He had left shortly after Isaac began dealing with the aftermath of the battle. There was much to do, loose ends to tie up, before his departure to the Rudrugs.
Now, he stared at the holographic screen projected by his smartwatch, waiting.
[ Connecting… ]
A few seconds passed before a face popped up on the screen—Mira. Her brown eyes locked onto him immediately, and he didn't miss the way her makeup, though hastily applied, attempted to mask her natural features.
The sharp resolution of the projection made every detail obvious.
"Oh? If it isn't the rich slumper." She smirked, tilting her head. "You never call. To what do I owe this unexpected blessing?"
Zarn chuckled. "Well, I called to tell you… I'm leaving."
The teasing glint in Mira's eyes dimmed slightly. "Leaving?" Her voice held confusion, but the small quiver beneath it told him she had already understood.
She had expected this day to come sooner or later. After all, their old friend group had already scattered, one by one. The only ones left behind were her and Zarn.
She had a reason to stay—waiting for her sister's summoning event so she could take her away. But Zarn?
Among their group, it was a known thought that Zarn would never leave. Not because he couldn't, but because he had no reason to.
Now, he was saying he was going.
The only thing that could force Zarn out was someone else.
Her mind raced through the possibilities, and her expression hardened.
"…Tell me, Zarn," she said, voice quieter now. "Are you being forced out?"
Zarn blinked before waving a dismissive hand. "Forced? Of course not."
Mira narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.
"You heard the boom bang boom from the other side of the slums a few minutes ago, right?" he asked.
"Yeah?"
"Well… that was me." He grinned sheepishly. "I, uh, caused a little environmental destruction and all that. Now, staying here would be a hassle. I don't feel like having every passerby stare at me in fear or dealing with some street thug treating me like a god."
Mira scoffed. "Please. You've always been treated like a god."
"No," Zarn corrected, shaking his head. "They worshiped Ghost Hands. They didn't know me."
She went silent for a moment, studying him.
"So… you're leaving for a change of environment?"
"Something like that."
Mira crossed her arms. "And where exactly are you going?"
Zarn scratched his cheek. "Oh, have you heard of the Rudrug family? Big deal, right? You should have."
Mira's expression froze.
"…The Rudrug?" Her voice turned sharp. Then, her eyes narrowed.
"I thought you said you weren't being forced out!"
Zarn leaned back against Mico's warm fur, his fingers idly tapping against his knee. "Yeah, I'm not being forced. I just happened to meet someone with authority in the Rudrug family, and he invited me over. In good will."
Mira arched a skeptical brow. "In good will?"
"Yep." He smirked. "I'm pretty sure I'm a great judge of character. At least, Mico is."
Mira rolled her eyes. "I trust that oversized cat more than you, so I guess I'll let that slide." Then her voice softened just a little. "So you're really leaving."
Zarn nodded.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
She exhaled sharply, leaning forward as if trying to read him through the screen. "And you couldn't even bother coming over? A farewell over video? Seriously?"
"This is the best you get," Zarn said lightly, though his tone held a hint of something else. "If I come over, I'm afraid I'd never leave this city."
Mira scoffed. "What, it's not like I'd hold you down forever or anything…" A slow smirk curled her lips, her voice dropping into something teasingly sultry. "I could just force you to impregnate me before you go. That way, you'd always have a reason to come back."
Zarn didn't even blink. "Anyways."
Mira groaned. "Did you just ignore my statement?"
"Yes. Completely."
She clicked her tongue in annoyance, but there was no real heat behind it.
Zarn stretched his arms. "Help me extend my farewells to Lina. I'm afraid her reaction might be a little too much if I tell her in person or even over the phone. So, thank you."
Mira frowned. "Coward."
"Survivor," he corrected with a grin.
She sighed. "Fine, I'll tell her. But you better not vanish completely, Zarn."
"I'll try not to." He hesitated, just for a second. Then he exhaled and smiled. "Thanks for helping me, Mira. Goodbye."
And before she could say anything else, he ended the call.
The holographic screen flickered out, leaving Zarn in silence.
Mico let out a lazy snort from behind him. "You are a coward."
"Shut up, furball." Zarn stood, stretching. "Now, to see what these beasts core are... And why you shouldn't eat one." Zarn emphasized the last part, his judgemental eyes locked on Mico.
"Hey, I am fine."
"Tch." Zarn scoffed.
He leaned back against the headboard, his smartwatch projecting a new holographic screen in front of him.
"Alright, let's see what these beast cores are really about…" Zarn muttered, swiping through search results.
Lines of text and images filled the screen as he scrolled through various articles, forums, and research papers.
---
[What Are Beast Cores?]
Beast cores are crystallized energy masses formed within the bodies of beasts. These cores contain condensed Senar, the essence of life, and the bloodline power unique to every beast. Depending on the beast's classification, the properties of the core can vary significantly.
"So far, nothing new." Zarn lied to himself, he never truly knew what a beast core was. He just had an idea of the more popular usage.
He scrolled further.
---
[Uses of Beast Cores]
- Energy Source – Beast cores serve as a renewable energy source, commonly used in industrial machinery and military weaponry.
- Alchemy & Medicine – Alchemists use them to craft potions and enhancements, while high-level healers refine them into elixirs capable of extending lifespan or accelerating recovery.
- Combat Applications – When refined, certain beast cores can be used to temporarily boost a person's Senar reserves or enhance their abilities.
- Weapon Forging – Blacksmiths and engineers embed cores into weapons and armor, granting them elemental or energy-based enhancements. Some legendary weapons were forged using the cores of mythical beasts.
- Senar Cultivation – Higher-level individuals absorb refined cores to strengthen their own Senar capacity, though this process is dangerous without proper techniques. Direct absorption is rare due to the high risk of rejection or overload.
- Beast Cultivation – Beast cores serve as a powerful cultivation resource for beasts. When properly refined, a beast can gradually absorb the Senar and lifeblood essence contained within the core, enhancing its strength, affinity, and overall rank. However, raw consumption of an unprocessed core is highly dangerous. The unstable Senar surge can lead to uncontrolled mutations, internal Senar disruption, or even death. Only beasts with a natural adaptation to Senar absorption—or those consuming a core from the same species and relative level—can safely integrate its power.
Zarn's brows furrowed. "So Mico should have exploded." He glanced down at the lion, whose ear twitched lazily.
Mico yawned. "I just told you, I'm fine."
"You shouldn't be," Zarn muttered, eyes returning to the screen. He searched for more specifics.
---
[Direct Consumption of Beast Cores – Risks and Benefits]
Direct consumption of a beast core is rare due to the violent surge of raw Senar it releases upon entering the body. Most recorded cases of direct consumption have resulted in severe internal damage or loss of control over one's own Senar pathways. However, studies indicate that a beast may be able to safely absorb a core if the following conditions are met:
– The consumed core originates from a beast of the same species or a close genetic variant.
– The consumed core is from a beast of relative or lower level; attempting to absorb a higher-tier core may result in Senar overload.
– The beast has an innate adaptation to Senar absorption, allowing controlled integration of the core's energy.
Zarn's lips curled slightly. "If I go with what I have here... Mico, you are an anomaly."
Mico flicked his tail. "Good to know I'm special."
"Should've known though, your parents are the real deal, I shouldn't underestimate you."
"Of course, I am a superior being." Mico scoffed.
Zarn's smirk widened. "And considering you actually got part of that beast's powers..."
A pause. Then he burst into maniacal laughter. "Hehehehe."
"Why the hell are you laughing like that? You creeping me out." Mico turned over and distanced himself from Zarn.
"Mico."
"Yes?"
"I am about to feed you fart."