After dispatching the cadaver of the Tigon, Shelby said, "Catch!"
He tossed beast mana core.
Zane caught it and said, "Thanks."
Eventually the System chimed and showed increase in his stats.
Without delay, the trio continued on their journey, weaving deeper into the forest's tangled maze. The deeper they went, the more corrupted beasts appeared—each stranger than the last.
Soon, they encountered another threat.
A boar-like corrupted beast emerged, its massive form towering at nearly three times the size of a full-grown adult. Its jagged tusks glinted like curved blades, its eyes burning with violent intent.
Zane stepped forward, preparing to intercept it—but Shelby raised a hand.
"Wait," he said. "Your little wifey questioned me earlier about the way you fight. So just this once, fight normally. Show her with action what I already know."
Zane turned back to Erlin. She averted her eyes, pretending to look elsewhere.
"Got it," Zane said, then strode forward.
