Chapter 145: Seventy Percent

The inner workings of this place were completely foreign to Filmos.

Looking around the shop, he spotted gadgets and displays he didn’t even know existed. He couldn’t help but stare in sheer awe, his jaw hanging slightly open as his eyes darted from one corner to another.

Who in their right mind would try to sell living beasts like storefront merchandise? The owner clearly wasn’t normal, but hell, he certainly possessed the extraordinary means to pull it off.

To think someone could create a dedicated spatial interface just to put beasts up for sale! It proved that selling beasts openly was actually possible when backed by such insane technology.

Facing a massive wall that displayed vivid, living images of beasts residing in another world or dimension made the entire purchasing setup look ridiculously effortless.

Who could ever claim selling beasts wasn’t possible? The mysterious owner had shattered that exact notion using this unthinkable technology.

"Man, just like you, I’m impressed as hell!" Jake said in a light, cheerful tone, turning around to take in the room. "I can’t believe Hibiscus City doesn’t have this kind of technology."

Filmos could only nod, still completely mesmerized.

"Even in other major cities, sir, this technology is truly one of a kind," a shop attendant chimed in, approaching them with a respectful, professional demeanor. "And because of that, our shop is famous throughout the region."

Filmos and Jake both nodded in understanding, stepping closer to inspect the wall where various species of beasts were being showcased.

There were bright pink slimes bouncing on screen, while the goblins listed beside them looked bizarre. Blue goblins actually existed? What the hell was that?

Filmos couldn’t hide his excitement any longer. He raised his hand, pointing his finger with an amazed look at one specific creature displayed on the screen.

"Are you sure you want that one, Filmos?" Jake asked, raising an eyebrow. He had been eyeing a completely different beast—one with a cooler, far more intimidating aura.

But it wasn’t Jake’s choice to make.

Filmos nodded firmly. He could feel an inexplicable, magnetic pull drawing him toward the creature. He couldn’t help but be completely captivated by it.

"An excellent choice, sir!" the attendant praised.

Jake turned to the attendant with a deeply puzzled look. He glanced back at the image on the screen, still unable to comprehend what the two of them saw in it.

"Uhm, am I sort of missing something here?" Jake asked, scratching his head. "What do you two see in that kind of beast? That’s literally just a worm."

"Sir," the attendant interrupted politely, stepping in. "With all due respect, that isn’t just a worm. That is a Green Anaconda Beast. It appears small right now, but it can freely alter its physical size at the tamer’s will."

Jake’s eyes widened in sheer surprise, his mouth slowly dropping open as gravity pulled his jaw down.

"You’re not joking, right? That’s not a worm?! That’s a Green Anaconda? It’s listed as a C-Rank, but you’re selling something like that here?"

The attendant nodded smoothly.

"Yes, sir. It is officially classified as C-Rank. However, in this shop, we don’t just sell basic beasts. This creature is unique in its own right because its performance is way above its official rank. It can easily be considered A-Rank, capable of fighting toe-to-toe with normal A-Rank beasts."

Jake’s brows knit together tightly in skepticism.

"Are you sure about that? Look, I know the legendary reputation of this shop. I know you’re not going to outright scam us, but over-exaggerating your merchandise like that... I don’t think that’s cool."

The attendant’s expression softened, flashing a gentle, reassuring smile to ease Jake’s lingering suspicions.

"Sir, please don’t worry. I am not exaggerating in the slightest. That is simply how powerful it is. Furthermore, if you purchase this beast, your friend will easily become financially stable. Well, virtually any beast you pick here will help financially when it comes to dungeon diving, but this particular one is what I would choose if I didn’t already have a beast."

Jake held up his hands defensively. "Okay... okay... We’ll buy it."

...

Not long after, the two of them stepped out of the shop holding the newly acquired Pocket Sanctuary Card in hand.

Jake still wasn’t entirely sure if bringing Filmos here was the right thing to do. Even though he was the one who insisted on coming, he was now the one left overwhelmed with suspicion.

"Before anything else, let’s go straight to the Contribution Agency to register you," Jake suggested, clearing his throat.

Filmos nodded in agreement. Within a couple of minutes, Filmos was officially a registered tamer at the local Contribution Agency. He received an official C-Rank pass to enter dungeon rifts, though he could technically step into B-Rank rifts if his soul could handle the physical pressure of a higher-grade environment.

"So... what’s the plan now?" Filmos asked, turning to Jake as the sun began to dip behind the distant mountains, painting the sky in deep orange hues.

Jake paused to think for a moment. He had been pondering this since they left the shop, and now felt like the right time to mention it.

"I think we need to test out the beast first," Jake said seriously. "You still need to perform the ritual to form a proper soul bond with it. I know the exact technique to help you force it."

"Uhm... about that, I don’t think I need to do any ritual," Filmos murmured, rubbing his cheek.

A giant question mark seemed to print itself across Jake’s face.

"Huh? Why do you say that?"

"Well, I held the card and touched the beast earlier inside the shop..." Filmos admitted softly. "We already formed our contract."

"What?!" Jake shouted, jumping back in absolute shock. But his shock quickly turned into sheer panic over his friend’s safety. "That fast?! Don’t tell me it was rushed! Don’t tell me you gave the beast a higher percentage ratio just to secure it!"

Filmos let out a genuine, lighthearted chuckle upon seeing his friend’s frantic, worried expression.

"Of course that’s not the case. Why would I give a beast the upper hand in a relationship? I got seventy percent control."

Jake froze on the spot, his jaw falling open once again. He stared at Filmos in utter disbelief, mentally questioning how on earth a guy like him had failed to land a contract during his official awakening ceremony.

A seventy percent initial bond ratio was insanely high! Most tamers—including Jake himself—only managed to secure around sixty percent during their first contract. Landing seventy percent right off the bat meant Filmos possessed an exceptionally rare, high natural affinity.

"I can’t believe it!" Jake suddenly yelled out, grabbing Filmos by the shoulders. "I have a literal genius for a friend!"

Jake began jumping around on the street with uncontained joy, creating a noisy scene. Filmos’s face flushed bright red from sheer embarrassment as passing pedestrians turned their heads to stare at them.

Filmos practically curled his body inward, wishing the ground would swallow him whole so he wouldn’t be seen.

"Hey, stop that! Don’t do that in public..." Filmos hissed under his breath.

"Come on, bro! We’re definitely not going home to rest now!" Jake declared loudly, slapping Filmos on the back while intentionally emphasizing his words for everyone nearby to hear. "I have to see that SEVENTY percent contract of yours in action right now!"