Ninety-six Miasma Orbs

[Speaking gravely to Hanamai: "Stay here. I'll return shortly."

"Yes, Goburo-sama."]

[You stealthily circled behind the Miasma Drake, approaching silently. Though confident in your superior strength, you preferred ambush tactics when possible. Hanamai showed no disapproval - she understood strategic pragmatism, her admiration growing with your caution.]

[Focusing solely on the draconic prey, you wondered how much a Lord-class Netherbeast could enhance your attributes. At fifteen paces - the detection threshold - you halted.]

[The slumbering Drake stirred uneasily, awakening to searing back pain. Your claws had torn through several scales during its vulnerable state, breaching its formidable armor.]

[As the enraged Drake turned to retaliate, you mounted its back, delivering devastating blows. Your "Savage Fury" skill had evolved to Lv.5, each strike carrying terrifying force. Within moments, its back became pulpy ruin.]

[Hanamai watched in awe. Drake scales were renowned for their adamantine hardness - even Lord-class beings struggled to penetrate them.]

[The Miasma Drake thrashed wildly, but you'd anchored yourself using six wounds as handholds. Dual heads feasted on draconic flesh as the beast's agonized roars echoed.]

[As injuries accumulated, the Drake's miasma surged explosively after fifteen minutes, its power skyrocketing. Maintaining your grip drained considerable strength, but you noted its life force waning steadily - victory through attrition was assured.]

[However, time efficiency took priority. Despite its enhanced strength, you still held the advantage and needed to harvest other orbs.]

[Minutes later, the Drake collapsed, one-third of its body consumed. Its bones, blackened by miasma corruption, were visible through ravaged flesh. Absorbing the dense miasma, you felt the threshold between Chieftain and Lord-class tremble, though you suppressed the breakthrough.]

[Retrieving the orb - containing several times more energy than your previous one - you returned to Hanamai: "Let's find more orbs."

"Shouldn't you rest?"

"Unnecessary."

"Understood."]

[Over the next fortnight, you collected orbs with terrifying efficiency. When Hanamai confirmed no remaining orb signatures, your count reached ninety-six Miasma Orbs - Ōtohime had mentioned the Sanctum typically generated around 150 annually.]

[Selecting four orbs, you offered them to Hanamai: "Your compensation. Your constitution can't handle more."

"These are... for me? No, Goburo-sama, two are sufficient!" She knew many Oni exited empty-handed, and her mediocre strength made her likely among them.

"I don't reclaim gifts." Your cold tone silenced further protest, stirring unfamiliar emotions within her.]

[Outside the Sanctum, two Lord-class sentries conversed:

"Old Luo, how long this cycle?"

"Hard to say. With Goburo inside... you've sparred him. You know his monstrous strength."

"Indeed. Only Marō slightly surpasses him currently. Post-Sanctum, even that might change. Frightening, for a Goblin."]

[Their discussion interrupted as a portal materialized - far earlier than expected. Portal activation signaled either the three-month cycle completion or all orb collection. Previous early activations occurred after two months minimum - this unprecedented half-month emergence prompted immediate alerting of clan elders.]

[As Oni emerged steadily, clan leaders including Ōtohime gathered. However, days passed without Goburo's appearance. The portal's three-day duration limit approached - remaining inside meant permanent entrapment.]