Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chap 14.

It had been two days since James's restless contemplation, and he had finally decided. He would journey to Veldora's Cave—not to interact with the Storm Dragon, but to acquire rare resources found only in the magical depths of the cave. By keeping his distance from Veldora, James hoped to avoid any risk of disrupting future events.

The cave, being infused with Veldora's magicules, was an ideal spot for collecting rare minerals like Hipokute Grass and Magic Ores.

James had a clear purpose for each item on his list. The Hipokute Grass was a versatile herb essential for creating potions and healing ointments. Its value was immense, especially considering its scarcity outside magicule-rich areas like the cave. Similarly, the Magic Ores that had absorbed Veldora's immense power over time could be turned into magisteel—a material both valuable and strong. Beyond their practical uses, James had a theory about these ores that, if correct, could change everything for him. The magicule-rich ores might hold untapped potential, something he was eager to explore once he had them in his possession.

Even better, he'd realized that his Sovereign's Sanctuary could act as a kind of storage. By channeling his Sanctuary skill, he could teleport items directly to his Sovereign's Amphitheater, where they'd remain preserved. It was a game-changer, allowing him to stockpile resources without the burden of carrying them himself.

He said goodbye to the two lizardmen he had grown close to, expressing his gratitude for their companionship and support. They wished him well, reminding him to return safely and that he would always be welcome in their tribe. With a final wave, James mounted his horse and began his journey, feeling the familiar weight of excitement and caution as he ventured further into the unknown.

A short distance from the lizardmen tribe, he decided to try out a new idea. Activating Annihilation Creator, he imagined a small, nimble creature that could aid him on this quest. A blue magic circle appeared before him, and he concentrated on a design—a creature that would be small and fast, requiring minimal magicules, yet capable of helping him locate Veldora's presence from a distance.

The magic circle glowed, and with a flash, a small, white rabbit appeared. It had a single horn on its forehead, giving it a mystical look, and James dubbed it a "horned rabbit." He had imbued it with a specific ability: the power to locate anyone he pictured in his mind. Concentrating on the form of Veldora, James silently commanded the horned rabbit to search.

The rabbit's ears perked up, twitching as its horn began to glow faintly with a blue light. A moment later, it dashed forward, its small form darting gracefully through the underbrush. James nudged his horse forward, following the creature's lead.

For a few hours, James traveled through the forest, guided by the rabbit's quiet yet purposeful movements. Every now and then, it would stop, sniffing the air and tilting its head as if sensing Veldora's direction. Then, with a flick of its ears, it would resume its path, leading him further toward the legendary dragon's lair.

As they neared the cave entrance, James felt a rush of nervous energy. The air was dense with magicules, buzzing with power he could almost taste. It made him wary, but also more determined.

His quest for survival and strength had brought him here, and he was ready to claim what he could from this place of legends.

End of chap.