Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons novel Chapter 40

Ren held his breath, his body completely still, pressed against the cool stone wall. Each heartbeat seemed unnaturally loud in the oppressive silence of the deep tunnels.

A lesser worm emerged from a side tunnel, its pale body glowing faintly with absorbed mana. The creature’s rugged skin revealed intricate patterns of mana circulation, a beautiful display of natural energy processing.

’Must have been about two months ago,’ his mental analysis continued while observing the worm. ’The common worm probably died or returned to the depths. But its last defecation left this zone separated.’

The knowledge flowing through his mind painted a clear picture of the tunnel’s recent history.

The lesser worm advanced near the deposit, its movements fluid and purposeful. Its olfactory sensors quivered, drawn by the rich mana concentration in the vein.

Ren watched, fascinated, as the blind creature approached the area where he had been working. Each movement revealed more about its nature, its hunting patterns, its sensory capabilities.

’Mana attracts them,’ he thought while the worm tentatively tested the earth near the deposit. ’But the residue...’ His knowledge showed him exactly what would happen next, like reading a script written in mana patterns.

Just as expected, the worm recoiled almost immediately.

Its sensors writhed in what appeared to be disgust before the creature rapidly retreated through another tunnel, its body contracting in visible revulsion.

’Common worm excrement must taste terrible to them,’ Ren’s smile widened. ’It’s like a natural repellent. The mana in the vein attracts them, but one taste of these residues...’

The elegant simplicity of nature’s defense mechanisms never ceased to amaze him.

Ren waited several moments more before resuming his work, each second measured carefully against the growing pressure of mana poisoning in his system.

’That’s why this vein has retained so much mana,’ his mind connected the pieces while extracting another crystal.

’Lesser worms detect it because of its mana richness, but the common worm’s residues keep them away.’

Each new discovery reinforced his understanding of the mines’ ecosystem.

His fingers traced the crystallization lines on the wall. The mana had concentrated uniquely here, preserved by the peculiar nature of the deposit. The patterns told a story of power trapped and refined over recent months.

’Nobody else would come looking in such a cramped hole, and lesser worms won’t eat what’s basically a pile of worm feces unless by accident,’ he thought while packing another portion.

The irony of finding treasure again in what others would avoid brought a slight smile to his face.

The mushrooms pulsed again, detecting another movement in the distance, but farther away this time.

Ren continued his work, each movement precise and silent.

He had found a unique treasure here, and he wasn’t going to waste it. The density of the mana, the quality of the crystals, the perfect preservation of the deep earth, it was a miraculous combination of circumstances at this ’low’ depth.

’Just hope Taro never asks why his special crystal has that particular color,’ he smiled while sealing his bag.

The knowledge had shown him many secrets of the depths, and this was one of the most useful, however unpleasant it might seem.

♢♢♢♢

Ren leaned against the tunnel wall, his legs trembling slightly from the effort of the last hours.