Ryker decided to head to the mine first. Despite the lack of being closer, he wanted to finish what he deemed the easier quest first, one that was not enshrouded in mystery. Hunting a Genesis Rank 6 Beast is much easier compared to investigating an unknown phenomenon, after all.
With his ability to fly, despite technically not being in the Genesis Core realm, he was able to reach the location of the mine in under an hour. When he got close enough, he used a concealment technique before getting any closer.
Despite some of the previous reports saying the beast's strength is equivalent to a 3rd Stage Genesis Source expert, he didn't truly believe it. After all, the one who had been sent to monitor the beast's movement previously is at most at the Genesis Core.
While they might be truthful, there is still a chance that they have mistaken the beast's strength for their own lack. So, until he had seen the beast and confirmed its strength, he would commit to a more cautious approach. After all, hasty and unprepared adventurers lead to very dead adventurers.
As he got closer to the mine, he began to get more and more worried. He couldn't sense the beast anywhere, not that he could use his sense, after all, it would be like lighting up a fire to signal his presence to the beast.
He didn't even see the beast, making him wonder if it was just inside the mine or if it had already left. He didn't know which outcome he wanted but if it was inside the mine, he needed to check it out.
As he walked towards the entrance of the mine, he could feel a powerful presence inside, confirming the presence of the beast. He stopped for a moment, wondering whether it would be a good idea to just head on in.
A 10-second debate inside his head would lead him to think it would be a very dumb idea. He decided to walk around the mine to see any other potential path down there. After all, it is a big mine in its heyday. So, it stands to reason there is more than one entrance, right?
-x-
'Why is there only one entrance!' he screamed inside his head. Despite spending two whole hours walking around and trying to search for a way into the cave, he didn't find any, not even any destroyed path, where it would be blocked by some rubble.
He pondered for a moment why there was no other pathway there before it hit him. What if the beast had a high-level mastery of Law of Earth and had used it to block most of the entrance only leaving one open so it could get out and hunt for food?
The beast clearly treated the mine as its lair so it is a likely option. However, it would make things harder for him. After all, fighting a beast with high attainment in Law of Earth underground is something akin to a suicide attempt.
However, he had no choice, unless he wanted to return empty-handed. If he did that, after asking for the mission, he would likely never be allowed to get his hand on such a mission ever again, at least for the period he still staying in Mariz City.
He debated with himself once again. This time, the logical and reasonable side of him loses. So, it seems, he would walk into the lair of a beast and fight the creature inside head-on.
Oh, joy.
-x-
After making some preparations, he began his descent into the cavern. As he entered deeper and deeper, the light began to dim before it disappeared completely, as there were no torches or light sources present in the near vicinity.
Still, as a pseudo-Genesis Core expert, his enhanced senses helped him to navigate the treacherous mine, able to avoid some of the nuisance, like a huge hole in the ground, or the spike on the ceiling, or even the jagged rock coming out of the wall.
As he got deeper and deeper, he could feel the beast's aura getting even stronger. The sheer power of the aura alone told him the beast was definitely not at the 3rd Stage. It might even be at the 4th, even 5th Stage.
Thankfully, he had been reluctant to believe the previous report, one of the reasons why he hadn't kicked the bucket yet. As he passed through another wooden beam, he found himself in a spacious cave.
Despite it still being underground, the area he is currently at is so big that it likely could fit the entire Hal Family Mansion, while still having room to spare. There is clearly a sign of rails and carts at the place, his location likely being the hub of the mines where all of the Genesis Stones and Crystals passed through inspection and stored temporarily before being sent to the capital.
However, he does believe the huge and very deep hole in the ground is a recent addition, courtesy of the powerful beast he had to confront. He began to move closer to the hole, before leaning forward, taking a peek.
Despite how close he was to the beast, the creature didn't detect him, either from his concealment technique or the fact it was so focused on digging deeper into the ground. Now that he thought about it, why did the creature decide to dig deeper?
-x-
Because of his suspicion of the beast's activity, he decided to camp out in the mine for the night. Before that, he went outside before sending a quick message to his family, telling him of his plan.
After receiving several replies, most of them asking him to be careful, he began to make his camping preparations, namely hunting some wild beasts and cooking them. After filling his stomach, he headed towards the mine, once again, before beginning to prepare for a long stakeout.
After all, it is not like the beast would mysteriously be finished when he just got there, right?
-x-
20 minutes of waiting and the beast began to climb out of the hole. To his surprise, the beast seemed to be some kind of giant lizard, only with stony exteriors and some jagged rocks coming out under its chin.
Despite the beast's ugly appearance, it clearly showed that it was excited. Judging by the big crystal in its mouth, it is happy for a good reason.
'What!? I just come in and then you get the treasure! This is a terrifying coincidence. A helpful one, but still terrifying' he thought to himself before focusing on the creature. Now that it had come out, Ryker could tell his estimate of the beast had been wrong.
It possessed strength equivalent to a 7th Stage Genesis Source expert. Now he is in a dilemma. Should he retreat and report back of his finding, or should he stay and fight the beast?