---o---
Over the next hour, Empedocles witnessed what it meant to have MC efficiency.
With his power alone, Fu Zhu tripled the original population of a dozen or so Dromases, and each one was born with unique talents!
There were hatchlings that could leap several meters in a single bound and jump as high as a fully grown adult.
During this time, Fu Zhu even tried throwing in some strength potions, though whether they had any effect remained unclear.
This reached a point where Cipher, who had initially run off to get digestive medicine, came back and proactively handed the medicine in her hands to Empedocles.
Fu Zhu only stopped after stacking the stats several times.
He didn't stop because he ran out of potions, but simply because if the Dromases got any faster, they would become somewhat inconvenient to ride.
"Time to hatch the Dromas MK2000!"
Looking at the egg before him, which had undergone several rounds of stat-stacking, Fu Zhu immediately used a command to accelerate its incubation.
In less than a second, the little Dromas broke out of its shell. Fu Zhu was right there to feed it red soil and tame it.
Empedocles watched, completely numb, as this Dromas MK2000 crossed its juvenile stage in less than a minute, jumping directly from hatchling to adult.
He had seen this happen countless times over the past hour.
"Come on, MK2000, take a couple of steps for me!"
The MK2000 was very obedient. It took a few steps as Fu Zhu instructed, and its walking speed had already completely surpassed the limits of a normal Dromas. This left Fu Zhu very satisfied.
Just as Fu Zhu turned his head, intending to ask Empedocles if he had won the bet, he saw the professor having two of his apprentices haul over two large chests of local currency and stuff them into his hands.
"What's the meaning of this?" Fu Zhu asked, holding the two chests of money, a look of confusion on his face.
Empedocles looked at the other Dromases Fu Zhu had bred with a solemn expression and asked earnestly, "Can you sell these Dromases to me? I want to study them!"
"Sure. I was originally planning to give them to you for free, but since you're insisting on paying, I'll accept."
Hearing Fu Zhu say they were originally free, Empedocles didn't get angry. Whether he paid or not, he had still struck gold!
These Dromases, which far surpassed the capabilities of ordinary ones, were practically walking research papers!
Fu Zhu watched as Empedocles walked over and began to stroke the Dromases with a fervent expression. He smiled and called out.
"Well then, Professor Empedocles, we'll be leaving now. Hope to see you again in the future."
"Yes, travel safely!"
Since the MK2000 had hatched, Fu Zhu had no intention of staying any longer. He called over to Cipher and Tixi, and the three of them mounted the MK2000's back.
"Let's go!"
With a whoosh, a strong wind kicked up a cloud of dust. The MK2000, carrying the three of them, vanished from before Empedocles and the others.
Empedocles watched the spot where they disappeared and couldn't help but shake his head.
"Comparing the MK2000's physical prowess to the Titan of [Earth]… it's hard to say which one is the real Titan…"
---o---
On the originally peaceful and serene plains, a massive cloud of dust billowed up, startling the nearby grazing animals, sending them scattering in all directions.
"Awesome! This is the kind of speed a mount should have!"
Fu Zhu sat on the MK2000's head, the wind whipping through his hair. He found the experience exhilarating, much like driving a sports car.
Tixi and Cipher, however, were not feeling so great.
The two of them sat on the MK2000's back, their faces a little pale.
They were both experiencing Dromas-sickness for the first time! Is this really the speed a Dromas should have?!
They had left the Grove of Epiphany less than eight minutes ago, and they were already halfway to their destination!
Cipher couldn't help but look at Fu Zhu sitting on the MK2000's head. She thought to herself that if she had an MK2000 back when she was stealing things, wouldn't she have been able to steal anything she wanted? No one would have ever been able to catch her!
No, wait. If she were riding an MK2000, it wouldn't be called stealing anymore. You could just call it robbing…
Just as Fu Zhu was enjoying the wind, his ride, the MK2000, suddenly screeched to a halt.
"Oof!"
Cipher and Tixi, who were on its back, slammed into each other. Fu Zhu, sitting on its head, remained stable.
Luckily, a Steve in a riding state can't be knocked off, or that powerful whiplash would have sent him flying.
Still, Fu Zhu was a bit puzzled as to why the MK2000 would brake so suddenly. He reached out and patted its head.
"What's wrong, MK2000?"
The MK2000 raised its head and let out a deep, low rumble toward the path ahead.
"You're saying there are monsters up ahead?"
Fu Zhu immediately opened his minimap and saw a large swarm of Blacktide monsters about five hundred meters ahead, charging in their direction.
"Blacktide monsters? MK2000, charge straight at them!"
This was the perfect opportunity to test if the strength potions from before the breeding had been effective, just like the speed potions.
Receiving its master's command, the MK2000 let out an excited roar and then charged towards the swarm of Blacktide monsters.
---o---
"Naxy, run! You'll be safe once you reach the Grove of Epiphany! I'll hold off these monsters!"
"Sister! You run too! We can definitely make it out!"
"Listen to me!"
The girl shoved the small bundle of luggage she was carrying into the arms of the boy she called Naxy. Inside were some daily necessities and the money she had saved up for his schooling.
The boy bit his lip as he looked at his stubborn older sister. Tears welled in the corners of his eyes as he choked out a soft "okay," turned, and prepared to flee.
But just as he turned, his vision blurred. It was as if a giant black shadow had streaked past them.
The boy looked back in confusion. The girl thought he was hesitating and gave him another shove, urging him on.
"Hurry up and go, Anaxa!"
"Sister… look behind you!"
"Huh?"
The girl turned around in confusion, following Anaxa's pointed finger, and saw a sight she would never forget. A massive Dromas, with people sitting on its back and head, was simply running along, and in its path, the swarm of monsters they saw as demons was smashed into a bloody mist.
And from atop the Dromas's head came an excited man's voice.
"Well done, MK2000! What Blacktide monster? One stomp and it's dead. How about I take you to find a Titan next, and you can one-on-one it?"
The girl and Anaxa stared in stunned silence. When did Dromases become so ferocious?!
Anaxa suddenly remembered that when his sister had given him a Dromas doll, she had told him that Dromases would protect him.
So it wasn't just to comfort him. It was actually real!
Dromases really were this strong!