From the group of beastmen stepped forward a short, chubby male with buck teeth. Puffing out his chest, he shouted dramatically,
"This mountain was opened by me! This tree was planted by me! If you want to pass this road—leave your beast crystals behind!"
The slightly taller, dark-skinned male beside him smacked him on the head.
"What beast crystals?"
He lifted his chin arrogantly and pointed at Nina and the others. "Leave the female behind!"
The buck-toothed male blinked in confusion. "Then… we don't want the beast crystals anymore?"
The dark-skinned male thought about it seriously. "Females are more valuable."
Behind them, a tall, broad-shouldered male stepped forward and smacked both their heads at once.
"Only fools will choose between the two." His voice boomed like thunder. "We're taking both—the crystals and the female."
