My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 443: Sanctuary of Gods

Ethan's duplicate, the figure posing as his "Master" in this realm, occupied a plain wooden seat, serving as an odd stabilizing force for the young lad. To outsiders, this individual remained an enigma, yet for the junior Ethan, he embodied boundless insight. He connected a youth from a remote world to the grand fate of a God-Race founder.

"Sit," the duplicate ordered, his tone carrying a faint echo that hummed through the atmosphere.

Ethan took a seat, with the purple slime still resting atop his head like a gelatinous tiara.

"Master, I sensed it. The 9th Sky. Yet I followed your instructions; I concealed the Fox and revealed only the Slime. They view me as a laughingstock. They believe I'm meant for garbage duty."

The duplicate's mouth twisted into a wry, perceptive grin.

"Allow their mockery. Scorn serves as the finest shield for a developing predator. Should they see you as feeble, they won't monitor you closely. And without their vigilance, they won't witness you transforming into their worst fear. However, the games conclude tomorrow. Tomorrow, you step into the Sanctuary of Gods."

Ethan bent closer, his gaze alight with an eager thirst for understanding.

"The teacher spoke of it, but portrayed it like a casual outing. What's its true nature?"

"The Sanctuary of Gods isn't a casual outing," the Master started, his voice shifting to gravity. "It's a boundless pocket realm of endless expanse. Gateways to it exist on every inhabited world across the cosmos. It functions as a trial arena, a battlefield of death, and a sacred shrine simultaneously. Upon entry, you cease being a city dweller. You become a predator."

With a wave of his hand, the Master conjured a glowing projection of a map floating in the space before them.

"The Sanctuary stretches without limits. It's divided into layers. Your arrival will be in the First Sanctuary, the safer zone crafted for newcomers who've just forged their initial bonds. Human outposts exist there, secure havens that serve as central points for beast tamers."

Ethan inclined his head, taking in each detail.

"Your advancement's heart there boils down to this: Hunt. Slay. Nourish," the Master went on. "Whenever your beast defeats a creature within the Sanctuary, it draws in that foe's core essence. This yields Gene Points for your beast. Such points form the basis of progression."

The Master's digit pressed against the void, summoning a display of classifications.

"Pay close attention, as this knowledge could save your life. Four types of monsters exist.

Basic Monsters: The everyday variety. They grant Basic Gene Points.

Rare Monsters: More powerful, frequently with elemental qualities. They grant Rare Gene Points.

Elite Monsters: Leaders of the untamed lands. They grant Elite Gene Points.

Royal Monsters: Rulers of their domains. They grant Royal Gene Points."

Ethan glanced at his purple slime. The being emitted a small, joyful chirp.

"Upon entering, a mental display will appear," the Master clarified. "It monitors the points required for your next advancement. My counsel to you: Avoid haste. Countless novices fill their Basic points and rush to evolve.

They reach 'Emperor' tier in time, but lack depth. One who advances solely on Elite points gets overwhelmed by a Lord-rank Royal beast. To claim true divinity, fill every category of gene points to the max before considering the Second layer."

"Got it," Ethan murmured. "Complete mastery at each step."

"Precisely," the Master affirmed. "And don't forget your Slime. It's an Emperor Slime. Its ability is 'Devour' and space manipulation. It acquires more than points; it inherits abilities from its meals. Nourish it properly, yet stay cautious."

The following dawn, the academy buzzed with frantic excitement. Chatter filled the air as pupils bragged about their 2nd and 3rd Sky companions.

"Look over there! The Slime Boy really came!" a youth yelled, jabbing a finger toward Ethan. Laughter swept across the yard.

"Ethan, got a bucket handy? Might have to collect your pet if something squashes it!"

Ethan ignored them entirely. He lingered in a secluded spot, his thoughts drifting far beyond. Gene points, growth routes, and the immense realm awaiting him occupied his mind.

Teacher Griffin emerged, resembling a warrior more than an academic this day. Clad in lightweight hide protection and wielding a staff pulsing with power.

The group boarded a enormous flying vessel. The journey lasted just half an hour, though tension hung thick.

