The Author's Viewpoint-Chapter 118 - Lunaris Bloom

In truth, when a Gaia Awakener dies, there’s a risk that any Gaia-linked item they possessed will be affected by a phenomenon known as Resonant Collapse. ƒreewebɳovel.com

This condition can destabilize the energy signature that binds the items to their user. In the case of a Relic, it might release the bound spirit within, or in more extreme cases, completely shatter them. Even storage rings aren’t exempt. Its contents can be forcibly ejected, scattered, or destroyed during the collapse.

Still, in certain conditions, a storage ring can survive intact, with its contents safely preserved inside.

And this time, Tave got lucky.

The demon’s storage ring was still functional.

He activated it cautiously, letting the internal space unfold before him. Since he had no prior connection to the ring, he couldn’t mentally sense or categorize the contents. So, he did it the manual way, pulling each item out, one by one.

Monster meat. Bones. Scrap metal. A few battered pieces of spare armor. Most of it was unimpressive junk. Typical survival gear or battlefield leftovers. Nothing of real value.

Until something dropped with a heavier thud.

Tave paused.

The sword lay on the ground, catching the light with its deep black steel. Unlike the rest of the loot, this weapon had presence. It was long, slightly longer and broader than his own Relic sword. With a jagged, aggressive design. The blade wasn’t symmetrical, and dark, shark-fin-like ridges jutted out from its spine.

Panpan moved closer, sitting down beside him as he reached for the weapon.

"That’s a good sword, Tave," she said.

Tave handed the sword over to Panpan, because only Gaia Grand Masters and above could properly inspect an item’s detailed status.

Panpan took it in both hands, closed her eyes briefly, and ran her fingers across the hilt. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"It’s Elite Tier 4," she said calmly.

"Elite Tier 4..." Tave echoed, a faint smile pulling at his lips. "That’s incredible. I can actually use this."

He rose to his feet, the sword firm in his grip. He gave it a few testing swings—wide, precise arcs through the air, followed by several practice slashes. It had a heavier balance than his Relic, but it felt powerful. Dangerous in the right hands.

He wasn’t trained in dual-wielding. That much was certain. So using two blades in battle wasn’t something he could just jump into. But maybe... he could learn?

Or perhaps he’d keep this sword as a backup. After all, his Relic needed to be used consistently to grow in power. Still, having a secondary weapon of this caliber wasn’t something to take lightly.

When everything was finally packed and accounted for, Tave looked up at the night sky. The stars had shifted. The night was well past its peak.

He’d spent more than two hours in the ritual.

"Let’s go, Pan. We’re heading back," he said, turning to walk.

Panpan nodded, stepping in behind him silently.

Then suddenly. Tave stumbled.

His leg buckled mid-step, the strength leaving it in an instant. He dropped, barely catching himself as the sword clanged hard against the earth.

"Tave!" Panpan rushed forward, grabbing his arm and trying to lift him upright.

But his body was already shutting down. The strain from the Bloodline Override had finally caught up to him. His muscles, his nerves. Everything was screaming in exhaustion.

"Damn it..." he muttered.

And then. He collapsed fully, falling limp in Panpan’s arms.

Unconscious.

***

Tave shot upright, breath sharp as he scrambled to get his bearings. The air was still. Enclosed. A cave?

But... Why wasn’t it pitch black?

His vision adjusted quickly, and he realized the place wasn’t dark at all. It glowed, softly.

Panpan was already walking toward him. She lowered herself in front of him just as he was coming back to full awareness.

"Hi," she said with a calm smile. "I found this cave, thankfully. And Fang confirmed there aren’t any monsters nearby."

Tave instinctively reached for his forehead, fingers brushing across his skin to make sure... no horn.

Good.

He must’ve been dreaming too much. Maybe it was the lingering influence of the demon’s memories still flickering inside him.

"What is this cave?" he mumbled.

He looked around properly now, realizing he wasn’t just in some cramped tunnel. No. He was sitting in what could only be described as a chamber. Wide, open, and softly lit.

His eyes drifted to one side... and widened.

Tiny lights, like floating fireflies, rose from clusters of purple flowers that blanketed the stone floor. Dozens, maybe hundreds of them. The entire cave shimmered with a dreamlike glow.

This wasn’t just a cave. It felt more like a hidden realm. A secret space.

"I don’t know what kind of flowers they are," Panpan said, her voice softer now. "But they’re everywhere. They glow like that, constantly. Little lights made from elemental particles."

Tave exhaled, still stunned. "This place... it’s beautiful."

Tave was still piecing himself back together, his mind slowly syncing with his surroundings. He rubbed his face, trying to shake off the lingering weight of sleep, and whatever echoes the demon’s memories had left behind.

"How long was I out?" he asked.

"Not as long as usual," Panpan replied. "If I had to guess, it’s midday now. You were unconscious all night, Tave."

He nodded slowly, reassured. That wasn’t so bad, considering what his body had just endured.

He turned his gaze again to the glowing sea of purple around them. "Do you know why no monsters come into this cave, Pan?"

"No." She shook her head, simple and direct.

"Those flowers... they’re called Lunaris Bloom," he said, his tone shifting slightly. "They grow only through a rare Gaia Force phenomenon."

Panpan blinked. "What’s that?"

"It’s when residual Gaia energy from an intense battle, or death seeps into the land and anchors itself. The Lunaris Bloom feed on that residue and, in return, trap elemental particles in their radius. That’s why the air here feels so thick."

Panpan glanced around again, this time more intently. "That explains a lot... but Tave, the elemental particles here don’t flow normally. I tried meditating, but they resist absorption. It’s like they’re actively pushing back. And worse, they start draining stamina instead."

Tave exhaled. "Yeah... that’s the downside. They stabilize the zone but disrupt our link to the flow. Still," he looked around again, "this place is safer than the wilds."

Tave turned his eyes back to Panpan. "So, in simple terms... This place is actually perfect for meditation and absorbing elemental particles. If you know exactly how to do it. Otherwise, it’ll do the opposite. Instead of empowering, it’ll drain stamina, weaken you. That’s why monsters avoid this place. It’s a trap for anything that doesn’t understand the flow."

Panpan’s eyes narrowed slightly. "So... you’re saying we could bring the others here too?"

"Yes." Tave nodded with certainty. "This cave could be a temporary sanctuary. A place to rest, recharge, regroup. If we’re going to be hunting across this mountain region, having a safe haven like this could change everything."

He stretched, groaning slightly as his muscles adjusted to movement again. "I think it’s time we head back."

Panpan rose as well, brushing herself off before adjusting her gear. They were just about ready to go when Tave paused, a thought tugging at the back of his mind.

He glanced at her. "Have you heard anything from Elowen... about Eron?"

The question hung in the air.

And for just a moment, just a fraction of a second, Panpan’s expression shifted.

"Panpan...?" he pressed.