Chung Hak Demonic Tower, 5th Floor

The Chung Hak Demonic Tower's 5th floor. It was a repository housing the finest elixirs, spirit pills, and beast cores—treasures rare even across the entire continent.

In response to the burning question everyone pondered: 'What path through Chung Hak Gwan's training yields the fastest path to Maturity Stage?'

Some claimed, "Whether through scholarship or feats, get into the Chung Hak Demonic Tower's 5th floor somehow and claim an elixir suited to you."

Opinions varied, but all who heard it nodded in agreement.

'That's right.'

'Ah... there's that method.'

'Why toil in sweat and training? Just snag an elixir from the 5th floor, and you're set.'

The treasures there were so extraordinary that such sentiments were inevitable.

"It can't be helped."

The elixirs and spirit pills here were top-grade items forged on direct commission from the Shinseon Butterfly clan.

'Or perhaps because their origins lie in the Eternal Mountains.'

The Eternal Mountains. An uncharted realm even the Four Great Lords dared not conquer.

Any elixirs, spirit pills, or beast cores from there were on another level entirely compared to those found elsewhere on the continent.

Huuuk—.

Even now, as I pushed open the 5th floor door, a thick elixir scent billowed out.

The ether density woven into that aroma was so intense it made the very air feel heavy.

"Insane."

Though I'd encountered it in the game or heard tales, this was my first time visiting in person. The shocking aura hit me anew, stirring deep emotions.

'Top-grade Omehwan and Urhwan are just kicking around like common pebbles.'

These premier elixirs, revered wherever you went, were casually piled in a corner, treated as minor items.

'I need to grab something here that aids my next molt.'

My eyes gleamed.

In my current state, partially awakening the Megaera Mantis's power, my vessel had expanded too vast for ordinary elixirs to trigger a molt.

Half-measures would be wasted; better to opt for a Tyrosine Pill and upgrade a skill instead.

'But the elixirs here are different.'

I'd anticipated it, but stepping inside confirmed my judgment was spot-on.

Before me lay rare beast cores from Titan Sky Beetles, Hercules Stag Beetles, and Giraptop Stag Beetles, among others.

And as I ventured toward the center, the spirit pill scents grew even richer.

Potent Primal beast cores were one thing, but spotting endangered Primal species' cores—ones you might never glimpse in a lifetime—left me stunned.

'Insane.'

A shiver ran through me as I sensed the surging might emanating from each treasure.

Moreover, Primal species of the Four Great Clans were not only impossibly powerful to hunt but outright forbidden by decree.

The Four Great Lords prohibited slaying the Primals that formed their clans' roots.

Yet even if they didn't rank among the Four Greats, there existed Primals that rivaled them in supremacy.

One such was the Caucasus Hercules Beetle core right there before me.

'It's not just condensed ether—there's a special power dwelling within.'

My instincts whispered it: consuming this top-tier core, infused with unique essence, would awaken traits tied to the Caucasus Hercules Beetle.

'This is the one.'

I approached the Caucasus Primal core.

Suk.

As I reached to claim it...

Chijjit!

A stinging prickled my skin.

'...?'

The cause wasn't far.

I hadn't noticed from afar, but up close, a nearby core was spewing virulent poison without restraint.

'This is...?'

Drawn unwittingly by the toxin, I traced it to its source and soon identified the owner.

'Goliath Stone Eater?'

Among continental tarantulas, this was the colossal giant.

True to its size, its physical prowess had few rivals, and it wielded vicious poison to boot.

'Its body hairs bristle with deadly venom, right?'

The Goliath Stone Eater's innate lethality stemmed from its diet: one staple was poison stones.

These rocks literally oozed toxicity lethal even to the weak merely by proximity.

Found only in certain Eternal Mountain regions—their primary habitat—these tarantulas aptly earned their "Stone Eater" name by ingesting poison stones, naturally storing venom within.

'Less an elixir, more a lump of poison.'

Unlike the others, its surface gleamed sickly dark green, its aura screaming concentrated venom at a glance.

Yet I paused, staring at it.

The sheer magnitude of its energy was unnerving.

In the end, I chose not the Caucasus Hercules Beetle core, but the Goliath Stone Eater's.

'Poison and medicine differ by a hair's breadth.'

Beneficial to the consumer, it's medicine; harmful, poison.

