Chapter 38: Dryad! Chapter 38: Dryad! <[Dryad (High 2-Star) – Royal Bloodline] – Current State → Newly born and resting.> Its body was more plant than flesh, resting peacefully within a cocoon of soft, yellow light. Red, leaf-like hair draped over a small, childlike face, eyes closed in tranquil slumber. Vines coiled gently around its slender frame, its skin textured like smooth bark. But that wasn’t the only thing Leo’s system registered. >Elysian Bloom – Orange Quality Treasure< >A five-petaled flower of radiant gold, said to bloom only where nature’s essence condenses to perfection. The petals of the Elysian Bloom nurture the soul itself—mending spiritual wounds, restoring vitality, and expanding one’s innate mana capacity. Its fragrance carries the breath of life, capable of revitalizing even near-dead spirits.< >Caution: Consuming more than one petal may be harmful.< A Natural Treasure! Leo nearly shouted aloud. Natural treasures began appearing after mana flooded the world. They could heal, strengthen, or even evolve life itself—miracles born of pure essence. Their ranks mirrored those of the equipment and artefacts: White, Green, Blue, Purple, Orange, and up to Black. Even finding a Blue treasure was nearly impossible. Yet here, before his eyes, lay an orange one. But now there was a problem—the Mistprowler Tiger. Leo could see the greed burning in its single remaining eye as it stared at the flower. It wasn’t after the Dryad; it wanted the treasure. And if it reached the Dryad first, it would devour both—the core and the bloom—to claim their power. I need to tame it... at any cost! A Royal Bloodline Beast—this was an opportunity beyond reason. Leo clenched his fists, breath quickening. There was no time to call for James or Lily. One hesitation, and everything before him would vanish. He acted. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚 With a thought, Leo summoned Shyra. The shadowy beast materialized behind him and slipped instantly into stealth, as if reading his intent. Their target—The Mistprowler Tiger. But saying it was easier than doing it. The tiger was a Peak 2-Star Beast, and neither Shyra nor Leo could match its full strength. Leo’s confidence came from only one thing—its wounds. He could see the staggering motion as it dragged its body toward the flower. If that thing consumed even a single petal of the Elysian Bloom, it would heal completely. He couldn’t afford that. Leo drew his dagger, mana flaring as he activated [Critical Strike]. He dashed forward, closing the distance in a blur. The tiger loomed larger with every step—then, just as he slashed for its neck, its head snapped sideways, narrowly avoiding the strike. ROAR! With a wild swipe, its claws tore across Leo’s torso, carving four deep gashes and sending him crashing into a nearby tree. His [Stealth] shattered on impact. The world spun as pain flooded his senses. Warm blood gushed down his side, soaking his clothes. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself upright, one hand pressed against the wound. Across the clearing, the tiger glared back, its single good eye burning with fury. Then, mist began to pour from its body—thick and cold. [Mist Shroud]. Visibility vanished in seconds. Leo’s pupils narrowed as he strained to sense movement. The skill dulled his perception while sharpening the beast’s own. Then—he heard it. A heavy, rasping breath. Close. Too close. Instinct screamed. Leo ducked and rolled aside just as the tiger lunged, its claws tearing through the spot where he had stood. For a brief second, their eyes met—Leo could clearly see that the tiger’s eyes were filled with exhaustion and rage The beast was fighting with the last of its strength... clearly desperate for the Elysian Bloom. Leo activated his stealth once again. Sorry, but I also need to grow stronger! Lily and James froze as a deafening roar tore through the forest, followed by the crash of splintering wood. A wave of dread rippled through both of them. As they hurried toward the source, a strange mist filled their vision, drifting and fading with the breeze. "Mist? How...?" Lily whispered, her voice trembling. "It’s a beast skill!" James snapped, jaw tight. "We need to find Leo—now!" He darted ahead, leaves crunching beneath his boots, while Lily followed in panic. When they finally broke through the clearing, both stopped dead in their tracks—eyes wide in shock. A massive Black Panther, nearly as tall as a man and rippling with muscle, was locked in a brutal struggle with the Mistprowler Tiger. The panther’s fangs were clamped around the tiger’s lower jaw, while one paw dug into its eye—thick fluid oozing out—and the other was embedded deep into its throat. The tiger gurgled and choked on its own blood, its body convulsing weakly. Leo clung to the back of Tiger—bloodied, barely upright. A deep, four-way gash stretched across his torso, though the bleeding had mostly stopped, it still looked severe. His dagger was buried deep in the tiger’s skull, and he was still pressing down with both hands, forcing it deeper with a pained expression and grunt as the beast thrashed beneath him. The struggle lasted only a moment longer before the tiger’s body twitched, then fell sideways with a dull thud. [Mistprowler Tiger (Peak 2-Star) – Eliminated → 6000 XP] [Additional 2000 XP for defeating a higher-ranked opponent] [Level 15: 1980 / 3037 → 3037 / 3037] Level Up! [Level 16: 0 / 3948 → 3948 / 3948] Level Up! [Level 17: 2995 / 5132] [+8 Unassigned Stat Points] Leo exhaled heavily, his arms trembling, the dagger still lodged in the beast’s skull. Lily and James stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief. "T-that’s... Shyra?" Lily whispered, voice barely audible. James swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the massive corpse sprawled across the clearing. "Mistprowler Tiger... that’s at least a High 2-Star beast." Then their eyes fell on Leo—and their faces paled. The deep, 4-way jagged wound across Leo’s torso was still bleeding sluggishly. If it wasn’t treated soon, he’d die. But Leo seemed completely unaware of their presence. His breathing was ragged, his steps unsteady. He walked past the fallen tiger, stopping before the radiant flower. The Elysian Bloom glowed softly, illuminating the small figure resting within. The Dryad’s peaceful form, its red leaf-like hair gently swaying within the cocoon of light, filled Leo’s heart with a strange warmth. Without hesitation, he raised his hand and reached out, initiating the taming process. To his astonishment, the connection formed instantly. A gentle pulse of light surrounded him—warm and soothing. Beast Taming Successful! [Dryad (High 2-Star)] – Royal Bloodline