Silver rolled the last Tier Two core between his fingers absentmindedly. The battle with the Dusk Hounds had ended nearly ten minutes ago.

The immediate danger gone, yet a dull ache still lingered behind his eyes. It was a reminder that space abilities were powerful but expensive. The more he used them, the more mental strain accumulated.

His Spatial Sense, short step, and space Slash, all of which drew from the same source. Although they did require soul power, they were also connected to something deeper; perception and cognition.

The headache wasn’t severe yet, it felt like someone pressing two fingers against his temples.

Silver looked into the small pouch on his side and took out a golden core. Ravenna noticed his movement.

"You had a strength core?"

Silver nodded. "I want to absorb it first before we move on."

Ravenna stepped closer and came to a stop a step away.

"I’ll watch out, just hurry it up."

Silver smiled then nodded.

The integration with the Strength Beast had already succeeded. This was just nourishment.

While a contractor can absorb any Beast Core, it is always advisable for them to absorb compatible cores.

Strength-type consum Strength-type.

Element consum Element.

The process accelerated growth, improved synchronization, and enhanced development far better than random core absorption.

Silver sat down on a section of broken concrete and then pressed the core against the tattoo above his chest. The reaction was immediate.

The familiar golden light spread across the crystal. The core began dissolving and energy flowed through him. It was warm and slightly heavy, just like the first time but less.

The ape tattoo beneath his clothes seemed to awaken, hungrily and greedily absorbing everything. The crystal gradually shrank until it vanished completely into the Tattoo.

Silver exhaled.

The warmth spread through his muscles, bones, and skin. Even the lingering mental fatigue eased slightly, since his overall condition improved. His body felt stronger and healthier.

The system appeared.

[Tier 2 Strength Core Absorbed]

• Synchronization Increased

• Physical Recovery Accelerated

• Primal Strength Lv1 Growth Progress Increased

Silver rolled his shoulders. The difference wasn’t dramatic but it was still noticeable. The headache had finally reduced and he could now move without the constant pain.

Ravenna watched carefully.

"Better?"

"A little."

"Thats good."

Silver smiled and stood up.

The two continued upward. The third floor proved disappointing. There were only empty storefronts, collapsed sections, and dust.

Silence was the only thing dominating the floor. After nearly thirty minutes of searching, they reached the same conclusion. The Dusk Hounds had owned this territory, everything else either died or left.

Silver stopped near a shattered window overlooking the parking area.

"Looks like we wasted our time."

Ravenna shrugged.

"We got cores."

"True."

She always had a practical way of looking at things, which Silver liked.

He was about to back away from the window when movement caught his eye. It was a vehicle.

"No."

There were two vehicles, both moving fast. The engines echoed across the ruined district breaking the silence.

Silver immediately stepped closer to the broken glass watching the oncoming unwelcomed visitors. The vehicles entered the mall parking lot.

One looked damaged, its front bumper was practically hanging off. The second vehicle carried visible claw marks along one side. Neither looked in good condition.

Silver narrowed his eyes.

"Visitors."

Ravenna joined him.

The vehicles stopped near their own. The doors opened and four people emerged. Silver counted quickly. There were two women and two men.

One of the men immediately stood out. Familiar dirty blonde hair and carried himself with a confident posture. Even exhausted, he looked like someone accustomed to being the center of attention.

Silver immediately recognized him. His stomach sank slightly.

"...You’ve got to be kidding me."

Ravenna looked confused.

"What?"

Silver sighed internally.

The protagonist.

’What the fuck is Dillain doing here?’

This was the man around whom the original story revolved; the luck monster and a walking disaster magnet.

He was capable of finding treasure in abandoned bathrooms and accidentally discovering secret treasures while taking wrong turns.

But also the same person who somehow attracted trouble every few Chapters.

’I really don’t want problems’

Silver suddenly wanted to leave, preferably in the opposite direction. Unfortunately for him, the group had already noticed them.

Dillian pointed upward. One of the women followed his gaze, then all of them looked directly toward the third floor where Silver and Ravenna were trying to quietly back away.

"..."

"..."

Silver considered hiding but it was probably too late.

Several minutes later they met near the escalators on the second floor. Just from his observation he could see that Dillain looked genuinely tired. His clothing carried tears, blood, and dirt. One sleeve was completely gone.

Neither of the two women nor the man beside him was much better. Whatever happened to them, hadn’t been pleasant.

Dillain stopped several meters away. His gaze immediately landed on Ravenna and recognition appeared in his eyes.

"Ravenna?"

Ravenna frowned. She went from confusion to recognition.

"Oh... You."

Silver watched the exchange, just as confused.

’When did they meet’

The novel mentioned they’d met but he was sure it was around the time Dillain decided to leave the sanctuary. This was a little too early. He could only attribute it to butterfly effects.

As though reading his thoughts, Dillain smiled.

"We hunted together."

"I remember," Ravenna politely responded but anyone could see she was maintaining distance with him.

Silver silently approved. Dillian turned toward him, and the two men sized each other up. Contractors always did, as they evaluated threats, capabilities, and potential danger.

Eventually, he extended a hand.

"Nice to meet you."

Silver accepted it.

"Likewise."

That wasn’t true in the least. The handshake ended seconds later.

Dillian looked relieved to see other people, which immediately worried Silver. People only looked that relieved when something bad had happened or was happening.

The answer arrived quickly. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"What happened to your team?"

The question came from Ravenna. Dillian’s expression darkened immediately.

The atmosphere changed. One of the women lowered her head, as tears started to drip down her cheeks. She aggressively cleaned it. The remaining man looked away.

Silver already knew the answer wouldn’t be good. Dillain exhaled slowly.

"We found a nest."

That explained nothing and everything.

Ravenna frowned.

"What kind?"

The answer came quietly.

"Ground Worms."