Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

Chapter 374 - Taming Origins - 3

The trembling ceased, and the golden structures returned to their passive pulsating state. The chamberʼs bioluminescence shifted back to its warm, welcoming glow, the crisis having passed as quickly as it had arrived.

At least for Lin and Ren…

«There», confirmed the mushroom with something that sounded suspiciously like satisfaction. «Now withdraw your hand slowly and donʼt break synchronization until all the lines break free from the sphere.»

Ren obeyed, backing away with slow movements while maintaining his breathing in perfect harmony with the chamberʼs pulse. The sphere containing the golden liquid gleamed in his hands.

”We did it,” he whispered to Lin when he reached her position. ”Now we can leave, exactly as we entered.”

Lin nodded, her eyes fixed on the small golden sphere. ”Thatʼs all you needed? You brought that enormous backpack and it seems... small.”

They had anticipated collecting dozens, perhaps hundreds of individual mushrooms.

ʼShould I collect more?ʼ Ren asked mentally, still holding the precious sphere carefully.

«Theyʼre no longer necessary... This is more than enough for now, responded the mushroom in Renʼs mind, with a tone suggesting that Linʼs ignorance was perfectly understandable but also slightly amusing. «Its potency isnʼt in its size but in its composition. One drop contains the essence of hundreds of beasts transformed into mushrooms and processed.»

”It says itʼs extremely concentrated,” Ren translated, marveling at the implications. ”Equivalent to hundreds of individual mushrooms.”

«At least not for Silver ranks. This should take you to Silver 3 without problems. Collecting numerous individual mushrooms would be... inefficient and more dangerous.»

”This is enough to reach Silver 3.”

Lin whistled softly, impressed despite her usual composure. ”Such a small amount of… ¿liquid mana? for three major evolutions. Itʼs... incomprehensible.”

As they prepared to withdraw from the chamber... The small mushroom materialized completely on Renʼs head, jumping to position itself directly above the sphere in front of his face with its tiny arms placed on its hips in a demanding manner.

”Give me the sphere,” it ordered with its high-pitched voice audible to both Ren and Lin.

”Right now?” asked Ren, confused by the sudden demand.

”You canʼt consume it directly and if it breaks it would be dangerous,” explained the mushroom with certain impatience. ”The amount of energy is enormous. If you use it like this or drink it on your own, you could literally explode from within. Even I would have problems purifying so much mana at once from your body.”

The mushroom extended its tiny arms again, more insistent. The gesture was both endearing and commanding.

”But this is already processed specifically to enter my root system. Iʼll be able to inject it into you gradually from there, in doses your body can handle.”

Ren hesitated for a moment before nodding and separating his hands to seat the mushroom in one of his palms. The creature felt surprisingly warm and solid despite its diminutive size.

What followed was as unexpected as it was endearing.

The small mushroom stretched its tiny arms and opened its mouth to absurdly large proportions, at least for its size, and placed the entire sphere in its mouth. Its cap expanded like a balloon as it sucked the liquid, the sound and image strangely reminiscent of a baby with a disproportionately large pacifier.

Lin covered her mouth to contain a laugh. ”Itʼs... adorable,” she murmured, her usual stern demeanor melting at the sight.

«I-Iʼm not adorable!» protested the mushroom mentally, though its voice sounded slightly muffled from having its mouth full. «Iʼm a being of incomprehensible power! This is a... technical process!» The indignant protest only made the scene more endearing to Lin.

The mushroomʼs cap began glowing with increasing intensity as it processed the liquid. The blue mana filaments that were normally invisible became golden and briefly visible, extending from its base toward Renʼs scalp and outward like a delicate network of light.

«Oh!» exclaimed the mushroom suddenly, its voice now charged with amazement. «This is... this is incredible!»

Ren felt a wave of energy flowing through his body, but controlled and measured rather than overwhelming.

«My worldʼs roots are strengthening», explained the mushroom with genuine excitement. «I can feel... I can connect to parts of the underground flow that were previously blocked and...» The explanation trailed off as new sensations overwhelmed its ability to articulate.

The small being remained motionless for several minutes, its expression, as much as its tiny face could express anything, showing deep concentration.

«Ren», its mental voice had acquired a strange tone, mixing fascination and alarm. «I can sense beyond normal limits. The other side... what you call Yino.»

”What about Yino?” Ren asked aloud, causing Lin to approach with interest. The mention of their enemy territory immediately commanded her attention.

«Before there was something alien that pushed against me, that blocked my perception», continued the mushroom, its tone becoming more serious. «But now I can pierce that barrier with greater clarity. And what I see...»

