Chapter 115 Fire & Fury

[You've killed Elite Frost Giant Lv. 90]

[You received 36,517 experience]

[Level  Up]

[You received 6 stat points]

[You received 100 skill points]

[...]

[Name: Nathan Gardner]

[Race: Half Human]

[Level: Beginner Lv. 64]

[Exp: 16,024/32,192]

A thunderous explosion reverberated throughout the area as a 10-meter-tall frost giant was struck in the eyes with an immense bang, causing it to stumble and fall. Without missing a beat, Nathan sprang nimbly and perched atop the Giant's head, his two swords still radiating a fervent red-hot heat with smoldering embers.

"Yeehaa!" Gydarra let out an enthusiasm. He then leaped towards Nathan, excitedly throwing his fist in the air.

Linda and the other party members followed suit, running up to Nathan to celebrate their success.

"Why are you so cheerful, Ghidorah?" Nathan asked, a smile spreading across his face. "We managed to get the last hit and the experience from this monster," he said with a satisfied smirk.

"Aha ha hah aha..." Gydarra laughed heartily, "That's great, Master! We managed to take down the elite monster with our high level of skill."

Nathan carefully surveyed the area, noticing with relief that the battle had all but dissipated. Most of the monsters had been vanquished, and the ground was littered with their lifeless bodies.

Nathan carefully inspected his team and was pleased to see they were all in good shape. However, he couldn't help but notice Muramoto's sorry state; his body was completely covered in a thick coating of blue-tinged blood.

"Are you alright, Muramoto?" Nathan inquired, concern evident in his voice.

Muramoto gave a weak chuckle and attempted to wipe away the slime the blood had left on his body. "Yeah, I'm alright," he said, though his voice was filled with undeniable exhaustion.

"Alright, I did come across something quite fascinating," Nathan announced, prompting everyone to perk up with interest. "It's hot springs," he added in a low voice.

Linda jumped in front of him, clearly excited. "What?! Did you say hot springs?! Here?!"

Nathan nodded. "Yes, there are three small ponds not far from here. Why don't we go relax there while we wait for the next monster attack?"

Linda cheered cheerfully upon hearing Nathan's good news, "Alright, yeee...."

Gydarra followed suit, her eyes lighting up as she asked, "Alright, can I take a bath too, Master?"

Nathan nodded, "Sure. The hot springs are spaced out enough that women and men can bathe separately."

Nathan took a deep breath, feeling relieved that he had been able to pass the first attack of the monsters relatively unscathed. Even though he wasn't aware of the final outcome for all the participants, he hoped there wouldn't be too many casualties this time.

Nathan activated his magic detection and soon discovered something intriguing embedded in the body of the colossal creature. "A monster core?" he whispered to himself.

He then approached the beast's torso and exclaimed, "Help me!" His friends quickly realized Nathan's request and decided to aid him in uncovering the giant monster's chest. Upon doing so, Nathan soon found something that he longed for.

"Is this another stroke of luck for me?" he wondered out loud.

Nathan pulled out a large crystal stone the size of a human head and a deep icy blue color. The dazzling sunlight glinted off the stone, even though a thick layer of blood still covered it.

[Monster Soul Stone Elite Frost Giant Lv. 90]

Gydarra exclaimed in shock, "You're kidding, right? Why is your luck so great, Master?"

"Wasn't it just a few days ago that you got the Elite Monster Soul Stone, Oppa?" Linda added, her eyes wide with amazement.

Meriel stood in awe of Nathan's luck, "That's incredible!"

Muramoto's eyes widened in disbelief, "That's a lot of money... You could live comfortably off the money you'd make from selling that thing."

Yudan slowly congratulated Nathan, "Congratulations, Nathan."

Nathan's greed meter soon reached 65%.

Nathan held the Monster Soul Stone, an abnormally large one, with a cheerful expression. He couldn't deny his own desire to possess all soul beasts for himself, but he knew he couldn't do it without the help of his friends.

"What should I do with this monster soul stone?" he inquired quietly. "I was only able to get it because of all of you."

Gydarra responded with a slight surprise, "Are you kidding, Master? You're the only one who has the right to have it - that's not a question worth answering."

Nathan glanced over at Gydarra, surprised that she was not affected by the Greed Aura she was emitting.

"Hooaa... Oppa..." Linda said. "It's so pretty, but I don't know how to use it. I think you should keep it all for yourself."

"You can make a lot of money if you sell this item," Muramoto responded to Nathan, "but I'm sure money isn't a problem for you. I suggest you use it to increase your abilities or feed it to your spirit beasts. It'll help to raise their combat power."

Nathan paused for a moment before saying, "Oh yeah, spirit beasts like this thing too." He grinned.

Meriel nodded in agreement and said, "I don't need it, and you were the one who did the most to get rid of the monster. So, you don't need to ask our permission to keep it, Mr. Nathan."

"I only need a few Monster Cores to make potions, Nathan." Yudan spoke slowly, "I'm hoping you can share them with me. And, I'm certain the Monster Soul Stone will be even more valuable if you use it for yourself."

Nathan turned to the others. "I was too selfish to actually keep this for myself," he said, smirking. "Thank you all for your generosity. I'll find another way to repay all of you."

"May I humbly request to collect the Monster Soul Stone?" the man in his twenties said, standing a short distance away. "The alliance has already set a rule that all rewards from battles must be collected and distributed equitably to each team, based on their individual contributions," he added.

Gydarra breathed in deeply and spoke in a hushed tone, "Ahhh, I can smell something sweet. Please, Master, order me something - those monsters aren't enough to satisfy me."