Usually, the only way one could access the reward room was by slaying the boss of a dimensional rift, which was a very difficult thing to do and required the combined force of an entire party.
However, little did humans know that they could get the treasures even without killing the boss monster. To achieve this, they'd have to convince the boss monster.
"Which is impossible," Nox mumbled to himself.
The very reason they existed in the first place was to guard the treasure room, so it was out of the question.
However, Nox was an anomaly.
Yes, these common rules didn't apply to him.
"Sure, you can have all of them." The fungal monarch didn't see anything wrong and gave his permission rather quickly.
"Thank you." Nox displayed a smile as he strode towards the door, his steps brisk. Before he disappeared through the door, Nox's voice echoed.
"You guys should keep your new brother... should I call him brother or uncle... company."
The pets slowly turned their attention and looked up at the two-meter-plus beast that was staring at them. Time seemed to stretch endlessly, with no one saying anything, and the atmosphere became extremely awkward.
All the pets were waiting for the first person to speak up.
[Hey, guys?] Eventually, the boss monster said, waving its hand.
[Hi, new big brother!] Solora's forked tongue dangled in the air as she slithered closer and circled the beast, her glimmering orb-like eyes filled with curiosity.
[My name is Solora,] she introduced herself.
"My name is Astralux." The jellyfish also hovered closely, staying on top of the boss monster's head.
"Master hasn't bestowed a name upon you yet," Solora said. Then, her face suddenly turned serious, and she added, [A word of advice.]
[Hmm?] The fungal monarch tilted its bulbous head in confusion.
[Don't ever rush him to name you.]
The boss monster chuckled. [He can't be that terrible.]
[He's alright,] Fluffington chimed in. [That guy over there... his name is Mushroom Man.]
[Okay, that's bad,] the boss monster admitted. [I'd never rush him to give me a name then.]
[My name is Fluffington, by the way—Nox's first pet!] Fluffington declared. The others present noticed his subtle emphasis on "first," but they didn't pay attention.
[Welcome to the family,] Fluffington said.
A moment later, one after the other, the pets started to introduce themselves.
[Panda!] Thirteen said.
[His name is actually Thirteen,] Solora chirped in. [Don't know why he's obsessed with that word.]
While the others were introducing themselves, Nox had arrived inside the reward room, which was much smaller compared to the boss chamber.
The room was smaller than the boss chamber but far more ornate. The walls were lined with shelves made of polished, dark wood, each one glowing faintly under the soft light emanating from the fungi growing on the ceiling. The air was cool and fresh, a stark contrast to the damp, mossy atmosphere of the boss chamber.
The shelves on the walls and the heap of beast cores immediately attracted Nox's attention because of the subtle glow and power radiating from them.
Then, on the other side of the room, something caught his eye—a small, glowing pool of golden liquid. It shimmered like melted sunlight, and although he was standing a bit far from it, he could feel the raw energy coming off it.
Nox's eyes glinted as he approached one of the shelves on the side of the room and started to hoard the items in his inventory.
However, from all the items, the ones that stood out most to him were these:
1. Crown of the Fungal Sovereign (Legendary-Tier Relic)
Description: A regal crown woven from golden mycelium, pulsating with an eerie luminescence. Ancient spores float around it, exuding a faint aura of dominance. The Crown of the Fungal Sovereign grants its wearer the ability [Domain of the Fungal King], allowing them to create a vast fungal biome where plant-based and poison-affiliated creatures grow stronger while enemies are weakened. It enhances the wearer's mental resistance, making them immune to mind control and illusions, and significantly increases their affinity with nature-type beasts.
Passive Effect: Boosts intelligence and mana regeneration.
2. Sporemancer's Grimoire (Legendary-Tier Tome)
Description: An ancient tome bound in pulsating, root-like fibers. The pages shift like living fungus, rewriting themselves with every glance. The Sporemancer's Grimoire contains the lost arts of fungal magic, granting its wielder access to the devastating spell [Plague Bloom], which spreads parasitic spores to consume enemies from the inside out. Holding the tome passively bestows [Elder Mycelium Network], allowing the user to telepathically communicate with and control plant-based creatures within a vast radius.
Passive Effect: Greatly enhances intelligence and mana regeneration.
3. Oblivion Bloom Seed (Demi-God Tier Artifact)
Description: A small, blackened seed that hums with an unsettling power, seeming to pulse in anticipation. Once planted, the Oblivion Bloom Seed devours all life in the area, either transforming into a monstrous entity or granting the user a massive evolution boost. If fused with a beast, it grants them the ability [Endless Bloom], rendering them effectively immortal as long as their spores remain intact. If swallowed, the user undergoes a one-time transformation, dramatically enhancing their strength and abilities at an unknown cost.
4. Fungal Paragon's Heart (Ascended Tier Relic)
Description: A crystallized heart, pulsating with deep emerald energy, radiating both life and decay. It beats faintly, as if still alive. The Fungal Paragon's Heart grants the wielder the ability [Parasitic Assimilation], allowing them to infect and take control of weakened enemies, absorbing their abilities permanently. Holding the heart enhances lifespan and regeneration, making the user nearly immortal. If fused with a beast, it mutates them into a [Fungal Paragon], elevating their power drastically while granting them new, unpredictable abilities.
After gathering all this, Nox reined in his excitement and traced his way back to the entrance of the rift, where the couple was waiting for him, looking tired.
"Come on, let's head outside," he said, hiding a satisfied grin on his face. Not only had he tamed the boss of this dimensional rift, but he had also claimed all the treasures in the reward room!
Unaware of the danger waiting for him on the other side, Nox passed through the gateway.