Ethan held his breath the obsidian camera pressed against his cheek his clarity in vision showed him the faint shimmering distortion in the air, yes the hiding spot of the crystal bloom slime. He was a level 1 and going against a level 5 mob is the death sentence.
The target can only be seen through his unique perception. He located the large loose chunk of limestone near the waters edge.
This is it , he thought time to make the next plan.
He quickly backed away finding the solid footing on the rough stone. He took one final steadying breath. His plan was simple just kick the rock, splash the water and capture the violent split second reaction.
He used the minimal force of his strength the push the limestone it scraperd the damp wall rolling slowly until crashed against the edge of the pool. The impact was loud it shattered the caves silence and splashing the mana inside the water violently into the air.
The disturbance was instant the waters agitation caused the camouflaged slime to shimmer and vanish replaced by furious, pulsing, raged form.The crystal slime has been materialized.
[CRYSTAL BLOOM LVL 5]
[STATUS: HIGH ANGER ACTIVATING AREA OF EFFECT ATTACK]
Ethan didn't hesitate he raised the camera forcing the command out through a tight throat.
"Here we go , activate Temporal shutter "
The world fragmented time stretched and pulled into slow motion. Ethan watched the crystalline core of the slime pulse with sickening green light preparing to launch it's poison. The movement of maximum brilliance the peak of the poison bloom was his target.
He saw the attack trajectory the wild slow moving spray of toxic fluid that would blanket the chamber in 2.5 agonizing seconds. While the temporal shutter was active he also thought of a escape route. There was no time to run. The only option was single painful vertical jump onto a small narrow ledge above the cave entrance.
Jump!!
He executed the jump his body moving with the supernatural control granted by his foresight.He framed the shot in the air. The poison was expanding terrible dome and the glowing crystalline bloom slime was the very heart of the explosion, it was a chaos, beauty and a imminent doom A perfect viral Shot.
CLICK!!!
Ethan triggered the shutter at the precise calculated peak of the poison bloom.
The temporal shutter effect ended. The world instantly resumed it's normal pace. The poison splattered all over the cave and the pool below him filling the cave with choking poisonous smell.
Ethan slammed against the cold hard ledge the force of the jump and impact causing a sharp spike of pain. He ignored the system notification detailing minimal damage taken. Thank god he was alive.
He immediately opened the cameras menu, he didn't even need to review the image he knew it was perfect.
[IMAGE CAPTURED: CRYSTAL BLOOM SLIME, TITLE: " THE POISON KISS OF AETHELGARDS RAREST MUTANT"]
[UPLOAD COMPLETE. CONTENT PENDING VIRALITY RATING]
He ignored the crystal bloom slime which melted back into the pool and focused entirely on the corner of HUD. That tiny window was his connection to the real world.
[PUBLIC VISIBILITY (PV): 0 → 1452] [PV TREND: +450 PER SECOND. VIRAL STATUS: RISING]
The number didnt stop it began to accelerate widly. The photo was a match tossed into the forum of the aethelgards content market. News feeds. lore forums, and content algorithms had all instantly grabbed the Crystal bloom slime photo content.
It was avalanche: 9812... →15,400....→ 25,000....
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: PV CONVERSION INITIATED]
[25,000 PV CONVERTS TO 1250 EXP]
The systems notification was not a reward it was the consequence of market reacting. The EXP required to level up was 100.
[LEVEL UP! LEVEL1→2]
[LEVEL UP! LEVEL2→3]
[LEVEL UP! LEVEL3→4]
A powerful electric surge of energy washed over him, banishing the fatigue and pain, three level up notifications in a single day.
[CONGRADULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED 15 ATTRIBUTE POINTS]
Ethan pulled himself fully into the ledge his mind racing to process the level increase and obtaining the attribute points. He was level 4 and his life savings could be replenished and he had 15 free points to put it into his stats.
He just reaized that he had gained three levels in the time it took the slime to finish its attack and melt inside the pool. He had skipped the initial miserable hours of grinding that killed the beginner players spirits.
He immediatley pulled up his stat window, his increase in level was showing with fresh potential. His focus cold and absolute.
" I need to live long enough to take the next shot"
He decided against throwing points to strength which was useless to a Witness class like him. Agility was vital for better angles and faster movement. Vitality was important for surviving and increase his HP.
He allocated the points with the focus and it was calculated towards next shot.
He need some endurance he allocated 8 points to Vitality and his HP jumped from 100 to 130.
For speed and evasion he allocated 7 points to agility. He felt his movement felt quicker more fluid giving him much needed buffer against the fast witted mobs.
He had spent all the 15 points he was still weak compared to the proper warrior, but he was no longer a complete loser.
The PV counter continued to surge, rapidly approaching 100,000. The financial reality was sinking in.
[PV CONVERSION ALERT: PV SALES INITIATED BY AETHELGARDS MEDIA AUTHORITY. PENDING PAYOUT IN CURRENCY]
The eviction notice still hung heavy in his memory but the fear was replaced by a cold thrilling certainity. He had uploaded a single photograph and its been selling and its been getting a massive cash influx. The market wanted him and the system was enabling him.
Ethan looked back at the cave entrance he heard the distinct confused shouting of the players who had just stumbled into the trap room which he had survived. He coudnt risk them finding him or the high level slime he had just angered, he needed to be gone.
He had a bank account to check and a next viral target to plan. He wasnt crawling out of the Marsh crossing. He was making his exit as the world's most unlikely and most dangerous content creator.