Yi Mountain was a massive earthly structure that stood unopposed under the heavens, but beneath it, the subterranean landscape was much more vast, filled with a variety of areas and creatures.
Malvorrak's cave existed in one such area, specifically the Yolan–Uran Area, named after the two most powerful settlements in the region. They controlled everything in the vicinity, so it was fitting for the area to bear their names. However, even in this region, creatures existed beyond the control of these two settlements. One strong example was Malvorrak.
He wasn't particularly powerful, but he was definitely a threat. If any of the settlements mustered all their strength, they could easily decimate or even kill him.
But there was one creature in the region that made everyone worry: Urgar, a massive behemoth standing around 10 feet tall. Not only was it massive, but it was also a brutal beast that no one dared approach.
Fortunately, it usually minded its own business, going after its chosen prey, so it was typically left alone. The last time someone crossed paths with it was about two months ago, and both parties suffered considerable losses. That someone was the leader of the Yolan village.
"Finally." Malvorrak's body could be seen climbing to the top of a hill as he peered down at the valley below. Even with Urgar injured, it would be extremely foolish for him to go after it right now.
There was still a layer of preparation and experimentation he needed to complete before moving forward.
"Stream Piercers."
Inside the valley, a river flowed downstream, and little blue creatures with circular mouths moved around, used for feeding.
By their movements, one could easily tell they were native to this place, not to mention that this area was called Stream Piercer Valley.
"What are we doing here?" As he looked at the valley below, a small, annoying voice resounded next to him, causing him to sigh bitterly.
"Why are you following me around?" Malvorrak asked the little white lizard, exhaustion etched on his face. He had asked it to leave several times, even trying to eat it to end its miserable life. But unfortunately, it was too slippery and refused to go away.
"I'm not following you around; I just happened to be going in the same direction," the little white lizard replied, standing on its hind legs like a human, its hand scratching its chin as if contemplating something.
"Don't get in my way." Malvorrak used his tail to kick up sand, simultaneously pushing away the white lizard before slowly making his way down the hill.
"Hey, wait up!" Stumbling, the small lizard followed from out of nowhere.
But Malvorrak paid no mind as he walked, his eyes steady and his mind filled with nostalgia. In his early days, he had roamed this area, often bullied by random creatures.
At birth, he had been no bigger than a human's pinky finger. If anyone would believe it, he was tiny, and although he grew larger before moving here, he was still bullied endlessly by the water streamers.
These little things were ruthless bullies, and they wouldn't even let him eat the most useless leaves on the riverbank.
Living among them traumatized him so much that he never returned after leaving. But now, standing at 6 feet, he was back. Not for revenge, though, but for something else.
—zoooop
A stream of water shot out in a straight line around the riverbank, piercing into the water. A second later, a fish emerged, lifeless, with a hole in its side.
This was the innate ability of the Stream Piercer. They could condense the water stored in their bodies to such a level that their attack could pierce through almost anything.
He vaguely remembered seeing this stream of water break rocks apart in the past.
For such a small creature, this was indeed a spectacular attack. If he could gain a skill like this, perhaps defeating Urgar would be more reasonable.
"Hm?" Noticing the quake of the earth as Malvorrak's massive figure moved toward them, one of the Stream Piercers turned around and saw him.
—Screeeee
At the sight of him, it screeched in fear and ran away into a hole in the ground. One of its defense mechanisms was this: when faced with a medium threat, its stream of water was enough to deter them, but against a beast like Malvorrak, they would flee and hide in holes.
"Ahh." Malvorrak was taken aback. He never knew these little monsters to run and hide; they were usually aggressive toward monsters big and small.
The next minute consisted of Malvorrak chasing after each Stream Piercer with all his might and failing miserably.
Unfortunately, at the sight of his massive figure, they would all flee in trembling fear. They could bully large creatures by crowding them, but Malvorrak wasn't just large.
He was incredibly tough.
It was starting to look more and more like this wasn't going to work out.
"Hey, big guy, let me try something." Suddenly, a tiny, annoying voice sounded next to Malvorrak, causing him to look down at the little white lizard.
What could this little thing do? He had no choice but to sit back and let it do what it wanted.
It wasn't like he was making any progress himself.
So the little white lizard walked around the riverbank, inspecting every nook and cranny, slowly searching for a solution. Then, all of a sudden, he jumped into an empty hole in the ground and disappeared for a few minutes.
The next thing Malvorrak heard was a painful screech, followed by the Stream Piercer that had gone underground flying out in panic.
In that brief moment of shock and confusion, it forgot about the larger monster on top. It had erred.
—CRRK
Its hard shell shattered as sharp fangs munched into it, killing it instantly.
[Ding! 1 gene point added]
Hearing the system sound in his head, Malvorrak grew happy as he watched the white lizard exit the hole, a prideful look on its face. It had accomplished what this big oaf could not, so it felt superior.
At least that's what it thought.
'At least you're useful.'
Malvorrak thought to himself before slowly standing up and pushing the little lizard back into the hole, pointing at the next target.