Chapter 106


    This was Elite Protégé Myke!


    Both were mavericks, unaffiliated with any band and on their own paths. Yet their reputations in


    Cobalt Strike were legendary, and their actions drew the attention of Protégés from afar, prompting


    some to emerge from the woods and approach the stone-strewn ruins.


    At that moment, a thunderous rumble erupted from the forested hills behind, as more than a dozen


    Emberstorm ckbears charged toward the area. Their bodies zed with roaring mes, as if


    they were beasts bursting forth from a realm of darkness. They startled the nearby Protégés into a


    frantic retreat.


    vin nced at the Emberstorm ckbears and stepped aside from the cavern entrance.


    Boom! Boom!


    The Emberstorm ckbears, massive in size, shook the ground as they ran with trailing scorching


    mes, and barreled into the cave.


    Shortly after they entered, vin was the first to follow suit.


    Cedrick and Myke slightly raised their eyebrows, both seemingly prepared to be the first to follow.


    Yet, to their surprise, this odd fellow was even more decisive. Exchanging a nce, the two charged


    into the cave, one after the other.


    Inside, the cave was rugged and winding, a crude passage formed from a pile of giant boulders,


    threatening to copse at any moment.


    The path sloped downward, growing more shadowy and noisy the deeper it went. Roars, shrieks,


    and even cheers echoed chaotically, as if some grand festival were taking ce.


    The scent of medicinal herbs was stronger, and so was the smell of blood.


    vin was about to quicken his pace when suddenly a group of mercenaries scrambled up a steep


    slope before him, their faces twisted in an ecstatic frenzy. They were escorting their leader, who was


    clutching a bundle that faintly glowed.


    "Make way! Clear a path!" the mercenaries bellowed desperately, their emotions running high.


    vin stepped aside, and Cedrick and Myke did the same, allowing them to pass. But it wasn''t long


    before another group of mercenaries burst forth, shouting and chasing after them. "Stop! Leave the


    treasure!"


    "Not on your life! There''s more inside; get your own!" The leading mercenaries shouted back in


    anger, desperately rushing outward. However, the passage narrowed the closer they got to the exit,


    slowing them down, allowing the pursuing mercenaries to quickly catch up. The two groups,


    comprising about a dozen men each, fought fiercely in the cramped corridor, like wild beasts gone


    mad.


    The skirmish continued as they rushed out. There were heavy casualties, so by the time they burst


    out of the cave, only six remained.


    The bundle in the leader''s arms spilled open, revealing arge stone the size of a bull''s head,


    emitting a soft glow and studded with ''gems.'' Upon closer inspection, it was clear that these were


    magical ores, pure magic crystals as valuable as Elixir Herbs or Elixir Fruits.


    In an Ore Mine, an entire rock face might contain only a small magical ore, but this stone bore at


    least a dozen visible ones. Who knew how many more were inside? It was no wonder the


    mercenaries were fighting so fiercely.


    "Magical ores inside the cave? Is there an Ore Mine below?"


    Hundreds of Cobalt Strike Protégés were thrilled, no longer caring about the danger, each racing


    eagerly toward the cave.


    vin, Cedrick, and Myke had already reached the deepest part of the underground. This ce


    was a gigantic Hidden Hollow, and even with many areas buried by the copsed mountain, its


    original grandeur was palpable. The cavern shone with iridescent light, reflecting off countless


    magical ores. Elixir Herbs and Elixir Fruits twinkled among them; the ce was a veritable paradise.


    "Could there be a Ley Line beneath us? Only where Ley Lines pass could such wonders be


    formed," Cedrick marveled.


    The Hidden Hollow was in chaos, with various Magi-Monsters shing over the magical treasures,


    their roars echoing in clusters, and blood sprayed everywhere. Even creatures of the same species


    were locked in brutalbat.


    The mercenaries, too, were fighting fiercely for the treasures.


    vin did not act recklessly; the chaotic scene was fraught with danger, and anyone holding a


    treasure could be a target for Magi-Monsters and other mercenaries. He stood in a concealed


    spot nearby, frowning as he observed the situation.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Cedrick and Myke scattered to other areas, also refraining from hasty actions. They took the


    opportunity to assess the situation and carefully searched for suitable magical treasures. In this


    ce, seizing a treasure was not enough; one had to survive and carry it out.


    Soon, Cobalt Strike Protégés continued to pour into the Hidden Hollow, each stunned by the sight


    before them. Unlike vin and hispanions, most were driven by a passion to join the fray,


    banding together to fight for Elixir Herbs and magical ores. The scene grew increasingly chaotic, the


    carnage wild and savage.


    In the deepest reaches of the Hidden Hollow, a gaunt youth with tattered clothing opened his blood-


    red eyes, awakening from his meditation. Around himy various Elixir Fruits and somerge


    magical ores, the most precious of the cavern, now drained of their essence, leaving only shells


    behind. He spread out his hands, and his shriveled muscles began to slowly rejuvenate, visible


    veins pulsing beneath his skin.


    His power was returning!