Astral Pet Store Chapter 4: Special Skill

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Still stunned from its revival, the Lightning Rat quickly snapped back to awareness this time. After a brief moment of doubt, it surged forward toward the massive bug just as instructed.

Fury boiled within the massive bug, having lost its meal twice already. As the Lightning Rat neared, the creature spewed a sticky white substance that expanded like a spider web, ensnaring the Lightning Rat completely.

With its target secured, the massive bug slithered closer and shredded the Lightning Rat using its razor-sharp claws.

“Revive!”

“Attack again!”

Su Ping instantly resurrected the Lightning Rat and commanded it to charge once more.

In the mere blink of an eye, the Lightning Rat died and revived repeatedly at the hands of the massive bug. On the eighth assault against the web from the giant creature, the Lightning Rat vanished in a flash, reappearing at a safe distance away.

“Thunder Flash!”

A chill ran through Su Ping. Was that eerie laughter?!

Could it be the rare thunder family special skill for Astral Pets, “Thunder Flash”?

Su Ping questioned if his eyes deceived him.

How could a first-rank Lightning Rat grasp such an extraordinarily valuable thunder family special skill?

Shock and bewilderment gripped Su Ping.

Even advanced thunder family Astral Pets of seventh or eighth rank rarely mastered a top-tier special skill of this scarcity!

Moreover, this Lightning Rat was merely mediocre, bordering on subpar. It struggled with mid-level thunder family pet skills, let alone special ones!

Su Ping focused intently on the clash to watch closely.

Following the abrupt dash, the Lightning Rat appeared beside the massive bug in an instant. Spotting a vulnerable soft area, it unleashed lightning around itself and slammed into the tender flesh on the bug's side.

The massive bug collapsed at once, scorch marks marring its wounded flesh.

Yet, the creature wasn't fully defeated. The agony spurred it into wild thrashing before it rose again, striking at the Lightning Rat with greater speed.

Drained after expending all its energy, the Lightning Rat moved sluggishly and perished once more in the bug's trap.

“Revive,” Su Ping uttered swiftly.

The Lightning Rat materialized anew on the ground. Gone was the earlier confusion; it seemed accustomed now to this rebirth after brief agony.

Confronting the battered bug, the Lightning Rat charged ahead to resume the fight without awaiting Su Ping's command.

Assault, wound, demise, resurrection.

After over a dozen cycles, the massive bug finally succumbed, perishing in rage and resentment against the undying Lightning Rat.

In later exchanges, the “Thunder Flash” never reappeared; it was evidently a one-off miracle.

Regret and mild letdown washed over him. Still, Su Ping realized that since it had happened once, the Lightning Rat could replicate it someday!

With the giant bug vanquished, Su Ping finally caught his breath. No longer would he face being devoured in that revolting manner.

“This realm is truly perilous, yet the training yields real results.”

Su Ping gazed at the Lightning Rat slumped atop the fallen bug, utterly spent. Post-revivals, its maneuvers grew swifter and slyer, incorporating feints to outmaneuver foes.

Despite dying repeatedly over a mere 10 minutes, the Lightning Rat's growth was astonishingly swift.

In three days, its power might skyrocket!

Excitement surged through Su Ping suddenly; completing the mission seemed feasible after all.

“Keep it up, little buddy.” Su Ping ruffled the Lightning Rat's head gently. Rising, he prepared to hunt the next foe.

Exhaustion!

Reluctance emanated from the Lightning Rat.

Su Ping blinked in surprise.

Considering the grueling battle against the giant bug, he understood its weariness.

“Rest up and regain your energy first.” Su Ping smiled warmly.

Still draped over the bug's corpse, the Lightning Rat lifted its head dispiritedly. A peculiar sensation hit it as Su Ping's grinning face drew near.

Before it could react, a blunt ache exploded.

“Revive.”

Watching the Lightning Rat reform on the ground, Su Ping grinned. “Feeling refreshed now?”

Su Ping had observed that each revival restored the Lightning Rat to peak condition, free from battle fatigue or energy drain.

This proved the ultimate recovery method.

The Lightning Rat's fur bristled. That human's grin seared into its memory forever.

“Hiss!”

Baring its fangs, the Lightning Rat issued a warning snarl at Su Ping.

Su Ping set aside the claw he'd taken from the giant bug. Exceptionally keen, it pierced the Lightning Rat effortlessly with minimal force—a fine weapon indeed.

“Easy now. Time to move.” Su Ping petted its head.

The Lightning Rat gnashed its teeth savagely. Without the contract's bonds, it would have torn its master apart.

...

...

Three days passed.

Amid the Thunder Cloud Realm's lofty peaks.

Clouds and fog wreathed the rugged slopes and sheer drops, crafting a serene, majestic vista of desolate beauty.

Atop a plain rock, tiny beings waged a desperate struggle for survival!

“Quick, deploy ‘Thunder Shadow Image’ for distraction.”

“Flank to its rear from the side.”

“Unleash ‘Thunder Slash’ on its flank.”

Su Ping stood beside the rock, issuing mental directives.

Before him, a large and small duo clashed fiercely.

The larger foe resembled an elephant-sized cockroach, armored in lime-hued stone shell with abdomen-extending claws like jagged stone spikes. Native to this rocky domain, this earth family Astral Pet was a thunder family nemesis rarely spotted in the Thunder Cloud Realm.

The smaller combatant, cat-sized with violet fur crackling electric sparks, boasted needle-like spiky curls. It was the Lightning Rat.

Buzz!

Electric surges erupted. Abruptly, the Lightning Rat bolted at the stone cockroach beast.

Instinct drove the stone cockroach to pursue.

But then, a faint purple streak zipped past, materializing behind the stone cockroach.

The stone cockroach sensed anomaly. The arcing Lightning Rat ahead faded into a translucent lightning silhouette.

An afterimage!

Danger loomed suddenly. Whirling around, it faced a blinding purple gleam.

The Lightning Rat leaped skyward. Bolts amassed densely, forging a potent lightning blade.

Pff!

The strike landed. The stone cockroach's side armor gap yielded, splitting the beast in half!

Verdant blood splashed across the boulder.

“Flawless!” Su Ping snapped his fingers.

With a single life, the Lightning Rat felled this superior earth family Astral Pet. Its prowess had surged manifold in three days.

Undeniable progress.

Just then, the system's notification arrived in his mind: quest complete.

“Never thought we'd pull it off in just three days...”

Su Ping marveled inwardly. Unbelievable feat.

Such gains demanded immense toil from both. Over a hundred varied deaths for Su Ping, thousands for the Lightning Rat.

“Quest complete. Cultivation Plane shutting down...”

“Severing host link to Thunder Cloud Realm...”

“Dissolving temporary host-pet contract...”

“Returning shortly...”

Darkness engulfed his vision instantly.

Light returned, revealing the pet store's comforting familiarity, as though eons had elapsed.