Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chap 15.

James stood before the immense, sealed doors of Veldora's cave, feeling the weight of his decision settling in. The sheer presence of the place was daunting, and despite the reassurance of the horned rabbit still sensing Veldora's location, anxiety clung to him. He knew the dangers that awaited inside—from monsters that had thrived on Veldora's leaking magicules, becoming far stronger than any he'd encountered.

Taking a precaution, James activated Sovereign's Sanctuary, teleporting his horse back to the safety of his Sovereign's Amphitheater. He'd need all his attention here, and his horse would be safe in his otherworldly sanctuary.

He picked up the horned rabbit, channeling a new modification through his Malignant Mutation subskill. His magicules flared as he altered the creature's abilities, granting it both night vision and the power to phase through solid matter. Though it drained a little more energy, these adaptations would be essential. With the rabbit in hand, James took a deep breath, commanding it to activate its phasing ability. As the rabbit shimmered and began to merge with the solid door, he felt himself pulled along, passing through the massive barrier.

Once inside, James released the rabbit, watching it dart off to maintain its tracking of Veldora's presence. The air was dense and alive with magic, so thick he felt a faint tingle along his skin. Thankfully, his Perception skill had grown sharp from his journey, allowing him to see clearly in the darkness.

But to gather resources safely, he'd need more than just his senses. He took a deep breath and summoned Annihilation Creator. As the familiar surge of power filled him, he held fast to a single, vivid image: a towering, armored figure known to him as the Crucible Knight.

The figure materialized slowly from the air, every detail from his memory—a formidable being cloaked in bronze armor, with etchings of twisting roots and an aura of ancient strength. Its imposing form was equipped with a long sword and a heavy tower shield. James's heart pounded as the creature came fully into view, an embodiment of might and resilience.

"Defend me," he ordered, his voice echoing in the silence. The knight's head tilted slightly, its faintly glowing eyes locking onto him. With a nod, it took a defensive stance beside him, its shield raised and sword poised to strike.

The summoning of the Crucible Knight had nearly drained him, but James felt a surge of pride and reassurance seeing it stand beside him. It was a masterpiece of his own creation—a guardian that would keep the cave's monsters at bay as he gathered what he came for.

With the Crucible Knight guarding his flank and the horned rabbit leading the way, James began his search. The rabbit continued to sense Veldora's position, keeping him informed of the dragon's presence as he moved deeper into the cave.

Each time he spotted a clump of Hipokute Grass, he carefully picked it and channeled his Sovereign's Sanctuary to teleport it to the amphitheater. Its healing properties would be essential later, either for himself or to create potent ointments.

Further along, he stumbled upon small clusters of shimmering stones—Magic Ores, pulsing with a faint glow from the absorbed magicules. Reverently, he collected these too, storing them with care in his Sanctuary. The promise of these materials thrilled him; his theory about magicule absorption and enhancement lingered in his mind, filling him with excitement.

With every item secured, he felt his confidence grow, though he remained cautious. Monsters prowled within the shadows, but the Crucible Knight kept a vigilant watch, its massive frame casting a protective aura over James. Any creature that ventured too close received a menacing glare from the knight's ember-like eyes, keeping them at bay.

As he moved deeper into the cave, each gathered herb, ore, and crystal reminded James of the purpose behind his risk. He was here for survival, but also for the hope of thriving in this unfamiliar world. He'd come to rely on the knowledge from his past, but the choices he made here would shape his future.

With the Crucible Knight guarding him, he continued to search, inching closer to his goal and ever mindful of the looming presence of the Storm Dragon nearby.

End of chap.