---
Kai bit his mandibles. He disliked Darius's tone but had no desire to pick a fight now, especially in a place that might still hold hidden dangers. The others, battered but determined, nodded quietly. He could see the excitement in Thren's eyes at the idea of harvesting something so luminous. Even exhausted Renna looked relieved to think that collecting crystals was less dangerous than fighting more diarrhea beasts. Only Darius's gaze glinted with an undercurrent of ambition, as though forming a plan separate from the rest.
Thus, they scattered through the chamber, using rudimentary picks or spears to chisel at the shining crystals. Soft taps of metal on stone filled the air, mingling with the faint, magical aura that radiated from the walls. Kai carefully pried out a chunk of star crystal, enthralled by its white color and star-shaped pattern within. He felt a wave of intangible energy brushing across his exoskeleton, like the crystal was alive with hidden power.
