Mike nodded. "Yeah. Everything's settled. The auction will start in two days, and the main event is on the fifth day."

His father relaxed a little. "Good. No problems?"

"Just pressure," Mike said honestly. "A lot of powerful people in one room."

Misty looked up from her pudding. "Did you win?"

Mike blinked. "Win what?"

"The scary old people," she said seriously.

Mike laughed and nodded.

His mother chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."

Mike smiled faintly, then said, "We're going out later. There's a place called Origin Zone. It's safe for non-awakened people, and you can see monsters from the Origin World."

Misty's eyes sparkled. "Really?! Big ones?"

"Very big ones," Mike replied.

She jumped up, holding her pudding carefully. "Then I'll get ready!"

His father stood up as well. "That sounds interesting. We should go."

Mike looked at Roselia. "You're coming too."

Roselia nodded. "Of course."

Mike's mother asked, "When are we leaving?"

"In the afternoon," Mike said. "Lily and her parents will join us."

"Alright," she said. "We'll be ready."

Everyone nodded and began getting ready.

Not long after, the group gathered near the entrance of the estate. Misty was already bouncing on her feet, clearly impatient. Roselia stood quietly nearby, watching the surroundings as usual.

Jordan arranged the transport, and soon they were on their way.

The ride didn't take long.

When they arrived, Mike looked out the window and paused.

'…It really is like a zoo,' he thought.

Origin Zone spread out before them, massive in scale. Wide open areas were separated by huge light cages made of transparent mana barriers. Unlike normal cages, these barriers felt alive, constantly adjusting to the creatures inside.

Inside each enclosure were monsters from the Origin World.

And not just harmless ones.

There were massive horned beasts chewing on glowing plants, winged creatures perched on floating rocks, and scaled predators resting lazily with eyes half-open. Some monsters were larger than buildings.

Misty pressed her face against the barrier. "So big…"

Mike's mother held her hand tightly, half in awe and half in fear. "They're really monsters…"

Compared to Orcs dungeon she used to raid, those orcs are nothing in front of these Titans, its like a single claw nail is biiger than those orcs.

Mike nodded. "Yeah. But the barriers are strong. Stronger than most dungeon seals."

"Do you fight these monsters in Origin World?" His father asked gulping as Mike shook his head " No, I am not that level yet" Mike said looking at the massive Drake.

As they walked deeper inside, they passed a massive enclosure where a group of armored predators lay sprawled across the ground, their sharp tails occasionally scraping against the barrier and making it ripple.

His father swallowed. "Those don't look tamed at all."

"They are," Mike replied. "Just… not friendly."

Roselia spoke calmly. "Predators from the Origin World do not lose their instincts. They are simply controlled."

Misty looked up at her. "Would you beat them?"

Roselia considered it. "Yes."

Misty nodded seriously, satisfied with the answer.

Nearby, other families and visitors walked around, pointing, talking, and taking pictures. Children stared in amazement, while adults watched with respect and caution.

Mike looked around quietly.

Seeing monsters like this, alive and contained, felt very different from fighting them in dungeons.

Mike slowed his steps and looked around more carefully.

In dungeons, monsters attacked on sight. Everything was tense, loud, and violent. Here, the monsters were calm—or at least contained. They breathed, moved, and existed like living beings instead of targets.

"It feels strange," Mike said quietly. "Seeing them like this."

His father nodded. "Yeah… it makes you realize how small we really are."

'I didn't mean it like that but thats also true' Mike blinked as his father said as he simply nodded keeping his thoughts to himself.

They stopped in front of another enclosure. Inside was a massive bear-like creature covered in dark spines, its body rising and falling slowly as it slept. A sign nearby displayed its details.

Rank 5 – Dread Spine Bear

Misty read the rank aloud and tilted her head. "Is Rank 5 strong?"

Mike smiled wryly. "Very strong. Strong enough that most cities would panic if one appeared outside."

Misty looked at the sleeping monster again, then grabbed Mike's sleeve. "Then it's good it's sleeping."

Mike laughed softly. "Yeah. Very good."

As they continued walking, Lily and her parents soon caught up to them. Lily's eyes widened the moment she saw the enclosures.

"So this is Origin Zone…" she said in awe. "Even the tamed ones feel scary."

"They are scary," Mike replied. "That's why this place exists. So people can see them without dying."

Lily's father nodded seriously. "That's a good reason."

Nearby, Mike's parents and Lily's parents greeted each other warmly. After a brief introduction, they hugged and began talking, quickly finding common ground as they watched Misty excitedly point at the monsters.

Lily turned back to Mike, lowering her voice a little.

"You're Rank 2 as well now?" she asked.

Mike nodded. "Yeah."

She raised an eyebrow. "Another SSS rating?"

Before Mike could reply, she smiled and said, "I figured. Same here. I got another SSS evaluation too. I'm now an S-rank River of Death Mage. It feels like my job just keeps getting bigger and bigger."

She chuckled lightly.

Mike stared at her for a second, then shook his head. "That's insane."

"Haha, right?" Lily said.

After a short pause, Mike leaned a bit closer. "Hey, Lily. There's something I wanted to ask you. Did you get another Mana Drop?"

She grinned. "Guess."

Mike narrowed his eyes. "Hmm… 200% now?"

She shook her head.

"Nope."

Mike blinked. "Then… 300%?"

She smiled wider. "No."

"…Don't tell me—"

"It's 1000% now," Lily said casually.

Mike froze. "What?! That's a huge jump!"

"I know," she replied, nodding. "It surprised me too."

As they talked, Lily upgraded her earlier 100% Mana Drop, replacing it with the new 1000% Mana Drop. The change was immediate, and Mike felt it instantly.

"This feeling is always so refreshing," he said, letting out a satisfied sigh as he felt his mana surge and expand.

"But that's not the only one," Lily said.

She gently placed her finger on the back of his hand, right over the Mana Drop mark. A silver-like glow spread across it.

"What is this?" Mike murmured as he felt his mana become even denser and more powerful.

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