They touched down in a secured armed area, facing a colossal, throbbing azure gateway. It resembled a rift in existence itself, eddying with cosmic flecks and timeless might.

"Each living world holds such a passage," Griffin declared from the gateway's front. "Past this awaits either ascension to godhood or a path to doom. You'll scatter to different outposts. Expect a solitary chamber upon arrival. After that, decisions are yours. Join groups, remain in the settlement, or venture to the wilderness. Proceed!"

Students entered the azure glow one after another, disappearing instantly. When Ethan's moment arrived, he advanced without pause. The portal's chill, prickling touch enveloped him.

Ethan's eyes fluttered open in a compact chamber of rough stone. Bare essentials filled it: a cot and a box. He approached the pane and slid it aside.

A settlement sprawled below, as if drawn from a tale of wonder. Structures rose from pale, sun-faded rock and solid timber. Paths gleamed with pale granules mirroring the twin luminaries overhead.

"White Sand Shelter," Ethan deciphered the banner above the central plaza. A spark of familiarity hit him. Tales of this spot echoed even on his origin world. Legendary human beast masters had launched their legends from White Sand.

He descended the steps and merged into the avenue. Briny warmth tinged the breeze. The place thrummed with motion.

Vendors hawked wares, offering "Monster-Hide Armor" and "Hardened Steel Swords." Packs of trackers lounged at open-air benches, sipping brews while recounting close calls against Elite foes.

"Oi, fresh face!"

Ethan pivoted to face a burly, broad-shouldered fellow in metal-reinforced gear. He sought guild recruits.

"What's your companion? We're after a spotter or defender. What Sky rank?"

Ethan shifted the purple slime on his crown.

"It's a Slime," he replied plainly. "1st Sky."

The fellow's expression flipped from curiosity to revulsion in moments. He cut Ethan off mid-thought. Spinning away, he trudged off, hawking phlegm onto the ground.

"Tch. More dead weight. How do these sorry runts even cross the gate? Revolting. Wasted effort."

Ethan observed his retreat, a faint, icy smirk touching his features. Ideal conditions. Amid realms of elite beasts and dazzling elemental allies, a slime-toting kid blended into nothing.

He strolled the settlement, noting the trade flows. A "Gene Exchange" caught his eye, where tamers bartered creature remains for coins or gear. A "Training Hall" hosted drills in beast harmony.

The vibe pulsed with celebration, akin to an endless fair. Each flicker from the town's core portal brought fresh "Newbies," whom seasoned trackers eyed like livestock.

"Seeking 2nd Sky ally! Top rewards for Fire affinity!"

"Require support! Any tier!"

No glances spared for Ethan. He ranked as the batch's "trash." He drifted to the settlement's border, where pale dunes kissed the sharp, towering blades of the fields.

The Emperor Slime throbbed against his scalp. Hunger gnawed at it fiercely.

"Master advised easing in," Ethan confided to the slime. "Basic foes initially. We'll gauge your boundaries."

He passed through the outpost's barriers. Twin suns scorched above, winds bearing the aroma of feral creatures.

Yet for the moment, the Slime claimed priority.

Ethan entered the lofty foliage and spotted his initial prey. A "Sand Rat," dog-sized with razor fangs and tough, scaly skin. The epitome of Basic Monsters.

The rodent snarled, crimson eyes blazing with fury.

Ethan lifted the slime from his head, cradling it.

"Forward, Emperor. Time for our debut gene points."

The purple slime flowed rather than bounded. No roar escaped it. It poured from Ethan's grasp like liquid.

Before the Sand Rat could strike, the slime surged ahead at startling velocity, swelling en route. It morphed into a vast, shadowy veil that cloaked the rat.

The rat thrashed, stifled cries muffled within the slime's bulk. Yet the slime acted as corrosive fluid fused with suction. Soon, resistance faded. Skin, skeleton, meat—all dissolved and integrated.

A stark, robotic tone echoed in Ethan's thoughts.

[Basic Sand Rat consumed. +1 Basic Gene Point.]

[Evolution Progress: 1/100 Basic Gene Points.]