Following behind Simon, both young woman and Lucien remained silent.
As they reached the base of the mountain, a jagged cave entrance came into view—dark, wide and ominous, its interior swallowed by shadow. Simon halted a few steps from the opening and turned, casting a glance back at the girl as if asking, "This is it?"
Though his look irritated her—so full of arrogant confidence—it wasn't the time to argue.
She gave a small nod. "Yes. This is the place."
Simon didn't say anything at first. Then, adjusted his belt, he spoke without turning.
"Stay here. Don't come in until I come out."
With that, he stepped into the darkness, the cave swallowing him whole.
The young women watched his silhouette disappear, then let out a quiet breath.
Beside her, Lucien stood with arms crossed, his expression unreadable. She looked up at him, finally voicing the concern that had been gnawing at her.
"Uncle… why did you let him go in alone? Wasn't the plan for him to assist while you finished the job?"
Lucien didn't answer right away.
Their original plan had been crafted after watching Simon's movements in the forest over two full days. He wasn't just a reckless blade user—he was tactical, brutal, and efficient. More importantly, his ability, Infrared waves, elevated his lethality tenfold. A single use of his power caused the temperature to spike, instantly evaporating surrounding moisture—even the water in living tissue. It left most targets temporarily blinded and stunned from rapid dehydration.
It was the perfect setup.
The moment the Kimodo was disoriented, Lucien would unleash his strongest attack— his Astral skill that took time to charge. If interrupted, he'd have to start the sequence from the be beginning, wasting valuable seconds and exposing them all to danger.
That was why they had come without a squad.
Lucien alone was more than enough to kill a level-5 Dreadbeast… if his attack could land. But the Kimodo's were wild and unpredictable. And if it sensed vulnerability, it could target the girl while Lucien charged his attack—something he never allow.
That's where Simon came in. A random variable, a distraction—one with s sharp edge.
The girl lowered her gaze, guilt creeping into her chest. This entire plan had been her idea. She was the reason they hadn't called in a specialized hunting team, and now, someone else's life was on the line because of her decision.
"But still…" she said, almost whispering, "Why send him in alone?"
Lucien finally responded, his voice low but firm.
"Because I want to see what he's truly capable of"
She looked up, Startled.
"there's something about him," Lucien continued. "That kind of confidence… it not the loud kind, not the fake kind. It's carved from something real. Either he's fool walking into his own grave… or that boy is far more dangerous than even we realizes."
He glanced toward the cave, eyes narrowing.
"And I intend to find out which one it is."
Deep inside the cave.
Simon moved quietly through the tunnel, small flames flickering around him, lighting the darkness at his command. Each step was deliberate, silent, the air growing hotter as he descended deeper.
Eventually, he reached the heart of the cave—and there It was.
Kimodo.
A massive Dreadbeast, coiled in sleep, its thick black-scaled body rising and failing with deep steady breaths. Its presence filled the chamber, radiating quiet menace. Even in slumber, it was a living weapon.
Simon was just about to strike—his hand already tightening around the hilt of the Ember Cleaver—when something else caught his eye.
Tucked behind the beast's massive form, nestled in the bedrock, was a glowing, fire-red lotus.
He froze.
The heat it emitted was intense, far beyond anything natural in this part of the wilderness. It wasn't just hot—it pulsed with elemental energy, resonating with the very core of the cave.
Simon narrowed his eyes.
A Heaven and Earth Treasure.
A Fire lotus.
Extremely rare. Incredibly valuable. Formed under extreme conditions, these lotuses were said to be created when the union of fire essence and earth marrow, blooming only once every hundred years. The kind of treasure that could change the fate of whoever consumed it.
Giving them the power to control either Fire or Earth making them Astral Lord.
And suddenly, everything made sense.
The Kimodo—descended from cold-blooded beasts—was using the lotus as a heat source. That's why it coiled around it, absorbing its heat, its energy. It wasn't just sleeping—it was evolving. Preparing to ascend to level-6.
Simon stepped back slightly, breath slowing as realization settled in.
They didn't know.
Lucien and the girl—they had no idea the lotus was here. If they did, there's no way they'd have sent someone else in first.
Which meant…
It's mine now.
Simon crouched low, his flames dimming to near invisibility as he shifted into stealth. Every movement was careful, deliberate, honed by instinct and survival. He slipped around the Kimodo's massive form, edging toward the flower without disturbing the beast's sleep.
One wrong move and he'd be good as dead.
But Simon didn't make wrong moves.
With a slow breath, he reached out and pull a small capsule from his spatial belt. And—with practiced precision—sealed the Fire lotus inside.
The moment it disappeared, the temperature of the cave dropped sharply.
And the Kimodo stirred.
It eyes snapped open, glowing with primal fury. Its body tensed. Then—
A roar.
Deafening. Furious. Full of rage and confusion.
It thrashed in place, the ground shaking beneath it, its gaze locking immediately onto Simon. It didn't need to understand what had happened—instinct told it everything. The lotus was gone. The heat was gone.
And the thief was standing right in front of it.
Simon grinned, gripping Ember Cleaver his hands as the beast charged, fire dancing around his body.
"Guess it's time to see if I am ready to face pseudo level-6"