The Frugal Mage

'Alpha Beast…'

Rayven wasn't unfamiliar with the Beast Classifications. He was aware that above it were the Lord Beasts, and beyond that, no one had seen or heard about it yet.

He glanced at Drosk and the others, watching the fear in their eyes.

This wasn't like the Skitterfangs.

Even before a fight, their leader was already thinking about survival…

Soon, the goat-faced humanoid lowered itself to the pond's edge, dipping a clawed hand into the water. Then, the liquid seemed to rush toward its hand as if drawn to it.

"This…" Hale muttered as she realized that the creature was indeed not minding their presence.

It even let out a moan of satisfaction as the water was absorbed into its body…

Drosk clenched his jaw. "No sudden moves… We're not its target. If we provoke it, we're dead."

But the beast paused. Slowly, its crimson eyes shifted from the pond toward them.

"Shit… it noticed us." Victor muttered as he tightened his grip on his wrapped sword.

Rayven wanted to appraise this creature, but he knew that the beast would definitely feel offended by that. So he held his curiosity and waited for what was about to come…

After all, it didn't look violent at the moment.

Growl~

Then, the beast tilted its head curiously.

'Is it assessing us whether we're a threat or not?' Rayven thought as he realized that perhaps, after reaching this stage, the Beasts had already gained a decent level of intelligence.

But before he could think more, it let out a growl as if warning them. It did not charge, but it did not turn away either.

Drosk took a deep breath and warned the group… "Everyone… be ready. But don't strike first."

For a moment, the chamber was filled with silence. There was only a faint ripple of the pond and the creature's heavy breathing.

The goat-faced Alpha Beast remained still, its gaze just locked onto the group without doing anything.

Rayven felt the weight of that stare like a boulder pressing down on his chest.

To be exact, all of them felt that pressure.

For a terrifying moment, he thought the creature might leap across the pond and tear them all apart.

His hand twitched, ready to use all the Spells he could if needed, but he knew even his Spells wouldn't make a difference here.

The Alpha Beast exhaled heavily through its nostrils… It was to the point that it was also releasing some misty breath…

Then, something unexpected happened. It turned its head, locking eyes directly with Rayven.

Rayven's pulse quickened.

It wasn't just looking at him. No… it was looking into him.

A shiver traveled down his spine.

But just as swiftly as it focused, the beast seemed… uninterested.

With a grunt, it dismissed him, as though Rayven was nothing more than an insect.

'What in the world is this beast thinking?' Rayven couldn't help but feel curious as he felt that the Beast seemed to be deliberating whether to fight them or not.

Nonetheless, the Alpha Beast dipped its hand back into the pond.

Then, a surge of mana flowed outward. The faint glow within the pond then began to dim as if being swallowed.

In seconds, the once-magical water rose toward the beast's arm and was absorbed by its body.

Hale gasped softly as she couldn't help but feel terrified about this mysterious beast... The pond was actually being drained dry before their eyes.

Emma, on the other hand, bit her lips as she didn't want to make a noise…

Even Victor had gone rigid.

Rayven watched as the Alpha Beast's body seemed to be filled with power. The difference wasn't too big, but the beast had definitely grown stronger…

Just like that, the pond was now nothing but a dark, empty basin.

The creature finally felt satisfied after doing all of this... It then turned once more toward the adventurers as if it was remembering their faces.

Then, with another growl that vibrated through the chamber walls, it stepped back into the shadows.

One, two… three steps, and the Alpha Beast vanished into the dark tunnels…

The group didn't move. No one even breathed.

Finally, Rayven exhaled in relief…

'It definitely left us alone… I wonder why it didn't attack us?' Rayven mused, unsure how to explain their encounter.

It was the same for the others. They couldn't imagine how they managed to survive that encounter with an Alpha Beast!

"That's…"

Rayven then smelled an unpleasant scent.

His nose wrinkled. He turned his head slightly and realized where it was coming from.

Emma stood frozen, her face was pale, and her weapon was trembling in her hands. Her leggings were darkened down her thighs…

Hale, too, had the same issue… Her trousers were soaked, and the outline was obvious.

Both women hadn't even realized until Rayven's eyes flicked down.

Their faces turned red at the same time.

It was understandable, so Rayven didn't say anything.

Emma bit her lip, trying to hold it in, but tears welled in her eyes from sheer embarrassment. Hale looked like she wanted to sink into the ground... She just swiftly took a spare tower from her bag and covered herself.

Nonetheless, not a single person laughed.

Not Victor, who would normally crack a joke. Not Drosk, who loved to tease his companions. Not even Rayven, who noticed it first.

Because the truth was simple, every single one of them had felt like doing the exact same thing.

That Alpha Beast had been death incarnate standing before them. And the only reason they were still breathing was because it decided not to care.

Relief weighed heavier than shame.

Drosk cleared his throat roughly to break the silence.

"...Let's leave this place quickly."

No one argued.

Victor nodded. Getting treasures was important, but getting out of this place was even more so.

"Aye, before any of us add to the puddle… Let's not return here ever again. Let those big organizations deal with it. We're just lucky this time."

Drosk also didn't feel comfortable exploring this dungeon again after that encounter. He didn't say anything for now, but he agreed with Victor.

This must be the reason why they weren't Gold Rank Adventurers yet, since they lack the courage to challenge the unknown… However, he didn't mind it at all.

"We already earned a lot… We'll decide what to do next outside."