The Cybernetic Sabre Tooth Rabbits completed their tasks in an hour.

The ammunition, which was neither explosive, incendiary, nor ionised, was also separated, while the rest was taken apart.

I didn't want to make the mistake of giving Felix either of these to eat and risk murdering him.

After that, I commanded Felix to try out special metals to see if they would increase his strength.

It worked.

However, the increase was almost negligible.

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◆ Rank: Lesser Beast - Second Rank (0.4%)

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I was unsure if it was because the metals were also processed or due to the impurities within them.

The only way to be certain was to get a precious metal with magical properties for him to consume.

Next, they stored the remaining items in my Storage Bag.

Meanwhile, I trained for two hours, acquiring ten proficiency points.

The wall before me was blackened, with a cracked hole in it due to my incessant use of Fire Spark.

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◆ Spells:

┗ Sky Dash - Advanced Spell (12%)

┗ Fire Spark - Basic Spell (65%)

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I stood up and stretched my body.

I turned to the CRs and said, "Let's head out and capture a new beast."

They bounced up and down in excitement.

I wrapped them in my mana, activated my storage ring, and stored them all inside.

I went to the edge of the cave and found Felix, who had been keeping watch.

After he completed his transformation into Jet mode, I hopped on his back, and we quickly soared into the air.

I wasn't worried about anyone discovering the cave because there was nothing that would suggest anything extraordinary had taken place there, except for the lingering scent of used ammunition, which would most likely be dismissed.

***

I stood on a branch of a tree, observing the scene below as CR1, CR11, and CR21 faced off against a deer with slamming antlers and hooves, towering at a height of seven feet.

Flaming River Deer. A mid-stage Rank One Lesser Beast.

It was named as such due to its habit of galloping along the surface of the lake to quench its flaming hooves so that it could reignite them with its antlers.

It left behind a trail of steamy clouds to block its predators, using the opportunity to escape.

It was one of the tasks listed in the Dungeon Hall.

To complete the quest, one needed to retrieve its flaming antlers.

They were ingredients used in alchemy and brewing elixirs.

I didn't know the specifics.

The only way to retrieve the flaming antlers was to eliminate it.

Since I wasn't planning on completing the task, I used the opportunity to test the first squad of the CRs.

Although one of them alone could take out the Flaming River Deer, the only way to test their teamwork was by making them capture the beast together.

Even if I wanted to test their overall strength and teamwork at the same time, there was no opponent currently in the dungeon that could rival them.

The only beasts capable of doing so were other Cybernetic beasts like Felix and the other CRs.

Considering my current situation, I needed them all to remain in optimal condition at all times.

CR1, CR11, and CR21 were all equipped with the Whisper Pistol.

They surrounded the Flaming River Deer.

Startled, the Flaming River Deer attempted to flee.

However, it was too late.

Two red lights streaked forward.

Blood bloomed on its forelegs, causing it to crash onto the ground.

Two more wounds appeared on its hind legs.

The force of the mana bullets broke them apart.

After a few failed attempts to get back to its feet, the Flaming River Deer stopped.

It snarled fiercely at the CRs, its flaming antlers burning even more brightly, as though warning them not to get any closer.

This was a beast that was recommended to be handled by two or more Magical Swordsman students, due to its high-intensity flaming horns, which it used to charge at opponents, and powerful kicks from its hooves, making it a formidable opponent in close combat and a suitable target for training.

However, within a few seconds, it was completely subdued.

I leapt down from the tree branch, took a rope from my storage bag, and approached it.

The Flaming River Deer noticed me and snarled even more fiercely.

However, it was powerless to do anything.

I knelt beside the Flaming River Deer and tied its legs together.

I summoned Squad Two, CR2, CR12, and CR22.

"Take it up, and follow me. Let's move to a safer place."

They responded with a silent salute. They surrounded the Flaming River Deer and lifted it with their powerful forearms.

One carried its neck up, while the other two carried its legs and its torso.

They held the Flaming River Deer's body firmly in place, preventing it from moving.

Turning to Squad One, I commanded, "Protect them and alert us if you notice anyone heading our way."

They responded with a silent salutation and scattered into the busy clearing, disappearing from sight.

Felix arrived before me in his jet mode.

I hopped on his back, and we quickly went in search of a new cave.

***

"Alright, here goes nothing."

I muttered to myself as I stretched both hands over the bleeding Flaming River Deer.

This was also a test to see if it was possible to transform a seriously injured beast into a cybernetic beast.

I didn't need to waste my time and effort testing on a beast with one of its legs missing to know it would result in a Flaming River Deer with a missing leg, that would still require healing, albeit through a different process.

Fusion Synchronisation.

A blue and silver glow emerged from my hand, enveloping the Flaming River Deer.

It snarled at me fiercely.

After five minutes, half of the Flaming River Deer had transformed into a cybernetic beast, from the antlers all the way to the centre of its body.

Then, a wave of weariness hit me.

I fell unconscious.

I awakened an hour later and completed the process.

It took a total of one hour and ten minutes.

I sensed a familiar connection between myself and the Cybernetic-Enhanced Flaming River Deer.

The Flaming River Deer's frame was now wrapped in deep black metallic plating, with red fiery lines running through it, from its metallic antlers, which were still covered in high-intensity flames, down to its flaming hooves.

Sparks of plasma-like energy raced between the antlers at various intervals.

Along the sides of its joints, as well as its shoulders and spine, down to its back hind legs, were gaps with visible rotating gears within.

The metallic plates shifted, opening and closing the gaps at intervals as steam hissed out from the vents on its neck and beside the gaps.

Its segmented metallic tail curled and unfurled like a living whip, glowing with visible fiery energy flowing through the lines running along it.

The Cybernetic-Enhanced Flaming River Deer resembled a beautiful sculpture carved from metal that could only be found in a painting.

The oppressive aura it radiated was more powerful than its previous form..

I untied its rope, quickly alleviating its discomfort.

It rolled to the side and stretched its limbs forward, attempting to rise to its feet, but ultimately fell back to the ground.

After several more tries, it successfully got back up.

I sensed intelligence in its eyes as it stared at me.

It felt as though it was trying to say something, but didn't know how.

I took the opportunity to summon its status sheet.

[ Race: Cybernetic-Enhanced Flaming River Deer

Lesser Beast – First Rank (90%)

Enhancements: Ignition Hoof Pistons (Legs), Antler Conduit Array (Antlers), Hydro-Core Regulator (Torso), Tail Servo System (Tail), Adaptive Armour (Hide)

Fusion Compatibility: 2% ]

Its strength had advanced to 90%, making it a late-stage Rank One Lesser Beast.

Its fusion compatibility was lower than the CRs'.

It may be related to the way we captured it.

Due to the low intelligence of some magical beasts, which was still several levels higher than that of ordinary beasts, they could retain core memories along with a few memories they deemed important.

However, the problem came after transforming into a Cybernetic Beast; they were left with a series of fragmented memories that they were unable to piece together properly.

Felix had a slightly better understanding of who he was before being transformed into a Cybernetic Beast, which was why he had been able to pick up language so easily.

"How do you feel?" I asked.

"If you feel okay, 'nod'. If you don't feel fine, 'shake your head.'"

The Cybernetic-Enhanced Flaming River Deer nodded and shook its head at the same time.

"Okay. Take your time to rest." I nodded

It was understandable for it to feel both ok and not at the same time.

I took a step back, allowing the first and second squad, who had been staring curiously at the Cybernetic-Enhanced Flaming River Deer from behind, to step forward and quickly surround it.

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