Chapter 49: Polymorph and Blending in
Adrian went to Pann to inquire on how to be able to change his soulbounds appearance. When he reached Pann's residense, he was tending to his own creatures outside. Pann recognize Adrian but did not spare him another glance. Adrian seemed to sense that Pann was not paying him attention so he proceeded to ask the old man anyway.
" Old man Pann could I ask you something?" Adrian asked.
" Can't you see that I am pretty busy right now" Pann answered crankily.
" Your body might be busy but your mouth isn't." Adrian murmured.
"What did you say you brat!" Pann said angrily.
" Uh..I said..umm..Do you have a way for soulbound monsters to appear smaller? Out of combat I mean." Adrian said nervously.
" I do have an idea but why should I tell you." Pann said with a cranky tone.
" If you tell me I would not bother you anymore how about that." Adrian said with confidence. After Adrian said that Saena landed on his head again but before Adrian could grab her she was already in Pann's hands.
" Ooh..what's this creature? I have not seen it before. Could it be an endangered species? It has an aura unlike ordinary creatures. Brat, where did you get this magnificent creature." Pann asked while examining Saena which the latter was a bit uncomfortable.
Adrian took back Saena and calmed it down before he answered Pann.
"I summoned her using a mythical soul stone." Adrian said in a flat tone.
" I see. Since you showed me something interesting brat. I would answer your question. Here is a Polymorph skillbook. This could solve your problems as long as you learn the skill." Pann said while he showed the skillbook to Adrian.
Adrian was about to reach for the skillbook when Pann hid the skillbook again.
" I just showed you the way. I did not say it was for free." Pann snickered.
Adrian controlled his temper before he asked Pann. "How much?"
" 100 gold" Pann answered.
"That's robbery. A skillbook that cost a hundred gold are already epic skillbooks plus I only have 100 gold left in my pocket. And what are you going to use the money for anyway. You are pretty self sufficient." Adrian retorted.
" If you come to me every time you encounter a fascinating monster and every so often respond to my commissions then I would only sell it to you for 10 gold coins." Pann said.
Adrian thought about Pann's offer. It seems Pann is really a creature enthusiast like what the other residents say he is. Also, commissions by Pann will surely be good considering he was the most famous breeder here in the area. Adrian nodded with Pann's offer and he was given a token with a rune embedded in it. Pann said that it would light up when he needs Adrian for something and he was told to come immediately if he could because he did not want to be kept waiting. Adrian paid ten gold coins to Pann and immediately learned the skillbook.
Skill: Polymorph( Out of Combat Version)
Tier: Uncommon
Effect: Changes of transforms the appearance of a selected individual. Only works on willing targets. Dispelled when the polymorphed individual initiates combat or takes damage.
Cooldown: 10 minutes
Cast Time: Instant but total transformation takes five seconds.
Mana Consumed: 100 MP
Item: Pann's Token
Tier: Epic
Durability: 500/500
Effect: A token given to individuals that Pann has interest in. Pann's token will glow when he needs the wielder of the token to do jobs for him.
Description: A pentagon shaped token with Pann's name written as a rune. It is made of Black Iron and a mixture of other metals.
Adrian then said goodbye to Pann and contacted Marlon whose in game name was Levin Cloud to meet him near the Ambrosia Forest where the Silver Moore is close to. Marlon then replied that he would meet him in an hour. Adrian then went to the portal area to find the way to Ambrosia Forest and was not met with luck because the nearest possible portal location would be near Rośe City which is an elven settlement. He then went first to Ascalor to tell him that he would be out of the Planes for a while. He then gave Adrian a warning that if his cover gets blown and is captured that it is okay to lead his captors to a nearby portal because he could escape using the portal with the consequence that the portal would be closed until it is proven that it could be opened again. Ascalor said that though mages have no capacity to enter the portals, there may be individuals that could find a way to our pocket dimension. Some nations do consider us a commodity. Adrian heeded the warnings and ventured off knowing that he could get captured by NPC's if he was not mindful of his surroundings. There is a concept of prison in this game which is why he should be careful. Adrian then set the Paradox Planes as his resurrection point if he ever gets killed.
Adrian then used the skill Polymorph on his soulbounds Sirius and Kanlaon. Sirius became small and cute and he looked like a baby Siberian husky with only black fur. Kanlaon looked like a chibi version of himself that has a larger head instead of a longer body. He looked like a Red dragon stuff toy that is sold to little kids. He became two feet long with his head being 1 foot and his body the remaining size. He did look rare but he became cute which would deter persons interested in combat to glance at him. Players who are girls would be attracted to Kanlaon though but Adrian could not think of any other form. Adrian then cast Glamour on himself to change the perception of other through him before he went inside the portal/fracture.
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Marlon a.k.a LevinCloud was already waiting at the entrance to Ambrosia Forest. Adrian told him that he has arrive in Rośe City and would take about five minutes to reach his location. Marlon was happy that he could go an adventure with his best friend because he rarely goes out now because of the result of the accident. He would support his best friend both in real life and inside the game.
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Adrian appeared in a hidden empty alleyway inside the city. It was not that bustling because there are only a few hunting ground near the city but it was still a city. Adrian walked out of the alleyway and into the street to find the south gate which is where the entrance to Ambrosia Forest is. Adrian did not attract much attention from male players but did so with female players because he was accompanied by cute summons. Female summoners even asked him where he obtained them but he answered that he was on a tight schedule and could not spare time to answer their queries. He was also getting death stares from some male players because he was attracting attention of the female players but they did not cause a ruckus because of Adrian's player name was in white which signified that he was not legally an adult and if they get reported they could have their accounts banned or worse deleted. Adult players who harass underage users would be subjected to strict disciplinary action and would even pay a fine. Underage players would also be protected by the system and would forcibly log out anyone that would do illegal stuff to them. The underage user would also be logged out so that they would not develop a trauma of the incident. There were some who tested the limits of the system and were fined and was rumored that they were still paying the fees till this day. You could say that the game Pandemonium has strict standards when in comes to the well being of users which is why it has a high approval rates compared to other VRMMOs.
It did not take long for Adrian to see his best friend's player name and greeted him.
"Yo! You really did choose an elf. I thought you were joking but you were not." Adrian said happily.
" And it seems you really are a summoner but why do your summons look too cute. Are they viable in battle?" Marlon said jokingly.
" You would be surprised." Adrian said while containing his laugh.
" Well, If you say so. Should we take the safe route and avoid the monsters or the shorter route with monsters." Marlon asked.
Adrian hesitated at first but chose the safe route because he did not want the Polymorph to dispel and be seen. He would show his best friend his soulbounds first in a dungeon without the prying eyes of the public. He should at least be considerate of his best friend that cancelled his game plans to accompany him.
[Player Levin Cloud invited you to be a member of his party 'Best friend's BUS ride'. Would you like to join? Yes or No.]
Adrian laughed at the name of the party but still joined anyway. Now, their adventure begins.