LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 31 - The Centipede Carried the Inner Core
< Chapter 31: The Centipede Carried the Inner Core >
The day after Eryllion obtained the clue to his liberation, we took sufficient rest and headed to the ‘Underground Mine.’
“Fer.”
“Grr!”
The deep forest had been too dangerous for Eryllion to accompany us before, but now he could join us.
「The “Exiled Prince” hides his body in the darkness.」
Thanks to his new skill, which was almost as good as my stealth. Eryllion’s ‘Grip of Darkness’ seemed to harness the darkness itself. He could hide within my shadow or use ‘Digging’ to conceal himself underground.
We had become the perfect stealth duo!
“Grr!”
I skillfully guided Eryllion to the underground mine. Having observed Teravore and already familiarized myself with the terrain in this area, finding its mine was not difficult. However,
“Roooaaarrr!!”
“Screeech!”
“Fer, Fer…”
We were merely bothered by the monsters of the deep forest we encountered on the way.
“Grr.”
Eryllion and I hid in the bushes, watching the creatures that were, as always, engaged in a fierce survival competition.
【Double Horned Nightpanther Lv.35】
【Deep Forest Ignanus Lv.34】
A cousin of the Nightpanther, who had bravely fought Teravore, was hunting the iguana-like monster.
The problem was that the Ignanus was huge, like a crocodile, with spiky protrusions from its head to its back and shark-like sharp teeth, making it a formidable opponent for the Nightpanther, even though it was a jaguar.
“Grrrr!”
“Screeech! Screeech!”
After a few exchanges of attacks, both the Ignanus and the Nightpanther were bleeding profusely, glaring fiercely at each other. The next attack would likely determine the winner.
「The “Exiled Prince” says now is the time for a surprise attack!」
What? This guy?
I looked at Eryllion with fresh eyes. He used to only run away, and now he was talking about ambushes? Finally, showing some noble spirit!
Strike first! Opportunistic gains are the best!
“Grr.”
“Fer?”
Unfortunately, now wasn’t the right time.
Because,
「The “Night Tiger, Lu-deus” has become the master of the small mine!」
「The monsters of the deep forest challenge the master of the “small mine”!」
Those damned monsters were looking for me with eyes blazing with fury. Revealing ourselves now would surely attract a horde of monsters. The Nightpanther and Ignanus were probably out looking for me and ran into each other.
Indeed, there were more fights in the deep forest than usual. It seemed that my taking over the underground mine at a low level had caused this mess. These creatures had somehow sensed my low level and were slowly encroaching on Teravore’s territory.
In other words, I needed to quickly reach level 40 and become a rightful master of the mine.
“Just wait and see, you punks! I’m letting this slide because it’s not the Small Forest!”
I recalled the conflict I had observed in Teravore. How useful could the leader buff be for a mere monster to struggle with it?
「Master of the “Underground Mine”」
– When active in the vicinity of the underground mine, physical abilities increase.
– Current loyalty of surrounding monsters: 5%
Oof, the loyalty is pitiful.
As a result, I could clearly feel that I was weaker than when I was in the ‘Small Forest.’
So for now, I had to endure even if I lost some of the ‘territory’ that Teravore had declared. This body is a smarter tiger than Teravore!
‘Just wait a bit longer, Deep Forest!’
I would return after farming in the mine!
***
“Grr.”
“Fer!”
Taking advantage of the monsters fighting each other, we swiftly entered the underground mine. As I had felt before, the ‘Deep Forest’ was on a different scale from the Small Forest.
I had thought Teravore was the leader of the Deep Forest, but he was merely the master of the ‘Underground Mine’ within the Deep Forest.
There must be a real leader deeper inside the forest. But since Teravore himself didn’t approach that area, I decided not to even look that way for now.
“Grr!”
Hmm, but what could be inside there?
It was very dark since no sunlight reached the underground mine. No matter how good my eyesight was, I needed light to see ahead. Here, I understood why Teravore’s eyes had degenerated.
Teravore, you should have lived with some lights on.
“Fer!”
At that moment, Eryllion let out a shout and increased the brightness of his body.
Oh? I could see now!
Is this the power of the living lightbulb, Eryllion?
“Grr!”
“Ferrrr!”
After nodding at Eryllion, I began to examine the underground mine.
The place where Teravore had dug tunnels was literally a ‘mine.’
Interestingly, there were ‘supports’ installed around the mine.
There was no way Teravore had set up these supports…
‘So he’s been using slaves again?’
Eryllion seemed to think the same, as he touched the supports and his expression hardened.
Why? Were your kind captured here again?
「The “Exiled Prince” says he doesn’t feel the presence of the fairies.」
No? What do you mean?
Well, I guess there’s no racial limit to slavery. If Teravore commands, they must obey.
“Grr.”
“Fer!”
We got into combat stance and cautiously descended the mine.
And what we encountered was the ‘miner,’ who was familiar to me.
