After Kierra left, Philip and the five girls began fortifying their temporary shelter, preparing to spend the night in the huts that once belonged to the disgusting goblins.
They chose two huts in the middle—one for the men and one for the women. However, a foul stench of sweat and other vile fluids lingered in the air.
It was absolutely disgusting.
But if they wanted to sleep here, they had no choice but to clean them—though certainly not by hand.
As the group prepared to start cleaning, Victor gathered his gear, ready to fetch water from the nearby lake.
Before leaving, he turned to Philip with a serious expression.
"Alright, Philip, I'm entrusting you with their safety while I'm gone. Don't do anything funny. Otherwise—" Victor's eyes gleamed red as he gripped his steel sword firmly. "You know what I mean, right?"
Philip swallowed hard.
"This guy is terrifying…"
Suppressing a shudder, he forced a confident smile and patted his chest.
"Leave it all to me, Raizel."
"You know I can take care of them as a upright and gentleman I am. Don't underestimate me that much."
Victor smiled strangely. "We'll just have to see then."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Philip standing there, slightly unnerved.
---
Victor carefully retraced the path they had taken earlier. The lake wasn't far, and within a few minutes, he arrived at its calm shores.
But his expression remained tense because night had just fallen.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting its pale glow across the water's surface, creating shimmering reflections.
Staying vigilant, Victor removed his boots and stepped into the cool water. The sensation of moisture against his skin was oddly soothing, the gentle embrace of nature easing some of his tension.
As he bent down to wash his face, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the water. His red irises were glowing with striking crimson.
He froze.
A chill ran down his spine.
His eyes… they looked almost inhuman under the moonlight.
A mixture of surprise and unease gripped him.
"What's happening to this body…?"
But there were no one to answer his question.
All he could do now was prepare himself mentally and physically to the best of his abilities.
After washing his face and feeling refreshed, Victor reached for his water bag and clay pots, preparing to collect water.
But then—
Suddenly his eyes narrowed.
Violent ripples disturbed the lake's calm surface. The source? Somewhere in the middle of the water. And beneath the surface, something was stirring deep within—something vibrant.
Victor's instincts flared. He immediately became alert.
Still, he didn't forget his task. Moving quickly, he filled his water bag and pots, stashing them safely in his inventory.
Then, his gaze locked onto the center of the lake.
Something was emerging.
And it wasn't just any ordinary creature or object.
A strange, almost miraculous presence radiated from it.
The scent that drifted through the air was intoxicating—refreshing yet overwhelming, like a drug that lured the senses into blissful submission.
"If I can smell this… then so can the monsters."
Realizing the potential danger, Victor swiftly climbed a nearby tree, positioning himself for a better view. From there, he watched closely, anticipation and caution warring within him.
Whatever was happening in that lake… it was extraordinary.
Just as he expected, more and more monsters began gathering around from all directions.
Feral wolves with glowing eyes, iron-clawed bears with rippling muscles, and shiny white tigers moved with deadly grace. Birds of prey circled overhead, while plant-like creatures slithered forward, their slimy vines writhing hungrily.
They all gathered around the lake's shore, forming a tense, watchful circle. Each of them watched others with deady sharp eyes, as if a battle could erupt any moment.
Victor remained hidden just beyond the monstrous assembly, perched silently in his tree.
Even now, a massive white tiger darted beneath him, its fur brushing against the trunk as it passed at frightening speed.
Victor held his breath.
The situation had taken a far more dangerous turn than he anticipated.
He had expected a few curious creatures, but hundreds of them? That was beyond anything he had imagined.
And among them, he spotted several monsters that were at least level 10—powerful, deadly beings.
"That scent… it definitely drew them here."
His grip tightened on the branch as his crimson eyes flickered toward the lake.
"But what could it really be?"
Like the monsters below, Victor remained patient—waiting, watching. Whatever was about to emerge from the water, it had everyone's attention.
And then, very soon under the greedy eyes of every gathered creature, it revealed itself radiating a mesmerizing brilliance of blue and white.
"What is that? Some kind of flower?"
Victor's gaze locked onto the otherworldly bloom, its luminous petals pulsing as if alive, ready to unfurl at any moment.
The entire forest seemed to hold its breath.
Under the extreme patience of both monsters and man, the flower finally bloomed. Its petals shimmering with a hypnotic mix of blue and white radiance.
Then a notification flashed before Victor's eyes.
[ Moon Flower - Level 10 ]
- A natural resource that enhances the strength of monsters and other creatures.
- Poisonous to humans upon consumption.
Victor's eyes narrowed in recognition.
"No wonder they're all here…"
This was no ordinary flower. It was a prize one that every monster present was willing to fight for.
But the Moon Flower had no use for him.
So why should he stay?
Besides, the monsters had already begun their frenzied charge toward the glowing bloom, each one desperate to claim it for themselves.
"ROAR!"
"GROWL!"
Spine-chilling cries filled the air as claws clashed and fangs tore into flesh. The brutal battle had begun.
Victor, however, paid no mind.
With a quiet exhale, he leapt down from the tree, landing lightly on his feet.
He was already on his way back to the Goblin's Den, becauseit was getting really late. He had been here for nearly an hour, after all.
'That girl should be back by now… probably ready to scowl at me for taking so long.'
With that thought lingering in his mind, he continued ahead, completely indifferent to the cruel competition raging behind him.