"Hmmm…" Inside Malvorrak's cave, the little lizard Cious could be seen playing with a spherical ball that glowed with a beautiful luster as he reclined on a wooden plank with his feet crossed.
As creatures grow, they slowly form a central mass within their bodies. For low-level creatures, it isn't well-defined and can easily be mistaken for just a clump of flesh and blood. But for a creature like Urgar, this central mass was much more pronounced.
It was the beast core, the most valuable component of any creature. The beast core represented the essence of their power, nurturing them and defining their growth, making it precious. An average beast core could fetch at least twice the price of the beast itself.
However, not all beasts possess the talent to develop one, despite their essential nature.
"Hey, you four, take me outside," Cious called out to his left, where four figures knelt in submissive positions.
The four goblins had prostrated themselves in front of Malvorrak's cave after their village had been slaughtered and their home occupied by another tribe of goblins. Alone in the subterranean world, they were bound to become prey sooner or later, so they made the desperate decision they could think of.
They approached the monster Malvorrak to seek refuge and pledge their allegiance. The goblins' foolishness was evident; after stealing from Malvorrak, they had returned to ask for his help. Extremely naive!
Naturally, Malvorrak had immediately gone for the kill, but Cious intervened, citing their usefulness. For some reason, Malvorrak allowed him to keep them.
This beast, known for his insane temperament and antisocial nature, listened to reason? It was unbelievable. What secrets did this little creature possess?
The goblins wondered, and after that, they devoted themselves to serving Cious, trying to understand his mysterious ways. After all, he was an Apostle.
"Yes, your holiness!" the four goblins spoke in unison before rushing forward to lift the plank bed that Cious was seated on onto their shoulders.
Cious had told them he was the apostle of a mountain god who granted dominion over all beasts. He promised to keep them safe if they obeyed his commands, and they readily agreed.
As they rushed out of the cave with Cious seated majestically above them, they took a U-turn and began ascending a rocky slope.
Malvorrak's cave was situated at the base of a medium-sized mountain, poking above a highlandish sand dune. It wasn't too big, but it wasn't small either. The fact that Malvorrak had this place all to himself was surprising, to say the least.
"Hu… Hu… Hu…"
The four goblins took labored breaths as they climbed the mountain slowly. Despite Cious's small frame, he was surprisingly heavy. They could only imagine what that little creature was eating.
"There he is!" After several minutes of ascending, a lizard figure emerged on the horizon, bathed in the glow of the underground luminescent stones.
He had luscious green scales stretching from his snout to his nape and down to his tail and limbs. With the light shining on his skin, one could easily forget that the terrifying monster before them was Malvorrak.
His scales had thickened into bony plates along his back, resembling the impenetrable armor of an armadillo, each plate interlocking to shield him from the fiercest attacks.
The battle with Urgar was showing its results right here.
"Hm?" Malvorrak noticed Cious out of the corner of his eye but kept his gaze straight ahead. He was still trying to take in the glow of the luminous stones.
Not many creatures knew this, but Malvorrak's natural habitat was not beneath Yi Mountain. His morphology belonged to a terrain with ample sunlight and the glow of the sky. However, he was born here and had lived in this underground world for most of his life.
He knew nothing of the outside world, let alone how to survive in it.
The luminous stones that illuminated the underground were enough for him.
"He's grown stronger," Cious mused as he watched Malvorrak from behind. This big oaf had indeed experienced a miraculous turn of events; he now had the ability to steal evolutionary traits.
If not, it wouldn't make sense for him to become so powerful in such a short time. Cious couldn't deny he felt a twinge of jealousy.
"Hmm." Malvorrak stretched, his scales vibrating slightly as he turned to walk toward Cious and the four goblins.
Seeing this sight, the four goblins trembled. They were well aware of the alliance between their master and Malvorrak, but being near Malvorrak gave them chills.
"Are you really going in without a plan again?" Cious asked, frustration tinging his voice. The way this big oaf walked forward suggested he was charging in headfirst again, just like in the fight with Urgar.
"No choice," Malvorrak replied calmly.
Actually, Cious was mistaken; Malvorrak wasn't going in without a plan because he hadn't learned his lesson. The truth was, unlike Urgar, the Yolan village chief wasn't a loner and had plenty of backup.
If Malvorrak was going to confront her for his treasures, he would have to contend with them. A fight was inevitable, but how he approached it was something he needed to consider.
"Okay, at least let me try something before you go all rage mode and get yourself killed again." Cious shook his head.
He, too, liked gold and treasures, but he couldn't understand why Malvorrak was risking his life over it.
"If you say so." Malvorrak nodded and walked forward, the memory of Cious reviving him from the brink of death still fresh in his mind.