Crystal Mine Cave—the largest cavern east of Yethania City and a vital mining site for resources like Dragon Vein Crystal. Despite its name, crystal wasn’t the main yield. The walls glittered with high-purity mineral crystals, shimmering like actual crystal, hence the name.

But as Mammon, Fifth Demon King’s invasion worsened, nearly all key outlying mines—including this one—fell under occupation. Some guarded by troops; others swarming with vicious demons. Sneak in hoping for luck? You’d likely become demon chow.

Rean shook his head, brushing aside any urge to banter. He stepped into the cave—only to find every wall-mounted torch stripped clean. No place left to light a flame.

*Seems the Demon Realm’s go-to sabotage tactic is just… tearing stuff down.*

“Olga. Light it up.”

Rean jerked his chin toward her.

“Are you calling me a lightbulb?!” she snapped. But palm already glowing with the most basic light magic—[Holy Light]—she obeyed. Crystals jutting from the walls caught her radiance, pushing back the gloom.

*Pretty deep…*

Rean’s brow furrowed slightly at the winding path where light vanished. He sent out faint magical ripples, weaving the Heavenly Ripple Array to scout ahead.

Five… eight… ten…

Under five seconds: thirteen Stardust Lizards, all coiled deep within. Thanks to prior mining operations before Mammon’s takeover, the tunnels remained wide despite minor lizard damage. Movement wouldn’t be hindered.

But why cram thirteen sixth-tier monsters into one cave? What’s hidden down there?

Rean never worried about opponent strength—none could surpass him. Still, the continent kept its grading systems. Adventurers ranked White to Gold Feather, five sub-levels each. Above them: the exceptional “Divine Wing,” awarded only to the one who felled the legendary Wind Behemoth, Tias. Monsters spanned nine tiers. Stardust Lizards? Sixth-tier. Ordinary soldiers couldn’t handle one; a dozen in tight quarters? Hopeless. Yethania’s top adventurers barely reached Blue Feather. No wonder no one took the commission.

Curiosity prickled. Was there something Mammon couldn’t take—but refused to leave behind?

“We go. Thirteen Stardust Lizards inside. Ambushes possible. Stay sharp.”

Rean informed Olga and Cang Lin, leading again with deliberate caution.

*All an act.*

“Rean feels so reliable… assessing everything just by standing here.”

“Basic detection spell. Simple terrain.”

Unaware it was performance, Cang Lin saw his serious expression and labeled it “dedication.” Olga turned away with a *please* look. *Only she knew—he was dialing back his usual flashy, unserious self to avoid suspicion. Crafting that “wow, he’s actually serious when it counts” vibe.*

She also knew: Rean *did* get serious when Christine’s people were threatened. The man who casually tore apart Ifrit, the fire demon? He wouldn’t break a sweat over a dozen lizards.

*Today only*, of course.

They advanced slowly. By Olga’s glow, Rean spotted a faintly shimmering water patch around the bend—and the soft *plink… plink…* of something moving across it.

“Up ahead is probably—"

A sharp whistle of wind cut him off. Ready, black lightning crackling around his leg, Rean coiled to kick the lunging shape mid-air—

—but a silver flash slashed past. Steel gleamed under Olga’s light like lightning tearing night, slamming into the Stardust Lizard.

*Clang.* Sparks flew.

Of course. Its namesake armor: translucent white crystals harder than diamond. Blades bounced right off.

Rean admired Cang Lin’s ghost-quick strike… and sighed inwardly at the futile sparks.

Weaknesses existed, though. Two ways: penetrating force, or strike the unprotected belly—rarely exposed on a nimble reptile.

So Rean chose option one.

His kick slammed the carapace. Black lightning surged inward—*boom*—and the lizard became a blood-splattered corpse flung backward. Shell intact.

*Held back perfectly…* Rean smirked mentally. *Shells = rare armor material. Sell ’em plus bounty? Covers the house payment, leaves six figures spare.*

Yep. Lein Christin, true Seventh Demon King, had become a mortgage slave who wouldn’t skip a single coin.

*Today only.*

He stepped forward. The cavern’s heart unveiled—and twenty-four crimson eyes ignited from the dark, glaring with silent promise: *rip them apart.*

“Twelve left! Aim for the belly! Only penetrating attacks work elsewhere!”

Shouted mainly for Cang Lin—Olga could just blast light.

“Understood!”

Cang Lin charged. Rean noticed her sheathed sword: no runes, no enchantments. Utterly plain.

*So she won’t reveal it easily…*

“What’re you spacing out for?! Don’t leave Cang Lin alone!”

Olga smacked his shoulder and dashed after her.

*Wasn’t she the one annoyed I brought Cang Lin…?*

Rean shook his head, following in.

Inside, he flicked a light orb upward. It hovered at the ceiling, flooding the space. Miner remnants littered the damp floor: scattered fragments, abandoned tools, shallow pooled water.

At the far end, Cang Lin dueled a lizard. Strange—her strikes sparked uselessly, yet the beast slowed… then collapsed, blood trickling from its mouth.

*Vibrational penetration?* Rean watched closely. Each slash sent precise tremors inward, rupturing organs.

*Way cleaner than the angel over there kicking then stabbing.*

*Why skill when brute force works? Still… too slow.*

“You two—clear the water. I’ll end this.”

Rean raised a hand. Electricity sparked at his fingertips.

“Cang Lin! Jump!” Olga yelled.

“E-eh?! Right!”

Cang Lin sheathed her sword and leaped onto dry rock.

Rean crouched—*slap!*—palm hit the water. Current flooded the pool. Prone lizards convulsed. The air filled with the sharp reek of scorched meat.

“Don’t electrocute water when someone’s nearby!” Olga hopped down, jabbing a finger. “A warning would’ve killed you?! …Why’re you zoning out *again*?”

Rean’s gaze locked on the far wall.

His Eye of Deconstruction activated.

Beyond stone: a strange black sphere. Unknown composition. Unanalyzable.

And deep within him—Behemoth’s Authority of Gluttony stirred, restless.