Leveling Up With My Pet



Li Changle's resonant voice echoed through the air, reverberating towards the expanses of the living room. "Liu Yong, the culinary delights have been prepared with utmost finesse. Come, indulge in the feast that awaits."

In a resolute tone, Liu Yong responded, his voice resounding with determination. "Allow me to address the incoming call first, and then I shall join you without delay."

As the telephone conversation transpired, a familiar voice belonging to Hu Shijun emanated from within. "Brother Yong, a mere two hours ago, our gallant vessel, 'Shinan,' encountered an unprecedented incident. After much contemplation, I found it necessary to bring this matter to your esteemed attention."

Traditionally, matters of insignificance didn't warrant immediate notification, with Hu Shijun and Qiu Yang being aptly equipped to handle such affairs on their own accord.

Curiosity piqued within Liu Yong as he inquired, "Ah, yes. If memory serves me correctly, our vessel 'Shinan' departed from the shores of Australia a few days ago, brimming with a robust cargo of iron ore. Its intended destination—Huahai City—lay along the international trade routes. Pray, enlighten me as to the nature of this unforeseen occurrence."

Whilst his words resided on his tongue, an air of profound concern enveloped Liu Yong, a substantial weight that settled deep within him.

Hu Shijun articulated, his voice laced with urgency, "Our illustrious vessel 'Shinan' encountered a gargantuan crocodilian behemoth, a creature of unparalleled enormity. The crew's report suggests that this prodigious crocodile measured a staggering seventy meters in length, potentially weighing a mammoth five to six hundred tons."

Having swiftly relayed the incident, Hu Shijun's account provoked a sense of awe within Liu Yong, leaving him in absolute astonishment.

A colossal crocodile, surpassing seventy meters in length!

An assault directed at our formidable iron ore-laden vessel, the "Shinan." Miraculously, this mighty ship, constructed under the watchful eyes of Qidong Shipyard, withstood the hard blow with minimal damage, merely acquiring a slight indentation in the affected region—insignificant enough not to impede its safe navigation, at least for the immediate future.

Liu Yong pondered inquisitively. On two previous occasions, he encountered news reports describing a crocodile of colossal proportions, measuring nearly one hundred meters in length. Yet, the "Shinan" crew witnessed a creature approximately seventy meters in size.

Seventy meters in comparison to nearly one hundred meters—a noticeable disparity. Could it be that two such giant crocodiles inhabited these waters, one smaller in stature than the other?

The mere notion of possessing such colossal reptilian creatures had the potential to jolt the very foundations of society. One could only fathom that Liu Yong alone would harbour such audacious speculations.

Upon being informed of an excellent crocodile inhabiting the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, Ordinary folk would undoubtedly meet such revelations with disdain. It would be futile to persuade them, for they would simply dismiss such claims as mere fantasy, deeming the bearer of such tales a fool.

On the other hand, Liu Yong conjectured that if the crew of the "Shinan" indeed relayed the truth, the existence of two colossal crocodiles—one sizable, the other slightly diminutive—seemed a plausible conclusion.

"Brother Yong, Brother Yong!"

Hu Shijun, perceiving the prolonged silence on the other end of the line, called out twice, attempting to recapture Liu Yong's attention.

Liu Yong finally spoke, his words laden with sagacity. "Ah, yes, I understand. Let us retain this occurrence as a closely guarded secret, withholding it from idle gossip and idle ears."

"Very well, Brother Yong. I comprehend the significance of this discretion," replied Hu Shijun, fully aware of the implications. After all, the revelation of a colossal crocodile capable of subverting society's understanding demanded a reasonable approach, withholding the dissemination of information far and wide.

With the conclusion of the phone call, Liu Yong settled comfortably within the dining room confines. Li Changle meticulously orchestrated the surroundings, ensuring every facet of the dining experience reflected an air of refinement. Two glasses brimmed with crimson nectar, their contents embodying a friendly ambience and uplifting spirits.

Concerning culinary excellence, Liu Yong remarked, "This establishment boasts delectable delicacies. Come, let us savor their culinary prowess."

The two companions raised their glasses in unison, letting them rattle against each other gently, and indulged in a modest sip of the crimson elixir.

As they imbibed the wine and relished, the succulent fare, laughter and conversation filled the air. Once the meal concluded, the pair cleared the remnants, basking in a joyous camaraderie.

