The desire for stronger Earth Essence pulled at him. His current alcove offered only faint trickles, making cultivation agonizingly slow. He had to go deeper, where the world's raw energy settled.
His small goblin body, still weak, moved with new purpose. He scurried through the twisting tunnels, relying on instinct and the faint pull he now felt towards denser essence. The air grew heavier, cooler. The dampness increased.
Suddenly, a faint skittering sound. His beady red eyes darted. A creature, small and chitinous, scuttled past. Not a threat, but a sign of life. His [Scavenge (E)] skill activated subconsciously.
[Item Found]: Cave Cricket (Common) - Edible. Provides minor nutritional value.
He lunged, surprising even himself with his newfound agility. The cricket was crushed instantly. He devoured it. The taste was bland, but the sustenance welcome. He felt a tiny surge of energy.
He continued his descent. The tunnels branched, some leading to dead ends, others opening into vast, echoing caverns. He activated [Earth Sense (F)] sparingly, just long enough to confirm the direction of stronger essence. Each activation drained his meager mana, forcing him to rely on his goblin instincts.
He soon noticed changes. The rock walls sometimes sparkled with tiny, embedded crystals. He touched one. It felt cold, inert. The system offered a prompt:
[Notification]: Low-grade Earth Essence Vein detected. Requires [Mining (F)] skill to extract effectively.
Mining skill? Another one I need. He mentally filed it away. His immediate goal remained: a place to cultivate.
After what felt like hours, the tunnel opened into a truly massive cavern. It was dark, but a faint, ethereal glow emanated from patches on the distant walls and floor. The air here was different – almost invigorating. His very pores seemed to hum.
[Notification]: High concentration of Earth Essence detected. Optimal for current cultivation level.
He'd found it. A perfect spot. He rushed towards one of the glowing patches, a shimmering moss-like growth on a cluster of rocks. It was beautiful, alien.
Just as he was about to settle, a low growl echoed through the cavern. His blood ran cold. This wasn't a goblin. This was something bigger.
He pressed himself against the cavern wall, using the darkness as cover. His goblin eyes, accustomed to dim light, strained. In the center of the cavern, near a particularly vibrant glow, was a creature. It was stout, about the size of a boar, with thick, rocky hide and a single horn jutting from its snout. A Cave Boar. And it wasn't alone. Another, slightly smaller boar, rooted around beside it.
[Creature Detected]: Cave Boar (Mortal Realm, Low Grade)
[Threat Level]: Moderate (for current Host strength)
His heart pounded. He was a runt. These were dangerous. But they were also... cultivating? He watched as the larger boar settled down, seemingly absorbing the glowing essence. Its hide shimmered faintly.
This was their territory. He couldn't just barge in. He needed a plan.
He noticed a small crevice, barely large enough for him, leading away from the main cavern floor, up towards a higher ledge. It offered a vantage point, and potential escape. Carefully, silently, he began to climb. His small claws found purchase on the rough rock.
Reaching the ledge, he peered down. The two Cave Boars were still there, absorbed in their cultivation. He looked at his own pathetic stats. He couldn't fight them. Not yet. But he could wait. He could observe.
And perhaps, when the time was right, he could find a way to take what they had. This world was about survival. And if that meant preying on others, then so be it. The faint, glowing Earth Essence beckoned from below. His first true test in this new, brutal world was just beginning.