Findings

Right as Aura finished speaking, two more Many Eyed Fish appeared.

"Dodge it while retreating!" ordered Aura, as two Compressed Orbs flew at the team.

"Let's wait for Puppet's mana to recover, then deal with them. There must be something valuable in that pool, or there wouldn't be so many high level monsters in it."

"Lyn's Resplendent Gleam is very effective against them, they heavily rely on their vision," stated Lydian. "We can have a Puppet Sprout bait out their Compressed Orbs. The fishes take a long time to charge up their skill. During that time Lyn can charge in, supported by Puppet."

"Sounds good," said Aura.

After Puppet's mana fully recovered, it created a Puppet Sprout and had it walk towards the pool. Without suspense, two massive spheres of blue water flew at it. The sprout burst into pieces the moment they hit.

"Lyn, attack!" A shining figure resembling a miniature sun shot at the Many Eyed Fish. Blinded by the light, the two fishes struggled to see what was happening. Silky threads shot out by Puppet connected to them, causing them to twitch in pain.

"Puppet, focus fire on the one Lyn is hitting!" The two contracted monsters ganged up on the unlucky fish, but it could not be quickly dispatched. By the time it breathed its last breath, the other Many Eyed Fish had finished charging up another attack, aiming at the defensively weaker Puppet.

"Use Leafy Costume." Puppet wrapped itself up with defensive leaves, but it was still knocked back and injured. Aura inspected the damage on his monster. It had taken 22 points of damage, a very substantial amount considering the defensive boosts Puppet had and the two level difference.

With its powerful skill used and its mana almost empty, the last Many Eyed Fish joined its friend, laying on the ground.

"Let's back off a bit, in case there are more monsters inside," Aura said.

A while later, a Puppet Sprout walked into the pool, checking if there were any wild monsters left. (Puppet Sprout lives matter ;-;) After not dying a gruesome death, the sprout went deeper, exploring what made it possible for there to be so many high level monsters in the body of water.

"Puppet is saying it sees a large glowing stone." Aura had the Puppet Sprout carry the stone back. A while later, a tired looking Puppet Sprout emerged from the pool, dragging a child sized stone behind it.

Ariel walked up and inspected it. "It doesn't appear to be a stone that can be found on Earth."

Aura nodded. "These types of stones are only found in spacial realms. It is a water element spirit stone, a low grade one. They can be used as spirit jade that are doubled in effectiveness for water type monsters."

"A water spirit stone. Right, that was one of the alchemy materials in a few of the recipes you gave me."

"Let's see if there is anything else in the pool." The sprout was sent back in. After a few minutes, it reached the bottom again.

"Oh! Our luck is good! There are eggs at the bottom," said Aura. "If we manage to breed them, we can have a steady supply of Many Eyed Fish."

"Gross, who would want such an ugly monster. It looks like a dirty blob covered in eyeballs," said Lydian, with a disgusted expression on her face.

"They don't look good, but imagine if you have a bunch of people armed with Many Eyed Fish. They can act like cannons, bombarding the enemy with water bombs from long range." Aura was very satisfied with these gains. The spirit stone could be used on their monsters, and the Many Eyed Fish were a valuable species. When Aura finished establishing a force of his own, he could provide them with these fish. If he produced any excess, they could be sold, too.

After packing up the stone and the eggs in the containers they had prepared, they continued traveling. On the way, Ariel managed to pick some commonly found herbs, but they didn't find anything else valuable. The sun started to set, and the team set up their tents and settled down.

A campfire was set up and they prepared their food.

"Aura, this soup you made is delicious!" exclaimed Lydian.

Aura laughed. "Guess what's the secret ingredient?"

Lydian thought for a while. "Is this some special plant?" she asked, holding up a leaf that was in the soup.

"Nope! I added Many Eyed Fish eyes!"

Lydian promptly threw up.