No wonder the previous slamming hadn't caused too much damage to the Yian Garuga. It likely possessed a unique organ designed to dampen impacts; otherwise, it wouldn't dare smash its own head against the ground so recklessly.
In the brief moment Logan was lost in thought, the Yian Garuga charged again with swift strides. It launched another fierce peck, but this time its beak was wide open. Clearly, it had learned its lesson—if Logan dared to reach out with his claws again, it was prepared to take a savage bite.
Facing such a straightforward attack, Logan leaped backward to dodge easily, only to be met by a swift tail swipe.
The tip of the Yian Garuga's tail was bifurcated, sporting three thick, long spikes shaped like a trident, coated in a potent toxin. This unique attacking style and physiological structure were at least seventy percent similar to a Rathian. It was no wonder some jokingly called it the "illegitimate child" of a Rathian and a Yian Kut-Ku.
However, unlike dealing with a massive Rathian, Logan insisted on leveraging his superior strength and weight against this lighter monster.
His entire body reared up instantly. With his front claws slightly parted, he performed a precise forward bear-hug.
The Yian Garuga's tail slammed heavily against the tough scales on his chest. White scales shattered, and the spikes sank into his flesh, sending a jolt of stinging pain and numbness through Logan.
However, his evolved toxin resistance allowed his immune system to react instantly. A triple-threat response of isolation, filtration, and decomposition suppressed the spread of the poison almost immediately. Meanwhile, he had the trident-like tail locked firmly in his grasp. With muscles bulging, he swung the Yian Garuga into the air once more.
It was the same familiar slamming motion. Unlike the keratin layer on the beak, the thick tail wouldn't easily break off. The violent impacts, coupled with powerful centrifugal force, relentlessly ravaged the Yian Garuga's body. No matter how resilient its constitution, it couldn't hold out for long.
The surrounding trees suffered for it. Layer after layer of bark was scraped off by the monster's hard shell; some trunks looked as if they had been hit by cannon shells, missing large chunks of wood.
Before long, the Yian Garuga reached its limit. Purple-black blood began to ooze from the corners of its mouth, and its tough wing bones snapped, leaving both wings dangling limply. It kicked its hind legs frantically in a desperate counterattack, letting out ear-piercing shrieks. Its hard talons scraped against Logan's scales, sending showers of sparks flying.
Soon, one of the Yian Garuga's toes flipped backward from overexertion, and several of Logan's scales were forcibly torn off. The sharp pain stimulated his nerves, making his swings even more frenzied.
Gradually, the strength of the Yian Garuga's struggle weakened. Its cries grew softer until, before long, it went completely silent.
Only then did Logan release his grip on the Yian Garuga, which had been reduced to a heap of mangled flesh. He noticed its chest was still faintly heaving, and a thin layer of black mist lingered around its body—a testament to its tenacious vitality.
To end its suffering, Logan swung his tail in a swift downward strike. The wide, axe-like blade sliced through the gaps in the vertebrae, ending its life instantly.
A faint blue notification flashed before his eyes: [Hunt Successful: Yian Garuga. Evolution Points +12.]
This didn't garner much of Logan's attention. He shook his aching claws and began to debate whether or not to eat the carcass.
As the Yian Garuga died, the black mist on its skin seemed to lose its tether and quickly dissipated in the wind. Its originally lean and tough body began to soften rapidly, just like the Aptonoth carcass he had seen earlier.
Is this thing still edible? Will I get a stomach ache if I eat it?
Looking at the now limp Yian Garuga, Logan felt a bit hesitant.
While he was confident in his digestive system and toxin resistance, the Frenzy Virus wasn't a normal poison. From a certain perspective, it was more like a parasite.
The pollen-like scales scattered by Gore Magala and Shagaru Magala are actually their reproductive cells. They amplify the host's aggression, causing them to kill surrounding creatures indiscriminately to devour their nutrients.
When an infected host dies, those scales likely carry the host's nutrients into a new host. Once enough nutrients are accumulated, a new Gore Magala is born.
Seeing how mushy the corpse had become, it was likely that the nutrients had already been absorbed by the virus scales, leaving the meat worthless.
To confirm this, Logan extended his wrist blades and sliced into the cracks of the monster's shell, disemboweling it.
As the chest cavity was pulled open, a foul-smelling heat wafted out. The organs, which should have looked fresh, were a bizarre pale purple, covered in a mass of black capillaries that led directly to the top of the heart.
There sat a black, fleshy mass. With the host dead, it was slowly condensing, shifting into a crystal-like texture.
Is this... a Frenzy Crystal?
As the mass turned to crystal, the attached capillaries withered and fell off, rolling onto the ground.
If I collect enough Frenzy Crystals and pile them together, would it spawn a new Gore Magala? Or do they lose all activity once crystallized, becoming pure nutrients?
Logan poked the Frenzy Crystal with his claw. It felt similar to the sugar crystals he secreted himself, just far more aggressive.
But then again, as he continued to evolve, his own secretions would grow stronger. Perhaps one day, they would be like the Gore Magala scales, turning anyone who ate them into a version of himself.
This thing should count as a part of Gore Magala, right? If I swallow it, will I get Evolution Points?
Logan thought it was likely, but he didn't want to take the risk. As long as he stayed alive, he would have a steady stream of points. He would surpass the so-called Elder Dragons sooner or later; there was no need to be greedy for such small gains.
If this thing really burrowed into him like a parasite, he'd be the loser. Even if it couldn't actually hurt him, the thought alone was disgusting.
Ultimately, Logan dug a hole and buried the Frenzy Crystal. With the matter settled, it was time to head home.
Walking back toward his nest, after traveling a few miles, a thought suddenly struck him.
Wait, where did that Rathalos go? I saved its life from the Yian Garuga, and it ran off without even saying thank you? How shameful. I'm definitely punching it next time I see it.
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