From what Leo inferred from Dale's explanation about Natural Treasures, the treasure must have chosen the golems as its guardians. But then another question surfaced—who was controlling the golems? Were they self-conscious?

From what he had observed earlier, the golem did show signs of intelligence, especially in the clever manoeuvres it used to avoid special attacks. But then again, Dale wasn't reckless enough to pick an impossible fight. From the short time Leo had known him, he was the type who sensed danger early—like when he instantly began avoiding Lily after their brief encounter. His survival instinct had clearly matured.

I'm certain he felt the killing intent Lily unleashed the moment he touched me. If I hadn't stopped her…

Leo's gaze drifted toward Dale, who was tending to his girls, helping them recover. Most of Dale's injuries were already healing thanks to the pills and potions he had taken— the same ones he was administering to the others. Ryn, thanks to Niri, was already in top condition and merely resting from mental exhaustion.

Dale noticed Leo watching them and, understanding he had something to ask, walked over.

Leo spoke first.

"Did you notice something strange with the golem?"

Dale blinked, caught off guard. That was a surprisingly specific question, and in perfect sense.

"Yes, I did. At first, it acted like a regular, mindless beast. But once it grew to a certain size… I suppose that was its second phase. That's when the battle suddenly flipped. By the time we realised something was wrong, we were already in the state you found us." Dale let out a wry smile.

Leo simply nodded and drifted back into thought. Dale, sensing he wouldn't say more, quietly stepped away.

Since Dale had explained the treasure in great detail—because it was the only topic he could help with—Leo pieced together the final conclusion: Natural Treasures were capable of developing their own consciousness. The most likely explanation was that the treasure itself had been controlling the golem.

Will it even be possible to take away a treasure that has developed intelligence?

His eyes fell to the core in his hand, its steady pulse radiating a warm throb through his palm.

System, how do I absorb it?

<The Earthpulse Heartstone must be crushed in the host's hands to initiate absorption.>

Leo gave a small nod and tightened his grip around the core.

Clak—Ting!

It shattered like brittle glass, just like the shell that had formed earlier when Dale attacked the golem in a frenzy.

The sharp crack drew everyone's attention.

Dale's eyes shot wide open.

"AY! That's dangerous! You need to refin—!" His warning cut short as he watched white particles dissolve into Leo's skin, flowing up his arms and spreading across his body. A gentle, pale glow wrapped around Leo like a second skin.

Leo immediately felt a violent surge of energy coursing through him—like every cell in his body was wrung out, drowned in warmth, and then reborn anew. The sensation lasted only a breath, yet it felt as if his entire being had been reforged. When the process ended, he exhaled sharply, suddenly lighter, sharper, overflowing with vitality.

Then came the system prompt.

Ding!

Status Updated!

Level 20: 10432 / 11275

Vitality: 22.9 → 24.1 [67.9 → 69.1]

Strength: 23.1 → 25.4 [68.1 → 70.3]

Agility: 25.1 → 25.6 [70.1 → 70.6]

Stamina: 22.9 → 24.9 [67.9 → 69.9]

Intelligence: 37.4 [82.4]

Mana: 7416

Whoa. All physical stats. Nice.And strength and stamina jumped the most…

His gaze drifted toward the scattered remains of the golem—its bulky, towering frame.

Of course. Something that massive would need raw strength and absurd stamina…Yet another intelligent choice. Definitely not an easy treasure to obtain.

"Y-you absorbed the treasure just like that?!" Dale's voice cracked through the silence.

Leo looked over at them. Even the exhausted girls were staring at him, eyes wide and disbelieving.

"Is it not normal?" Leo asked, genuinely confused.

I mean… I already consumed the Elasian Bloom like that… and Brother James and Lily did too. Even unawakened Sister Sera…

Dale scanned Leo carefully, expecting to find at least some backlash, but there wasn't a speck of abnormality.

"You truly don't know what you just did…" he muttered, rubbing his forehead before explaining.

"Treasures that enhance constitution are dangerous. Most, like this energy core, contain an enormous amount of volatile energy. It's harmless only as long as the energy remains sealed inside the treasure and is drawn out slowly—like what the golem was doing."

He pointed toward the shattered remains.

