After resting for a while, I carefully stood up and surveyed the area looking for the Dungeon's Core seeing where it was and how it was strangely unscathed by the raging Stone Wyrm earlier, I took out the "Dungeons" book and wrote down a few notes about the strangeness I had just noticed. As much as I wanted to understand more of it and approach the Core, I still had one more thing to do. It's to take the Stone Wyrm's Mana Crystal.
I don't know whether the dungeon would will just crumble if I take too long, defeat the boss monster on the last floor, or the Core had been destroyed. Approaching the slowly dissipating body of the boss monster of the dungeon, I couldn't really help but wonder if what we just fought had been the real one or were was the dungeon boss a bit different from the rest of the dungeon creatures, as the Stone Wyrm's body right in front of us was slowly crumbling away like the ashes of burned paper and leaving in its wake as the last physical body of the Stone Wyrm had crumbled, A big yellow crystal the size of my head.
"Mii~," Mirelle murmured, her voice soft but full of intent. I followed her gaze and noticed her fixated on the yellow mana crystal. She glanced at me, then back at the crystal, a trail of drool slipping from the corner of her mouth. Her desire was obvious, but the thought of simply letting her eat it felt wasteful. My curiosity about mana crystals had been piqued recently, especially after reading The Witches' Primer. The book contained fascinating insights into magic tool creation and other advanced applications of mana crystals, making me hesitant to part with such a valuable resource so easily.
"I'm sorry, Mirelle. I want to keep this one for research and future use," I said, my tone heavy with both apology and regret. I worried I had disappointed my dear companion.
"Miii~," Mirelle responded softly, her voice comforting despite the drool still trickling from her mouth. It was as if she was telling me, it was okay, even as her gaze shifted away from the mana crystal to meet mine. Her expression, though simple, radiated warmth and understanding. My fears eased—I hadn't let her down after all.
"Thank you, Mirelle," I said, my voice softening as my affection for her grew. Her kind response had turned my worry into gratitude.
"Miii~," Mirelle echoed in the same gentle tone, filling the air between us with a sense of warmth and mutual appreciation. The moment felt serene, wholesome—a quiet reminder of the bond we shared.
Looking at the large yellow mana crystal, I hesitated. I wasn't entirely sure if it would fit inside my [Item Box] or even the dimensional pouch at my waist. Still, this was a perfect opportunity to test the limits of the [Item Box]. Placing my hand on top of the crystal, I focused and chanted, "<
A dark shadow began to form beneath the crystal, slowly creeping over its surface like ink spreading through water. As it engulfed the crystal, the shadow seemed to pull it downward, dragging it into the circular portal that had appeared below.
The process felt different this time. Normally, using the [Item Box] was seamless, almost like sliding an object into a soft, pliable membrane. Retrieving items felt the same, with minimal resistance. But now, it was different—it felt as though I were pushing and pulling objects through thick, muddy water. There was resistance, and the space itself seemed to shift unnaturally.
Still, everything appeared functional. I could both store and retrieve items without major issues despite the unusual resistance. For now, I decided to set the matter aside. It would need a thorough investigation once we left the dungeon.
As I looked around, I noticed several of the Stone Wyrm's scales lying scattered on the ground. Unlike the rest of its body, which had crumbled, these scales remained intact. Were they some sort of drop item? It felt oddly reminiscent of a game mechanic. Shrugging off the thought, I began collecting the scales and storing them in my [Item Box]. There were more of them than I'd initially realized, their stony texture gleaming faintly under the dim dungeon light.
With the scales secured, my attention turned toward the Core at the back of the room, untouched by the fight. Approaching it cautiously, I felt an odd sensation wash over me—a strange liquid-like ripple passing through my body. Startled, I turned around to see the air itself shimmering like water.
It seemed the Core was surrounded by a liquid-like barrier, though it didn't impede us at all. Could this barrier have been linked to the Stone Wyrm, only allowing passage after its defeat? I wasn't certain, but the thought intrigued me.
I quickly jotted down notes in my journal, taking care to observe the Core closely. We were now standing right before it, and I couldn't help but feel both awe and curiosity at its radiant presence.
"Mii~" Mirelle chimed, lifting her muddy hands to point first at the dungeon core and then at herself. Her actions caught me off guard, and I froze for a moment before finally speaking. "Mirelle, are you saying you can eat Dungeon Cores? Wouldn't that be dangerous for you?" I asked, tilting my head in a mix of concern and confusion at her apparent gluttonous excitement.
"Miii~!" Mirelle replied with gusto, raising one of her muddy arms in a triumphant pumping motion. She exuded confidence, as though to assure me she was strong enough to handle it. Her demeanor reminded me of an enthusiastic foodie about to devour their favorite meal.
I hesitated, caught between curiosity and caution. While I was eager to study the Core—it radiated a unique and fascinating energy—I lacked the proper tools or knowledge. Without sufficient information, any attempt to analyze it would be fruitless. "The Witches' Primer" had provided extensive details on mana crystals, but its entries on dungeons were frustratingly sparse, offering little beyond summaries and a few scattered insights.
After weighing my options, I let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, Mirelle. You can have this one. But the next one will be mine, okay?" I said, still a bit reluctant.
"Mii!" Mirelle responded eagerly, practically bouncing in place.
I watched as she quickly approached the pedestal, her muddy hands reaching out to grasp the core. She held it reverently for a moment, inspecting it with a glint of curiosity in her glowing eyes. Then, much to my surprise, she didn't "eat" it in the way I expected. Instead, she pressed the core against her body, and the glowing orb began to sink into her muddy form, disappearing into her round tummy compared to how she usually throws the mana crystals into her mouth.
I blinked, momentarily stunned. "Oh… right," I muttered to myself. I had completely forgotten that she could absorb objects into her body. Of course, she wouldn't eat it in the conventional sense, especially when considering the size of the Dungeon's Core.
Mirelle's face lit up with a satisfied smile, the kind of expression one might wear after savoring a luxurious feast. Watching her, I couldn't help but wonder—what did a Dungeon Core even taste like? The thought was absurd, but it lingered nonetheless.
Before I could dwell on the idea any further, the ground beneath us began to tremble. A low rumble echoed through the chamber, steadily growing stronger with each passing second. The atmosphere, which had been light and celebratory, shifted into something tense and foreboding.
"Mirelle, get back here—quickly!" I called out, gripping my staff tightly. My voice carried urgency as I prepared myself for the worst. Mirelle didn't hesitate, rushing toward me as the vibrations intensified.
Just as she reached my side, the world around me seemed to blur and darken. My vision turned pitch black, swallowing the chamber, the core, and even Mirelle. Panic surged through me as I braced myself for what was to come.