Liu Yong, ever practical, offered a suggestion. It may be time for us to employ a few household staff, alleviating our burden of dishwashing and domestic chores.

In her wisdom, Li Changle mused, "While it may be true that it is only the two of us, devoid of external disruptions, our hidden realm forges an intimate bond. Engaging in manual labor fosters a unique connection."

After tidying up their surroundings, the duo settled upon the plush sofa in the living room, indulging in a brief interlude of television entertainment before embarking on a shared ablution.

Under the nocturnal cloak, as darkness enveloped the world, Li Changle nestled into a peaceful slumber within the embrace of Liu Yong. Meanwhile, Liu Yong reclined upon the bed, engaging in an ethereal communion with the Overlord reigning supreme in the Indian Ocean.

Two colossal crocodiles had materialized within the Pacific Ocean, one colossal and the other marginally smaller. The larger of the two had posed a dangerous threat to the "Shinan."

Were other vessels destined to endure similar encounters in the days to come?

The likelihood stood firm.

Indeed, the 100-meter behemoth crocodile possibly weighed close to a thousand tons. The aftermath would undoubtedly be dire if its temper were to turn hostile, targeting one of its ships.

Realistically, beseeching the Overlord to engage in combat with such an enormous crocodilian creature appeared futile. The disparity between the two entities transcended mere levels—they were on entirely different planes of existence.

However, the comparatively more minor behemoth, measuring over seventy meters long and weighing an estimated 500 to 600 tons, piqued Liu Yong's interest.

Accessing the pet panel, Liu Yong gazed upon Bawang, whom he had unintentionally neglected for several days. As his eyes scanned Bawang's status, particularly its weight, he noticed a remarkable surge.

Mere days ago, Bawang's weight hovered around 260 tons. Yet, in a remarkably brief period, it had ascended to an impressive 286 tons—a staggering increase of nearly 30 tons.

Liu Yong mused aloud, "Overlord, within a span of a few days, your weight has skyrocketed by twenty or thirty tons. Did you, by chance, feast upon that colossal fish with two prodigious claws once again?"

Proudly, Bawang responded, "Indeed, Master, fortune favored me. I stumbled upon such a creature within the abyssal trench and savored its succulence for several days, resulting in my weight surge of 20 to 30 tons."

Liu Yong offered words of praise, acknowledging Bawang's achievement. "Impressive, indeed. It seems plausible that you will reach the 300-ton milestone shortly."

Liu Yong and Bawang engaged in a brief exchange, primarily consisting of Liu Yong inquiring about Bawang's recent exploits. Subsequently, Liu Yong imparted his request, urging the Overlord to temporarily vacate the Indian Ocean and journey into the vast expanse of the Pacific.

Liu Yong relayed a condensed version of events, revealing the existence of two colossal crocodiles—a huge one weighing a thousand tons and a slightly smaller specimen measuring seventy meters long, estimated to weigh 500 to 600 tons.

Upon digesting the information, Bawang responded with unwavering confidence. "Master, it has been quite some time since I faced a genuine adversary. Allow me to encounter them."

Well aware of the overwhelming power discrepancy, Liu Yong cautioned his companion. "Should you encounter the larger one, flee and conceal yourself at a safe distance. I suspect you would be no match. If you come across the smaller crocodile, exercise utmost caution. Its tonnage exceeds yours significantly."

With Bawang weighing 286 tons, even the smaller crocodile would outweigh it by two-fold or more.

The Overlord vowed, "Master, be at ease. I shall prioritize my safety above all else."

Having imparted his guidance, Liu Yong bid farewell to his trusted companion and deactivated the pet panel, surrendering himself to rest.

Two days have elapsed.

Bawang circumvented the Strait of Malacca, traversed the South China Sea within Yanguo's domain, and took respite before embarking upon the heart of the Pacific Ocean.

Liu Yong remained unaware of the colossal crocodiles' whereabouts without a definitive objective. While he knew the location where the "Shinan" suffered its attack, several days had passed since the incident. Did the giant crocodile linger in proximity to that area?

Liu Yong fled to that region without knowledge, allowing chance and fortune to guide him.

Brandishing its colossal spear, Bawang set toward the same sea territory where the "Shinan" had encountered its assailant. Fortune might smile upon their quest, bringing them face-to-face with the elusive crocodile.

...