Mana Cores

Grant couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes. He couldn't believe that something so cliché would come out so soon since The Path's emergence.

"Wait, before you tell me what a mana core is, let me guess.

It's a stone or marble shaped object that forms in your dantian somewhere between the solar plex and the stomach?"

While Grant was sitting there with a smug look on his face as if he had just discovered the meaning of life, Sherlock of all people. was the first to speak up.

{You really are an idiot sometimes, aren't you?}

Before Grant even had the chance to snap back at Sherlock, he swore he saw the bones on Skit's face deform slightly and give him the appearance that he was raising his eyebrow in confusion at what Grant had to say before he burst out in laughing.

"You humans are funny. What is a dantian? And why would someone have a stone somewhere between their solar plex and stomach? Wouldn't that kill them?"

Grant could do nothing but hang his head in shame and turn a deep shade of red when he heard Skit's bombardment of questions and laughter. Grant had absolutely no intention of replying to his questions because he was too embarrassed so he just sat there waiting for Skit to stop laughing and continue on with his explanation.

"While I cannot say with absolute certainty that a mana core such as the one you described does not exist, I can however say that I have never seen one.

The most common form a mana core can take is that of a heart.

To understand why, you need to understand how mana is stored in most living species' bodies. As the body of a living species absorbs mana, that mana is passed through all the cells of the body before eventually reaching the blood stream. Once the mana reaches the blood stream, it travels to the heart where the heart will absorb and purify the mana to be stored, at which point it can inevitably be used for spells or skills.

Now, when a living entity dies, the mana that has not been purified and stored dissipates into the atmosphere around it because it is not pure enough to remain in the body for long periods of time. However, the mana that has been purified and stored in a living species' heart will remain because of its density and purity.

There are exceptions to this rule however, take me for example, I do not have a heart since I can be considered dead.

However, my bones themselves absorb, purify, and store mana all at once. So you could say that I am a walking mana core. The density of mana in my bones is much lower than that of a monster though because it is spread out over a larger area than it would in a heart.

And lastly, for mana to be stored and purified at a purity that will not dissipate, the monster or species needs to be at least at the Enlightened Tier."

Grant could only sit there nodding his head up and down the entire time Skit was speaking. He had never even considered asking Sherlock about any of this because he had no idea that mana cores were even a thing. He also had to accept that Sherlock was right when he said he was an idiot. It wouldn't make sense for mana to be randomly stored within the body. It needed to be a part of the whole living entity.

"So let me see if I have this correct. Your goal is to collect these mana cores en masse, send them back to your world, and then use the mana stored within them to replenish the mana of your planet?"

"You are correct. Do keep in mind that as I am speaking with you, there are thousands, if not tens of thousands of my brothers and sisters spread across as many planets, doing their best to collect mana cores themselves. So it is not like I am expecting you to provide me with enough mana cores to save my planet solely by yourself."

"Okay, that does make sense. However, you never answered my question from before, why are you talking to me about this?"

"I have mentioned that my race is one where strength rules, correct?

Considering you are the strongest human on this planet at this moment, you are the most qualified person to discuss a partnership with. If I had met a stronger individual, I would be having this conversation with them right now."

"I guess that's logical.

I can't say that other humans would be happy if I spoke for our entire race though.

If what you are offering in return for mana cores is power... wait what are you offering in return for the mana cores? All you've done is tell me what you want, what is it that we humans get in return?"

"I believe that you have misunderstood what I am proposing since I may not have articulated it correctly. So I will make sure to be straightforward and to the point.

I am not asking for the cooperation of the human race perse. I am merely proposing a beneficial partnership between us.

It is three fold:

Firstly, you humans do not launch attacks on my home planet. Not that you pose a threat to us, we simply do not need the distraction at this time.

Secondly, you provide us with mana cores and in response, we provide you with materials native to our home planet that can be used to forge weapons, armors, potions, so on and so forth.

Thirdly, if and when the dungeon core becomes strong enough to sustain the transfer of individuals such as yourself or other humans like yourself and stronger members of my species, the services of the other can be purchased through either mana cores, materials, or other goods and services.

The final point is predicated on how established and trustworthy our relationship has become but I like to include it because, like us, you will inevitably meet a race that wants nothing more than to take over your planet as their own."

Grant thought that the deal seemed fair, but at the same time, was it truly? He had only known Skit for a short period of time and during that time, Skit had even tried to kill him, so it wasn't exactly easy for him to take his words at face value.

If Skit's plan was something sinister and all of the explanations that he had given about his planet being in danger, etc. was just a ruse, then he very well could be the man who brought about the fall of the human race.

Grant wasn't exactly lured by the idea of the materials and since he didn't truly understand the value of the materials compared to mana cores it was difficult for him to decide.

[Sherlock, do you have any record of Skit's home planet and the situation they are in?]

{He is from planet Renrarth, which has been on its Path for a couple million years at this point. The leader of Renrarth is a Skeleton King who calls himself The One True King and has ruled the planet since its members were turned into the undead.

As for the state of there planet, what Skit has said is the truth.

You may ask how I know this for sure and the answer will surprise you.

The version of me that was spawned on that planet, belongs to The One True King.

The crown you saw in the vision of him that you saw, is his guide.}

[Well fuck me, I was not expecting that...

How does a race with such an old and powerful ruler, run into problems such as the ones they are having now? Shouldn't he be capable of beating back any forces that attack them?]

{Wars are not won on the backs of one or two individuals, they are won with the lives of the many.

Just because he is strong, does not mean he cannot be overwhelmed and forced to retreat.}

[Damn Sherlock. That's deep. What you been smoking while you were quiet for so long? Acting all philosophical and shit all of a sudden.]

{Very funny smartass. I suggest you take this deal. The Laigan race may only respect the strong, but they are known to be true to their word.}

After talking with Sherlock, Grant felt more comfortable taking the deal but he was still understandably apprehensive.

At this point, Grant was more concerned with what Sherlock had to say than what Skit had offered though. What he had said about one or two individuals not being able to turn the tide of war made him realize that even if he didn't want to deal with mass quantities of people, he would need to find at least a small team that he could depend on to assist him in his future endeavors.

While Grant was lost in thought, Skit threw out one more offer to sweeten the deal.

"If you accept my offer Grant, I will gift you this half the dungeon to express my sincerity."

Hearing what Skit said, "Sold. You have a deal."

Grant didn't even hesitate to take the deal.