When Mira heard the roar and felt the ground shake because of it, she knew something big was happening.
Although she didn't quite understand what caused such a beast to be so angered, she could tell just from the power behind its roar that it was most likely the guardian of the High-Grade Spirit Stone Mine Source and whatever other treasures this place holds.
Just knowing that, Mira could deduce a few possibilities, but the most likely one was that someone either reached the Source of the chasms or did something of similar magnitude.
She felt that her guess was most likely correct because there's simply no other reason for a beast at the caliber of the one that just roared to awaken and make a move by itself unless it was an emergency.
Her theory could be further proved by Elenei's attitude towards her, Maria, and Celaine when they entered the Ice World in the Secret Realm. Even though Elenei knew they were intruding in her territory, they were so weak that she couldn't be bothered to deal with them. Plus, they weren't going after anything precious to her so she didn't care what they did.
Most beasts have this mentality, at least beasts with higher-tier bloodlines, and although this attitude might backfire on a few of them, most beasts with a strong bloodline rarely have to worry about dying to beasts or cultivators that are weaker than them.
That's because they're strong. Much stronger than those at the same cultivation as them.
It seems whatever was resting at the bottom of this chasm didn't have a different mindset and almost had its treasure stolen because of it. Who knows, maybe it did even get its treasure stolen and now it's raging!
However, Mira seriously hoped it wasn't the latter. How would she be able to steal-*cough*-borrow the Source if that was the case?
More accurately, she wanted to steal it without killing the Branch Manager. She still needed to cash in her Contribution Points after all!
It's unlikely that the Mercenary Association would continue to stay open once its Manager dies!
If it wasn't because of that, Mira would just order Elenei to go roast him and then take his loot.
…Now that she thought about it, why doesn't she just use Elenei to kill whatever beast is at the bottom of this chasm and then steal whatever loot is down there for her?
As if reading her thoughts, Elenei immediately replied, "Don't even think about it! What's resting at the bottom of this Chasm isn't just a Basilisk, but a true pure-blooded Cursed Basilisk along with many of its descendants. Although its strength isn't as high as mine, it's not too far off. At the very least, it's strong enough that I'm not able to one-shot it."
"However, even if I was strong enough to one-shot it, I wouldn't. I don't think you understand the implications of killing a Mythical Beast, so let me give you a brief rundown. As you know, Mythical Beasts are essentially pinnacle existences under the Heavens. Humans, Elves, Mermaids, Demi-Humans, and any other creatures are nothing before a True Mythical Beast! At that point, cultivation barely matters. If a Mythical Beast wants someone with a lesser bloodline dead, then it will be so."
"Naturally, this comes with its own limitations, but I won't get into that. However, what you need to know is that the death of a Mythical Beast, especially a pure-blooded one such as myself or this basilisk will alert all other Mythical Beasts both in the Mortal and Immortal Realms!"
"That's not even the end of it! This Cursed Basilisk has a truly terrifying ability that will cast should it die. It will use up the power of its bloodline, body, soul, and cultivation to curse whoever killed it. This curse isn't avoidable and is basically a death sentence for anyone who receives it. Not only will you be hunted by every other Mythical Beast, both Mortal and Immortal, but you'll likely die before any of these beasts can hunt you down due to the nature of the curse.
"The curse is called the Aeon Ruination Curse. It essentially turns someone into a very unlucky person. However, that's putting it mildly. A person drowning in bad luck can still survive if they're smart or if they're strong enough, but that's not the case for this curse. The Aeon Ruination Curse affects the host's mind and will lead them to constantly drive them into unfortunate situations in hopes of killing them."
"There's no way in hell I'm going to be branded with such a curse. In fact, I'd strongly advise you and Rhydian to get out of here as quickly as possible. Actually, I have half a mind to drag you out of here, but it seems you're determined to get something and this something is probably near that Basilisk. Knowing you, as long as there's a chance you'll want to retrieve whatever this item is."
Listening to Elenei, Mira was a bit shaken. Now she understood Elenei's hesitance in dealing with this cursed Basilisk. In fact, Mira felt like she should stop whoever was fighting with it in the off chance that they're actually able to kill it!
