The creature lay motionless at their feet, its massive body half-buried in the cracked ground. Cliff, wiping the blood from his sword, turned to Rakahn with a look of satisfaction, though a shadow of contemplation clouded his gaze.
He knelt, reaching into the carcass of the Black Scarab to search for the essence stone confirmed by the announcement voice. After a few moments, his fingers touched a hard, smooth surface. Slowly, he extracted a black essence stone, about the size of his fist. The dark glow it emitted contrasted with the dimly flickering torches in the cave.
Standing up, Cliff handed the stone to Rakahn. "Here, this essence belongs to you."
Rakahn stared at the stone for a moment, surprised. "Master, I can't accept this. You were the one who defeated it; it's rightfully yours."
Cliff shook his head with a smile. "We defeated it together, Rakahn. This variant essence could help you evolve. Take it; it will be useful in the days to come."
