Silvar's sharp eyes moved slowly across the battlefield.

He looked at the broken ground, the scattered remains of shattered plant soldiers, and finally at Arden standing there, chest rising and falling hard.

"…To think a human like this exists," Silvar said quietly.

His gaze hardened as he focused on Arden's body. "He fought Bastor and Varyn head-on. With his body."

Eldrin stood beside him, calm as ever. His eyes glowed faintly as he observed Arden more closely. "That is exactly what I told you before."

He turned his head slightly toward Silvar. "These humans are different. Their bodies are not weak vessels anymore."

Arden heard every word.

He wiped sweat from his brow and looked up at the white tiger and the azure wood dragon.

His grip tightened, but he did not attack.

"And who are you two?" Arden asked firmly. "Are you here to tell me to leave too?"

Before they could answer, a heavy rumble echoed from behind them.

The black tortoise lifted its head. "Silvar. Eldrin."

The serpent hissed sharply. "So it really is you two."

Relief and frustration mixed in their voices.

"You came to help us," the tortoise continued. "This human is strange. His body should not endure our attacks."

The serpent's eyes narrowed. "How can a human withstand earth and water pressure directly?"

Arden's muscles tensed instantly. Green light flickered around his arms as [Nature Body] surged again.

"If you plan to continue," Arden said, lowering his stance, "then come."

The plants beneath his feet stirred.

But before anyone could move, Eldrin raised a hand.

"That's enough," Eldrin said calmly.

The forest seemed to listen.

"Let us stop here for now."

The pressure eased slightly.

Arden hesitated but did not relax completely. "You want me to stop?"

Eldrin nodded once. "Yes."

Arden took a slow breath. "Only if you answer my questions."

Silvar turned his head sharply. "You dare negotiate?"

Eldrin raised a finger slightly. "Let him speak."

Arden met Eldrin's gaze without backing down.

"I want to know why this island is like this. Why do demonic beasts awaken and sleep without pattern? And what that gate really is."

Eldrin studied him for a long moment.

Then he nodded. "I will answer what I know."

Silvar frowned but did not interrupt.

"For now," Eldrin continued, "stop your attack."

The plant soldiers trembled, then slowly sank back into the ground.

Arden straightened and let out a long breath.

"…Alright," he said. "Then we talk."

The battlefield fell silent.

---

The battlefield slowly settled.

The beasts moved to one side, their massive bodies no longer pressing forward.

Arden and Dion stood on the opposite side, both still tense but no longer in fighting stances.

Arden exhaled and rolled his shoulders once, trying to ease the lingering strain in his muscles.

Dion stayed a few steps behind him, eyes darting between the massive figures warily.

Arden cleared his throat. "Alright," he said. "First things first."

He pointed lightly with his thumb. "What do I call you?"

The azure wood dragon lowered its head slightly. "You may call me Eldrin."

It shifted its gaze toward the white tiger. "And that one is Silvar."

The tiger gave a short, sharp nod.

Eldrin continued calmly, "The black tortoise is Bastor."

The serpent lifted its head a little. "And I am Varyn."

Arden nodded slowly, committing the names to memory. "Got it."

He paused, then frowned. "Then I want to know something."

Eldrin raised an eyebrow. "Go on."

"How can all of you talk?" Arden asked. "I've fought plenty of beasts. None of them ever spoke."

Silvar snorted softly. "You really don't know?"

Eldrin looked mildly surprised. "I thought someone as strong as you would already understand this."

Arden scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Sorry. I don't."

Eldrin studied him for a moment, then nodded. "I see."

He spoke slowly, clearly. "When Third Realm beasts reach a certain level, their minds evolve."

Dion leaned forward. "Evolve how?"

"They gain awareness comparable to an adult human," Eldrin explained. "And they learn how to shape mana into sound."

Arden's eyes widened slightly. "So… talking."

"Yes," Eldrin replied. "Thinking, reasoning, speaking. All of it."

Arden nodded again. "So that means all of you are Third Realm beasts at a very high stage."

"That is correct," Eldrin said.

Arden hesitated, then added carefully, "But you're still beasts. And this place is full of demonic beasts."

Silvar's eyes flashed. "Watch your words."

He took one step forward. "Do not lump us together with those feral things."

Eldrin lifted a claw slightly. "Calm down."

He turned back to Arden. "We are not demonic beasts."

Arden raised an eyebrow. "Then what's the difference?"

"Demonic beasts are beasts corrupted by demonic mana," Eldrin said. "They lose reason and turn feral."

Dion nodded slowly. "That tracks."

Eldrin continued, "We are different. High-stage Third Realm beasts can resist that corruption."

Arden glanced around at the forest. "So the other beasts here are demonic beasts… but you aren't."

"Yes," Eldrin confirmed.

Arden exhaled. "Alright. Then let's move on."

Eldrin nodded. "You want to know why demonic beasts awaken and sleep irregularly. And about the black gate."

Arden nodded firmly. "Exactly."

Eldrin's gaze softened slightly. "To answer that, I need to tell you a story."

He paused. "It may take some time."

Arden shrugged. "I've got time."

Dion nodded quickly. "Same."

Eldrin drew a breath. "Very well."

Before he could continue, Bastor slammed one heavy foot down. "Eldrin. How can you tell them this?"

Varyn hissed in agreement. "They are humans."

Eldrin frowned. "Because you do not understand what kind of humans they are."

Bastor growled. "They are still human."

Eldrin met Bastor's gaze evenly. "And yet this one fought you on even ground."

The clearing went quiet.

Bastor and Varyn slowly fell silent.

"I will tell you why I decided to do this," Eldrin said before turning his gaze back to Arden.

He paused for a moment, then lowered his head slightly. "I apologize for what happened earlier."

Arden shook his head immediately. "No need to worry about that."

He straightened his posture. "Just go on."

Eldrin looked at him for a long second, then nodded. "Very well."

The dragon lifted his head, eyes reflecting countless years of memory.

"Then listen carefully," Eldrin said. "Because what I am about to tell you is the reason this island exists as it does."

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