After a long while, Kururi excitedly shared all the information he had uncovered, his enthusiasm still burning brightly.
Although Kururi's findings were far less extensive than Akira's, he still provided a general overview of the Bone Clan and the Diamond Spirits.
He also mentioned the conflict between the Stone Giants and the Bone Clan and Diamond Spirits before abruptly stopping, as there was no further information.
Once the battle began, no one in the Bone Clan kept records anymore—they were likely annihilated.
The expressions of the group were varied, shifting with Kururi's narration.
For instance, Usamen and Mascher were visibly shocked, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden influx of information.
So, humans—or rather, "other humans"—had indeed lived here before.
They coexisted with another species capable of producing diamonds until the invasion by the Stone Giant race.
Others, like Ging, appeared relatively calm, but subtle expressions revealed his keen interest.
Not to mention Ging's broader range of interests, his title alone spoke volumes.
A two-star relic hunter.
Ging was deeply fascinated by history, especially when it involved "humans" from the Dark Continent.
Muheer clicked his tongue and remarked, "So that's the truth of the matter. It explains a lot now."
The Stone Giants entrenched here were actually invaders, and the native Bone Clan had been wiped out by them.
The human remains discovered earlier in the tunnel walls must have belonged to one of the Bone Clan's residents.
At first, it felt somewhat strange—the conflict between them didn't resemble any of the creatures from the Dark Continent they had encountered before.
Having observed the creatures of the Dark Continent they'd seen previously, while they possessed a certain level of intelligence, it was nowhere near this degree.
This time, it felt more like watching two human factions fighting each other.
Except it was more akin to a gang war, where the losing side was completely annihilated by the victor.
But…
Were they really all killed?
Beyond frowned and said in a low voice, "Can we really be certain that those Bone Clan members and Diamond Spirits are all dead?"
"Is there a possibility that they're still alive, just imprisoned somewhere in 01?"
Beyond's skepticism was reasonable.
Just because the diary didn't continue recording and they had found one corpse didn't necessarily mean they were all dead.
Perhaps some were still alive?
"There are indeed survivors. The Bone Clan is completely wiped out, but most of the Diamond Spirits are still alive."
Akira spoke slowly as he walked toward the cave entrance on the other side, his crisp footsteps echoing loudly in the silent cavern.
There were really survivors?
Beyond's eyes widened in surprise.
After all, he had only considered the possibility—he hadn't expected there to actually be living beings left.
And judging by Akira's words, it seemed the Diamond Spirits hadn't suffered many casualties?
As the leader, Akira headed toward the cave entrance, and the others instinctively followed behind him.
Ging was the quickest to react among them.
In truth, he had been curious about that cave entrance from the start.
The cavern was incredibly spacious, and compared to its vastness, the few items stored inside made the area feel even emptier.
So what was the purpose of that excavated passage?
It certainly wasn't dug out by the Stone Giants for storage.
Upon learning about the existence of the Bone Clan and the Diamond Spirits, Ging's first thought was that the cave might have been created by the Bone Clan.
It was unlikely to have been made by the Stone Giants.
Yet now, Akira was walking straight toward it.
So…
Was that where the Diamond Spirits were imprisoned?
Silently following Akira, Ging pieced together the information he had gathered in his mind.
...
In a cavern filled with the glow of diamonds,
three large Silver Giants huddled together, struggling to suppress their unease.
"Hey, hurry up and send someone out to check! We don't even know how the battle outside turned out!"
One Silver Giant took a slight step back, trying to push the other two to go out and investigate.
The aftershocks of the battle had been intense—even here, they had frequently felt large-scale tremors.
But these disturbances had ceased not long ago, clearly indicating the fight was over.
Though the battle had ended, its outcome remained unknown.
If their kind had won, then all would be well.
But what if they hadn't?
The three Silver Giants' fears were justified—they were the last of their kind.
The other Stone Giants had already met their fate before them, leaving only these three who had been a step too late.
