Gauss and the others waited for a moment. Once the heat of the molten pit diminished slightly, they approached.
The charred ground still emitted smoke, and the previously scorching liquid metal had now solidified into dark, hard clumps.
They began collecting these solidified pieces scattered across the ground.
Aaliyah took out a small shovel, diligently digging.
She refused to miss even one dent in the ground, seeing these pieces as glittering Gold Coins.
Regardless of type, materials from extraordinary Demons fetch high prices in the marketplace.
Especially like the metallic shell of a Petrified Bull, which itself is an excellent magic power-conducting metal.
It’s a top-tier material for forging magic armor and other quality weapons, thus having an even higher value.
This is also why Aaliyah looked pained when she thought of this earlier.
Through everyone’s diligent excavation, the scattered metal remnants were gathered together, roughly estimated to weigh three hundred kilograms.
"Actually, the loss might not be as significant as imagined. The metal that can withstand high temperatures is the good steel, the real essence of the material. Those that vanished in the explosion only show that their substance was not pure enough, thus limited in value."
Gauss offered some comfort.
"True." Aaliyah nodded, feeling a bit better.
The major value of this Petrified Bull lay in this three hundred kilograms of condensed metal.
As for how much it could be sold for, or whether to hire someone to make equipment for the team, they’d have to consult and plan upon returning to town.
After cleaning up the remnants of the Petrified Bull.
Everyone turned their gaze toward the nearby hills.
The fact that the Petrified Bull was entrenched here was clearly related to it.
Could that be its den?
Though Petrified Bulls enjoy living in plains, their full-body metal structure requires them to find shelter from rain, requiring a natural cover.
"There’s a cave up there."
Aaliyah had already been observing.
"Maybe we can find some treasures in there."
She was still thinking about the missing portion of the proceeds, hoping to find some complements.
"Let’s go take a look."
Gauss suggested, reminding everyone.
"Stay alert, everyone."
Although the likelihood of encountering another powerful demon near the Petrified Bull’s territory is extremely low, as it’s unwilling to share its territory with another threatening creature, they still need to be cautious.
One of the Adventurer’s rules is never to let one’s guard down, especially when assuming the task is complete.
The task isn’t officially over until they return to town and submit it.
The group maintained a defensive formation, moving toward the cave.
As they walked closer, the scene at the cave entrance became clearer.
The cave was located under a sunny slope, where clusters of light green big bluestem were trampled into a clear path.
The swaying big bluestem, stirred by a light breeze, released a faint fragrance from amidst the hearty golden flowers growing amongst them.
To be honest, the habitat wasn’t bad, at least livable, unlike a goblin’s filthy nest.
Ying first transformed into a shadow, merging with the ground to investigate the cave.
Moments later, a streak of shadow swiftly snaked out of the cave, and Ying re-emerged.
"There are no living creatures inside."
"I thought there’d be cubs." Aaliyah dismissed a deduction.
"Petrified Bulls have very low intelligence, and even if they had cubs, they’d be hard to tame." Gauss shook his head, never having much hope to begin with.
Petrified Bulls are essentially fierce beasts, not the obedient, intelligent old oxen of farmlands.
Let’s go in and take a look, Gauss led the way.
He lifted his White Magic Wand, and as the Light Spell was cast, the wand’s tip emitted a steady and bright light, like a large light bulb.
The inside of the cave was dry, with some scattered dry grass and fallen leaves.
The ground was littered with gravel.
Gauss knew these were the Petrified Bull’s stored food.
Aside from the gravel, there was a duller, inactive-looking stone powder, the petrified residue excreted by the Petrified Bull.
In this regard, it wasn’t much different from a goblin, just that its excrement wasn’t as foul-smelling.
"This appears to be its lair without a doubt." Aaliyah commented while poking through the haystack with her Wooden Staff, hoping to find some overlooked "treasures."
Gauss’s attention was drawn to the surrounding rocky walls.
The rock surfaces bore rugged, primitive patterns, as if carved by someone specifically.
Was someone living here in the past?
Just then, Aaliyah called from a distance.
"Gauss, look here."
Aaliyah swept away the leaves and grass, unexpectedly discovering a small box on the ground, marked by signs of age.
Yet from the heavily worn patterns on the box’s surface, one could infer that it was once a finely crafted artifact.
Aaliyah didn’t touch it.
"I’m coming."
Gauss walked over.
Could there have been a previous owner before it became the Petrified Bull’s lair?
He continued pondering as he formed a Mage’s Hand with ease in front of him.
The invisible hand grasped the box.
Skillfully unlocking the clasp, as the lid was lifted, its contents appeared before Gauss and the others.
It was a crystal monocle.
The crystal lens was polished to be transparent and flawless, with an elegant, slender design. The round frame and the temple were a fine gold trim.