), Evil(S Rank), Fire(B Rank)

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Wow… His physical Stats had almost doubled with some even going ahead and tripling, and his Magical stats had had some changes. Jason looked at his Elemental Affinities, seeing the Evil(S Rank) and he couldn't help but be taken aback.

Wasn't it F Rank before? Why was it S Rank now? Did that make any real sense? Was that inflow of energy coming from this Beast? Actually, what was this Beast? Jason sighed, looking at the Beast that was looking at him in curiosity.

He seemed to be healing now. Maybe he should look at the Beast's information? 

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| Universal Tamer System | Stats | Skills || Beasts || Missions | Store | 

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>> [Kivu (Unknown Species)]

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Huh? This beast had an unknown behind its species. Did that make any sense? Also, it had a name. Where did the name come from? Was it chosen? Or maybe it came from a previous owner.

Whatever it was, Zimo was looking forward to finding out... When he finally saw the page, everything seemed to click into place. So the stat boosts and everything else was Because this Beast was actually... terrifyingly powerful!