Leveling Up With My Pet

ƥαṇdα- ηθνε|·ƈθm

Never underestimate the power of seemingly small hand cream. Its potential in the market is immense, with a price tag that could easily surpass 100 US dollars. Beyond its branding, the true allure lies in its unique ingredient: deep-sea fish oil.

Elaine, a young white woman and Kanter's capable assistant and secretary considered herself incredibly fortunate. Excitedly, she remarked, [ " Boss, thanks to our discovery of the remarkable properties of this deep-sea fish oil, its moisturizing and skincare effects are unparalleled. Research indicates that its applications extend far beyond hand cream and can be utilized in various other cosmetic products. " ]

Kanter nodded satisfactorily and said, [ " Indeed, this fish oil is a true blessing. We are pioneers in its discovery and utilization within the cosmetics industry. Remember, utmost confidentiality is crucial. " ] 

Elaine replied confidently, [ " Rest assured, Boss. We will guard this secret with unwavering dedication. No other company will stumble upon it, let alone uncover its remarkable efficacy in cosmetics. " ]

Their chance encounter with this excellent fish oil had changed their fortunes. Six months prior, a group of fishermen unexpectedly captured an enormous white fish in the depths of the Indian Ocean, weighing over 20 tons. Inside the fish's belly lay at least two tons of precious oil.

Coincidentally, Kanter's company was developing a high-end hand cream, for which deep-sea fish oil was a crucial ingredient. Their research and development team obtained a small portion of this peculiar fish's fat and refined it into fish oil. To their astonishment, its moisturizing and skincare properties surpassed all other known deep-sea fish oils.

Diya Company immediately concealed this discovery, blocking any relevant news reports. Apart from a select few individuals, this massive white fish's existence in the ocean remained a secret.

As their research on the fish oil derived from this peculiar white fish progressed, one delightful surprise after another unfolded. Not only was there an absence of any fishy odour, but the oil also emitted a gentle, pleasant fragrance.

These qualities were insignificant compared to the most crucial aspect—the oil's astonishing effectiveness in skincare and moisturization. The researchers were overjoyed by their findings.

The hand cream now rested in Kanter's hands, ready to be introduced to the market with an initial price of approximately $120. However, before its grand launch, a significant challenge awaited them—a steady and abundant supply of fish oil from the white monster fish.

To tackle this dilemma, they dispatched several hunting fleets to the Indian Ocean to pursue the elusive white fish.

Unfortunately, the news they received was disheartening. Three of the five hunting fleets returned empty-handed, unable to locate any sign of the white monster fish.

Suddenly, a series of firm knocks on the door interrupted the room's silence. Gobert, a middle-aged man and a senior executive in charge of raw material procurement and market development, entered.

[ " Boss, I have some unfortunate news, " ]  Gobert uttered gravely, causing Kanter to set down the hand cream he was inspecting.

[ " What's the matter? Could it be that our remaining two hunting fleets have also returned empty-handed? " ] Kanter inquired anxiously, his hopes hanging by a thread.

Gobert nodded solemnly and replied, [ " Yes, Boss. Unfortunately, they too returned without any success. Despite spending over a month in the Indian Ocean, they failed to find any trace of the elusive white strange fish. " ]

Kanter was stunned by the revelation. He had placed great expectations on capturing the oil of this peculiar white fish, envisioning it as a key ingredient not only for mass-producing the hand cream but also for developing a range of other cosmetics that would deal a devastating blow to his competitors. 

Now, it seemed that his hopes were being shattered.

Perplexed, Kanter questioned, [ " How did this happen? Last time, those fishermen managed to kill a massive white fish over ten meters long and weighing over 20 tons using outdated tools and methods. " ]

Gobert sighed before explaining, [ " This time, we deployed five professional fleets, all equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and tools, yet we found no trace of the strange white fish. We speculate that these creatures dwell in the deep sea, at depths of at least two to three kilometres. They remain inactive in waters shallower than one thousand meters or a few hundred meters, making it exceedingly challenging to hunt them down. " ]

The realization dawned upon Kanter that his hopes were fading away. Overwhelmed by disappointment, he sank weakly into his chair, his mind filled with one depressing thought: Could they acquire the precious oil from that deep-sea white monster fish?

For the past two days, Kanter had been preoccupied, temporarily forsaking the pursuit of the elusive white fish. 

On the other hand, the Overlord Project had been focused on one primary objective: finding a suitable temporary dwelling.

If caught, the white fish's delectable flesh could provide a meal or two, prompting the Overlord Project to seek proximity to the great trench.

Finally, they discovered an ideal location—an uphill slope approximately a hundred nautical miles from the Great Trench. Initially, the seabed was relatively flat but gradually inclined upward, not descending but ascending. This unique topography formed a submarine mountain range, with the sea's depth decreasing from over 2,000 meters to approximately 100 to 200 meters.

One of the peaks within this range harboured a cave near its summit. In front of the cave lay a flat stretch of land spanning several acres. Bawang stood on this plateau, gazing at the shelter.

The more he inspected, the more satisfied he became. [ " This is it. The location is perfect. It's not far from the grand trench—just a half-hour swim at most. The water depth is ideal, a comfortable 200 meters or so. " ] Overlord thought.

Additionally, Overlord ruminated, [ " Indeed, this cave is impressive. It's spacious enough for me to grow to 300 to 500 tons before I have trouble fitting in. The depth is suitable too, around 60 to 70 meters. It's a decent place for temporary residence, " ]

Having decided, the Overlord diligently prepared. He cleared the debris with a colossal spear, tidied its corners, and removed the stones cluttering the interior. After investing considerable effort, he surveyed and then entered the cave, comfortably laying down to rest.

Meanwhile, Kanter, feeling helpless and disheartened, reluctantly put down his phone. His face wore a bitter expression as his attempt to enlist a well-known fishing team to hunt the deep-sea white monster fish at a depth of two or three kilometres had politely refused.

The fishing team had made it clear that such depths were restricted areas beyond the reach of any fleet worldwide. Kanter was left grappling with a sense of despair. 

[ " Is my  hope truly about to be dashed ? " ] Kanter thought. 

-KNOCK! -KNOCK!

While thinking about this, suddenly, a knock sounded on the door. It was Gobert who entered the room with an unusual air of excitement. His face beamed joyfully, and he exclaimed, [ " Boss, there is hope for hunting down that deep-sea white monster fish! We have a chance! " ]