Yet they still couldn't escape the inevitable end that awaited them.
Another Silver Giant stiffened, its voice trembling slightly as it said.
"Are you kidding? Why don't you go instead?"
No one wanted to die.
Thus, the three Silver Giants fell into disagreement over who should go out to investigate, each trying to push the task onto the others.
"Ahem!"
The last Silver Giant cleared its throat and spoke solemnly, "Can you all stop being so pessimistic?"
"Not to mention we have so many clansmen—just sheer numbers alone could overwhelm most enemies."
"We still have our leader too. Everyone has witnessed his strength firsthand—few creatures in these parts can rival him."
"Not to mention the presence of Lord Jun, Lord Jon, and Lord Jan. In my opinion, the battlefield is already being cleaned up."
The Silver Giant snorted coldly, realizing upon reflection that there was no need for such fear.
Their clan's strength was formidable, making them the apex existence in this region.
Even if enemies somehow reached the depths, they would face nothing but defeat before Leader Jin.
The other two Silver Giants exchanged glances and conceded the point was valid.
Their clan indeed reigned supreme in the surrounding territories, barring a few isolated areas.
The speaking Silver Giant continued, "So really, there's no need for baseless worry."
"They've most likely been reduced to scattered fragments by now, hahaha!" it laughed.
"Indeed, they have become fragments—lining up one by one to enter Steelix's stomach," a playful voice interjected from the side.
In the next instant, a vast surge of Aura unfurled like a roaring river, its intensity palpable.
The very space around them vibrated with killing intent, and the once-bright cavern seemed to dim abruptly.
The three Silver Giants tensed, their cores pounding uncontrollably as they frantically scanned their surroundings.
Suddenly, a massive hand formed of mist materialized out of thin air, seizing all three in its grip.
Crushed by this overwhelming force, their faces contorted in agony.
Their supposedly indestructible bodies emitted loud cracking sounds from the mere pressure of the grasp.
The previously vocal Silver Giant's eyes widened in terror, unable even to tremble under the strain.
Overwhelmed by a wisp of Gengar's leaking aura, it couldn't utter a word, teeth gritted in pain.
Simultaneously, they realized one undeniable truth.
If the enemy had reached this far, then that meant...
With a slight squeeze from the misty hand, the three Silver Giants' bodies exploded violently.
"BOOM!"
Most of their forms were pulverized into fragments and dust, with only a few recognizable chunks remaining.
Gengar casually waved a hand, and the swirling silver particles settled quietly onto the ground.
Against the white-lit floor, the remnants would have gone unnoticed—were it not for the Silver Giants' substantial mass.
Gengar's form rippled before dissolving like a breeze into Akira's shadow.
Noticing this, Akira gave a slight nod and led the group forward, stepping over the three "Silver Giants" as they advanced.
In a way, these three were the most "impressive" among the Stone Giants.
Because they died last.
Akira was an open-minded person.
If they wished for him to become fragments, he'd simply return the favor in kind.
The others paid no attention to the Silver Giants, their focus instead captivated by the breathtaking surroundings.
"This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I suppose even heaven couldn't be more beautiful than this?"
The mushroom-haired child Pekotero couldn't help but marvel as the diamond's radiance illuminated her eyes.
This place resembled a fairy-tale wonderland, sparkling with gemstones everywhere, the surrounding Stone Walls embedded with magnificent diamonds.
Every single diamond here was exquisitely beautiful, each crystal clear with a shimmering Flow dancing across its surface.
Though varying in size, the smallest were at least fist-sized, gleaming brilliantly on the rocky walls.
The soft glow illuminated the surroundings, creating an ethereal, dreamlike atmosphere—no wonder she felt this way.
In truth, it wasn't just Pekotero; the others shared similar sentiments.
All agreed this place was impossibly gorgeous.
If allowed to stay, they could probably admire it for a lifetime.
