Bryant stared in shock at the pile of Desert Bug eggs before him, but managed to conceal the joy in his heart. He looked nonchalantly at Carl as if he did not care and nodded. "So, you're not that useless after all. Always thought you were just a burden."
Since Bryant had fought this battle so valiantly, Carl did not argue with him and took it as a compliment. Of course, Pudding had contributed the most by saving him and all those eggs at the same time.
"This little fellow has done a good job." Bryant suddenly held out a pale yellow crystal covered in cracks. "Here's your reward."
Carl looked carefully at it and realized what this was. "This… this is the crystal core of the Desert Bug?"
"Yes," said Bryant flatly. "The volcanic eruption destroyed the bodies of the Desert Bugs that had a
