After days of training, the MC felt it was finally time to take his children on a small hunt. They weren't ready for large monsters yet, but real combat experience was a vital next step.
"Listen up! Today we're heading out of the nest for a little hunt. Stay close to me, and remember... if things get dangerous, fall back into Egg Formation!" said the MC, standing proudly in front of his seven egglings.
They began descending a narrow dungeon path, following glowing moss and clusters of magical crystals along the walls. Before long, a squeaking sound echoed from behind a rock.
A Stone Rat emerged—a small monster about the size of a melon, armored like a spiky ball, with sharp claws and glowing teeth that shimmered in the crystal light.
"Oyen, you go first! Light it up with your sparks!"
Oyen leapt forward, igniting tiny flames around his shell. The Stone Rat flinched and backed away in surprise.
"Hitam, your turn!"
Hitam rolled at full speed, slamming into the Stone Rat's side. It flew into a wall, letting out a furious squeal.
"Cimut, give it a little vibration—not too much!"
Cimut let out a low, buzzing hum. The Stone Rat staggered, dizzy and disoriented. In that moment, Abu bounced into the air and slammed down on the monster from above. The creature collapsed and stopped moving.
As its body vanished, a small, brownish-grey Magic Crystal was left behind.
The MC floated over and pressed the crystal to his "head"—or rather, the top of his shell. The crystal slowly absorbed into him.
> [New Skill Acquired: Stone Bite Lv.1 (Inactive – Body Adjustment Required)]
The MC sighed. "Can't use this one right away... but maybe I can pass it on or modify it somehow."
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**First Hunt Notes:**
- The children began understanding teamwork.
- Each skill was used more efficiently.
- First Magic Crystal obtained from a monster.
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As they returned to the nest, the MC smiled at his children—exhausted but joyful.
"This is just the beginning. Someday, you'll all be stronger than me."
And as usual, that night, the children curled up around the MC, drifting to sleep in peace.
But the MC knew… in the depths of this dungeon, peace never lasted for long.