The figure bore similarities to the Neo-Life tortoise, except that its body was slimmer, had no shell and did not feel as monstrous as the creatures Rex already encountered.
The creature sat on the floor in the middle of the hall, one knee bent and the other outstretched on the floor in a relaxed manner. Its pose, though relaxed, radiated feraciousness, like that of a seasoned warrior before a life-or-death encounter.
As Rex observed the creature, it observed him back.
Its gaze felt like spears being directly thrust into Rex's mind.
Dumm! Dummm!!
Rex's heartbeat reverbrated within its anatomical cage, as the sitting being observed him.
X L had not gone into battle mode, Rex observed. She had made her way out of the Eld-Spire and was walking towards the rows of weapons lined up across the wall of the cavern.
"Show-off" Rex said, watching X L's march towards the rows of weapons. For a moment, he wished he was a projection like her. Safe from the ferocity of the creature that sat in the middle of the hall studying Him.
"Huu-Haaa'. . .Huu-haa"
Rex repeated a series of breathing cycles to calm his pounding heart, and suppress the fear his opponent was eliciting on him. Slowly, Rex could feel the dread that the creature had borne in his mind subside.
"I really have to take my mindfulness exercises more seriously," Rex thought as he was coming to the realization of how much the ultrarealistic game demanded of willpower and self-control.
He forced himself to take a step, then two, then three. As he progressively made his way towards the weapon rack. He could feel his steps becoming easier. His control of himself improving, and the suppressive influence the creature that sat in the middle of the hall had on him, slowly decreasing.
"X L, what data do you have about the Foe?" Rex asked as He joined her to stand in front of the rows of stacked weapons. "You would have to defeat it to fully unlock information about it, but based on the data we already have about Neo-Life creatures. I can infer that it's a higher grade life form of the Neo-Life tortoise.
"Ohh, that's cool", Rex replied with sarcasm. He took another look at the "Squatting Warrior".
A dark staff with green luminescent carvings lay across its lap. its eyes shut, as it seemed not to be bothered by the invasion of Rex in his abode.
Its demeanour was radiating calm, like that of a peaceful monk. Something so unlike all the creatures he had already met. Its calm was a stark opposite to the feraciousness hidden its gaze.
Rex was very certain that the creature that sat relaxed in the hall was a very dangerous being, A fact reinforced by his experience with its gaze. As Rex stood in front of the weapon rack, he fantasized how good it would be if their battle would be a debate of morals, as it demeanour impressed on him, as he dreaded the thought of having to go up against such a powerful creature.
As Rex stood in front of the rows of weapons, focusing his gaze on an Axe with glyphic markings across it head, A pop-up appeared in his POV.
<
---ATTRIBUTE: +3 to Strength---
"Nice", Rex smiled as he noted the axe's attribute. He stored it in his inventory and focused on the next weapon; A grey Staff. The same set of events repeated themselves several times. As Rex kept storing up the weapons in his inventory.
- - -
Rex could not immediately ascertain the value of the weapon, but it was something he could sell and generate in-game currency. The past few hours were beginning to feel unreal. Hours Rex had spent battling with his knuckles and feet.
As Rex stored the 46th weapon, a glaring red announcement popped up.
<
"You can upgrade your inventory with a discounted charge of 1 silver" X L who had been observing his weapon looting with an amused grin, mentioned even before Rex could ask the question.
"Upgrade Inventory X L" Rex announced, not even considering the matter twice. Based on what he could recall from the introductory guide by Big-Fish, Grade F weapons cost about 90-300 bronze coins, and these were mostly common grade weapons, with no enhancements.
Whereas every single weapon he had picked from the Carvern, had an attribute (Enhancement).
Rex had not even let himself think about it, as he was doing his best to maintain his cool. Under the looming threat of the High-Grade Neo-Life creature that sat in the Hall.
<
- - -
A smile appeared on the face of the young man as he continued his looting with renewed enthusiasm.
As long as he survived the Ruin, he was guaranteed to be among the richest Grade-F players.