Chapter 18 - Actually, I Have a Cheat Too

Translator's Note:

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The Dual-Affinity Sacred Beast

 

 

"A magic beast egg this valuable, and they just leave it behind? No matter how inconvenient, keeping it with them would be the safest," Ge Yan said, curiosity gleaming in his eyes as he examined the egg. It was his first time seeing a magic beast egg, several times larger than a chicken's, with a tougher shell, though there was nothing particularly special about it otherwise.

 

Rex himself couldn't be sure. Magic beast cubs born as Sacred Beasts were exceptionally rare, and only those who specialized in such studies could identify one from the outside.

 

Setting down the egg, an idea sparked in Ge Yan's mind. "Could the Sacred Beast they mentioned be the same one Jimmy talked about?"

 

From the conversation he and Rex had overheard, they could piece together what had happened: the two men had either stumbled upon the location of a magic beast's den by sheer luck or had discovered it through some other means. The den held a Sacred Beast and a beast egg, and in their attempt to capture the Sacred Beast and steal the egg, they'd managed to distract the beast but ultimately let it escape due to an unforeseen event.

 

"But I don't understand. Aren't Sacred Beasts supposed to be incredibly strong? Those two didn't seem particularly powerful. Listening to them, it's as if capturing the beast was practically guaranteed."

 

If the issue wasn't with the Sacred Beast's strength, then perhaps they'd used some sort of trick?

 

"Should we still head for Darkwind Ridge? Or follow those two? They seemed to know the Sacred Beast's general location," Ge Yan asked, glancing at Rex, who had been mostly silent.

 

"No need." Rex's voice was deep and resonant, carrying a weight that, had Ge Yan been a woman, would surely have sparked immense adoration; it was just that rich and full of rugged allure.

 

"Why?"

 

"Some magic beasts have a unique connection to their kin, especially Sacred Beasts. Sacred Beasts can form a Guardian Bond with their offspring. Through this bond, they can sense the general location of the one they are protecting." Rex delivered this explanation in a steady, indifferent tone, making it seem like nothing on the continent of Azelra could possibly interest him.

 

"How do you know this Sacred Beast will form a Guardian Bond with this egg?" Ge Yan asked curiously.

 

"When an unhatched creature is bound by a Guardian Bond, a pattern appears on the shell."

 

Ge Yan immediately rotated the egg and found faint markings on the back. The lines were subtle, barely visible unless scrutinized. "Well, look at that! These magic beasts are ridiculously cautious, creating protections even before their young are born. Those two probably didn't notice. Otherwise, they'd have just waited with the egg instead of going after the Sacred Beast."

 

Which proves that, for those lacking in fortune, even when opportunity stares them in the face, they'll still miss it. Ge Yan found himself feeling a flicker of sympathy for the two; when they learned the truth, they would be devastated.

 

With time, terrain, and luck all on their side, there was no longer any need to go to Darkwind Ridge.

 

"So, where will we wait for the Sacred Beast?" Considering its strength, they'd need a position that offered them some advantage.

 

"Right here."

 

Ge Yan looked at him in surprise, catching a glimpse of Rex's deep blue eyes, which in that moment seemed unfathomably profound.

 

While they waited with the magic beast egg in hand, news of the Sacred Beast's sighting at Darkwind Ridge spread like wildfire, drawing a crowd of adventurers. Among them were Jay and John, still oblivious to the fact that their efforts were only paving the way for someone else. By a twist of fate, they managed to stumble upon the Sacred Beast while tracking it.

 

Despite its youth, the Sacred Beast was powerful, its bloodline alone evident of its strength. Though it hadn't received its full inheritance, it was not a force to be trifled with.

 

Jay and John were only advanced intermediate swordsmen; they had previously gained the upper hand only through underhanded methods. But now, with the beast alert to their presence, capturing it was a pipe dream. A sudden bolt of lightning struck the unprepared John, injuring him severely.

 

"It's a dual-affinity Sacred Beast?"

 

John stared in horror at the Shadow-Winged Tiger, which hovered regally with its two wings extended. His arm, scorched and wounded, was forgotten in his shock. They had assumed the tiger was solely wind-aligned, but now, realizing it wielded a second element, everything clicked—its escape from their trap made perfect sense. A dual-affinity beast had far greater combat strength than a single-affinity one, and for a Sacred Beast capable of flight, their situation grew even graver.

 

"John, we should retreat! This commotion has surely drawn others' attention, and we still have the beast egg," Jay said, unnerved by the dual-affinity Sacred Beast. To be targeted by such a creature was no small matter.

 

Already injured, John immediately agreed. However, escaping unscathed was now out of their hands—the Shadow-Winged Tiger, robbed of its egg, was dead set on pursuing these despicable humans to the ends of the earth.

 

They soon realized the tiger's attacks were intensifying, and John's injuries worsened, with Jay now taking a few hits as well.

 

Just as they were about to meet their end beneath the Sacred Beast's claws, another group arrived.

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