"But absorbing it into your body? That requires an expert alchemist to refine and stabilise the energy first. If you handle it recklessly—like you just did—it usually results in an explosion. And the explosion corresponds to the treasure's stored energy."

Dale's expression hardened.

"Even a treasure that looks almost dead can easily kill a 1-star beast master and seriously injure a 2-star. But you…" He scanned Leo once more, slower this time, making absolutely sure.

"…you don't have a single scratch."

Leo rubbed the bridge of his nose.

It must be the system.

"It's an effect of my talent," he lied, unable to come up with anything better.

"Huh? What sort of tal—" Dale froze as Leo's eyes narrowed. Asking about someone's talent was rude. Leo had already revealed more than he should have.

"Sorry for overstepping," Dale said quickly.

"Nah, don't worry," Leo waved him off. "I guess you were just concerned. But now…" A small smirk tugged at his lips. "I guess you still have some interest left to pay back."

Dale froze. The smirk on Leo's face was not friendly—it was the kind of smile you'd see on someone who had just remembered a debt… and intended to collect it personally.

"Wasn't the information the compensation…?" Dale asked hesitantly.

Leo tilted his head. "I mean, it would have sufficed—if your dear superior hadn't thrown me straight into the mouths of one High 2-star and two Peak 2-star soilworms the moment I landed."

Dale's eye twitched.

One High 2-star and two Peak 2-stars?!I wouldn't fight that combo even in peak condition! And soilworms? I'd be grinded in seconds!

Zeira!!You wait. Why did you have to provoke such a dangerous couple!?

To Dale, both Leo and Lily were walking red danger signs. Leo casually claimed he had fought peak-tier monsters in a 2v1. And Lily… Dale didn't even want to remember her. He was a top talent within the empire, yet these two—clearly younger—left him mentally kneeling.

"So?" Leo asked lightly, as if discussing the weather. "Are you ready?"

"Y-yeah…" Dale answered, voice wobbling.

The girls stiffened as well—especially Enra. They had never seen Dale nervous before.

I hope he doesn't remember what I did that night… shit! How dis I tell Dale to handle such a monster!? Enra cursed internally.

To them, Leo appeared utterly unapproachable, an existence they shouldn't even be breathing near. Even the massive black beast behind him felt like death itself staring at them.

Of course, they had no idea this was simply Shyra's trait—Silent Predator—which kept her "prey" locked in constant tension. And unfortunately, Shyra had already classified them as prey. Combined with Leo's talent, which shared her trait with him, that oppressive aura was being reflected at double strength.

Haaah… I don't even know who is responsible for sending me to those soilworms, Leo sighed inwardly. But hey, who says I can't take advantage of such a favourable situation?

Right now, his mind was on only one thing—the treasure.

While Leo and Dale discussed, Niri was already bustling around, healing Dale's beasts and checking for any hidden injuries among the girls. She complained loudly about the hassle, but still followed every instruction.

Soon, all of Dale's beasts stood ready—three in total.

Leo quickly scanned their information:

Graniteback Burrowlord (Peak 2-star) — Noble Bloodline

Over 2 meters tall and around 4–5 meters long. Jagged granite slabs protruded along its ridge. Thick forelimbs ended in chisel-like claws. Ember-orange eyes glowed between the dusty plates that constantly shed grit as it moved.

Stonegnaw Molehound (Peak 1-star) — Super Bloodline

A squat, mole-like creature around 2 meters long, fur threaded with mineral spikes. Its crystal-tipped teeth were made for grinding ore. Eyes pale and milky—clearly adapted to subterranean darkness.

Dusthide Crag Lizard (Intermediate 1-star) — Super Bloodline

A lean reptile roughly a meter long. Its fractured shale skin blended seamlessly with earth and rock. Earth-brown and sand-grey patterns moved subtly as it breathed. Its tail ended in a thick hammer-like bulge meant for ambush strikes.

"Huh?" Leo muttered. "Why do all your beasts seem to be Earth type?"

"Hm? What do you mean? The Earth element suited me, and it was compatible with my talent. So, of course, I would choose them. Especially when Earth has defensive properties." Dale paid attention not to reveal the specifics of his talent.

With the 20% stat share, his attack power was sufficient. But it left him vulnerable to attacks when he utilised his talent, making defence priority. So, in order to increase his defense, he choose Earth element.

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