On it was two fist sized crystals. One was a blue color and the other was crimson color.

“Ahm, these are?” Aileen blinked. She looked curiously at the crystals inside the briefcase.

Everyone’s puzzled gazes lingered on them and had expressions of alarm plastered over their faces.

Be it ordinary gems, jewels and the like, everyone had already seen many of them, regardless of if it had been on television or in jewelry stores. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to see one.

But these things were vastly different from ordinary jewels.

Not only was it exquisite and pure as water, the most incredible thing was that it emitted a faint luster that dazzled up the somewhat dusky room. The surface also looked smooth as if it was naturally formed like that.

“Monsters cores.” The one who answered the question was Allen.

He looked admiringly at the two monster cores inside the briefcase.

“Monster Cores?”

Allen nodded his head. “That is right. Lv5 monsters and above possess cores called [ Magic Cores ]. We, on the other hand, called them [ Monster Cores ] for easy identification.

And these cores are good stuff.”

Allen started his explanation. “It’s just a theory but it was said that these cores are the materialization of the monster’s mana inside its body. That is the reason why only Lv5 and above monsters could create these things. It’s because these monsters possess an enormous amount of magic power compared to the monsters below it.”

“What are these things use for?”

“Many things. These cores could be used in creating magical items and weapons, giving them qualities greater than normal ones. Most of all, it has the chance to give skills to the items it produced. Though the higher the level the monster core is, the greater the mana it possesses the stronger the items it becomes as well the probability of giving it skills increased.”

“What’s more important is that it could increase one’s power. This is one of the humanity’s means of evolution.

It could help you increase your strength, agility, intelligence, perception, and et cetera.”

Upon hearing that, the people present stirred and their breathing hastened inadvertently. Even Aileen, could not restrain it and trembled, seeming to ponder deeply.

Something like this is definitely a valuable thing!

A chance to become powerful!

Thinking about that made the surrounding excited and their breathing turned ragged. They were so overwhelmed with emotions that they were on the verge of losing control!

Allen swept a glance at their excited faces. Watching them, he couldn’t help but curled his lips and poured a bucket of cold water over their heads.

“…However, you should always remember. If you don’t want to die, then don’t take too much of it. An ordinary human could at most take four – five cores while a superhuman depends on his strength. At most, they could take eight to Ten cores depending on their level. Above that will be dangerous. Your body will be tainted with impurities.”

“… …”

“When you become stronger, taking a core from a monster below your level is just a waste of time. You won’t be able to get anything out of it and will only rob you a chance of taking another higher monster cores…so take it with consideration.”

“Is this thing really that valuable?”

“Of course it is. Just by it being a materialization of magic power makes it so damn valuable. There many ways to kill a chicken, and so there were also numerous ways to use this core.”

“Don’t forget, Mana or what you call magic power is one of the greatest gifts under heavens. Especially in this warring state, this will become one of the most valuable sources of energy.”

Besides, Earth will eventually be filled with Mana. And the only thing that could store this energy aside from the human body was this cores.

Allen took one the blue core. “This is a core from a water type monster… as expected of the mad princess, killing two Lv5 or above monster isn’t an easy task.”

Lieri felt proud upon hearing Allen’s praise and she slightly bent her small lips.

“Well, we lost more than a dozen of people because of them though.”

“Losing only a dozen against monsters like them in this stage is already remarkable enough, I believe.”

“Allen, is these cores also separated by elements?” looking at the blue core in Allen’s hands, Ms. Grace voiced out her suspicions.

“…That is right. Obviously, monster cores correspond to the elements of their original forms. As for what’s the difference in them, it differs greatly.

You see Monster cores hold a firm connection to the elements it accords with. Blue represents water. Brown means earth, red is fire and green are for the wind. These are the four basic elemental cores. Of course there also yellow cores, it represents lightning. Purple, means poison and much more…”

Allen took the crimson core, “This one is special. It possesses two attributes; fire and poison. Although you can see that the main attribute of this monster core is fire.”