«A significant part where there should be beasts... theyʼre no longer there. Approximately 10% of the territory. Half of the first three rings of their forest is infected by something similar to the golden mushrooms, but...» Another pause, as if the mushroom were struggling to find the correct words.

«Itʼs like my opposite. Itʼs... familiar but inverted...» The description carried an undercurrent of unease that made Renʼs skin crawl.

Ren felt a chill run down his spine. ”Do you mean that you now think… youʼre similar to abyssal energy?”

«In certain ways», responded the mushroom, its voice now laden with a gravity Ren had never heard before. «But this time itʼs different. I thought it only mixed everything into an unintelligible mass but... Now I see it. Itʼs systematic. Organized. As if it were...»

”We need to leave, theyʼre still following us,” Lin urged, interrupting the mental monologue.

Ren nodded. ”Youʼre right. Letʼs go back.” The talk about mysteries would have to wait for another time.

As they prepared to descend from the chamber, Ren cast one last look at the pulsating space. For an instant, he had the disturbing sensation that the organism was aware of their presence, that it was evaluating them in some primitive but profound way.

The small mushroom returned to its usual position in Renʼs hair, though now it glowed with a subtle but new intensity.

ʼThank you. For bringing me here. Iʼll try to... listen to you more.ʼ

«I-I didnʼt do it for you», responded the mushroom, its mental voice suddenly defensive. «I needed it for my own evolution. Donʼt get confused.»

”Okay,” Ren murmured with a smile that transformed his entire demeanor. ”But... Weʼre inseparable companions whether we like it or not, arenʼt we?”

«I-I suppose so», responded the mushroom, though its tone suggested the admission cost considerable effort. «But donʼt get used to me being so... expressive.»

Despite the situation, Ren couldnʼt help smiling. Perhaps his relationship with the small being he hadnʼt treated well at the beginning of their partnership was improving after all, even if grudgingly on the mushroomʼs part.

♢♢♢♢

The flyer beat his wings with visible effort, the weight of the wounded tracker considerably slowing his flight.

Carrying an adult person in full flight was an exhausting task even for a Silver 1 tamer, especially when he didnʼt have Strength-based main increases and was dealing with an emergency rescue requiring speed.

When he spotted two figures moving among the trees ahead, his first reaction was relief. More reinforcements, finally. The sight of potential help energized him despite his growing fatigue.

He descended quickly toward what appeared to be another search team, but as he approached, he noticed something strange about their uniforms. They didnʼt wear the black and gold colors of the Goldcrests, but white uniforms with insignia he didnʼt immediately recognize.

Upon landing, he recognized the distinctive markings: Yino soldiers.

His stomach tensed. The political situation was complicated, and Yinoʼs ”allies” in Goldcrest territory were a delicate subject. Although they officially supported the cause, everyone knew their true objective was to exploit Yanoʼs destabilization for their own purposes.

However, the tracker in his arms was rapidly losing blood, and there was no time for political dilemmas. Duty demanded action regardless of complications.

”I need help!” he shouted to the two men. ”Serious injuries, active bleeding.”

The Yino soldiers approached, but stopped abruptly a few meters away. Both had strange expressions, as if struggling against something internal. Their faces showed a mixture of confusion and discomfort that set the flyerʼs instincts on edge.

The taller of the two placed a hand on his chest. ”Somethingʼs not right,” he murmured to his companion. ”My beast is... agitated.”

The other nodded nervously. ”Mine too. Itʼs as if something were repelling it.” Their shared unease created a palpable tension in the clearing.

”What are you talking about?” asked the impatient flyer. ”This man is dying. We need to get him to a healer soon.” His practical concerns overrode any curiosity about their strange behavior.

The soldiers exchanged meaningful looks. Both could feel how their abyssal beasts, (gifts from Hagen during his recent renewed visits to the depths) writhed with evident discomfort. The creatures that normally provided strength and power now seemed to rebel against some unseen force.

”Itʼs him,” whispered one, pointing to the wounded man. ”Whatever he has, our ”new” energy doesnʼt want to be near it.”

But appearances had to be maintained. The ”friendship” with the Goldcrests required certain sacrifices and demonstrations of support, regardless of personal comfort.

”Alright,” finally decided the tall one. ”Iʼll help you carry him.” His reluctance was evident, but duty demanded action.

He approached the wounded tracker, extending his arms to help with the weight. The moment his hands made contact with the unconscious body, the effect was instantaneous and devastating.

His abyssal energy, which normally flowed like a constant current through his system, ignited as if he had touched pure fire. Searing pain radiated from his palms throughout his arm, and he could literally feel the connection to his power burning away.

Simultaneously, the small golden filaments still sprouting from the trackerʼs wounds withered and fell like dry leaves upon contact with the abyssal energy.