Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x! - Chapter 135

Chapter 135: Final Clash [2]

Inside the Frozen Cavern, Brandon and Ren stared at the Elemental Crystals with wide eyes, struggling to believe what they were seeing.

“It can’t be… is this some trap?” was the first thought that came to Brandon’s mind as he scanned the vast frozen cavern. His gaze swept over the bountiful treasures scattered around, searching for some sort of booby trap. Yet, no matter how hard he looked, his eyes couldn’t spot anything.

“Come on, let’s take the crystal and leave already!” Ren shouted, his entire body trembling with excitement. With two elemental crystals like these, there’d be no need to hunt the elemental beast again. He could even be promoted to the special class, where all the academy’s geniuses were.

Ren’s eyes sparkled as he imagined the academy’s reaction when he handed over not one, but two crystals. The glory, the accolades—his mind raced with thoughts of the recognition he’d receive. In his daydream, he failed to notice the anxious expression on Brandon’s face.

Brandon squinted, his eyes fixed on the enticing crystals beckoning him. Like Ren, he knew the immense value and importance of these crystals. Elemental beasts were far more powerful and rare than the magical beasts that roamed Eos and the dimensional rifts. Their crystals were vital for crafting destructive items.

Two crystals would undoubtedly elevate the influence of the Vermilion Royal Academy, possibly breaking the natural power equilibrium and surpassing even the noble households in the kingdom.

Considering all of this, one might wonder why Brandon hesitated to snatch the crystals. The reason was simple.

“This… is too easy!” Brandon’s thoughts churned as he glanced behind him, half expecting the elemental beast to be lurking. But there was nothing.

‘Am I overthinking?’ Brandon wondered, giving a sidelong glance to Ren, who was practically salivating as he stared at the crystals, his eyes gleaming with glee. Ren stretched his hand out, ready to snatch the crystals.

As a special class student, Brandon had been on his fair share of missions. From those missions, he learned one crucial thing: nothing was ever this easy—unless you had invisible luck 100 times over.

Whenever things seemed too simple, either someone got horribly injured or killed. It was the reason Brandon was always cautious, never reacting with greed like the pampered scions of noble households.

“Wait!” Brandon shouted, slapping Ren’s hand just inches away from the elemental crystal. He applied enough force to make Ren wince in pain, earning an extremely irritated glare.

“What was that for?” Ren yelled, his voice higher than usual. Under any other circumstances, he wouldn’t dare speak to a special class student like that. But the crystal was right there, wasn’t it their job to take it and leave this inhospitable place? Why was Brandon stopping him?

“Can’t you see it?” Brandon said in a calm voice. Though he could easily crush Ren if he wanted to, Branson wasn’t someone who lost his composure over petty matters like Ren’s antics.

“See what?” Ren snapped, still visibly annoyed but restraining his anger. He wanted to grab the crystal again and stow it away in his inventory, claiming all the glory for himself. But something made him pause and listen to Brandon.

‘He must have a reason,’ Ren thought as Brandon began to explain.

“I’ve been on many missions, and none of them are this easy—especially not an A-ranked mission like this,” Brandon said, his eyes scanning the cavern again. His gaze lingered on the crystals, then moved to the shadows. “Something feels off. Think about it. Why would the sender leave such valuable crystals behind for us? What good did we do to deserve this?”

Ren’s eyebrows twitched in annoyance as he listened. “Pathetic!” Ren sneered, his eyes fixed on the crystals. “You’re telling me we finally found the crystals, and you’re still hesitating? Aren’t special class students supposed to take risks? Why are you so different…”

Then, in a low voice, he added, “Or is it because your father is just a mere viscount?”

Though Ren spoke quietly, Brandon heard him clearly. His calm expression faltered for a moment, and he took a step back. He didn’t say anything, but Ren knew that was all the permission he needed.

“Thank you,” Ren said with a grin, stretching his hand out to snatch the crystals. Time seemed to slow as Brandon watched with a careful gaze. Whatever happened next wouldn’t be his problem; Ren had chosen recklessness, so let him face the consequences.

As Ren’s hand drew closer to the beautiful crystals, gleaming with an irresistible allure, neither of them noticed the faint flickering shadow on the frozen walls. Even Brandon, cautious as he was, remained oblivious. All he felt was the temperature in the cavern dropping, the air growing colder.

Then, Brandon saw it—a massive shadow shifting along the wall. Even though it was dark, he could make out the terrifying pale blue eyes staring at them. He had promised himself to sit back and watch this play out, but the oppressive aura bearing down on him made him reconsider.

“Ren, wait!” Brandon’s voice rang with urgency. “Don’t touch that!”

But it was too late. Ren’s hand made contact with the crystal, and a glittering ice formation lit up. The sound of shifting ice echoed through the cavern…

—

Meanwhile, the various factions had arrived in the Iceborn Forest, where the cave was located. Their faces were deadly serious. If the rumors were true, this would be their final encounter with the elemental beast, and they had to kill it this time.

As they collectively thought about the mission, a powerful aura burst forth. They were not the only group in the forest—others had arrived as well, drawn by the news of the elemental beast’s appearance.

Among them was Professor Orion, a middle-aged man who glanced at the parchment in his hand and nodded to himself. ‘I’m at the right place.’

Elsewhere, a red-skinned girl stood with her squad, calmly cleaning her wrapped sword before sheathed it behind her back. She headed deeper into the forest.

Reyes glanced at the members of their temporary alliance, and they all nodded, following him deeper into the forest.

Hearts pounded like a drumroll, and the air became electric. Even the frozen trees seemed to dance as gusts of wind swept through the forest. Something monumental was about to happen… even the forest knew.

Amidst the commotion, a snake slithered through the underbrush to a deserted spot. Black mist erupted around the serpent, shifting it into the form of a humanoid figure. They watched the hundred-plus individuals rushing into the forest.

Clad in a black cloak, they smiled to themselves, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. “The time of reckoning approaches,” they whispered. “Let them clash, and the strongest shall claim the prize.”

—-

**Mission Board:**

– 50 Golden Tickets for 2 Chapter: [Completed]

– 100 Golden Tickets for 3 Chapters.[32 more to go]

– 500 Power Stones for 2 Chapters: [Not hit]

– Castle for 5 Chapters. [Not Hit]

– Dragon for 1 Chapter. [Not Hit]

– 1000 Win-Win Unlocks for 2 Chapters (Every chapter priv readers unlock counts towards this goal)