Ging stared blankly at the Gemstone Power-covered walls and remarked in astonishment:
"Akira, if Biscuit saw those diamonds outside, she'd probably freeze on the spot."
"But if she saw this... what would happen?"
Ging stroked his stubble, a playful smile unconsciously forming at the corner of his mouth.
It had been a while since their last operation, and he hadn't had much "fun" lately.
Finally encountering something suitable, yet there was no opportunity.
Ging found the thought amusing, though it was a shame Biscuit wasn't with the team—otherwise, he could have shown her.
Akira replied calmly, "Not sure, but I think there's a high chance she'd get so excited she'd faint on the spot."
"Or maybe she'd become obsessed, refusing to be dragged away, insisting on living here forever."
This cavern filled with Gemstone Power was beyond heaven for Biscuit—a place she wouldn't dare dream of.
"What's that?" Usamen exclaimed, pointing at something.
Following his gaze, they saw peculiar creatures floating toward them.
Their bodies consisted of a single large diamond, roughly the size of a child.
On these diamonds were vivid facial expressions and a pair of bluish eyes.
The expressions were lively, making them appear incredibly cute.
As if triggered by some mechanism, more of these creatures gradually emerged from various spots and floated over.
Akira thought these Diamond Spirits looked remarkably like the Pokémon Carbink.
Muheer narrowed his eyes, deeply curious about these new beings.
"Are these... the Diamond Spirits?"
Suddenly, a voice unlike any human's—higher in pitch—rang out.
Then, the translation device in Meowth's hands dutifully interpreted:
"Are you the heroes who defeated the Stone Giant?"
The voice brimmed with anticipation and joy.
Immediately afterward, three Diamond Guardians, visibly distinct from the Diamond Spirits, floated into view.
Not only were they larger in size, but their presence also felt more profound.
Though different species, Akira and the others could clearly sense their emotions.
They seemed to carry a sense of relief, their expressions of happiness impossible to fake.
It was genuine, heartfelt emotion!
Yet beyond this liberated joy, Akira detected something else in their demeanor.
It seemed... like a mix of shock and nostalgia.
Akira took a step forward and spoke to the Diamond Guards, "That's right, we've already taken care of all the stone giants."
Akira's words were clearly heard by the Diamond Spirits through the translation device.
For a moment, countless Diamond Spirits displayed a variety of expressions.
Some were crying tears of joy, some were laughing heartily... but most were simply overwhelmed by how suddenly happiness had arrived, still unable to believe it.
After being enslaved for so long, had they really been rescued just like that?
The elderly Diamond Spirit looked at Akira with gratitude in its voice and said.
"We are deeply grateful for your great kindness."
No sooner had it spoken than a trace of hesitation appeared on its face, and it continued.
"Might we ask... do you know of the Bone Tribe?"
"You bear a striking resemblance to them—or could you perhaps be descendants of the Bone Tribe who were left behind?"
Meeting the hopeful gaze of the aged Diamond Guardian, Akira shook his head and replied.
"We are not of the Bone Tribe, but if we trace our origins, we could be considered the same race as them."
Humans across the six continents all descended from the ancestors who migrated here long ago.
And those ancestors were not so different from this so-called Bone Tribe.
They were essentially the same species, just belonging to different tribes.
The elderly Diamond Guardian's disappointment didn't last long before it smiled again.
Just as it had thought.
These saviors were the same kind of beings as the Bone Tribe they once lived alongside.
Rather than feeling distant upon learning that Akira and his companions weren't of the Bone Tribe, it instead felt an even deeper familiarity.
Seeing Akira and the others was like seeing those Bone Tribe members from long ago.
Whether it was them back then or the people before it now—they were all good people.
The elderly Diamond Guardian sighed inwardly.
If before, it had grown close to Akira's group out of gratitude for saving them...
Now, it regarded them with the dual identity of "old acquaintances and saviors."
The bond between them had instantly grown countless times stronger.
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