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Each ant carried wounds and bruises, hearts weighed by the memory of that foul confrontation. But at least for Kai, a measure of success. Level 22 brought him a progress to three star rank. Even with Darius snatching every star core, Kai’s hidden advantage was that the Essence Eater still existed. He’d find other ways to grow stronger.
After they escaped the site of that disgusting battle, the forest’s density began to thin out. The trees, which stood so closely that barely any sunlight could pass through, slowly gave way to more open glades and rocky outcrops. The ground grew drier and more solid. The group marched in uneasy silence, fresh in the knowledge that three-star beasts could appear at any moment. They had faced five that day, and the memory was more than enough to keep them cautious.
Thren adjusted the wrappings around his arms, hissing softly whenever a bruise pained him. Vexor pressed a cloth over a cut on his side, but offered no complaints. Darius led them as always, never quite glancing back except to check if Kai still followed. His silent gaze was proof that he had not forgiven or forgotten any perceived slight, nor Kai’s miraculous survival in previous battles.
Renna hobbled along with a limp, his exoskeleton still stained in places from the beast’s vile fluid. He tried to keep up, wanting no pity. Kai occasionally supported him with a steadying hand. He already fed Renna some medicine from the village. Although the day had begun with savage violence, an underlying sense of accomplishment crept through the group. They had bested the diarrhea beasts, after all, and not lost a single ant. That was no small feat.
As the trees parted, they found themselves at the edge of the last major area. A vast slope stretched up ahead, crowned by a big hill. From beyond that hill, a jagged rock formation revealed a dark cave mouth. The air felt cooler, with a soft breeze drifting out from the cavern.
Though the sun overhead beat down, the subtle chill of the subterranean wind suggested that the star crystal mine might be near. Excitement and apprehension mingled in everyone’s hearts. They had reached the place Princess Mia’s map pointed to.
Kai paused, letting his antennae quiver in the breeze. He felt a subdued hum, like a faint aura flickering from beyond the cave entrance. "This must be it," he whispered in a low voice, turning to the others. Other ants also asked the same question. Captain Darius nodded curtly. Vexor and Thren exhaled with relief. Lomar’s eyes scanned the hillside for threats, while Renna blinked in weary determination. The star crystal mine beckoned, promising power they could scarcely imagine.
No one wanted to linger outside, so they pressed forward, climbing the rocky slope in single file. Each ant planted their feet carefully on the uneven stones. Some slipped, but a comrade would always catch them. Every muscle in their bodies felt the fatigue of the day’s battles, but their ambition or duty compelled them onward. Darius, impatience flaring, snapped: "Hurry up. I’m not waiting for slowpokes." Yet even he had to admit that the slope was taxing.
Eventually, the group stood at the mouth of the cave. A wide opening in the rock formed a natural arch, leading into a dark tunnel that vanished into subterranean gloom. Cool air wafted out, carrying a slight shimmer of intangible energy. Captain Darius consulted the map. "Yes," he grunted. "This is it, we finally reached our destination. The star crystal mine. Let’s move inside, carefully."
Lomar frowned. "We must be prepared for beasts or predators within. The crystals mine might draw them." The rest nodded solemnly. The memory of three-star monstrosities was too fresh. They lit a few torches from their supplies and advanced in a tight formation, Darius guiding them.
Inside the cave, the walls soon revealed faint crystals embedded in the rock. The tunnel spiraled downward, with each step echoing in the quiet darkness. Occasionally, small fragments of stone glittered under the torchlight, hinting at hidden treasures within. The ground turned smooth in places and rough in others, forming small caverns connected by narrow passages. Echoes of dripping water pervaded the silence, magnifying the hush.
Finally, after wandering deeper, they came upon a wide chamber. A hush of wonder fell over them. The walls sparkled with white-colored crystals. Each crystal had a faint star-like pattern etched inside, as if nature had carved tiny constellations within the glassy surface. The crystals pulsed with a gentle luminescence, providing a soft, mystical glow. It felt almost holy, a calm, serene aura that contrasted with the savage forest outside.
Kai stared in amazement, holding his torch high. "So this is what we came for," he thought, Then asked the system, "What is the use of this star crystal?" The system hummed at the edges of his mind, scanning for any relevant data.
[Ding! System notifications: These star crystals can loosen the rank-up bottleneck. It’s very important for crossing the rank like three, six star rank. If someone doesn’t have enough talent to break through, Potentially this star crystal helps them ascend to higher star levels if used correctly. It also helps talented people to break through faster.]
A quiet rush of understanding filled Kai’s thoughts. "So that’s it. The star crystals help everyone climb in star rank," he realized. "Perhaps Princess Mia wants to harness enough star crystals to push beyond the normal limits, maybe even reaching seven stars, something truly legendary. Or perhaps she had deeper plans. Who really knows?" Kai murmured to himself. But clearly, "this is precious. Darius must have known, too. Indeed he knows," from the corner of his eye, Kai glimpsed a flicker of greed on Darius’s face.
Everyone was busy marveling at the crystals, they watched them with awe and shiny eyes. Suddenly Darius barked fresh orders: "We’ll what are you all day dreaming about, gather all these crystals. Everyone must do their share. Thren, Lomar, Vexor: gather from the left side. Renna, handle the narrower corridor. Kai... you go anywhere you like. Just mine them. After mining, bring all the star crystals to me. Understood?"