Out of nowhere, a massive snake erupted from beneath the druid's feet, its scales faintly glowing green as mana rippled across its body.

The serpent lunged straight toward Leo.

Juvenile Python [Druid's Summon] (Pseudo 3-Star) – Super Bloodline

"He can summon?!" Leo's eyes widened, but his body reacted instantly.

He stepped forward and threw a straight punch at the snake's head. Its maw was stretched wide—wide enough to swallow Leo whole if it succeeded. At the same time, Leo caught sight of the druid tearing free from the vines through sheer brute force, activating that same strength-enhancement skill once more.

Booom!

Leo's fist collided with the serpent's skull. The impact was devastating—the snake burst apart halfway down its nearly seven-meter-long body, its form dissolving unnaturally.

BOOOOM!

Another explosive clash rang out. Leo twisted around just in time to see the treant's massive fist collide with the druid's punch. This time, however, it was the treant that was forced backward.

"Hold on, treant!" Leo shouted.

Shing!

With a sharp flick of his wrists, twin daggers materialized—one in each hand. Leo shot forward like a missile.

Slash! Slash!

A crimson cross briefly appeared across the druid's back—

ROOOOAAARR!

The next moment, blood sprayed out like a fountain before the flow abruptly slowed, suppressed by a powerful regenerative effect.

Boom!

The treant slammed its fist into the druid's face again, but the effect was minimal.

The druid snarled viciously, thick saliva dripping from its mouth as it brared its canines. Once more, its gaze shifted toward the forest's depths, intent on breaking free and protecting the treasure.

But Leo wouldn't allow it.

Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! BOOM!

Leo severed tendons and hamstrings in rapid succession. The treant followed up immediately with a crushing punch, forcing the druid down onto one knee.

"Treant! Bind it!"

CRRPP—GRRR!

Countless thick brown vines burst from the ground, entwined by two heavier green vines conjured by Leo. They wrapped around the druid relentlessly, layer upon layer, pinning it to the earth by pulling all its limbs down. Though it struggled violently, the vines held firm.

GRRRR! ROOA—!

BAM!

Leo stepped in and punched the druid square in the face. The beast's head slammed into the ground, and its body went limp.

Silence followed.

Leo exhaled slowly as he landed and studied the bound druid with a curious gaze.

"Should I tame it?" he murmured. "It could serve as a guardian for my territory…"

But he hesitated. At his current level, he could feel that he could bind six beasts—and four slots were already occupied.

"Leo!" Lily shouted.

Lily and Miho approached atop Lunaria. When they saw the massive druid bound and unconscious, Miho shrieked softly and clutched Lunaria's fur.

"S-so big!" she exclaimed, not realising the wolf beneath her was technically taller—though far weaker by comparison.

"Leo, we found the treasure beacon," Lily said. "This nasty beast laid so many traps on the way that we had to leap across tree branches just to look for it."

She glanced back at the druid.

"It looks like a big monkey. You didn't kill it—what are you planning?"

Leo rubbed his chin. "I'm considering taming it, but… let's look at the treasure first. Fluxsoil Heart needs a stabiliser. Without one, the environment becomes chaotic. This druid might actually help."

With that, they moved deeper into the forest. Leo manipulated the vines to drag the unconscious druid along while the treant marched ahead, bulldozing traps one by one.

Hmm… that summon didn't give me any experience, and it disappeared after being killed. Just like Lily's contracted spirit beasts… which means they don't truly die. If I tame this thing, does that mean I'll have a beast-master beast? And summoning… would I be able to summon too?

By the time those thoughts settled, Leo had already made up his mind.

The benefits were too great.

He raised his hand and focused, activating his talent.

"Ow!" He winced, rubbing his head as a dull ache pulsed through his skull.

"It can still reject taming while unconscious?"

"What happened?" Lily asked.

"Nothing," Leo replied. "This guy can still reject my taming even while unconscious…"

A system prompt appeared before his eyes.

<Intelligent beasts must willingly give consent to be tamed. Both force and compliance are applicable.>

"Hm?" Leo frowned.

"Beating the sense out of it isn't enough force?"

He paused, then smirked internally.

Psychological pressure, maybe? Does it have kids? Taking hostages could work…

He snorted softly at his own thought. That'd be hilarious if it actually had kids.

As they continued forward, the mana density increased noticeably. Leo could feel his spent mana replenishing at a faster rate.

Even Lily was surprised. She hadn't come this close previously

She said in awe. "Leo… with mana this dense, I can keep Lunaria and the treant summoned indefinitely without exhausting myself."

"Told you," Leo replied. "Going for higher-grade treasure was worth it—even if the price was painful."

He recalled Andrew mentioning that this information should've been shared, yet they were still the first to arrive.

"Let's grab the treasure and get out before trouble shows up."

Soon, towering trees with thick, sturdy bark surrounded them. After another turn, a miraculous grove unfolded before their eyes. Mana saturated the air so heavily that it felt almost viscous, pressing down on their lungs.

"B-big sister…" Miho whimpered. "I feel uncomfortable…"

Both Lily and Leo turned to see Miho struggling to breathe, her face pale.

"Looks like this mana density is too much for her," Leo muttered.

"Niri—help her relieve the pressure."

Niri was summoned instantly. She floated to Miho, circling her gently before placing a glowing hand atop her head. The effect was immediate—Miho's breathing steadied, and clarity returned to her eyes.

"I-I'm sorry… I'm weak…" Miho whispered.

"You'll be strong soon," Lily said softly, stroking her back.

After another turn, they finally saw it.

The treasure.

Fluxsoil Heart – Low Purple-Tier Treasure

A twisted sapling that draws in and releases mana in uneven pulses, often throwing the surrounding area into mild chaos. Though the mana density around it is extremely high, without proper stabilis...

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