Chapter 7 - Nine-Tailed Fox

[You have received an email from Akidia, the Goddess of Sloth.]

[Dear my cute champion, Broken,

I'm glad you liked my gift.

I love you, too.

Akidia.]

The message was simple and brief, yet it carried a warmth that made Broken feel slightly embarrassed, almost as if Akidia had been watching him all along and witnessed his heartfelt thanks.

It was evident that the Goddess could somehow hear his voice and also monitor him. Whether this observation would continue indefinitely was uncertain, but he knew that the Goddess preferred to spend most of her time sleeping, only speaking when necessary.

"I guess I should be more mindful about what I say."

He then turned his attention to the newly acquired item and read its description carefully.

[High-Grade Spirit Contract Ticket]

[Activate this ticket by tearing it. Doing so will summon and compel any high-grade spirit in your vicinity to enter into a contract with you.]

[The ticket will be most effective if you have already identified the targeted spirit, ensuring that you secure a spirit with the desired grade.]

But then, before he could use it, he would first need to see what spirits might offer contracts to him. At the very least, he could secure a spirit with an Epic grade, one level below Unique. He could save the other ticket for another time.

Broken then suddenly felt a gentle pull on his consciousness. After taking a look around, he was greeted by a mesmerizing sight— a group of spirits, each calling out his name in a harmonious chorus, danced and twirled around him. 

Their movements were so graceful and synchronized that he couldn't help but be captivated by the spectacle, a spontaneous smile lighting up his face.

"It's so beautiful," he uttered.

One spirit floated closer to him, "Broken, what aspirations do you harbor in this world?"

"Me? I aim to be the strongest!"

Now that he was officially a Divine Champion, of course, he would aim for a higher target. He had so much potential and couldn't wait to use it all.

"And what kind of spirits are you in search of?"

"I'm on the lookout for a companion. Ideally, I'd love to befriend a spirit that aligns well with my Class."

Amidst the assembly of spirits, one in particular caught his eye, shining more luminous than the rest—a white orb of light adorned with streaks of green, standing out against the backdrop of its peers.

"Broken, Broken..." came a voice, as if a teenage girl were speaking directly from the radiant spirit.

Mesmerized, Broken watched as the orb gracefully descended to the ground, where it underwent a stunning transformation. 

Before his eyes, the light coalesced into the form of a translucent fox adorned with three majestic tails.

Seeing it gently settling onto the ground, Broken observed the unique patches of green fur that adorned her, their translucent quality giving her an otherworldly beauty.

[Polly, a Unique-grade Nine-Tailed Fox, has really liked you and wants to be your friend. She kindly asked if you would make a contract with her.]

His heart swelled with a mix of surprise and joy. A Unique-grade spirit was beyond his wildest expectations. He reached out a hand toward Polly.

"Hi, Polly…" he greeted the spirit softly.

Polly, the spirit beast, gazed back at him with eyes brimming with a pure, unspoken plea. 

"Broken... please, be my friend," she said.

"A Unique-grade?" Broken whispered to himself.

While he possesses two tickets that could force a Unique-grade spirit to form a contract with him, yet here in front of him stood a Unique-grade spirit, who was willingly offering to bond with him.

"Hi, Polly... It's nice to meet you. So, you're a Spirit Beast?" 

Spirit Beasts were a rare form of spirit, often possessing a physical form and could engage in battles directly. Unlike other spirits, they couldn't be permanently killed since they would be revived after some time. Their potential for evolution was immense, with the possibility of eventually gaining a human form.

As he reached out to gently stroke her head, Polly closed her eyes, savoring the moment. An ethereal bond seemed to form between them, marked by a new notification that appeared before his eyes.

[Affinity with Polly, the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit Beast, has increased to 57.]

[Polly is a distinguished spirit with the potential to evolve into a formidable ally. Her combat prowess and magical talents make her an invaluable companion in any confrontation.]

[The opportunity to form a contract with a spirit beast of such caliber is a dream for many, one that could cost them everything.]

[Currently manifesting three tails, Polly is destined for growth. With time, she will eventually grow in strength and grade, promising a future of even greater power.]

His attention was quickly recaptured by Polly, who looked at him with her eyes brimming with eagerness and hope.

"Hi, Broken," she said. "I can assist in battle. I have a larger form, and you can ride me to enhance your mobility. Please, let's be friends. I wish to stand and fight by your side… May I?"

"Sure, let's make a contract."

Another notification flashed before his eyes: 

[Do you wish to enter into a contract with Polly, the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit Beast?]

Without any hesitation, Broken selected 'Yes'.

As he did, a vibrant surge of energy coursed through him, enveloping Polly as well. Her form seemed to solidify before his eyes, and if he wasn't mistaken, a gentle smile graced her ethereal features.

In a burst of joy, Polly darted around him in a playful dance before leaping into his arms.

"Thank you, Master…"

[You have now entered into a contract with Polly, the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit Beast]

[Affinity with Polly, the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit Beast, has risen to 72.]

[Name: Polly]

[Grade: Unique]

[Level: 65]

[Race: Nine-Tailed Fox]

[Skills - 3]

[Illusion Casting (Active Skill): Polly could create four of her illusionary forms to confuse and disorient her opponents. Each illusion had 30% of her total HP, and can only be used once every five minutes.]

[Natural Weapons (Passive Skill): Allows Polly to fight using her claws, teeth, and tail. These physical attacks were strong, and her illusions could also deal 20% of her total damage.]

[Magic Resistance (Passive Skill): Gives Polly a 60% resistance to various forms of magic attacks, making her a formidable opponent in battles against opponents who would rely heavily on magic.]

"You're highly resistant to magic?"

Polly's magic resistance made her an invaluable asset against spellcasters, while her ability to cast illusions and resilience against physical attacks meant that she would be a challenging adversary for any player, regardless of their fighting style.

Broken decided it was time to depart from the spirit world. He had lingered longer than he intended to, and the responsibilities in the real world awaited his attention.

He gestured farewell to the gathering of spirits.

"Hey, everyone. Thank you for such a warm welcome today. I promise to return, and I hope you'll greet me just as kindly then."

"Bye, Broken," the spirits replied in unison.

"I will wait for you, Broken."

[The visit to the Spirit World has concluded; you are now exiting.]

As the spirit world faded away, Broken felt an unseen force gently ushering him back to the Temple of Blessing. The next moment, his feet made contact with the cold, familiar floor, marking the end of an extraordinary journey—for now.