Oriana… She had already unlocked an advanced form of the Water element, the Ice Element. A feat that marked her as exceptional.
However, her true potential was still dormant, waiting for the moment she would ascend to the rank of Gaia Grand Master. That would come around level 51. Until then, her core simply couldn't fully sustain the overwhelming energy demands of her advanced element. It flickered within her, powerful, but restrained.
Her sigil, interestingly, didn't entirely align with her elemental path. It was the Tideheart Sigil. Upon activation, it summoned a flowing suit of water-elemental armor that wrapped around her body like a living current.
At her current stage, the sigil granted partial damage resistance, absorbing a modest percentage of incoming harm. But its true strength would evolve as her Gaia level advanced. One day, it would grant her powerful passive abilities, shifting with her growth and mastery.
Her relic was a blade, Frostveil. Forged around the bound spirit of Eirnalis, a frost warden who once ruled the northern continent. It was a relic of ice, elegant and deadly.
In battle, the sword reacted to ambient water in the environment, amplifying Oriana's control. The more moisture present, the more devastating her strikes became. With enough water gathered around her, every slash began to apply chilling effects. Freezing enemies in place, slowing their movements, and draining their stamina with each breath.
Oriana's full strength was still on the horizon. Most of her potential remained locked, waiting to be unearthed as she progressed. And yet, even now, she stood stronger than most Gaia Guardians. Balanced, dangerous, and only just beginning to show the storm that lay beneath her calm surface.
And in the end, Tave realized something with a wry smirk. His meditation had failed. Completely. Instead of finding clarity, his mind had spiraled into thoughts of everything else. He hadn't even begun to sense the elemental particles around him.
Damn, focus really wasn't his strong suit today.
He opened his eyes, and there she was. Oriana, standing quietly before him. The woman with the soft brown hair raised her hand in a casual wave.
"Lady Oriana…" he greeted, his voice low.
"Did I disturb you?" she asked gently.
He offered a faint smile. "I was trying to meditate, but I didn't open my eyes because of you."
She let out a light laugh, then glanced toward Fang, who sat a little ways off, still on alert.
"Tave… the wolf needs a monster core, right?"
"Yes," he replied simply.
"We have that core from the Lava Hound. It's fire-elemental... but it's a hound. A dog. Similar to a wolf, isn't it? Do you think it would be useful for the wolf?"
Tave paused, considering the angle Oriana had brought up. She wasn't wrong. Monsters could indeed grow and evolve based on what they consumed. But when it came to monster cores, the specific type didn't usually matter that much.
They were just raw energy, after all. The real difference came from Monster Soul Stones. Those carried essence, potential traits, even fragments of will. Only with those could a monster possibly inherit characteristics from the original creature.
"I'm certain, Lady Oriana. As a Tier 3 monster core, Fang will be more than happy to devour it."
She smiled in return. "We have two monster cores from our last battle. Take them both. Give them to the wolf."
Truth be told, Tave had been itching to give the core to Fang. It wasn't just anticipation, it felt right. But with only two monster cores in their possession so far, he'd been waiting for the right moment. As long as the squad, and the larger team, had no objections, it was a harmless move.
Besides, a Tier 3 monster core wasn't particularly valuable to Oriana. For her, this was a simple gesture. A practical one. But what about Orion?
Tave's gaze shifted slightly toward the man sitting a bit farther off, detached from the rest. Orion looked utterly disinterested. He barely even acknowledged Tave's presence. Like Orion considered him nothing more than insignificant trash. Strangely enough, that was actually a good thing.
Tave exhaled slowly. Orion only paid attention to those stronger than him. Only those who posed a threat or stirred his instincts ever made it onto his radar. In that sense, being ignored by Orion gave Tave a quiet advantage. It meant the man wouldn't meddle in his business.
"The loot should be shared equally among all team members," Tave replied, keeping his tone humble, careful not to appear too eager. Even though he knew full well that, here, he and Fang were the ones being relied upon the most.
"Save that modesty for someplace else," Oriana said, her voice calm but firm. "I know in other expedition teams, you wouldn't be treated this fairly. But you should realize, Tier 3 monster cores aren't of much use to me... so yes, you need it more."
Tave offered a small smile and nodded in appreciation.
"Take it… if Lily's okay with it," Oriana added gently.
Lily stepped forward, pulling out two Monster Cores. She held them out toward Tave without hesitation.
"Thanks, Lady Oriana," he said softly, then took only one. "Just one is enough."
With that, he rose to his feet and began walking toward Fang. The wolf shifted at his approach, those sharp, intelligent eyes locking onto Tave as if sensing what was coming.
Tave crouched beside the beast, settling down in the ground.
"Hi, Fang… I've got something for you."
Woof! Woof!
Fang responded with a pair of short, excited barks, tongue lolling out as he leaned forward with anticipation.
Tave smiled softly as he reached out, gently rubbing the beast's head. The monster core would soon restore Fang's condition. Something that gave Tave a little peace of mind. After all, this Tier 3 Rift was just as dangerous for Fang as it was for him. They were the only ones on the team still sitting at Tier 2.
If Fang could level up quickly here, or even break through to Tier 3. It would be a monumental achievement. And Tave wanted nothing more than to make sure the wolf had everything he needed to get there.
He believed in Fang's potential. Deep down, he hoped that when the beast did evolve, something incredible would awaken within him. Some power they hadn't even glimpsed yet.
He placed the core carefully on the ground, and the wolf stepped forward with focused intent, lowering his muzzle toward it. Slowly, steadily, Fang began to absorb the energy, the glow from the core pulsing faintly as it transferred into his body.
Tave remained seated beside him, eyes watching every movement, every flicker of energy as it coursed through the wolf's form. His mind, meanwhile, remained tangled in thought. Layered with plans, strategies, and the weight of everything yet to come.
And then, just like that, it was done. Fang had finished his quiet feast, rising from his crouch with renewed energy glimmering in his eyes.
His "dinner" was over, and perhaps, something more had already begun within him.
Tave watched closely as the wounds on Fang's body visibly faded, the raw edges sealing shut in real time. Within moments, the beast looked fully restored. Back on his feet, stronger than ever.
"Your level, Fang?" Tave asked, his voice low with curiosity.
Level 14.
Wait…14?!
His eyes widened. The last time he checked, back when they were still hunting in the forest a few days ago, Fang had only just reached Level 12. Now he was already 14?
That's… freaking fast. Way too fast.
It must've happened after the battle earlier. Fang likely leveled up to 13 during the fight, and this monster core had pushed him one step further to 14. Still… the pace was insane. Almost unnatural.
Not that Tave was jealous. No, of course not. But, well, okay, a little bit. He himself hadn't leveled up from the same battles. He was still stuck at Level 16. Progressing, yes, but slowly.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his thoughts. He had to keep his ego in check. The faster Fang grew, the better it was for both of them. This wasn't a competition. They were partners.
And then, out of nowhere, a glowing notification blinked into existence before his eyes.
[ The Bond with Fang – Shadow Wolf has strengthened. ]
[ You have unlocked a new ability related to the bond. ]
"Oh… another progress already?"