Though mostly venomous and ferocious, this core held the most energy of anything on the 5th floor.

'If I can absorb it, the efficiency will be unmatched.'

For me, urgently needing energy for the next molt, it was ideal.

'And like the Caucasus core, it carries deep racial power.'

Beyond that, it promised traits upon consumption, just like the other.

That sealed my choice without hesitation.

'Feeling good today.'

With my selections complete, my eyes sparkled brighter than ever.

* * *

The Wind Spirit Rune and Goliath Stone Eater core.

After requesting dispatch of my two rewards, I swiftly handled my remaining affairs at Chung Hak Gwan.

"You're leaving soon. Just when we were getting close—such a shame."

"How about one last spar before you go? I really want to cross blades with you before it's too late."

"Aleck, you're incredible. You'll graduate in record time for Chung Hak Gwan history."

First, I bid farewell to my fellow trainees.

Short time though it was, they'd grown fond; their faces mixed regret and satisfaction.

Of course, not everyone—self-training period meant some hadn't returned.

'Won't see Katt or a few instructors.'

Regrettable, but I had business with Katt, so we'd meet again.

Chung Hak Gwan still reeled from Craig's subordinates' raid, unrest unresolved.

The self-training—akin to a break—left many absent, explaining the delayed response then.

And.

'Phines.'

I'd known his strength belied an instructor's role, but reflecting stirred lingering awe and questions.

Currently unavailable for greetings due to some matter.

'The world holds many powerhouses I don't yet know.'

I felt destined to reunite with Phines someday.

'If not for Drvito, the Thunderwing fossil would've been snatched clean.'

Using Grutoria's branch on him had been wise.

I'd wondered if Oath Branch was overkill to spare him, but no regrets—it paid off by securing the fossil.

As I tied up loose ends, a letter from Robed arrived.

'Hm.'

A strange expression crossed my face as I read.

Glad ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tidings of Ruslan and Kind's molts, but "calm before the storm" grated.

'Bad feeling.'

I immediately penned replies—to Robed, Norton, and Karimru.

Filled with grandmotherly worry, urging thorough preparation for any contingency.

'Gotta head back to Sama Battleground soon.'

The unease there stemmed from Amar King Centipede clan, no doubt.

Feeling the urgency to consume the Wind Spirit and core, then detour to Sama ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Battleground, I asked at administration.

"When will the Chung Hak Demonic Tower rewards be issued?"

"After upper approval, at least five more hours."

Using the wait, I headed to Ultio's hideout.

Midway up a wild mountain near Chung Hak Gwan, Ultio awaited in her makeshift lair.

'Ultio.'

Entering the hidden cave, I called.

"Tsuriririt."

Ultio. Sadness. Her drooping voice told the tale.

'...She figured out the fossil's identity.'

"Tsuriit, tsuriririt."

As expected.

Ultio's grief stemmed from realizing the Thunderwing fossil was her father's.

"......"

Words failed me.

I approached Ultio, clutching the fossil to her chest, and stroked her head, embracing her.

"Tsurit, tsuriririt, tsuriit."

No tears, but her heart ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wailed.

I gently patted her back.

"Tsurit, tsuririririt."

After much sobbing, Ultio spoke, utterly drained.

I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was about to agree when...

The Thunderwing fossil in her embrace emitted faint light.

'This...'

Ironically cruel timing.

While the fossil grieved Ultio emotionally, her body seized its power for growth.

"Tsuriririt, tsurit."

Her voice grew drowsier, signaling imminent hibernation for growth.

"Hold on."

I removed my Amulet of Protection necklace and clasped it around her neck.

If danger struck during hibernation, it'd prove invaluable.

"Tsuririt, tsurit."

A spark of joy lit her once-mournful eyes.

She closed them, uttering her final words.

"Tsuriririt."

With that...

Chwaaaa—.

Pure white threads poured from Ultio's tail.

Clutching fossil shards to her chest, she began forming a cocoon.

"It'll be fine. Rest easy, Ultio."

I caressed the cocoon, hoping it would heal her wounds in time.

* * *

Sealing Ultio's lair perfectly, I returned to Chung Hak Gwan and claimed my rewards.

Then, clutching them, I moved to a private training room.

'Wind Spirit first.'

Setting the Goliath Stone Eater core aside, I popped the Wind Spirit into my mouth.

Then...

Kuwooooong.

A typhoon raged from within my body.