PATH OF THE STAR HUNTER

To deal with multiple targets, Desmond had no better skill; the only drawback was the insane consumption of mana. But, compared to the ease with which Desmond was dealing with five powerful underground beasts, the mana consumption was negligible.

Aside from maintaining the mana supply, all Desmond had to stay focused and command the eight snakes to tear apart the four-armed armadillos.

Desmond was also clever, using only one snake to hold each armadillo and focusing the rest of the free snakes on concentrating his attacks on a single target. With such a method, the armadillos could only mount a tragic resistance, nothing more than a symbolic effort that could not stop its death.

The spectacle was both bloody and impressive. With Desmond as the source, the eight serpents were like shifting rivers, lashing out at the armadillos with their bodies before tearing them to shreds with their jaws. The armadillos were defenseless against the incessant attacks, falling one by one, generating more pressure on those left alive who now had to face more snakes.

In its desperation, one of the armadillos tried to repeat an old trick, coiling up to lunge at Desmond. Still, Desmond had long since guarded against such a move. The armadillo made it a dozen meters before one of the snakes squirmed, using its body like a whip to lash the armadillo.

When the colossal body of the snake slammed into the armadillo, it flew like a baseball ball, crashing into one of the stone walls. The armadillo shrieked in pain from the impact, but its hell had just begun.

As a response to the armadillo’s attack, Desmond focused on another pair of snakes to deal with it. The snakes used themselves as whips to relentlessly pummel the armadillo into meat paste.

Only one armadillo was left alive, its body wounded and battered by then in a miserable state unworthy of a beast high on the food chain in this subterranean environment.

.....

Likewise, Desmond could no longer bear the mana consumption required to sustain the eight snakes. Such was the price to pay for such a terrifying combat power. After all, no matter what angle it was viewed from, the power displayed by Desmond and his was above what anyone in the one-star class should be able to wield.

Desmond could already feel the barrier separating him from the two-star class, and he was sure he could take the next step at any moment. Now he was just waiting for an opportunity. However, Desmond had long since had a two-star class combat power; he just couldn’t stand such energy consumption for long.

Recent experiences in this world greatly increased Desmond’s experience, indicating where his flaws and strengths lay. Desmond now knew that advancing to the two-star class would not be enough; he still had much to learn, master, discover, and acquire.

All those thoughts didn’t distract Desmond from the last living armadillo. The beast’s homicidal instincts were aroused by pain and fear of seeing the rest of his pack slaughtered. The armadillo screeched in a fury and ran at Desmond, ready to use his claws to rip flesh from him.

As if he didn’t see the enraged beast running at him with homicidal mania, Desmond took a moment to regulate his breathing, sharpening his senses and relaxing his concentration for a moment. After a long breath, a shock wave of greenish mana erupted around Desmond’s legs. In the next instant, his speed increased to an alarming degree.

Feeling that his aquatic mana was almost dry, Desmond didn’t hesitate to draw on the metallic mana that still brimmed within his elemental seed. Although Desmond’s speed surprised the armadillo, it still had time to swing its claws at him.

Having predicted such a move all along, Desmond lowered his center of gravity. Desmond scrambled across the ground to avoid the armadillo’s four claws; passing by, Desmond kicked hard at the ground. He redirected his momentum, leaping into the air as he readied another kick.

As if thousands of grains of golden sand were poured into a mold, the metallic mana soon shaped into a sword. Following the lead of Desmond’s kick, the sword hurtled toward the armadillo’s neck.

Unaware of the maneuvers executed by Desmond, the armadillo only saw how his mortal enemy dodged to the side. And instinctively tried to follow his movement, wanting to turn back. As a result, the armadillo only saw a golden sword move at breakneck speed toward its now exposed throat due to its abrupt turn.

Desmond expected this to happen, which was why he attacked when it seemed like his sword would only collide with the armored scales of the armadillo. In a flash of gold, Desmond retracted his leg. He fell to the ground, only to see the armadillo’s body collapse as blood spurted from his throat.

As a matter of habit, Desmond scanned his surroundings for other potential dangers or threats. Only when he confirmed that the situation seemed safe did he dare to ease his nerves a bit.

“This mine is much more dangerous than I thought. And I’m still far from reaching the dig point where my target is, so it’s best to slow down a bit and take things slow.”

Reviewing the rudimentary map he had obtained in exchange for some wealth, Desmond fixed his attention on the marked area where his target should be. According to the information Desmond acquired, his goal was in an expedition to annihilate various nests of subterranean beasts that had made the area his home. Given the scale and difficulty of the task, it was reasonable to assume that such an expedition would take time, so Desmond was in no hurry.

Since he decided there was no need to rush, Desmond allowed himself a chance to rest for a bit while he sorted through the armadillo bodies. Though reluctant to do so, Desmond used the hunter’s book to analyze them, hoping their carcasses weren’t completely useless.

<Age: 6 years old (adult stage).

Elemental affinity: metal.

Aura type: Metallic/Defensive.

Harvestable Materials: These strange subterranean creatures possess few treasures within their bodies, but their scales make good forging materials for medium-quality defensive equipment.>

“You have to be kidding; it’s basically useless to me.” Desmond complained listlessly.

Although it might seem like Desmond was picky, the truth was that even armadillo scales could barely meet his standards for a piece of equipment. Not to mention that with the quality and level of the materials, the resulting piece of equipment would become obsolete too quickly; in short: it wasn’t worth the effort.

Although disappointed, Desmond still had a sliver of hope when he saw the carcass of the largest armadillo in the group. In addition to the difference in size, the lead armadillo had thicker, darker scales compared to other armadillos, which is why Desmond thought it was special.

Upon a closer look, Desmond noted that, unlike the other armadillos, the leader of these, though dead, hadn’t taken even a notch of damage to his scales, which raised Desmond’s expectations.

<Age: 2 years.

Elemental Affinity: Metal/Dark.

Aura Type: Metallic/Defensive.

Harvestable Materials: This variant species has undergone some sort of unknown mutation that has altered the quality and quality of its scales. In addition to possessing defensive power superior to their peers, scales possess a strong ability to conduct dark mana.>

With a superior level, quality, and additional effects, there was no doubt that the scales of the leading armadillo were an excellent material compared to its peers. By Desmond’s standards, these scales could still be counted as good material, but what really drew him in was the material’s affinity for darkness mana. With a certain Nordic beauty in mind, Desmond thought this material was perfect for her.

Because she didn’t have the tools or the time to remove the armadillo’s scales, Desmond just kept the whole carcass. To tell the truth, Desmond was now thinking about the mutated armadillo. He just so happened to know what caused it.

This was also; why it was difficult to deal with the subterranean beasts that inhabited this massive mountain range. Due to the rare but valuable precious gems found underground, many subterranean beasts gained new powers or characteristics by consuming them.

On their own, the subterranean beasts were dangerous enough, something Desmond experienced firsthand. Still, when these beasts mutated due to the consumption of magical ores, calculating the danger wasn’t as simple as adding 2+2.

In hindsight, the lead armadillo should have been very powerful. Still, the armadillo didn’t get a chance to use his special powers due to Desmond capturing, pinning, and killing him as soon as the fight started.

Whatever the case, Desmond knew one other thing about armadillos: these subterranean beasts were one of the few species intelligent enough to understand the value of magical minerals. As such, armadillos tended to seek out, excavate, and accumulate magical minerals in their nests, hoping to feel an innate affinity with one of them to consume them and evolve.

Desmond had a rather satisfied smile when he thought of that. “It’s time to collect treasures.”