As Kael remained on high alert, the Jadehorn Rhinobeast's golden eyes locked onto him with unwavering focus. Strangely, despite its natural aura of dominance, the beast seemed more intrigued than hostile—its gaze brimming with childlike curiosity as it scrutinized Kael from head to toe.
Those golden eyes held no malice, only a pure, almost innocent wonder.
Its massive frame made movement cumbersome. A slight shift of its weight sent tremors through the cavern, though the vibrations were nothing Kael couldn't handle. What struck him most was how... unconventional this Rhinobeast behaved.
Kael had expected territorial fury—a typical high-tier magical beast's wrath against trespassers. Yet this one appeared utterly indifferent to such instincts. It lacked the predatory vigilance of its kind, observing Kael and the Snow Bear Beast with nothing but fascination.
"You're human? Why have you entered my dwelling?" The Rhinobeast's voice, surprisingly crisp and youthful, echoed through the cave.
"W-we didn't mean to intrude! P-please don't eat us...!" The Snow Bear Beast was already in tears, its wails bouncing off the walls.
Kael sighed. Such a coward.
But he couldn't blame it. In the hierarchy of magical beasts, the Snow Bear Beast was genetically wired to fear apex predators like the Jadehorn Rhinobeast. Even a newborn Rhinobeast outclassed the strongest of its kind.
And let's be clear—Jadehorn Rhinobeasts weren't exactly known for their docility. Their brute strength, formidable power, and notoriously aggressive nature justified the terror.
"Sir Rhinobeast, we stumbled in here by accident. Is this your territory?" Kael kept his tone polite, sensing no immediate threat. If the beast wasn't hostile, diplomacy was worth a shot.
After all, confronting an eight-tier-or-higher creature head-on wasn't an option.
"So you are human!" The Rhinobeast's excitement spiked. Having lived its entire life in these ruins, it had only heard of humans through ancestral tales. Now, face-to-face with one, it studied Kael with unbridled enthusiasm.
Kael noticed the Jadehorn Rhinobeast's massive golden eyes darting about, as if scheming something.
When their gazes met, the beast abruptly lowered its overly bright eyes, almost... embarrassed?
Since when do magical beasts get shy?
Kael blinked, convinced he was seeing things.
After a hesitant pause, the Rhinobeast tentatively asked, "I heard humans are rich and carry lots of food?" Its eyes gleamed with sudden interest as it scrutinized Kael head to toe.
"Afraid not, Sir Rhinobeast. You must be thinking of human nobles. I'm just a commoner—no gold, no food." Kael shrugged innocently.
The beast's odd behavior put him on edge. Something's off here. Better leave fast.
"Honorable Rhinobeast, we trespassed unintentionally. Since we've neither coins nor provisions, may we go?" He flashed a disarming smile.
"No gold... no food?" The Rhinobeast licked its lips, disappointment flashing in its eyes. "Fine. Go ahead."
Kael and the Snow Bear Beast exchanged relieved glances. Too easy.
But the moment Kael spoke, the Rhinobeast's enthusiasm deflated. Its head drooped, tail limp, while one massive paw absently rubbed its stomach. It hadn't hunted in days—starvation was setting in.
Not their problem. The beast's permission was all they needed. The Snow Bear Beast nearly wept with gratitude, already scrambling to leave. Kael turned to follow—
WHOOSH.
A crushing pressure slammed down, pinning them in place.
Kael whirled around. The Rhinobeast had closed the distance in three thunderous steps, now looming directly over them.
"Ah, sorry—one more thing." Its tone remained light, the oppressive aura unintentional.
"What now?" Kael's patience frayed. He just wanted out.
"Well... I'm really hungry." The beast mumbled, then abruptly flopped onto its side.
Its hill-sized body blocked their exit entirely. Then—
THUD. THUD. THUD.
The Rhinobeast began rolling violently across the cave floor.
The cavern quaked. Rocks rained from the ceiling. The ground trembled like an earthquake as the beast threw a full-blown tantrum, its wails echoing:
"FOOOOOOD!"
Dust billowed over the Rhinobeast's pristine scales, but it couldn't care less. Like a petulant child, it flopped onto its back and began thrashing wildly, utterly unfazed by the grime. Then, with a dramatic bellow:
"I don't believe you! You've got to have gold or food! Stop right there—this is a robbery! You're surrounded!"
A robbery? Surrounded?
Kael was speechless. The Snow Bear Beast gaped, watching the Rhinobeast's shameless antics.
"Is this even a Rhinobeast? More like the disgrace of its species! A highwayman in beast form..." The Snow Bear Beast facepalmed with a paw, its initial terror now replaced by sheer secondhand embarrassment.
"Hurry up, human—and you, furball! You've trespassed into my domain, insulted my dignity as a high-tier magical beast! Hand over all your food and valuables, or I'll... I'll eat you!" The beast rolled menacingly as it issued its threats.
Kael sighed. "Respected Sir Rhinobeast, we truly have neither. We're starving ourselves..." It wasn't entirely a lie—his spatial ring held some monster meat, but the paltry stash would barely qualify as a snack for the Rhinobeast. At best, it'd last Kael a meal or two.
Besides, the situation had become more amusing than threatening. This Rhinobeast clearly wouldn't actually eat them. Still, Kael stayed vigilant, ready to bolt if needed, while subtly rousing Scarlett in his contract space.
As expected, the Rhinobeast's eyes bulged at Kael's refusal. "No way! No food, no gold? Then you're not leaving! Waaah—I'm so hungry it hurts!" It resumed its theatrical writhing.
Kael fought the urge to facepalm. This isn't a Jadehorn Rhinobeast—it's a glorified thug! He debated offering some food but hesitated. What if the beast demanded more? Its power was no joke, and Kael wasn't about to let his guard down.
"No, no, I want food!" The Rhinobeast was desperate. Dignity long forgotten, it rolled in the dirt, its scales now coated in dust while drool dripped from its maw in glistening strands.
Yet even in this state, it showed zero interest in eating Kael or the Snow Bear Beast. The beast was too scrawny to be a meal, and as for the human? Rumor had it they tasted terrible. Hard pass.
Kael watched the spectacle with deadpan exhaustion, on the verge of giving in.
"The great Lord Alaric shall not go hungry! Food! Give me FOOD!" the Rhinobeast bellowed between rolls.
"Alaric?! You're the Rhinobeast Alaric?!" The Snow Bear Beast suddenly jolted in Kael's grip as if struck by lightning.