The man leapt down from a height of nearly fifteen meters and landed firmly on the ground. The impact sent a dull tremor through the soil. His light purple hair, cut just above shoulder length, fluttered briefly before settling, giving him an oddly majestic presence.

Leo's eyes immediately caught the countless scars crisscrossing the man's hands and peeking out from beneath his clothes—old wounds layered upon newer ones, each telling a silent story of survival.

Lily and Miho instantly took fighting stances. Leo, too, summoned his dagger without hesitation, its cold weight steady in his grip.

The man swept his gaze across the three of them before letting it settle on Leo.

"I've never seen someone transport magic plants so delicately," he said with mild curiosity. He bent down and examined the soil where a plant had once been rooted.

"Not even disturbing the roots… impressive."

He straightened and tilted his head.

"Spatial skills? Or a talent related to space, perhaps?"

Leo narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

"No answer?" The man chuckled softly. "Well, if you do have anything related to space, then you're already on my bad side. But since it's not confirmed…" His tone shifted. "Let's say I'm neutral—for now."

Cracking his neck, he flicked his fingers. A pouch appeared in his hand from his ring, which he casually forwarded toward Leo.

"Take this. One hundred Gold Coins," he said seriously. "Leave the plant and the druid, and go."

The man took a step forward.

In response, Leo raised his dagger, its edge glinting faintly. The gesture made the man stop.

"Keep your money," Leo said coldly. "And leave. I don't want trouble."

The tension in his voice matched the heavy atmosphere between them.

The man's eyes narrowed, then drifted down to Leo's badge.

"…A fresher?" His brows rose slightly. "Now that's surprising. Never thought a fresher would be Mid 3-star."

His lips curled upward as he returned the money pouch to his ring. The straight scar cutting across his lips made the smile look distinctly dangerous.

Leo smiled back.

"Even I didn't think I'd meet a High 3-star fresher."

Lily's and Miho's eyes widened at the same time. Lunaria and the Treant stepped forward protectively. Lily tightened her grip on her sword while Miho brought out a Fire-type Beast Core, her expression tense.

"I'll say it one last time," the man said, his voice hardening.

"Leave the treasure beacon and the druid. Take the gold and go peacefully. I'm already being generous, considering I lost the race to the treasure."

His gaze sharpened.

"Or we do this the hard way. And trust me—you don't want to be in debt before the term even starts."

"Dream on!" Leo roared as he lunged forward, slashing toward the man's chest.

The man sighed.

"That Andrew fellow did say he'd sell the information to others too."

Thang!

Leo's eyes widened as the man caught the dagger with his bare hand. A faint orangish aura coated his skin like a second layer of armour—but the next instant, it cracked. The blade left a shallow cut across his palm.

Both of them leapt back.

"That's aura!" Leo exclaimed.

"That was strong!" the man said with genuine surprise.

"Lunaria! Treant! Go!" Lily shouted.

"Don't interfere! Grivak!" the man barked back.

DOOOOM!

A colorful mist exploded outward, covering nearly eight meters. From within it, a scorpion-like stinger shot forward, aiming straight for Lunaria.

The Treant stepped in, activating a hardening skill as he clamped down on the stinger—

Ting! Crack!

His arms shattered on contact.

The stinger smashed into the Treant's chest, sending the massive spirit flying backwards. Fissure-like cracks spread rapidly from the point of impact.

"Hm? Spirits?" the man said with a smirk as he wrapped a bandage around his injured palm that he brought out from his ring. "Too bad. My Grivak specializes in hunting spirits."

He doesn't have regenerative skills, Leo noted.

Still, what baffled him more was something else.

I didn't sense him watching us at all.

This was the second time—first Andrew, now him.

Are there techniques I'm not aware of?

Pushing the thought aside, Leo summoned Shyra and Nyxa to reinforce Lily. Niri remained behind charging her solar beam—sending a half-spirit against this 'Grivak' would be reckless.

"Sorry," Leo muttered as the beasts emerged. "Emergency situation. Your holidays are cancelled—but I promise a feast."

Neither Shyra nor Nyxa minded. This enemy was clearly no ordinary opponent.

As the mist dispersed, the beast was revealed.

A massive scorpion with reflective, diamond-like scales stood there, its drill-shaped stinger radiating lethal intent—enough to send chills down anyone's spine.

Magic Scorpion (Intermediate 3-star) – Noble Bloodline

The man's eyes narrowed as more beasts appeared.

"Singham. Go."

ROOOOAAARR!

A thunderous roar shook the forest as a monstrous lion materialized. Nearly ten meters tall, it rivaled the Treant in size. Its bright orange fur carried a metallic sheen, and its flame-like mane burned with majesty. Its fangs looked capable of biting through adamantium itself.

Even though Shyra shared its species, the difference was obvious.

Noble Lion (Peak 3-star) – Noble Bloodline

The lion's slit pupils constricted and opened his maw facing up towards the sky and roared again—but this time, it was a mental assault.

Lily's necklace flared bright blue—

Shatter!

Like glass breaking, it exploded. But it saved her to some extent as Miho collapsed instantly, unconscious. Lunaria and the damaged Treant flickered violently. Even Shyra and Nyxa staggered back under the crushing pressure.

The man smirked as he watched.

"Still want to fight?" he asked mockingly.

"If not, leave. Though…" His smile widened. "You won't be getting any gold now."

Leo gritted his teeth.

"So mighty, huh?"

His form vanished.

"—?!" The man's eyes widened.

Too late.

[Critical Strike]

Leo reappeared behind him and drove a devastating punch into his back.

He tried to react by turning his body, but was a bit late. The impact sent the man flying like a bullet through the dense forest, snapping trees one after another as he disappeared into the distance.

THAM! THAM! THAM!

He smashed through various obstacles and finally came to a halt. Leo did see that he had covered himself in that same orangish aura, reducing impact. But damages were there nonetheless.

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