She doesn't particularly want this world to be bombarded with Immortal Mythical Beasts…
However, that didn't mean she was willing to give up on the High-Grade Spirit Stone Mine Source! How could she willingly give that up when it's practically sitting right in front of her!?
Although she knows she has no chance of getting it with her pitiful strength, that doesn't mean Elenei can't fetch it for her!
Normally, Mira wouldn't rely on external forces like Elenei for stuff like this, but this isn't the time to be picky as this will determine her future potential when she breaks through to the Core Formation Realm!
Seeing how powerful Rhydian was, Mira's desire to reach her level and even go beyond was ignited. She didn't want to be below her beast companion in strength! Although she likes Rhydian very much, she felt utter disdain at the thought of being weaker than that dumbass wolf!
How could she, someone who's struggled with every step she took, be weaker than a beast who only knows how to eat and sleep all day?!
IMPOSSIBLE!!
Not only that, but she still has to properly 'thank' the Mercenary Association for nearly forcing her to be cannon fodder for them. Although she technically wasn't forced into it, she knew that she didn't have much of a choice in this matter. If she didn't join then she might not be able to get the items she requires from them. At least, she wouldn't be able to get them within the next 2 years.
That's essentially crippling her potential, forcing her to live a life of mediocrity! As if she would allow something like that to happen!
And what better way to pay back these grievances than to steal their precious treasure right out from under their noses?
With a malicious grin on her face, she directed her thoughts towards Elenei, causing her to shiver, "I'm after a treasure. It's a High-Grade Spirit Stone Mine Source. This item is very important to me as it's one of the items I need in order to construct a Core that's most suitable for me. You're pretty fast. I think you might be the most suitable of the three of us to retrieve this item for me. Hehe~"
Elenei's face darkened when she heard Mira's last sentence, but under that she was incredibly shocked.
'A High-Grade Spirit Stone Mine Source is one of the ingredients on her list?! What the fuck kind of list was she given?! I know she's been buying a bunch of high-grade and rare items lately, is that what those are for?! All of those are purely for forming her Core?!?! Also, from the way she was speaking, it felt like Mira didn't think much of it other than greed at wanting to acquire such a high-level and rare item without much effort! Does that mean that there are items on that list that are even more rare than a High-Grade Spirit Stone Mine Source?! Are there fucking immortal items on that list too?!'
Those were Elenei's inner thoughts, but she didn't voice them out as Mira most likely wouldn't tell her.
She knew that even though they have a contract together that basically prevents the two of them from harming each other, Mira still doesn't trust her yet.
Anyways, she was truly shaken by Mira's words, but at the same time she was also curious. She wondered how strong Mira will be and how high her potential will be after forming such a unique core.
Also, stealing such an item under the noses of the two beings fighting wouldn't be a problem for her. She's a pure blooded Frost-Fire Phoenix at the peak of the Mortal Realm!! Her speed eclipses nearly every other beast and cultivator in this Mortal World by a large margin! Even that Basilisk wouldn't be able to catch her coat tails even though its strength isn't too far off from hers.
That's simply because the Basilisk mainly focuses on its defense and ocular abilities. Its strength and speed are severely lacking, at least in terms of other Mythical Beasts.
In fact, Elenei could turn this entire chasm into a sea of lava and snatch the item within a few seconds, but she obviously wouldn't do that as that would put the Basilisk's life at risk along with the Branch Head's life.
However, it's not like the only thing she knows how to do is cause mindless chaos and destruction. She can use her brain as well!
So that's exactly what she did.
She was a little shocked at how easily she took Mira's order, but it wasn't without reason. Basically, the stronger Mira is when she breaks through, the more likely her Nirvana will be a success and who knows, there might be some extra benefits as well?
Though that last part is nothing more than wishful thinking, a Phoenix can have dreams, right?
The two of them spent the next minute or so formulating a plan before eventually settling on something that will make it so no one will suspect Mira's involvement, the Branch Head and the Basilisk will still live, and she'll be able to cash in her Contribution Points right after they return from this mission!
