The Psychopathic Beast Emperor-Chapter 111: Mission Successful!

’System, can you help me identify the Life Rose?’ Bahamut asked the system in his mind.

[I can assist you with that.]

’Sometimes, you sound human. Other times, you sound like a robot,’ Bahamut commented in his mind.

[You lack professionalism.]

’Tch!’

They moved steadily through the desert, their boots sinking slightly into the loose sand with each step. The wind whispered constantly across the dunes, carrying thin streams of sand that crawled over the ground like restless serpents.

Every few minutes, someone checked the tablet in their hand. It was still blue: Okay!

Ren rested lazily on Bahamut’s head, one long ear hanging down beside Bahamut’s face. The bunny’s marks pulsed faintly every few seconds as his mana slowly regenerated. Despite looking relaxed, his nose twitched constantly. Even half-drained, his instincts were sharp.

They continued forward.

Soon the dunes shifted, revealing patches of hardy desert vegetation scattered across the landscape. Jagged clusters of cactus, thorned shrubs, and strange low plants clung stubbornly to life in the sand.

Bahamut slowed slightly near the first cluster.

’System, scan these plants.’

A faint screen appeared in his mind.

[Scanning...]

[Plant Identified: Sandspike Cactus]

A thin, spiny cactus about knee height stood before them, its surface covered in needle-like thorns that glimmered faintly.

[Properties:— Stores large quantities of water within its inner membrane— The sap can be used as a mild stamina restorative when diluted— Raw consumption causes mild hallucinations]

Sel glanced at Bahamut.

"You’re staring at a cactus like it insulted your ancestors."

Bahamut ignored him.

’Not bad.’

He reached out and carefully sliced open the cactus with a transformed claw. Thick, pale sap oozed slowly from the cut.

’Can this be stored?’

There was a short pause... then the system replied.

[You possess an unused sub-function.]

Bahamut blinked slightly.

’What sub-function?’

[Storage Space.] 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

A faint mental interface unfolded in his mind like a silent doorway opening.

[Storage Size: Equivalent to a small room.]

Bahamut raised an eyebrow beneath his blindfold.

’You’re telling me I’ve been walking around with a portable room this whole time?’

[Correct.]

’...You could’ve mentioned that earlier.’

[You did not ask.]

Bahamut clicked his tongue.

’Unbelievable.’

With a small flick of thought, the cactus in his hand shimmered faintly, and vanished. Inside his mind, he could now faintly sense a quiet empty space. It was a simple room made of grey light. The cactus floated gently within it.

Bahamut’s lips curled slightly as he muttered, "Useful. Very useful."

They continued walking.

Soon they passed another strange plant. This one was a low, red shrub with curled leaves that looked almost like dried blood.

’Scan.’

[Plant Identified: Bloodthorn Shrub]

[Properties:— Roots absorb iron from soil— When boiled, the leaves produce a tonic that accelerates blood clotting— Overconsumption thickens blood and causes internal damage]

Bahamut crouched slightly and cut several branches. They vanished into the storage space a second later.

Sel noticed.

"Where are you putting those?"

Bahamut didn’t stop walking.

"Somewhere safe."

"That is not an answer."

Apollonia smirked faintly but said nothing. A few minutes later, they encountered another plant half-buried in sand.

This one had thin silver stems and small crystal-like buds that glowed faintly.

’Scan.’

[Plant Identified: Lunar Bloom]

[Properties:— Rare nocturnal desert herb— Petals release mana-rich pollen under moonlight— Highly valued for mana recovery potions]

Bahamut paused.

’Useful.’

He carefully collected several buds. They disappeared into storage.

Rakia noticed the movement.

"You’re harvesting herbs?"

"Future insurance," Bahamut replied calmly.

Sel chuckled.

"Trust Bahamut to go grocery shopping in the most dangerous desert in the sect."

The wind grew stronger as they moved deeper into the dunes. Occasionally they would stop and check the tablets again.

Still blue. That meant something powerful existed somewhere in this region, but it wasn’t all powerful.

"It seems the dangerous zones are lesser than the safe ones," Sel commented.

The dunes rose higher as they walked. Hours passed slowly beneath the cold-burning sun.

Bahamut’s mind continued scanning the environment through the system while the others maintained vigilance.

Then suddenly, the system spoke again.

[Lifeform detected.]

Bahamut slowed instantly. His hand moved slightly.

"Stop."

Everyone froze. The wind whispered across the dunes again. Then the system finished its scan.

[Possible target detected.]

[Plant signature shows 37% similarity to Life Rose.]

Somewhere beyond the next dune...

...

The wind grew quieter as they approached the next dune. Bahamut climbed first. The sand shifted beneath his boots as he slowly reached the crest, the others following behind with weapons already in hand. Ren’s ears twitched sharply.

