In the next moment, the enormous creature dissolved into particles of light and vanished from existence.
Silence returned to the cavern.
Only Kiara remained standing there, holding a rifle whose barrel was stained with traces of blood.
Several seconds later, a white portal materialized nearby.
Its swirling surface radiated gentle energy, clearly inviting her to proceed.
Yet Kiara did not move immediately.
Instead, she turned her attention toward the ether ores embedded throughout the cavern walls.
A thought had suddenly occurred to her.
"If this place is real enough to create monsters..." she murmured, "then perhaps the resources are real too."
Curiosity overcame impatience.
Walking toward the nearest wall, she clenched her fist.
Crack!
The punch shattered part of the rocky surface.
Fragments scattered across the floor.
Another strike followed.
Soon, a sizeable chunk of ether ore broke free and landed in her hands.
The ore pulsed faintly with energy.
