The X Guide-Chapter 153: Realm Core (1)

The octopus groaned when Khal’s ice sword stabbed into its skin. The mana surrounding them instantly became chaotic; the frigid air made it all the more difficult for the monster to breathe.

Devion wanted to approach, but reason stopped him. He was uncertain if going near another curse would have another effect on his curse.

"I really don’t know anything."

For some reason, the monster remained calm, and his voice was stable despite the obvious weakness.

"But..." The monster took a deep breath, and its whole body even moved. "The human with you, the pana—ugh."

He could not continue when both espers launched an attack against him again. Their gazes were deep and threatening. Both of Esper’s expressions showed that one more word of calling about the human, Ayen, a panacea, and its whole body would be torn to shreds immediately.

The two would not care about any information it had.

Strangely, the monster did not make a fuss again. It only let itself bleed and did not act high and mighty as it previously did.

"That human is special." It wanted to actually say that Ayen had the most delicious scent it had ever encountered. It knew not to mention it by now.

The malevolent being also reacted when it sensed Ayen, but in the opposite way. It instantly knew the human could help it recover.

"You’re fortunate." Then, it let out a laugh. The monster was at peace for some reason. "But that human, I’m not sure."

Khal and Devion frowned. They might have come across something very troublesome. They paused and focused on the matter at hand first.

The monster had shrunk significantly; Khal and Devion already towered over its form. If not for the ice blocking the mouth, then it would have already been devoured.

Devion stood up properly. It seemed they had already gotten whatever they wanted. He wanted to leave this dungeon immediately. He found it very inauspicious.

Khal thought the same. As they were getting ready, the monster said something surprising.

"What do you say?" Khal inquired; his tone lacked any interest, but there was still a trace of interest in his voice. Devion stepped forward but stopped.

"You can take this lord’s core. It might help you." The monster repeated, "As for how, I also don’t know. I merely sensed it, but before this lord can test it..." It refused to continue any longer. After all, it was already obvious.

Khal and Devion were mostly surprised because of this. However, they could not believe its words entirely. The monster could sense their distrust but did nothing to prove itself.

"You don’t have to say it. Your core is ours after we kill you."

That was true. Whether the monster offered it or not, the mana core would be theirs to take. At this, the monster let out a laugh again.

With this forceful laugh, its body had now shrunken to only the height of Khal’s knee. He had long withdrawn his ice sword, as it was already useless.

Khal effortlessly added a force to the ice, blocking the mouth as it was becoming restless.

"Why are you laughing?" Devion could not help but ask. This octopus kept surprising them.

It appeared friendlier as its life neared its end. Its words could not be fully trusted, though.

"This Lord’s core is no ordinary mana core that you humans thought. Don’t compare me to those inferior monsters. This Lord’s core is one with this realm itself, or what you humans call a dungeon."

Khal and Devion exchange a glance. This information was new, even to them. They were aware that the mystery of dungeons was still beyond them, and hearing something about it brought them beyond just mere surprise.

They were ecstatic to say the least. It seemed letting the octopus live a few more minutes was worth it.

"Without this lord’s permission, it won’t manifest."

The monster did not care about their thoughts. It began to babble on about how amazing it was, and again returned to saying that if it were not injured, then it would be defeated so easily.

At least it was smart enough not to mention Ayen again. One could see that it had already given up on living.

The two espers tolerated it this time because of the crucial information it gave and did not interrupt.

"This detestable malevolent being... they are pests. I tell you, this lord is only unlucky to come across this and you, human monsters."

Khal and Devion truly shocked it to the core. They were so powerful, and it was a wonder if something went wrong with the setup.

Once it had shrunk to only the size of a ball, the mouth was even bigger than it; the monster’s voice also became extremely slow.

"This... realm core... use it..."

The monster began to glow, then it exploded. Its flesh was scattered all over the room. With the monster gone, the mouth let out a shriek. Its agonized scream began to assault their ears.

Khal was fast enough to jump and returned to Devion’s side and built an ice wall that completely surrounded them. Devion frowned heavily, watching how the mouth became crazy, and it flailed around.

Suddenly, it sensed Khal and Devion.

Thud. Thud.

The mouth began to smash itself against the ice wall, intending to enter. It was still letting out agonizing screams.

This was common knowledge to them. After all, they had been dealing with curses for a decade. Curses would immediately go to another victim once the current host died.

This curse was stronger than most, almost at the same level as the one tormenting Devion. It needed to possess someone immediately.

Unfortunately for it, there was no living thing in this place at all. There were two, but it could never enter Khal’s ice wall, no matter how it smashed its body.

Gradually, the mouth fell to the ground. Its transformation was immediate and quickly dried until it disappeared, leaving a dazzling gem.

That must be the realm core the monster was talking about. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"As expected," Devion muttered. "The curse is in the core."

Just like with him, the curse was in his mana wavelength and occupying his subconscious.

That was how terrifying it was. It would possess your very core and suck you dry.