Extra Survival Guide to Overpowering Hero and Villain-Chapter 234: Core

Fenric raised his hand slowly.

"Uh... Seraphina? What do you mean by medium core?"

Seraphina turned to him, patient but firm.

"A Medium-tier Beast Core is a mid-grade core. It comes from a monster that is not weak, but not extremely dangerous either."

Fenric frowned.

"So... cores have grades too?"

"Yes," Seraphina nodded. "Just like Aura, beast cores also have quality."

She drew simple circles in the dirt with her stick and explained:

Core Grades (for beginners):

Low-grade core → comes from weak beasts

Medium-grade core → comes from stronger beasts

High-grade core → from elite or dangerous beasts

Perfect core → extremely rare, only from beasts several ranks above normal

Fenric blinked.

"So if a beast is weak, I get a bad core... and if it’s strong, I get a better one?"

"Exactly."

She pointed at the forest.

"Medium-tier beasts give a medium-grade core.

High-tier beasts give a high-grade core.

If a beast is four ranks above you, it may drop a Perfect Core."

Fenric’s eyes widened.

"Perfect... core?"

"Yes," she said. "Perfect cores are almost never seen by beginners. They can raise your Aura by a full quality level or more."

Fenric rubbed his chin.

Then he asked the question that made Liana choke on her fruit again.

"Seraphina... can you let me fight a higher rank beast? Or even a perfect core beast?"

Seraphina stared at him like he had asked if he could punch a dragon.

"Absolutely not."

Fenric shrugged. "Why not? If it gives better results—"

"You will die," she cut in.

Fenric stopped talking immediately.

Seraphina sighed and softened her tone slightly.

"Fenric, listen.

The task of getting a medium core is just a test.

A test of your courage, your control, and your ability to land a real killing blow."

She placed her hand on his shoulder.

"If I thought you were ready for a higher-ranked beast, I would take you.

But for now... your first step is Medium-tier. Nothing higher."

Fenric nodded slowly.

"...Okay. That makes sense."

Seraphina nodded back.

"Once you prove you can survive this hunt, then—maybe—I will consider letting you try something stronger."

Liana whispered loudly:

"He asked for a perfect core... he’s insane."

Spunky barked like: YES, he is!

Fenric ignored them and looked at Seraphina.

"So defeating the beast gives me the core... and that core helps me make my first Aura Circle?"

Seraphina nodded.

"Correct. With that core, we will create your first Refining Circle near your heart.

And once that circle forms..."

She smirked slightly.

"...your Aura will begin to purify."

Fenric took a deep breath.

"Alright. Let’s go get that core."

Seraphina smiled just a little.

"Good. Then follow me. Our first hunt begins now."

Seraphina led Fenric, Liana, and Spunky through the forest path behind the village.

The trees grew thicker, and the air became cooler and damp.

Fenric looked around.

"Why does it feel colder here...?"

Seraphina answered without turning her head.

"We’re getting close to the river region.

Most beasts here have water affinity."

Liana hugged herself. "Great... wet monsters."

Spunky barked like he loved the idea.

After a few more minutes, Seraphina raised her hand—signaling them to stop.

"Found it."

Fenric peeked around her shoulder.

A massive shape stood near a broken tree trunk, drinking water from a shallow stream.

It was huge.

Blue skin.

Thick muscles.

Wide shoulders like a boulder.

Long arms ending in claws.

And on its back, faint ripples of flowing aura—like moving water.

Fenric’s eyes widened.

"Is... that an orc?"

"Correct," Seraphina said. "A Bluewater Orc. Medium-tier. Water affinity."

The orc snorted loudly, splashing water over its face.

Fenric gulped.

"That thing looks like it bathes in the gym."

Liana stared, horrified.

"It looks like it could pick up a house and throw it."

Spunky wagged his tail like fight it, Fenric!

Seraphina continued calmly:

"Bluewater Orcs are common in regions close to the ocean.

Their bodies are strong, and their bones store water mana.

That makes them tough... but predictable."

Fenric tilted his head. "Predictable how?"

Seraphina pointed at the giant orc.

"They rely on brute strength.

If they get close, you die.

If they can’t reach you, you win."

Fenric nodded slowly.

"So... keep my distance?"

"Exactly."

She stepped aside and looked at him seriously.

Seraphina tapped the tip of her staff on the ground.

"This orc will give you a Medium-grade Water Core.

It’s perfect for your first Aura Circle."

She added, "Not to mention—if you get a Water-affinity core, you’ll also gain the chance to add the Fluidity property to your Aura. It will make your Aura more flexible."

Fenric blinked. "Do the elements also give different properties?"

"Yes," Seraphina nodded. "Since you have Gold Affinity, I chose this Water one. If your innate element had been Wind, I would’ve chosen a Lightning or Flame beast core instead."

She looked at him more seriously.

"This is another important lesson: nobody is born perfect—not even you, a Saint-class Awakener. When refining the first circle, we choose a beast whose element can correct our shortcomings."

She tapped Fenric’s chest lightly.

"In your case, the Metal element is too rigid. It won’t circulate smoothly through your body at the start.

But with Water’s Fluidity trait added... it will help you shape and guide the Gold aura more naturally."

Fenric took a deep breath, gripping his bow tightly.

"Alright... I can do this."

The moment he stepped forward, the Bluewater Orc turned completely toward him. Droplets of water rolled off its blue skin as its chest expanded like a bellows.

GRUUOOOHHH!

The roar shook the leaves overhead.

Fenric’s heartbeat hammered in his ears, but he didn’t retreat.

Distance. Control. Breathe.

Seraphina’s voice echoed in his mind.

He raised his bow and drew an arrow—mana flickering faintly along the shaft.

The Orc stomped once, water splashing around its feet, then charged.

Its speed was terrifying.

Liana gasped. "It’s faster than the wolf from yesterday!"

Spunky barked excitedly: SHOOT IT! SHOOT IT!

Fenric centered his stance.

"Come on... just a little closer..."

The Orc swung its massive arm, trying to smash him into the dirt.

Fenric rolled aside, feeling the wind pressure blast past him. The ground where he’d been standing exploded upward, dirt spraying like shrapnel.