Chapter 451: Breeding Ground
Arthur and the beetle walked through the territory of the Golden Manes, their footsteps muffled by thick layers of decomposed leaves and forest debris. The deeper they ventured into the pack’s domain, the more the atmosphere seemed to change around them. The trees grew larger and more densely packed.
Surprisingly, as they progressed through what should have been exclusively Golden Mane territory, Arthur began spotting monsters that clearly didn’t belong to the dominant pack.
A cluster of rabbit-like creatures with elongated ears and oversized hind legs bounded between the underbrush, their movements quick but lacking the predatory grace of true hunters. Near a small stream, wolf-like beasts with mottled grey fur prowled in loose formation, their attention focused on hunting smaller prey rather than territorial defence.
Arthur’s enhanced senses immediately catalogued these creatures’ power levels, and what he discovered was puzzling. Most of the non-Golden Mane monsters registered around level 15—significantly below the superior-rank creatures he had expected to encounter in such a fiercely contested territory.
He didn’t attack them despite their proximity. These creatures were simply not worthy of his attention, representing minimal threat and offering negligible rewards for the effort required to eliminate them. However, their presence raised tactical questions that demanded answers.
Arthur turned towards the Golden Beetle, his expression carrying obvious confusion about the unexpected ecosystem they were observing.
"Why are there such weak monsters inhabiting this territory?" Arthur asked, gesturing toward a group of deer-like creatures that were grazing peacefully despite being deep within what should have been a predator’s hunting ground. "I expected the Golden Manes to have eliminated or driven out any competition for resources."
The Golden Beetle nodded in understanding at Arthur’s confusion, its mental voice taking on the tone of someone explaining complex territorial dynamics that might not be immediately obvious to outsiders.
"Master, the Golden Manes operate according to different principles than most pack hunters," the beetle began, its compound eyes scanning the surrounding creatures with familiar recognition. "They don’t prefer to leave their established territories to hunt for sustenance, which creates unique logistical challenges for maintaining a large pack over extended periods."
Arthur listened with growing interest as the beetle continued its explanation.