"[Given the amount of meat you have eaten, if you get your hands on some special cores, you can easily unlock those transformations too]," Nexus said.

    ~That''s true. And since you can only change into 100 kinds, it''s better to search for the best ones rather than some useless ones, like this Jade Horn Rabbit. It''s useless,

    Jake listened to their advice and nodded in agreement. He realized that he should focus on acquiring the cores of special beasts rather than wasting time on less useful ones.

    ****

    "He''s up there," Jake announced, gazing up the mountain. At its summit stood a figure resembling a fat pig with gray skin.

    In his hands, he wielded a massive club fashioned from a tree trunk.

    "He is more ugly than he looks in pictures" Jess commented and almost everyone nodded.

    The mountain troll towered over its surroundings, its massive form casting a formidable shadow across the rugged terrain. Its body, covered in thick, coarse gray fur, seemed to blend seamlessly with the rocky landscape. Despite its hulking size, the troll moved with surprising agility, each step causing the ground to tremble beneath its weight.

    Its face was dominated by a broad, flat nose and a wide, gaping mouth filled with rows of jagged teeth. Small, beady eyes peered out from beneath a heavy brow, glinting with a cunning intelligence that belied its brutish appearance. A pair of large, pointed ears twitched atop its head, ever alert to the slightest sound.

    Massive arms, thick with muscle, hung at its sides, ending in hands with fingers resembling gnarled tree roots. Each finger sported long, sharp claws capable of tearing through flesh and bone with ease. Its legs, sturdy and powerful, supported its bulk as it traversed the rugged terrain with surprising grace.

    "I''ve got another idea," Jake announced, his eyes scanning the mountain troll and its surroundings.

    The anticipation in the air was palpable as everyone''s ears perked up, their gazes fixed on Jake with eager anticipation, awaiting his strategy.

    Jake''s plan unfolded with meticulous detail as he elaborated further.

    "We''ll start by scouting the area and identifying the optimal location for the trap," he explained, his gaze sweeping across the rugged landscape. "Once we''ve found the perfect spot, we''ll dig a deep pit and line it with sharp constructs of magic, ensuring that they''re concealed from view."

    With a sense of purpose, the team split up, scouring the landscape for the ideal location. After hours of exploration, they reconvened, their efforts rewarded as they identified a narrow gorge flanked by towering rock formations.

    "This is it," Jake announced, he nodded in acknowledgement. "We''ll dig the trap here."

    Under his guidance, the team set to work, digging a deep pit concealed by the natural terrain. Meanwhile, Jess wove his magic threads into intricate patterns, creating invisible tripwires designed to guide the troll towards the trap.

    Cilia''s frown deepened as she turned her attention to Jess, awaiting his response with a mixture of confusion and apprehension.

    "Those sharp magic strings were intentional," Jake continued, his voice tinged with disappointment. "Jess thought he could kill it alone and claim the rewards all for himself."

    Shock washed over Cilia as she processed Jake''s words. Betrayal pierced her heart as she realized the extent of Jess''s deception. Her trust in her teammate shattered in an instant, replaced by a sense of betrayal and anger.

    Cilia''s heart ached as she confronted Jess, her best friend and confidant, with a sword aimed at him. The sense of betrayal cut deep, clouding her mind with anguish and confusion.

    "Why?" she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion. "Why did you do it?"

    Jess remained bowed before her, his guilt evident in his posture. As Cilia''s voice filled with anguish, he shuddered, feeling the weight of her disappointment bearing down on him.

    Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire

    "I-I... I got blinded by greed," Jess confessed, his voice barely above a whisper as he admitted to his wrongdoing.

    The admission pierced Cilia''s heart, the pain of betrayal mingling with the sorrow of seeing her friend fall from grace. Tears welled in her eyes as she struggled to comprehend the magnitude of Jess''s actions.

    "I am sorry," Jess pleaded, his voice choked with emotion as he knelt before her, his head bowed in shame. "Please, eliminate me."

    Cilia''s grip tightened on her sword, torn between her feelings of anger and the bond she once shared with Jess. Her heart heavy with sorrow, she knew that forgiveness would not come easily, but she also couldn''t bring herself to harm her friend.

    As Jake observed the tense exchange between Cilia and Jess, a heavy sigh escaped his lips. "Tch, I would have never thought it would be Jess who would act selfishly first," he mused silently to himself.

    Jake had placed his trust in Jess as one of the captains he appointed to lead various teams within their group. He had divided the team into multiple units, each tasked with specific responsibilities to ensure the success of their missions.

    The realization that Jess, one of his appointed leaders, had succumbed to greed and betrayed their trust weighed heavily on Jake''s mind. He had never anticipated such a betrayal from someone he had considered a reliable comrade and friend.

    As Jake was contemplating he suddenly heard Cilia Cold voice " Don''t dare to show your face in front of me again"

    The sudden coldness in Cilia''s voice snapped Jake out of his contemplation. Before he could react, he watched in shock as she swiftly swung her sword towards Jess''s neck, her expression hardened with resolve.

    In a panic, Jess blurted out defensively, "You b!tch, what''s wrong with working for myself?"

    Cilia paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she processed Jess''s words. Without hesitation, she delivered the final blow, her sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. In an instant, Jess''s head flew from his body, disappearing into motes of light as he was eliminated from the exam.