Seeing the look in Leo's eyes, Brant chuckled softly.

"Don't worry, kid. High-ranked beast masters don't die from injuries like these," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "You'll understand when you become one."

Well, of course they won't, Leo thought dryly. Even I survived getting my heart pierced.

"Hm?" Lu tilted his head slightly, noticing Leo's gaze.

"You're worried about that person who should've already turned to ashes?" He snorted.

"Nah. Once my mana recovers a bit, I'll purify the toxins in our blood, then have a holy priest cast some healing magic."

As he spoke, Lu glanced down at his stumped-up arm, his expression tightening for just a fraction of a second.

"And this…" he continued, clicking his tongue. "I'll probably need to pay a hefty price to the capital city healer for regeneration." He winced, clearly remembering the exorbitant fees she charges.

"What about that goat-horned demon?" Leo asked. He needed to be sure—the demon had targeted him directly.

"He escaped," Lu replied flatly. "Another high-ranking demon came to his rescue."

Lu paused, then added with a faint sneer, "But he won't show his face for a long time. Last time I injured him, he went underground for five years. This time, it is much worse—thanks to this old bastard."

"So long?" Leo asked, surprised.

"Demons have extremely durable bodies," Lu explained. "But that durability comes with a downside. Once they're injured, it takes an equally ridiculous amount of time to heal. Much like dragons."

Leo nodded slowly, realization settling in as the image of the metal demon's absurd toughness resurfaced in his mind.

"Why is it so?" he asked.

"Leave those questions for the academy," Brant cut in, his tone casual but firm. "You'll learn everything there. But first—what are you doing on this colossus's back? Shouldn't you have tamed that one?"

"Ah… this…" Leo said awkwardly, shifting his weight.

"It asked for help replanting the vegetation that was destroyed. In return, it'll give something valuable. Otherwise, it said it would destroy the city to recover whatever energy the city could provide."

Brant and Lu exchanged a look—then both burst out laughing.

Leo stiffened, thinking he had done something wrong, and was about to speak when Brant raised his hand. The air stirred immediately. A steady wind began to flow, brushing against Leo's face and tugging at his clothes.

Brant closed his eyes as if focusing. Then, within a radius of nearly a kilometer, all sorts of specific plants—saplings, thick vines, clusters of grass and shrubs—rose gently into the air, carried by carefully controlled currents. Guided by the wind, they drifted toward the colossus and softly touched its earthen surface.

The ground trembled.

Roots plunged deep into the earth layer, burrowing with purpose, most probably the work of colossus. The vibration grew heavier, resonating through Leo's bones. The colossus released a low, rumbling howl, then slowly lowered itself, sitting comfortably on the ground and crushing everything beneath its massive weight.

The next moment, Leo caught movement at the corner of his eye.

He turned to see a large lump of metal, still caked in dirt, pushing through the drifting soil toward him. Most likely metal ore.

Lu's eyes widened the instant he saw it, and even Brant instinctively raised his bow. Both planted their feet firmly and stepped closer to inspect it.

"What the hell!" Lu exclaimed. "Is that Mithril and Orichalcum?"

"Look closely, old coot," Brant said, pointing. "There's even a small amount of Adamantium mixed in."

Lu leaned closer, following Brant's finger. Sure enough, the faint, unmistakable gleam of Adamantium caught his eye.

"Damn, brat," Brant said, giving Leo an approving nod. "You hit the jackpot."

Leo coughed lightly and scratched the back of his neck, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

"May I ask," he said hesitantly, "what metals are those…?"

Both Lu and Brant looked at Leo blankly.

Fuck! Don't look at me like that!!

It's not like I don't know they're valuable from my knowledge on Earth—I just want to confirm if they have the same value here too!

Leo cringed internally, but outwardly he maintained a calm, serious expression, as if he genuinely had no idea what those metals were.

Then Brant seemed to realise something.

"Just know that they're valuable," he said plainly. "Used in making high-ranking weapons and tools. Keep them secured and get processed later, and then commission some goods when you have enough money."

Lu nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. Even my orange-tier life-saving talisman was made from Orichalcum," he added. "It got used during this fight."

"Orange!" Leo exclaimed, unable to stop himself.

He knew the hierarchy well from Brant's armor—blue corresponded to 3-star, purple must be 4-star, and orange… orange meant 5-star.

"Then that demon was a peak 5-star?" Leo asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yes," Lu replied. "He is is Wrath Demon Xyren—wait." He narrowed his eyes slightly. "How did you know he was peak 5-star?"

Shit!

"Uh… I guessed," Leo said quickly, keeping his voice steady. "I heard you're a high 5-star... from the city rumors, so he had to be stronger to put you in that condition. Not to mention, you also had a Firebird."

He deliberately avoided saying Phoenix.

"That's a Phoenix," Lu corrected, his voice calm. "And yes, that demon was peak 5-star." His gaze darkened. "Also… the reason my Phoenix died."

"Wait—died?" Leo asked, startled. "Didn't you suffer any backlash?"

He knew well enough that when a beast dies, the master suffers severe backlash and vice versa

"Well, technically, it's not dead," Lu said slowly. "How should I put it… It's a half-spirit beast."

He waved his hand casually. A moment later, a burning sphere nearly the size of a football appeared above his palm. Flames danced and churned within it, radiating a gentle and terrifying heat.

So big!

"This is my Phoenix core," Lu explained. "I need to keep it over an immortal flame. Once conditions are met, the ritual of flame rebirth will trigger, and my Phoenix will return—stronger than before."

"So… it's immortal?" Leo asked.

"No," Lu shook his head. "Not immortal. This can only be triggered once every decade. And the core must be kept over fire within five years of its death. Otherwise, it dies permanently."

Leo nodded slowly, absorbing every word.

Since Niri is also a half-spirit… doesn't that mean such a ritual should exist for her too, if she ever dies?

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