“Most water type cores when consumed increased the body’s movements, flexibility, and the likes. Most Earth type cores are power type cores and it could increase one’s strength. There also those defense type cores that could increase the body’s defense such as durability, stamina and et cetera… well, you will know it if you use it.”

The surrounding listened intently at Allen’s explanation and they nodded their heads in understanding.

“But Lieri, why did you bring these here? It should be quite valuable at this moment.”

“Young Master, Mistress Mia wanted me to give you these cores as a payback for the crystals.”

Allen frowned. “She should know that this unnecessary…right? Or what, she’s acting like stranger right now?”

“Of course not! Young master Allen, you’re just overthinking it. Mistress Mia just wants you to have this, and I believe that it wouldn’t change a thing even without those crystals.”

Allen fell silent for a bit at Lieri’s words.

“Is that what she told you to say?”

“… …”

“Figures, oh well it would be rude to reject it. Okay, I accept it.”

Hearing those words, Lieri made a soft and gentle smile that would relieve anyone who looked at it.

--- ---

The conference was finished around noon. Allen and the others head back to their respective rooms to rest. As for the monsters outside, they seemed to have gotten abnormally…quiet.

And so, Allen and the others had a moment to relax and rest.

--- ---

The door opened. Lieri stepped in holding a tray of sandwich, and a steaming cup of coffee.

"I thought you might be hungry, young master." She glanced at him while smiling before she placed the sandwich on the table.

"How thoughtful of you." Allen reached for the cup.

"You read my mind. I am in need of a cup of coffee and I am hungry." He joked.

“Anyway, you shouldn’t be so formal, you know that. You can call me, Allen. I prefer it that way.”

“Well, I’m quite comfortable with this. Besides, I heard from the mistress that I was also calling you like this ‘before’, didn’t I?”

With an exasperated sigh, Allen turned a bit to the side.

“Yeah, you did and you’re quite stubborn about it. For additional information, that’s one of the things I hated about you.”

“Oh really?” Lieri wasn’t the least bit faze with the word ‘Hate’ instead her smile turned into a mischievous grin.

“But I heard from the Mistress that a certain someone had blushed and felt secretly delighted the first time he was referred to as ‘Young Master’”

“Oh, I wonder who that idiot…is” Allen took a bite of his sandwich. “…I would like to meet him sometime~”

“Really, I wonder who it was~” Fufufu, Lieri let out a chuckle causing Allen to blush a little.

But he pretended as if he never heard anything.

Finishing his sandwich and coffee, Allen set the cup on the tray.

Exhausted from the overnight battle, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

A sudden, heavy weariness overtook him and releasing him from his conscious thoughts.

“Young master, shouldn’t you take a rest for a while?” Looking at his weary expression, Lieri voiced out her suggestion.

Her face filled with worry.

“No, I’m good.” Allen shook his head as he took his tablet again and continued playing solitaire.

This was his best way of killing time.

"But, young master… You're very tired." Lieri involuntarily touched his face and when she finally realized what she’s done, she instantly dropped her hand.

Her soft looking cheeks had a shade of pink.

“I’m still fine.” Although Allen was now a lightning human, his physical body was still similar with that of a human and so he is bound to get exhausted by time.

But his stamina is triple that of a normal human so he should be fine…is what he was thinking.

But Lieri didn’t think like that. She silently walked towards the bed and took a blanket.

“Nope, I say you will rest then you will rest. Young master, you should get a good sleep and rest your body from time to time.”

She was certainly stubborn in weird situations. Mia also often complained about it.

Yet in spite of his annoyance with her for her obstinacy, the warm sensation of her hand on his cheek brought a soft smile.

And so, he relented.

He lay on the sofa and received the blanket from her and covered it on his body.

“Don’t worry young master, I will keep watch.” With a smile, she took a chair and sat on the near table.

When was the last time I slept soundly?

Allen fell exhausted into bed and into a dreamless sleep.

I don’t remember because it has been a very long time…

Allen closed his eyes and welcomed the sweetness of a deep, untroubled sleep.

--- ---

Lieri watched Allen sleep on the sofa with a contented smile.

