Chapter 198 The Easiest Harvest
As they went down the slope, everyone's legs were shaking a bit. Unsurprisingly, there were hundreds of Level-two beasts below. In the past, just seeing two would make them run, let alone hundreds.
After two days of rest, William was much better. Eating Level-two beast meat helped, too. He still needed time to fully heal, but at least he didn't need a cane anymore. He even felt ready for a light fight.
At the valley's edge, a mix of blood and stench hit their noses, making everyone frown. The smell was awful.
They picked a direction and entered the valley. Most of the Cloud Hoofs were lying down, panting, with something dripping from their red fur—maybe sweat, maybe blood. White steam puffed from their nostrils, and their eyes were bloodshot.
Many Cloud Hoofs were either dead or dying, likely from fighting over mates or overeating tender grass, causing their bodies to collapse. Some noticed the humans and tried to stand and attack, but their limbs were too weak. They collapsed back, issuing weak warnings that sounded like groans to William and his group.
"Stay away from the living ones. Start with the dead and dig out their Magic Crystals," William ordered, standing back and watching. His gaze warned everyone: if anyone tried to pocket a crystal, he'd kill them, even if it was Camilla or her brother.
Considering loyalty paramount, he had no use for disloyal team members, deeming none of them worthy of being retained. Level-two Magic Crystals were crucial, and he wouldn't let anyone steal them.
At first, the group was nervous, fearing a sudden attack from any Cloud Hoof. But they soon saw the potion worked well. The living Cloud Hoofs were too exhausted to resist, only able to watch as their kind were killed and their Magic Crystals taken, expressing anger with low moans.
Gradually, the group got bolder. The Cloud Hoofs posed no threat, so they worked faster, excitedly digging out the Magic Crystals. Even though the crystals weren't theirs, doing it themselves made them feel like 'experts.'
The sense of accomplishment was always satisfying. But sometimes, joy would turn to sorrow.
One Courage Squad member got too excited and tried to kill a barely alive Cloud Hoof for its Magic Crystal. Unfortunately, the Cloud Hoof used its last bit of strength to unleash its innate skill, sending the guy flying. When he landed, his chest was caved in. He groaned twice before dying, the Level-two Magic Crystals scattering around him.
Camilla and the others rushed over, but their companion was beyond saving. A one-star Evolving person is no match for a final strike from a Level-two beast.
"Don't touch the living Cloud Hoofs!" William snapped, his face dark. Losing one person hurt their efficiency, and he didn't want to attract more beasts. They needed to finish quickly.
Camilla wanted to say something, but Tom's look stopped her. Aware of his sister's compassionate nature, he recognized that William's words might have been too harsh for her. But Tom understood it wasn't William's fault. He had clearly warned them: only deal with the dead Cloud Hoofs. Their companion's disobedience caused this.
Plus, everyone knew how the Courage Squad had treated the injured William before. It was unrealistic to expect him to show sympathy. In this apocalyptic world, emotional attachment was a luxury.
Tom patted his naive sister and gave William an apologetic look. William nodded and joined in extracting the Magic Crystals. He summoned the Metal Osmium Giant to finish off the barely alive Cloud Hoofs. With its strong defense, it could handle any weak attacks.
The Metal Osmium Giant's appearance impressed the others, raising their opinion of William's strength.
They worked for about an hour, extracting most of the Magic Crystals. By then, some stronger Cloud Hoofs had regained some strength and issued warnings. Some even looked ready to attack.
But the valley was large, and these Cloud Hoofs were still weak. By dodging, William and the others avoided harm.
William instructed, "Drag a few recently dead, intact Cloud Hoofs to the valley entrance and cut their blood vessels to let more blood flow out."
Tom and the others were puzzled but followed the instructions. After completing the task, William's gaze fixed on a Courage Squad member. In the member's terrified eyes, William's Edge of the Moon slashed open the person's chest, spraying blood everywhere.
"You!" Camilla yelled, furious at William's sudden act of killing.
Tom sighed.
With a cold glance at Camilla, William reached into the pocket of the lifeless body and extracted three Level-two Magic Crystals.
Camilla was stunned, then understood. Her anger vanished, and she lowered her head.
This companion had hidden Magic Crystals.
"Let's go!" William announced.
He led the remaining three back up the slope but didn't leave immediately. Instead, they waited there.
The others were confused, but with William's killing intent still present, no one dared to speak.
Half an hour later, a vast shadow appeared over the valley.