“Karang?”
“Kara-lalala-lang!”
【Captured Black Mole Lv.5】
– Trait: [Miner]
– Skills: [Tunneling Lv.2], [Claw Sharpening Lv.1]
– Status: [Exhausted], [Frightened]
Do you remember this guy?
The creatures that looked like moles were monsters with mining hats on their heads, just like miners. I didn’t realize it before, but there’s even a light coming from the center of the hat. These guys were real miners!
“Karang…”
“Karang-karang!”
The moles huddled together, trembling. Somehow, seeing them like that made me feel a bit sorry.
The first monster I captured was a mole. Hmm, but is there any reason to feel sorry? After all, it was self-defense, and this is the wild!
“Grr!”
“Fer?”
“Kara-lalala-lang!”
Remembering that time, I scared them a bit, and the moles, utterly terrified, fell to their knees. What? That’s no fun!
When I acted disinterested and started grooming myself with my front paw, Eryllion stepped in to handle the situation.
「The ‘Exiled Prince’ says not to be afraid!」
「The ‘Exiled Prince’ declares that we have come to save you!」
Wow, what a shameless lie! Eryllion was definitely of royal blood.
“Karang?”
“Kara-larang!”
“Fer.”
Eryllion and the black moles talked about something. From what I could gather, it was something about the hero Ludeus who defeated the great demon Teravore. Can he really say stuff like that?
With nothing else to do, I just watched him do his thing, thinking I’d give the moles a playful punch if they attacked.
But not long after Eryllion began his grand speech,
「You have rescued the ‘Slaves of the Underground Mine’! Karma increased!」
「The fame of ‘Savior Ludeus’ spreads among the Black Mole tribe!」
I was yawning behind Eryllion when I suddenly opened my eyes wide in surprise. Could it be that Eryllion actually pulled this off?
“Fer!”
Eryllion was shaking hands with the moles and smiling with a friendly face, as if he were on a campaign trail. Seeing the moles gathered around him in praise left me dumbfounded.
Scary guy. Somehow, his face annoyed me, so I thought about giving him a playful punch but lowered my paw.
“Karang!”
“Fer?”
The moles started digging and brought out treasures.
「The ‘Creatures of the Underground Mine’ recognize you as their true leader.」
「The true treasure hidden in the mine reveals itself!」
Wow. Politics is terrifying. Can I really get treasures this easily? I nodded my head.
Of course!!
As expected, I, the tiger, can get treasures even by just lying down!
“Grr!”
“Kara-larang!”
I gratefully accepted the small box that the moles offered to Eryllion.
Judging by how it was hidden deep within the tunnels, it was certainly a treasure that would have been impossible to find without the help of the black moles, no matter how thoroughly one searched the mine.
‘But what could it be to warrant such a box?’
Click.
I cautiously opened the box and couldn’t help but let out a sound.
“Grr!!”
“Fer?”
【Teravore’s Core】
That’s right. It was the core that Teravore had painstakingly created.
I recalled its level. In the end, it had reached level 49, hadn’t it? Teravore must have been biding its time just like I had. In truth, if it weren’t for the demon’s mark, I wouldn’t have consumed the small essence so hastily either.
I turned my gaze to the status window I had been trying to ignore.
「Would you like to evolve?」
It was a message that had appeared since I reached level 35. I had been doing my best to pretend I hadn’t seen it, waiting to reach level 40 and obtain the maximum growth bonus!
‘But what if I combined that with an elixir?’
“Grrr!”
I could feel it. This time, I could evolve into something new!
“Fer?”
“Grrr!”
I jumped around happily between Fer and the black moles, expressing my satisfaction.
“Fer-fer!”
“Karrr, karang!”
Afterwards, I inspected the underground mine to see if there was anything useful.
The underground mine was, literally, a ‘mine.’ I later learned that Teravore liked consuming minerals, which is why it settled here. There were many minerals that would be useful to humans, like gold, but they were of no use to me.
“Grr.”
“Karang!!”
I left the management of the mine to the ‘Black Mole Commander.’ Just in case I might need these minerals later, the mole miners would take good care of them until then.
In other words, the real treasure here was this ‘core.’
“Grr!”
“Fer!!”
I patted the clever Eryllion on the shoulder and returned to the ‘small pond’ with him. There was no better safe haven to evolve in than this place.
“Fer!”
「The ‘Exiled Prince’ says he has sealed the entrance to the cave.」
Good. With that, the preparations were complete. I swallowed Teravore’s core, which I had acquired from the underground mine.
“Grrr.”
The lukewarm core melted in my mouth like honey. I felt the energy contained in the core spread throughout my body, and my vision sparkled.
「Level has increased!」
「You have reached the maximum level. Would you like to evolve? (Maximum growth weight applied)」
Of course!
My eyelids grew heavy, and I quickly fell asleep.
And in the dark abyss, a new choice appeared.
“Grrr!”