In A Fantasy World I Can Absorbs Abilities

"Tired, huh? You've worked hard," Michael said with a warm smile, stroking the feline's head.

"Tonight, I'll treat you to something special."

The tiny purring that followed made Michael's chest feel light and warm. He resolved to serve Miaomiao the finest beef available.

On their way to the designated meeting point in the village square, the streets were chaotic. Nobles and their retainers darted about like locusts during harvest season, all frantically searching for loot.

Upon reaching the square, Michael spotted Kensington Baron feeding a cow to his Great Worm, an enormous 8th-tier magical beast. Curious, Michael approached him.

"Brother Vincent, you're already here? Didn't think there'd be any cows left in the village."

Having been ordered to address the baron as "brother" instead of the more formal "uncle," Michael had reluctantly agreed to the odd request. Despite the 25-year age gap, Kensington seemed insistent.

"Of course. This isn't our last stop, after all. Found it half-starved and tethered in a barn. Figured it's better off feeding my Gaius II than dying here."

Michael raised a brow, suspecting Kensington had probably been the first to grab any valuable livestock during reconnaissance. Still, given the risks the baron often took, Michael decided to let it slide.

Kensington gazed lovingly at his monstrous worm as it finished devouring the cow, its wriggling form almost dancing with delight.

"Adorable, isn't he?"@@novelbin@@

Michael forced a smile.

"...Charming, I suppose."

"His father was being sold on the black market. Barely managed to save him and start breeding this magnificent line. Took a lot of effort—and dragon blood—to make it happen."

At the mention of dragon blood, Michael's ears perked up. He had wanted to ask about it since discovering the vial in the magical pouch.

"Is it true dragon blood is essential for breeding magical beasts?"

"Well, nothing awakens a beast's potential like it. It even makes breeding easier. The best stuff is dragon's pure blood, though that's beyond someone like me. Only the richest or most powerful can afford such a luxury."

Michael nodded in understanding. Dragons, classified as 1st-tier magical beasts, were intelligent creatures capable of speech and unparalleled strength. Their blood was rare and extraordinarily valuable.

"How did you come to know so much about this?" Michael asked.

"Our family keeps a record of such things. Old experiments from wars between dragons and humans are well-documented. I'll lend it to you someday if you're interested."

Michael's eyes lit up.

Knowledge was the rarest and most valuable currency in the world. Most noble families guarded theirs fiercely, so Kensington's offer was a rare gift.

As they talked, Michael's gaze drifted to a Bronco Lizard nearby. The massive creature was munching on tree trunks instead of leaves, its appearance reminiscent of the sauropod dinosaurs from Earth.

"Is that Bronco a 9th-tier magical beast? How much gold would it take to acquire one?" Michael asked, half-joking.

Kensington laughed heartily. "If you marry my youngest daughter, I'll throw him in as part of the dowry."

Michael's face twitched slightly, but he kept his composure, forcing a polite smile.

"Marriage is a matter for my parents to decide. But I'm curious—how did you come by this Bronco?"

"Ah, my sweet Galatea. She was up for auction on the black market. Some brutes were planning to sell her as meat—can you imagine? There are people who believe eating dragon meat prolongs your life. Ridiculous. Of course, since she belongs to the dragon species, she almost met the same fate. Luckily, I arrived in time for the auction. She was about the size of a dog back then, but look at her now—a perfect specimen."

Michael took in the gentle gaze of the Bronco Lizard. It was enormous, its size comparable to a small two-story house. Capable of carrying 70 men at once, faster than horses, and docile by nature—it was the ultimate beast for logistics and exploration.

Kensington, clearly fond of his collection of beasts, rested a heavy hand on Michael's shoulder.

"So, you like magical beasts, eh? My youngest is quite the beauty, takes after me, of course. Come visit when you want to see those family records—I'll make sure you meet her."

Michael resisted the urge to roll his eyes, his smile growing increasingly strained.

Kensington was a towering figure, over 190 centimeters tall, with fiery red hair and a rugged beard. He looked every bit the archetypal mountain bandit, albeit dressed in noble attire.

"Perhaps when things are less chaotic, I'll visit. But tell me, how much did you pay for Galatea?"

"Hm… about 7,000 gold, I think. The bidding started at 1,000, but I got carried away. You know how rare live magical beasts are. Even with lower-tier ones, living specimens are ten times more expensive than their cores. While 9th-tier beasts aren't too uncommon, Galatea is part dragon, so she's naturally pricier. My first Great Worm, Gaius I, was much cheaper."

Michael sighed in frustration.

It was no wonder Kensington had gone from being one of the wealthiest lords in the northeastern territory to teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Maintaining three high-tier magical beasts was a staggering financial burden.

Between the cow-devouring Great Worm, the tree-munching Bronco, and the Griffin that required buckets of offal for each meal, it was a wonder the baron had any gold left at all.

Looking at the relatively modest gains from today's raids, Michael felt a pang of despair. Even after hauling so much loot, he could barely afford half a Bronco Lizard.

Still, as the gathered nobles prepared for the next target, Michael steeled himself. Tomorrow would be better, and for now, he'd work with what he had.

The raiding party climbed back onto their beasts, heading toward the next village already scouted by Kensington.

There was no telling what treasures they'd find next.

After raiding two more villages, Michael and his comrades returned, utterly exhausted. The mental toll of picking and choosing the wealthiest houses was worse than the actual battle.

With so many "dud" houses, the knights who struck gold found themselves the target of envious glares.