Chapter 35: The Magic Crystal

While Li Si and Ya'er examined the rare kobold sorcerer, Arsen stood to the side, inspecting and clearing the surrounding caves. All the adult kobolds had been slain by Ya'er and Arsen, leaving only a few hatchlings and unhatched eggs behind.

Yes, kobolds are oviparous. They place their eggs in a communal hatchery without regard for whose offspring they are, leaving the entire tribe to raise and educate them—a classic example of a clan-based survival system. Arsen systematically dispatched every young kobold in the cave, even those that had yet to open their eyes. There was no room for mercy when dealing with monsters that posed such a threat to human life. If even a few were spared, their extraordinary reproductive rate would ensure another kobold nest appeared here before long.

Li Si inspected the kobold sorcerer. Although all kobold sorcerers possess draconic bloodlines, the purity in this one was far too low to be of any value. Li Si drew a longsword from his ring and began rummaging through the cavern that clearly served as the sorcerer’s living quarters. If the tribe possessed anything of value, it would undoubtedly be kept near their leader.

As he used the sword to overturn the debris, he made a discovery beneath a pile of bones and hides: several translucent, finger-sized stones, each emitting a faint glow. Li Si used "Mage Hand" to lift one, inspecting it closely and channeling a sliver of magic into it. He confirmed it was a magic crystal. While not as valuable as the high-end magic gemstones worth tens of thousands, these were frequently used in magical equipment and precious elemental research apparatus due to their excellent mana storage and conductivity. This single piece alone was worth over a hundred gold coins.

The small pile before him was worth several hundred gold coins. He hadn't even reached his destination yet, and he had already made a handsome profit—not bad luck at all. He glanced at Ya'er; this must be the good fortune that followed the protagonist of a story. After all, his own luck stat was a pitiful three points.

Li Si gathered the crystals into his storage ring and turned to Ya'er. "This is our team's loot. I'll hold onto it for now, and we can divide it once we finish the commission and return to the city."

Ya'er had no interest in such things and waved her hand dismissively, indicating he should do as he pleased. Instead, she picked up the kobold sorcerer’s staff and wandered about, seemingly more intrigued by the patterns carved into the cave walls.

Li Si didn't press the matter. After a thorough search of the cave yielded nothing more than a few gold shards, he stepped back outside. Arsen had finished clearing the nest and was wiping the blood from his blade before sheathing it. Seeing Li Si emerge, he asked, "Li Si, are you finished?"

"Yes, a modest haul."

"Good. Let's head out. Once we're clear, use your earth magic to bury this nest."

"No problem."

With that, they gathered the wandering Ya'er and made their way back to the surface. Upon exiting, Li Si took a deep breath of fresh air; despite the ventilation shafts the kobolds had dug, the stench inside had been nearly unbearable. After catching his breath, he drew his emerald staff, gathered his mana, and began an incantation.

"Stone Claw!"

He hadn't yet mastered "Earthquake," a high-level spell, but the third-circle "Stone Claw" spell he had just learned was more than enough to collapse the terrain. Under his command, massive black, three-fingered stone claws erupted from the ground, smashing into the entrance of the kobold lair.

*Boom! Boom!*

With several thunderous crashes, the entrance was demolished, and the small hill above caved in, sealing the entire nest beneath a pile of rubble.

"Job done."

Li Si waved his hand and, after confirming the collapse was secure, signaled for Arsen and Ya'er to head toward the carriage. Elena and Renbos, waiting by the transport, were relieved to see the three return unscathed. Elena, however, tossed aside the staff Ya'er had scavenged, calling it a piece of junk made of bones and twigs—a mere trinket. She couldn't fathom why a young girl would want to bring such a thing along. Ya'er pouted, already accustomed to Elena's lectures, and climbed into the carriage with a look of aggrieved resignation.

The group continued toward Baron Tony’s vineyard. Although the kobolds had caused a slight delay, they could still reach their destination before nightfall if they picked up the pace.

As the sun began to dip, the party caught sight of Baron Tony’s town. It was a small settlement perched upon a hill, with a clear stream flowing past its base. A castle with deep gray walls stood prominently at the peak, towering over a collection of low-lying brick and stone houses. The population of the Baron’s domain appeared to be roughly a thousand. Looking out, vast stretches of verdant vineyards extended into the distance, though few laborers were visible tending to them.

Seeing their destination, everyone’s spirits lifted, and the fatigue of a day’s travel began to fade. As the carriage approached the town, a middle-aged man paced nervously. Seeing the carriage, he hurried forward with a look of relief.

"Are you the lords from the Mercenary Guild? I am Zeman, the steward. Baron Tony is already waiting for you at the castle. Please, follow me."

Zeman knew these individuals were Silver-tier powerhouses, so he dared not treat them like the common laborers he was used to, even though he had been waiting here all day. The group disembarked, leaving the carriage to the Baron’s grooms, and followed Zeman toward the castle.

Li Si observed the houses they passed; doors and windows were tightly shuttered. Not a single pedestrian could be seen in the town, save for a few guards stationed at the castle gate in the distance.

"What’s going on? Has the unknown beast already invaded the town?" Arsen asked, feeling a sense of unease.

"It is... distressing," Zeman said, his voice trembling as he cast nervous glances toward the shadows, fearing the beast might suddenly leap out. "Last night, two residents went missing within the town. Only bloodstains were found. This is the first time the beast has attacked within our walls, so everyone is now too terrified to step outside."

Arsen’s expression turned grave. It was rare for a magical beast to infiltrate a town to prey on residents. It was no wonder the town felt so lifeless and bleak. If this wasn't resolved quickly, merchants might stop coming to trade here entirely. For a domain that relied on wine production, this was a devastating blow.