The terms by which the cores would be handed over were given to Taf who after a while did eventually agree.

There was no animosity between the two groups and although Draconian Alestar did say it should be a slaughter. Other methods of obtaining the cores were not forbidden.

Soon Tensho journeyed to gather with the other beasts.

" Those are the term that I and the cub have agreed upon."

Tensho stated as he addressed the group of demon beast.

" Can the words of this human cub that calls himself Sir Mouse, truly be trusted?"

A question was then posed by a grey wolf smaller in stature than the lion Tensho.

" I also concur, who said this Mouse will actually keep to his end of the bargain."

The hyena Matteo could not help but also chime in.

" This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that awaits us. What are the odds of successfully traversing the tribulation? Less than 20% and you're actually against been giving the additional help."

Fena the tigress was baffled at the arguments that went against taking the deal.

Tensho lazily watches as each of the other six demon beasts had their say. Whether it was for or against he did not utter one single word. Until.....

BOOOM!!!!!!!

His paw smash down on the Hyena Matteo which caused the other beasts that were each making their speech to be stunned into silence.

" Wha... What are you doing Tensho?"

Beneath the lion's gigantic paw Matteo was scared out of his mind. However, it instinctively posed the question.

"Within the few words I uttered, where did it state that there was room for refusal?"

A suppressive force encompassed all the beasts that had argued against the terms agreed with the Mouse. When they looked on Tensho there was a thirst for blood that suffocated the senses.

" Tensho isn't this a bit much. Though you're at the peak of the 9th stage facing against all six of us, you are outmatched."

Booom!!!

The grey wolf unleashed its qi to counter the suppression imposed by the lion Tensho. As it got ready to activated its inherent art, however, it felt as though its fur was being scorched.

When it looked above a gigantic fireball was plummetting towards it. The culprit a gigantic yellow feathered eagle.

" How naive can one be? Do you really think I would not have plans in place just to counter this outcome? There is nothing that will interfere with me ascending realms."

The words were uttered by the lion but it did not look on the wolf as it spoke but Matteo under its paw.

" Feel relief in knowing that your death will pave the way for our ascension. DIE!!!!"

It stated as though its actions were the norm its jaws opened gripping on the throat of the jackal.

" I.., I yield...."

Matteo begged for its life but as it stared into the eyes of Tensho there was the only bloodlust.

Crk!!!!

Blood splattered all over the ground, dying it red as the hyena's lifeless corpse laid on the ground.

While some stared at the hyena corpse another lifeless body was thrown next to it. This was the corpse of the wolf who also objected to the terms. It was the tigress Fena who had been the one to provide the killing blow.

"Sigh this is a pity, isn't it? why did they have to be so short-sighted?"

She then harvested both cores as she spoke.

" The most pitiful thing is they actually thought they had grounds to refuse.

Herfen then landed observing both corpses as it shakes its head.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Unaware of what had taken place within the forest both May and Taf took the time to spar a bit.

Boooom!!!!

Taf was smashed against a tree as earth crumbled from his body.

" Not bad, your current improvement is even more than i expected"

He grinned as he deactivated his previous art.

" Stop trying to boost my ego brute. You weren't even trying during the fight. Only defending and not launching any attacks in retaliation."

Before him, May was encased in frozen ice armour that also slowly crumbled as she spoke with a smile.

" At the moment you might not see it but you're quite exceptional as you fight. I really am not embellishing at the moment"

Taf took a seat on a limb of the tree as he awaited May. Soon she too sat next to him summoning some water before having them both wash their hands.

" Hehe, I'll take your word for it, Sir."

She then laughed before broaching a topic that had been on her mind since Taf had met the lion.

" That lion was indeed smarter than the jackal so it must have found it odd you agreed so easily to help them traverse their tribulation. Surely it must have realized there is some underline scheme"

A plate was handed to Taf as she spoke of what had intrigued her.

" It is a schemer itself so that is a certainty. However, it would have realized whatever plans I have would not be detrimental to it.

The small clues disclosed in my previous confrontation with the jackal and gorilla would have shown that. Firstly stating that I was indeed only interested in their cores while outlining their intelligence.

Then allowing them some leeway by providing them with the option to simply forgoing their cores without bloodshed."

Taf spoke as he started to part take in his meal. Within his plate was a sumptuous piece of beast meat cooked to perfection. The spices alone alerted the sensed to what joy awaited them.

" Nice..., I could say at this point within a decade you will arrive at my level of culinary bliss "

He boasted as he eyed May who couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.

" Why don't you eat your big ego then you brute"

She swiftly took away the plate from Taf's grasp while showing her tongue.

" You know I kid, come let my stomach know that there is indeed a heaven and it lies within those hands of your."

Hearing his words and the pitiful look plastered all over his face, May slowly placed the plate on his lap. Unbeknown to Taf she had added an additional ingredient to the meal before handing it back.

" How could I not yield to that sweet tongue of yours, my prince?"

She stated with the most sincere of smiles which Taf found most odd. Normally she would retaliate through words or threats when teased. This is definitely uncharacteristic for her to give in.

He shrugged it off however and once again went back to the previous topic.

" Initially I thought they would have asked for their freedom in exchange for their cores. However, after meeting that Tensho I realize how obsessed these beast are with ascending to the realm of lords.

Moulding these beasts into allies in the outside world was indeed a great suggestion. This tribulation I will use as a catalyst to milk every ounce of loyalty from these beasts. After all, having a small beast horde might indeed be handy in the future."

As Taf spoke he bit into the sumptuous meat which caused a big grin to be plastered over May's face. Seeing this he knew he had fallen into a scheme. Soon he felt as though his tongue was on fire...

" Pep....pepper, hot pepper!!!!

Damn it May...."

Taf bellowed as he hurriedly summoned water then drinking like a man that had been in the desert for days without water.

" That's what you get for running off your mouth sir."

May chuckled as she saw him nearly drowning himself in water in order to relieve his tongue of the heat.

" You do of course know that this means war right?"

Taf stated but before he could finish his words May had already shot off leaving him in her wake.

The forest then became lively as a boy could be seen chasing a girl throughout while she teased him. As they enjoyed themselves Tensho approach a massive cave shrouded in webs hesitantly.