Due to the abundant fishing resources in the marsh, Logan—who had originally planned to head toward the center of the Ancient Forest—decided to settle in the area for the time being.
After filling their bellies, his top priority was finding a suitable nest. This time, he had no intention of settling for a simple tree hollow. Instead, he led Zhu Peiniang toward the Wildspire Waste.
As they advanced, the ground beneath their feet gradually dried out. Barren yellowish-brown sandy soil replaced the fertile humus, causing the trees to thin and allowing broad swaths of sunlight to pour through.
In this typical wasteland hilly region, numerous raised earthen mounds dotted the landscape. Their composition resembled the loess plateaus from his previous world—rich in clay that remained sturdy and stable despite years of sun-baking and wind erosion.
Logan selected a sun-facing mound and began digging about three meters off the ground. His sharp enamel claws boasted extreme hardness; under his immense strength, they plunged deep into the tough clay, scooping out large chunks with each swipe.
His two powerful foreclaws flew like those of a giant pangolin. Coordinating with Zhu Peiniang, they soon carved a shallow depression into the mound.
By sunset, a cave entrance over two meters in diameter had appeared on the mound. The claw-marked walls extended inward four or five meters.
This was far from the final form of the nest, but continuous digging had tired even Logan. He decided to call it a day and continue deeper tomorrow.
He and Zhu Peiniang curled up tightly in the cave, welcoming the first night in their new home. In his sleep, one scale on his head suddenly loosened, shaken off by his breathing and silently falling to the ground.
As old scales shed, new ones began to grow. Numerous capillaries and fine nerves formed a thick oval shape, extending outward like tender tree buds.
It quickly surpassed the size of the original scale and secreted a transparent fluid. Over time, the fluid solidified, layering and accumulating into a milky-white new scale.
This newborn scale maintained a perfect teardrop shape. Infused with abundant spider silk protein, it was lighter than the old ones at the same volume, allowing it to grow thicker and larger.
At the center ran a raised vertical ridge, tapering to a sharp point at the end. This unique structure meant stroking Logan's scales smoothly was fine—but going against the grain would draw blood from your hand.
Once the first new scale formed, surrounding old ones began shedding too, spreading outward like ink dropped on white paper.
When Logan woke, the ground was littered with dozens—perhaps hundreds—of old scales, scattered conspicuously on the yellowish-brown floor.
He shook his head, feeling something different, though he couldn't pinpoint it. Touching his skull with a claw, he found it seemed larger overall. The new scales felt smoother than the old—perhaps like the shift from rough ceramic to fine porcelain?
It didn't matter; as long as the new scales were bigger, thicker, and more defensive, he was satisfied. Growing them had consumed massive nutrients, and hunger now gnawed at him. Filling his stomach was the priority.
He crawled out of the cave and shook himself vigorously. Amid the crisp rustle of scales, dust flew off. As he prepared to call Zhu Peiniang, he noticed the little one gleefully collecting his shed scales from the floor. She piled them up, dug a pit with her claws, and carefully buried them.
Do Tobi-Kadachi have a habit like crows, collecting shiny objects?
Logan paused briefly at the sight but didn't dwell on it. With the bouncing Zhu Peiniang in tow, he headed into the lush Ancient Forest.
For hunting in dense forest, the most useful sense wasn't sight or hearing—it was smell. Even the best vision struggled beyond overlapping giant trees, but keen olfaction could trace prey kilometers away amid complex scents.
Hunger left no patience for waiting on fish schools. Logan flared his nostrils and flicked his tongue, soon spotting scattered mushrooms under a large tree. Following the scent, he captured a Kelbi.
This one wasn't large—only about 200 pounds—not enough for both him and Zhu Peiniang. But it eased the hunger temporarily. The leftover organs would make perfect fishing bait.
He wrapped his tail around the Kelbi's neck, dragging it to the Ancient Tree dock. Sharp claws ripped open the belly, tossing the foul offal into the water. The rest he halved with his arm blades, roughly divided, and devoured skin, bones, and all.
His sharp fangs tore off huge chunks in one bite. Massive molars and powerful jaw muscles easily crushed bones.
Whether protein or minerals, everything was nutrition for Logan now. His thick scales demanded serious calcium and hydroxyapatite—supplies only bones could provide.
Tens of pounds of meat vanished into his stomach quickly. Zhu Peiniang ate slower but not by much.
By the time they finished, fish had gathered below, occasional splashes revealing flashes of silver scales.
Just as Logan prepared to dip his tail and discharge again, a row of tall dorsal fins suddenly rose far out on the water—like upright triangular sails—swiftly approaching.
What the—?
The sudden change made Logan cautiously retract his tail. With Zhu Peiniang, he retreated to the center of the Ancient Tree trunk, farther from the water.
Moments later, the fins plunged into the fish school. Through the murky surface, a pale yellow massive fish shadow appeared. As it opened its mouth wide, powerful suction formed, swallowing swaths of small fish. A vortex over a meter wide even formed on the surface.
In one gulp, it devoured most of the gathered school. The terrified survivors scattered instantly, unlikely to return soon.
(End of Chapter 30)