"More and more of them."
More and more foolish creatures were gathering around the lava lake. They had likely once been foreign explorers like Reilo, but after becoming trapped here and slowly being corrupted by this place, they had turned into creatures much like the ferocious beasts in the Death Storm.
Their reason had gradually worn away, leaving them to obey their instincts: survival and reproduction.
Survival meant seizing energy, usually by killing and eating other species.
Reproduction, meanwhile, was a process of competition among members of the same species, where only the strongest earned the right to reproduce.
"Though these species are strange, powerful ones like the ferocious dragon we encountered when we first entered are few and far between. They may be dangerous to those lesser evil gods, but they pose little threat to us. I'm curious what resources might be hidden here that could help those lesser evil gods grow stronger."
The Dimensional Swordsman said indifferently, "Don't forget why we came here: to uncover the secrets of the Nine Underworlds Crystal. Those resources may be precious, but they're of little use to beings at our level. You're always looking around at everything else. You may end up missing what matters most."
Reilo smiled at that.
The Dimensional Swordsman had a point, but that was only true of the civilization he came from. Its members were expected to remain single-minded, undeterred by hardship, and press straight toward their ultimate goal.
Scholars were just as devoted to their goals, but their nature was different.
For scholars, the process was often more important than the result.
Unexpected discoveries made during an experiment could sometimes prove more valuable than the goal itself.
"It's been a long time. They probably aren't coming."
The two waited a little longer. Dangerous creatures kept approaching,