After resting for a while, Kaito pushed himself up from the ground. His body was heavy from exhaustion, but his eyes remained sharp. He walked back to the place where the Mind Spirit Leader's body had fallen. The huge boulders that had once made up its form were now reduced to piles of rubble, scattered across the cavern floor.
Kaito crouched low, brushing away dust and shifting aside some of the broken rocks. His hand paused when a faint glow caught his attention. Beneath the rubble lay a stone unlike the others its light subtle yet steady, shining with a strange rhythm. He reached for it and lifted it carefully into his palm.
It wasn't a Spirit Stone.
It was something rarer.
The Mother Spirit Stone.
Kaito's gaze lingered on it, and his expression grew thoughtful. He knew this was the unique core left behind by the Mind Spirit Leader. It was the reason the creature had been able to command and control the other Mind Spirits. More than that, he knew from his past life and his studies that the Mother Spirit Stone could be used in many ways. Among all its possible uses, one stood above the rest the power to create a Spirit Gathering Formation.
That thought alone made his grip on the stone tighten.
The Spirit Gathering Formation was described in the ancient formation manuals that he and others had once discovered in the library ruins. It was a formation that, if set up correctly, could gather spiritual energy into a fixed space, enriching the cultivation environment for anyone training inside. If he could establish such a formation within his family's training rooms, it would raise their growth speed by leaps and bounds.
For that reason, Kaito had always paid particular attention to the details of this formation. He had studied the list of rare materials required to arrange it. Among them, he clearly remembered, was the Mother Spirit Stone dropped only by the Mind Spirit Leader within a Spirit Stone mine. That was why this battle had been more than just survival it was preparation for the future.
Sliding the glowing stone into his pocket, Kaito stood. His plan had borne fruit.
Turning toward Marcus and the others, he said in a calm but firm tone, "Alright, let's go back now. Before night falls, we should return to the ancestral estate."
Marcus and the others, who had finally managed to catch their breaths, nodded without question. They pushed themselves to their feet, picked up their scattered belongings, and followed him toward the cave's exit.
By the time they stepped outside the Spirit Stone Mine, the sky was already dimming. Shadows stretched across the land, and the air carried the cool bite of oncoming night. Kaito frowned slightly. He knew well the dangers of traveling at night inside the Endless Mountains, even if it was the Grey Stone Mountains it was still dangerous with their strength.
Even for someone strong, it was unwise to stay out when darkness fell. Night invited more powerful monsters, ones that rarely appeared during the day. Hidden by the cover of darkness, these creatures would strike without warning, tearing apart even experienced hunters. And beyond the ordinary dangers, the Endless Mountains harbored secrets greater terrors that even in his past life had remained unsolved until the day he died.
No hesitation crossed his mind. They had to leave quickly.
Before setting out, Kaito moved to the side of the cave. He broke off a large slab of rock from the wall with a sharp strike of his blade, then rolled it toward the entrance. His intent was simple to seal the mouth of the cave, preventing beasts from wandering into the mine.
Marcus and the others saw what he was doing and immediately came to help. Together, they pushed and rolled the heavy slab until it covered the opening completely. The stone ground against the cavern mouth with a low rumble, finally coming to rest in place. The entrance was sealed.
"Done," Kaito said with a short nod.
After that, they gathered their belongings the sacks filled with Spirit Stones, the medicinal kit, and their personal weapons. With everything secured, they began their journey back toward the patrol camp where they had parked their hunting jeep.
This time, their pace was much faster. They didn't stop to hunt along the way. Their path was straightforward, their eyes fixed on the destination ahead. By fortune, no monsters appeared to block their path. The absence of resistance allowed them to move without pause, cutting the travel time significantly.
Eventually, the familiar shape of the patrol camp came into view near the entrance of the Grey Stone Mountain. Lanterns already burned at its gates, their warm glow standing out against the growing darkness. Kaito's sharp eyes noticed movement patrol guards were stationed at the camp, weapons in hand as they carried out their duties.
As Kaito and the others approached, the guards spotted them. Their worn clothing, dust-covered faces, and heavy sacks instantly caught the guards' attention. Surprise flashed across the men's expressions, followed quickly by recognition.
They had seen the hunting jeep earlier when it was left near the camp. From that, they had assumed some young masters had gone into the Grey Stone Mountain to hunt. But as night crept closer, their absence had stirred unease. To see them return, alive and carrying spoils, filled the guards with visible relief.
Though surprised, the patrol unit did not interfere. They exchanged quick glances but chose not to question too much. Their duty was to monitor the mountain paths, not pry into the affairs of hunters from powerful families.
Kaito gave them a slight nod as he passed, acknowledging their presence without stopping. He led Marcus and the others straight to the hunting jeep. There, he carefully set the sacks and the medicinal kit back into their proper places. His voice was steady as he spoke.
"Let's go. We have to return sooner."
Marcus and the others immediately nodded. Not a single complaint or hesitation left their mouths. They climbed into their seats without the nervous glances they had once exchanged before.
Before, the thought of Kaito driving had left them pale with worry. But now, after witnessing him slay the Mind Spirit Leader with their own eyes, that fear seemed laughable. His strength had planted a new sense of trust in their hearts. Whatever he chose to do, they felt confident in following him.
Kaito noticed the shift in their attitude. Their calm acceptance surprised him for a brief moment, but he didn't comment. Instead, he climbed into his seat, adjusted the controls, and started the jeep. The engine hummed to life, and with a steady grip, he steered the vehicle onto the road leading back to the ancestral estate.
The night sky deepened behind them as they drove forward, leaving the Grey Stone Mountain and its dangers in the distance.
By the time Kaito and the others finally reached the ancestral estate, night had already settled over the land. The estate walls stood tall and silent under the faint glow of lights, the guards stationed at the gates quickly recognizing them. Without delay, the guards allowed them inside.
Then they drove the hunting jeep straight to the parking lot, leaving it there before heading on foot toward the main dining hall with their prey inside the sacks. The air was filled with the familiar warmth of the estate, and despite the long and tiring day, a sense of homecoming surrounded them.
As they neared the dining hall, the sounds of laughter and chatter drifted out. The hall was bright with lamplight, and just outside the open space where they had all eaten the night before, the scene was lively. The elders were already seated together, smiling and talking freely. Around them, the cousins had gathered, filling the table with youthful energy and voices overlapping with laughter.
Kaito's gaze swept the group. Among those seated, he quickly spotted familiar faces Aika, Daichi, Kaede, Hiroto and Suzune all laughing along with the others. It seemed everyone had just logged out of Glory and gathered here at once, turning the evening into another family moment.
For Kaito and his companions, covered in dust and weariness from the hunt, the sight was both grounding and comforting.