Everyone took a deep breath.

  James started addressing the piling up notifications.

  System Notice – Essence Stabilized

  Additional information unlocked:

  Hydra (Three-Headed):

  Category: Rarity: Aspects: Slots Required: Abilities: Traits: Crafter: Size: Weight: Level Requirement: Uses Remaining: Quantity:

  After a quick glance to which Edward and Ken nodded James selected Bind.

  System Notice - Card Info evolution triggered.

  Utility ‘Card Info’ has evolved to ‘Card Insight’Effect: Additional information granted.

  James now noticed a new (i) icon appear next to each of the Abilities. James checked out each. Interestingly the information was contextualised.

  Crushing Coil:

  Multi-Bite:The Hydra can attack multiple targets or the same target in rapid succession using its three heads. Each head operates independently, allowing overlapping pressure rather than a single decisive strike.

  Arcane Resilience:

  Regenerate:

  Relentless:

  Thick Hide:

  “Card Evolution?” James said wonderingly.

  “Say what now?” Brody said from under Charlie’s weight. He hadn’t really tried though from the looks of things.

  “Oh, well done!” Edward said, coming over.

  Ken smiled and nodded. He noticed that Ken’s staff was still at the ready and he was the optimal distance from Brody still.

  “But what was in the chest?” Brody complained.

  James triggered the chest rewards.

  System Notice - Hallow Dungeon completed. Bonus Objectives completed - additional options unlocked.

  First Time Bonus Detected - additional options unlocked.

  Commanders detected x 2 - additional options unlocked.

  Calculating…

  James's face showed the story, and Edward and Ken waited with bated breath.

  “Well!” Brody demanded.

  Notices started to appear in group chat.

  Hallow Dungeon Chest rewards:– Gold ×300

  – Hallow based equipment slot card.

  – Dungeon Hallow Pack

  – Upgrade token (Common)

  Bonus:

  Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

  – Additional bond slot unlocked.

  Loot – First-Clear Cache

  – Rejuvenation ×2

  – Hallow Dungeon Trait

  – Trait unlock/upgrade token.

  James looked up. It was a decent reward. Nothing compared to his Epic Griffon Egg.

  The shocked look on Ken and Edwards faces tipped him off on something abnormal happening.

  “Bond…” Edward stuttered.

  Realisation dawned on James. For him an additional bond slot would likely go unused. For Ken and Edward, they just went from zero to one.

  Brody shoved his way to his feet.

  Charlie fell off without digging claws in.

  “I’m going to go see if those griffon eggs are still there. We may all be able to get a griffon bond.”

  Ken and Edwards eye’s lit up. They all pelted down the stairs.

  When they got down to the nest it was empty, apart from Dandelion.

  Brody groaned.

  Ken looked at James.

  He looked back at Ken baffled.

  (Private) Ken:

  (Private) James:

  “I’m going to level up while I have the chance,” he said aloud.

  James returned up the stairs to the flat ground of the main chamber.

  He commanded Charlie and Squire to protect him.

  Squire squeaked in annoyance, clearly wanting to join him, or maybe go exploring.

  Charlie dropped into an alert prowl, steel claws ticking against stone.

  James scratched under Squire’s chin until her tail flicked in reluctant acceptance.

  Then he let the world fall away and dropped into Commander’s Space, time ratio unchanged.

  White noise welcomed him, and a golden card floated waiting patiently for him to level up.

  Additionally, a new card sat next to Squire’s Retreat. The stairs for this were sky blue and led up to great closed double doors.

  There was also a new slot on both cards. Food.

  He walked over to the slot and added horse meat to both. Unlike other slots, when he filled these slots another food slot opened up ready for more.

  A new red line stretched through the ground, connecting the nursery cards to the Crafters Hall.

  He climbed the gold edged steps to stylish double doors. With a deep breath, he pushed the doors away from him into the card world.

  A strong cool wind blew past him. All around were griffon eggs. Mamma Griffon was perching nearby. She greeted him like a friend, with a head nod, not bow.

  James nodded back.

  He saw that the horse meat was actually going to her for now.

  He walked over to purple egg and touched it.

  The shell went opaque as he did so and he could see the baby griffon that lay within. As if sensing his presence, tiny paws lifted to touch where his hand was. They couldn’t quite reach. He lowered his hands and touched where the paws were against the egg.

  A blue line connected his hands to their paws and James felt the connection sink in. It was the same one he felt for Squire and Charlie, but this time he knew what the feeling truly was. Bond magic. The connection told him the griffon bond in front of him was a she, and she was beautiful.

  The paws dropped, and there was a feeling that James was wrong.

  The paws jumped at his hands again.

  That was a yes.

  James thought for a minute.

  This time he got confused as a response.

  There was a massive leap and James grabbed at the egg to steady it.

  Solid yes!

  He walked over to Mama Griffon who had been watching with aloof curiosity.

  “Hello Mama Griffon,” James said confidently.

  He got a little screech in response.

  On a whim James invited her to the party.

  Nothing happened. He cursed.

  “Can you understand me?” he tried instead.

  The huge griffon lowered her eyes to James and gave a brief nod.

  “Can you tell me her name?” he said pointing to his purple egg.

  The head shook a ‘no’ in answer.

  She pushed her beak against his chest breaking into his thoughts.

  “You can help, but can’t tell me. Do you perhaps need something?”

  The Griffon lifted her head and opened her beak in what he took to be happiness.

  System Notice - Bond Quest:

  Part I:

  Reward:

  Card Insight:

  “My name is James Cooper,” he announced to the Mama Griffon. He bowed.

  Bond Quest: Griffon Bonding Part I partially completed.

  Mother Griffon name provided:

  “It’s nice to meet you, Talon-Mother,” James said, bowing again.

  System Notice - Hallow Dungeon time to close: 1 hour.

  Shit – he wasn't the only one needing to level and whatever forces the Queendom had defending their Dungeon would be outside.

  He needed Brody to behave. He'd shown Brody the stick, time for the carrot.

  “Talon-Mother Dayne. May I take one of the other eggs out very quickly to show Brody who rode on your back in the Dungeon?”

  The mighty Griffon matron rose to her feet and walked over to a gold and white speckled egg. It was one of the larger eggs.

  “This is for Brody?” James asked.

  Talon-Matron nodded and nudged it towards him.

  “There are two others with me who have earned the honour as well. Edward and Ken. Do you know them too?”

  The Talon-Mother shook her head in a clear refusal

  James gave a respectful bow and left, leaving the eggs where they were.

  He needed to level up first.