"I could not find the crocodile, but I did find a residue... "collection"... in a cave located among saw-toothed mountains to the east. The mountains are located by cliffs that speak of amazing kings and pride members within these lands. I believe they were referred to as "Leaderboards"? Do you know where that is?

I believe a lion, or some other sort of den-dwelling creature, is residing there. They may think the sparkling stones are a treasure of sorts. Could you visit this place and see if you can retrieve the residue? Don't be alarmed, you can finally touch the residue now! The antidote works perfectly, I assure you, though you may want to take some with you. Let me just wrap it around your neck...

... and there you go. A small, handy pouch. Go on, then!"

You have not fulfilled your task yet. The Leaderboard dweller has not been swayed.

You approach the familiar cliffs. They are covered in scratches from many lions' claws, etching and signing their names into the eroding rocky walls. Their achievements have been gathered and are displayed for everyone to see. It's never occurred to you before that there is someone in charge, keeping it all organised.

A secluded cave has its position given away thanks to a sparkling trail located within. This must be where the lonesome creature dwells, and where they have decided to hoard shiny things like an ancient dragon within a mountain.

A cold shiver runs down your spine, stopping you in your tracks. There IS a dragon! It's covered in stardust, curled within its cave, and it's breathing fire! Wait... no. It's just a very deformed lion.

You're able to see firsthand what the Cancer residue does to animals in such concentrated amounts. You approach the creature slowly, uncertain if it will attack you like the Celestial Crustaceans did.

The creature growls and turns its head towards you. You can tell that the pain is indeed holding it back from attacking. How fortunate for you, but at the price of misfortune for this lion. Its agony limits its will to fight.

You cautiously bite down on the wrap around your neck to release the antidote pouch, nudging it towards the dweller, then stepping back.

"I... thought sssso. When I realisssed, it wassss too late," the lion hisses, stretching its trembling paws towards the pouch.

You begin a condensed explanation of everything that has happened in these past days, while the lion consumes the marinated meat chunks. As you're telling your tale, you see relief on the lion's muzzle. The Demiurge must have spiked the meat with painkillers. It feels good knowing this lion's life won't diminish in pain.

"Pleassse, take it far, far away from any living creaturesss... There'sss more, but... I am sssso tired. Take the onesss from the cave. If I am alive tomorrow, I can ssshow you the ressst." You quickly sweep the shards up into the antidote pouch.

Before turning around to leave, you put on a brave face and give the deformed lion an encouraging nuzzle to say goodbye. You feel guilty that the lion flinched as you touched it, but you try to stay positive that the cure will surely work. The poor thing must still be in a lot of pain.

"I could not find the crocodile, but I did find a residue... "collection"... in a cave located among saw-toothed mountains to the east. The mountains are located by cliffs that speak of amazing kings and pride members within these lands. I believe they were referred to as "Leaderboards"? Do you know where that is?

I believe a lion, or some other sort of den-dwelling creature, is residing there. They may think the sparkling stones are a treasure of sorts. Could you visit this place and see if you can retrieve the residue? Don't be alarmed, you can finally touch the residue now! The antidote works perfectly, I assure you, though you may want to take some with you. Let me just wrap it around your neck...

... and there you go. A small, handy pouch. Go on, then!"

"I see you no longer have the antidote with you. What happened during your visit? ...Oh, goodness. What happened then? Wow. Oh, no, the poor lion!

Thank you, [NAME], so very much for saving yet another life. Let me take this pouch and give you some extra doses of the cure. Please, eat away. You should return to this lion tomorrow. Hopefully by then, the cure should have alleviated some pain and some of their symptoms, making it possible for them to move around. I speculate their urge to decorate their home with sparkling stones brought them more pain than joy. Perhaps you can bring them something nice to soothe their pain.

Give me some time, and I should have a gift ready for your visit tomorrow."

(+1 residue!)

"Check back with the Demiurge tomorrow! He is crafting a garland made out of safe, earthbound gems."