She watched him for a moment and noticed his eyebrows gradually softened.

‘He must be tired.’

Lieri felt a bit of pain on her chest as she looked at his sleeping expression.

She suddenly thought about all the things the people in this place took for granted with Allen and reflected upon her thoughts.

Allen was still human, so of course, he would be under a lot of stress.

Lieri’s expression loosened and suddenly turned gentle.

She stood up, quietly walked towards him and adjusted the quilt.

Allen was under much more strain than anyone could imagine.

Lieri thought as her hand gently stroked his black hair.

Looking at his face close hand, she'd notice his long eyelashes that seemed not suited for a man.

Obviously, he was a very good and a capable man, but now, scrutinizing him from this distance, Lieri couldn’t help but admired his thin, dark hair, styled to perfection, rugged good looks, fit body, and devastating smile.

He was completely different from the last time she saw him.

Is this the benefit of increasing your level that Mistress Mia told me…?

Becoming a Superhuman.

Not only your power, strength, and speed would change but also your physical aspect.

Appearance, body, muscles, intelligence… they would change progressively in every level up.

Truly, gradually becoming a perfect human.

…now that I think about it, what level is Allen now at?

From what I remember, when we left, he was still at Lv2… did he once again level up? Besides, from what I can see, his presence and power are already on a very different level.

The danger I sense from him is no half-assed.

Lieri thought as he looked at Allen comfortably sleeping on the sofa.

She possesses [ Threat Perception ] an ability to perceive or sense any threats from anyone or anything. This was given to her by Mia.

If the threat of that Lv5 monster is akin to a machine gun, Allen’s threat would be at a tank level… or maybe even higher.

A single man is even stronger than that Lv5 monster…? What kind of joke is this?!

Besides, if his current level is indeed level 3 or 4, or even 5, it was still absurd to think that he was way stronger than a Lv5 monster!

She had heard from Mia before that the power rankings of Superhumans aren’t comparable to that of monsters and demons. A Lv5 monster is still stronger compared to that of a Lv5 Superhuman and its only comparative was that of a peak Lv6 Superhuman that was almost on the verge of leveling up.

Then, how did this happened? Just what the hell did Allen acquire for him to become this strong?!

Even Mistress Mia wouldn’t have expected this!

This is unbelievable!

However, the proof was quietly sleeping soundly in front of her.

Seriously, what if one day he will become a dragon?

A childish image.

An image of a chibi dragon with Allen’s head, holding a big sword.

Fufufu, Lieri started laughing at her own imagination.

However, it actually suited Allen well. Even if one day Allen would say ‘I have become a dragon.’ Lieri wouldn’t be surprised about it.

Allen is the person Mia loved…and from the look of it, Mia was prepared to do anything for him. Did they also have this kind of relationship in that world?

Did their love form from countless battles and sufferings they experienced together…?

Well that would be akin to a perfect love story~

However, she wouldn’t know or even imagine.

Allen and Mia’s relationship wasn’t that close before. In the first place, Mia had a lover, while Allen had flings from time to time~

His fickleness was extremely famous~

As to why Mia was acting like this… no one knows, only the tyrant princess herself!

If only I can also remember everything…

Lieri felt deep disappointment for not being able to remember. The things that she had done… she wanted to know what life she had experience in that world.

Just hearing about it is not enough.

It was like hearing a story rather than being the protagonist itself.

“Purr…”

As Lieri was deep in thought, a small yellow rodent suddenly made its way to her.

“Purr?”

She was surprised but only for a moment as she took the small monster on her hands.

“You must be lightning, nice to meet you.”

“Purr, praaa”

“Hehe, are you hungry?”

Lieri stood up and opened the cabinet containing snacks and foods. Taking out a pack of biscuits, Lieri gave it to lightning.

The day was abnormally peaceful and quiet as it was the calm before the storm. However, at this moment, they still managed to take their rest and relax their tense nerves which they hadn’t done for a couple of days already.

Preparing them for the future, everything starts with a perfect rest.

--- ---