Weakest Beast Tamer Gets All SSS Dragons

In the Silver 2 ring, specialization became even more pronounced. The circular trees had divided into two distinct species through competition:

One was more oriented toward pure fire, which had developed almost metallic bark that reflected heat from the fire spirits now also living within them, and another that had specialized in purer wood element, growing considerably taller and developing more complex root systems and canopies to defend against the water from the round birds alone.

The Boars had also evolved correspondingly. Those living in symbiosis with the fire trees had developed extreme thermal resistances and the ability to generate flames directly, while those inhabiting the tunnels had developed better camouflage and excavation abilities.

"The earth ones have established a completely different niche," Ren pointed toward where they could see steam rising from the ground. "The Boars have formed alliances with the walking mountains."

"They left the huge trees for those small mountains?" Min blinked confused.

"Evolved Stone Lurkers. They've basically become small ambulatory volcanoes. They provide greater and more constant heat."

Indeed, they could see the distinctive forms moving slowly around. They looked like small hills that moved with slow, measured movements, leaving trails of steam in their wake.

In Silver 3, the ecosystem had reached a level of complexity that no longer allowed fast evolution, so two systems divided. The bifurcation between the two main niches had created clearly defined territories in what seemed like it would be a progression of linear space increase, but ended with each having its own species and internal dynamics.

In the niche that stuck closer to the lake advancing to the right, the ambulatory volcanic mountains had grown to the size of buildings, and giant Moths had appeared as a third species in the chain. These creatures, displaced from their original underground territories, had found in the fire trees the perfect environment to complete their larval stages.

The wood element specialized trees on the side advancing to the left, on the other hand, had grown to impressive heights, their canopies beginning to show the first signs of the transformation that would eventually convert them into Golden Noses.

"And here we already have the Giant Cats," Liu pointed toward the shadows between the taller trees, where enormous feline forms moved with grace, dodging horns and eating the thick leaves of the canopies.

Ren nodded, remembering fragments of information he had learned during his years with his fungus.

"They were displaced from their original niches further to the left by the evolution of Night Ambushers. These tall trees provide them with better feeding and hunting options away from the ground."

They would follow the left route, the same one Zhao had followed from this depth.

They had been advancing all night and had taken turns to cultivate with their already processed crystals when day changed, now it was well into the morning. The sun approached its zenith, and despite his superhuman resistance and his wolverine's improvements, Ren could feel that the battle with Lin was finally taking its toll on his stamina.

Ren kept his Hydra summoned at the front. Taro's Greater Living Tunnel and Liu's Blood Bat formed an intimidating group that creatures of similar ranks let pass unbothered, since these were affected by the double tamers' boosts and were 2 to 4 times stronger than a common beast here.

But Ren's pace had become slightly irregular, and though he tried to hide it, his friends had begun to notice.

"Ren," Taro approached with a concerned expression, "you should rest. You've been pushing yourself non-stop since last night."

"I'm fine," Ren insisted, though his voice sounded more tense than he intended. "We can rest when we reach the Gold 1 ring. There our beasts won't give us free passage anymore, but we'll be able to find a cluster of Golden Noses where we can hide properly."

Liu positioned himself on his other side, studying his posture with a critical eye.

"You're not fine. Your regeneration may be incredible, but you're not immune to exhaustion. And defeating Lin like you told us you did wasn't exactly a walk in the park."

"Especially considering you used that strange new technique with the black marks," added Min, who had been unusually quiet during the last hour. "I don't know what that is, but your neck seems to have a few again."

Ren stopped to analyze his emotions and after calming down a bit, returned them to normal, but this made him worry a little considering their words. The truth was he felt more tired than he should, even taking into account the intensity of the combat. The black marks had receded, but he could feel that the power they had given him had left some kind of residue in his system.

"I just need to get to a place where we can rest without worrying about being found," he murmured, rubbing his temples where a persistent headache had been growing. "In Gold territory, with the Golden Noses as cover, our mana signature won't..."

Ren looked ahead, where he could see the first signs of the Gold 1 ring: trees beginning to show the characteristic golden veins that would eventually convert them into fully developed Golden Noses. The air itself seemed denser, charged with higher quality mana.

They had almost arrived. Just a little more...

♢♢♢♢

Finally, before them, the Gold 1 ring marked the end of the forest.

But when he took the next step, his left leg wavered slightly, and for the first time he had to consciously use his mana control to stay stable.

His friends exchanged worried glances, but Ren used the situation to refocus their minds.

"Look," Ren stopped completely, breathing deeply to catch his breath, "before we can rest we have one last task. We need to find a Giant Cat Bear."

The three boys looked at him as if he had suggested they search for a dragon to befriend.

"A what?" Min blinked several times. "Are you sure you don't have a fever? Because that sounds like something we should definitely avoid."

"It's not to fight it," Ren rubbed his temples, feeling the headache worsen. "We need... we need to 'cover ourselves' with its scent."