Bahamut stopped at the top.

Below them was a shallow depression in the desert, almost like a bowl carved into the dunes. The sand there looked darker, and packed tighter than the rest.

And at the center of it, something glowed. A cluster of pale flowers swayed gently in the wind. Their petals were long and thin, shaped almost like small curved blades. Each one emitted a soft white radiance that looked strangely alive against the lifeless sand.

Sel narrowed his eyes.

"Those look... important."

Bahamut didn’t answer immediately.

’System. Confirm.’

A faint pulse passed through his mind.

[Scanning...]

[Scanning...]

[Target Confirmed.]

[Life Rose Identified: 100% Match]

For a brief moment, a sense of relief passed through Bahamut. But the system spoke again almost instantly.

[Warning!]

[Danger detected!]

Bahamut’s expression hardened.

’Of course there is.’

Then...

Flash!

All four tablets suddenly lit up: Red.

Everyone froze. Apollonia’s wings flared open instantly.

"Red!" Rakia said sharply.

Twin blades appeared in Sel’s hands immediately. Ren lifted his head from Bahamut’s hair.

The sand shifted.

At first it looked like the wind. Then the ground in the depression began to sink slowly.

Then faster. The cluster of Life Roses trembled as the sand around them collapsed inward.

Something beneath the desert moved, making the earth bulge.

CRACK!

A massive hand burst from the sand.

It was wrapped in ancient cloth, layers of yellowed bandages stretched tightly across shriveled flesh beneath. Another arm erupted from the ground.

Then the head. An enormous figure pulled itself from the sand with slow, unnatural movements. It was eight feet tall. Its body was wrapped completely in old burial cloths, some torn and hanging loosely. Dry sand poured from the folds as it rose.

Two glowing red lights burned inside the hollow sockets of its face: Its eyes.

Sel cursed quietly.

"...A mummy."

But the worst part wasn’t the creature. It was what grew from it.

Across its chest, shoulders, and arms, several glowing flowers sprouted directly from its body.

Life Roses.

Their pale petals swayed gently in the desert wind, rooted deep within the wrappings like parasitic growths feeding on the creature’s strange energy.

Rakia’s face tightened.

The mummy turned its head slowly toward them.

CRRRRK!

Its neck twisted with dry, cracking sounds. Then it moved. The massive creature lunged forward, sand exploding beneath its feet.

"Move!" Sel shouted.

Bahamut shot forward first. The suppressors around his wrists pulsed faintly as he forced his body into motion. The mummy swung its massive arm down toward them.

BOOM!

Sand erupted as the strike slammed into the ground, sending a shockwave across the depression. Sel and Rakia split left and right instantly.

Apollonia shot into the air while Bahamut ran straight toward the monster. Ren leaped from his head, landing several meters away as space twisted around him faintly.

The mummy roared, an ancient, hollow sound like wind blowing through a tomb. It swung again. Bahamut ducked under the massive arm and dashed straight toward its torso.

"Apollonia!" he shouted.

"I see them!"

Apollonia dove from the sky. Her wings blazed with golden light as she slashed downward with a radiant blade of energy. The strike tore through the mummy’s shoulder wrappings, causing the creature to stagger.

Bahamut jumped and his claws flashed.

SLASH!

One Life Rose tore free from the creature’s arm. He landed and instantly stored it.

The mummy roared again and swung its other arm.

Sel intercepted.

CLANG!

His silver blade crashed against the monster’s bandaged limb, deflecting the strike just enough.

"Quickly!" Sel shouted.

Bahamut moved again. He leaped onto the creature’s chest. The mummy grabbed for him with terrifying speed.

Apollonia dove again.

"Radiant Burst!"

Golden feathers slammed into the mummy’s face, forcing its head back.

Bahamut seized the opening: another Life Rose came free, then a third. The mummy’s body convulsed violently as the flowers were torn away. Sand exploded beneath its feet as it raised both arms for a crushing strike.

"Enough!" Rakia shouted.

"Run!"

Bahamut kicked off the creature’s chest and landed beside Sel.

"Got them!"

The moment his feet touched the ground... they ran.

All five dashed up the side of the depression as the mummy’s enraged roar shook the dunes behind them. The monster lunged after them, its massive body tearing through the sand with frightening speed.

But the group didn’t look back.

They sprinted across the desert, dunes flying beneath their feet as the red tablets continued flashing in their hands.

Behind them, the guardian of the Life Roses howled with ancient fury as its flowers vanished into the distance.

...

They’d been running for about twenty minutes when their tablets suddenly released blinding, golden lights. Before anyone could react, the light engulfed them, and they disappeared from the desert.

A deep gush split the sand and the earth the moment they disappeared. If they had looked at their tablets before they disappeared, they would have seen it glowing black.