A final flare of life—and with the griffin's collapse, everyone exhaled in relief.
Perhaps the beast had clung to its last breath, waiting for its enemies to approach before taking them down together. But Thunder hadn't taken the bait. Left with no choice, the griffin had made its desperate lunge in its dying moments.
Maria felt her heart leap into her throat. Staring into those ruby-like eyes—filled with unyielding hatred even in death—she shuddered. Seeking reassurance, she glanced toward Thunder, only to find him collapsed on the ground.
"Bro Thunder, don't tell me you're done for!" With danger gone, Eric could joke again. He threw himself dramatically over Thunder, wailing as if mourning.
"Get lost." The invincible little beauty kicked her brother aside, her expression softening. Gently, she tore open Thunder's robe, revealing the deep gashes on his chest—still oozing blood. Her eyes instantly welled up.
"Eric." Thunder's voice was hoarse, his vision blurry. The battle had drained him physically and mentally, and the blood loss left him weak. He pulled out a dozen bottles from his spatial bag. "Collect some griffin blood for me."
"Got it." Eric knew Thunder used monster blood for scroll-making, and eighth-tier griffin blood was a rare treasure. No more jokes—he grabbed the bottles and hurried to the carcass.
"What do I do?" Sisi hovered her small hands over Thunder's wounds, afraid to touch them. Her face twisted with distress.
"Use these." Thunder pulled out three talismans pulsing with holy energy and handed them to her.
"What are they?" She took them, confused.
"Repeat after me. Lock your mental energy onto them, then aim at my wounds." Thunder licked his dry lips and spoke slowly:
*"Blessing of Holy Light, hear my plea,*
*Grant me strength, set this wound free.*
*Let the earth cease its bleeding flow,*
*May outward harm now fade and go!"*
Sisi echoed each line. As she finished, the talismans in her hands erupted in a gentle, radiant glow, enveloping Thunder's chest. Before her eyes, the torn flesh began knitting together—the bleeding stopped entirely.
"Holy Light?" Sisi gasped.
Thunder stared at his chest for a long moment before nodding. "Holy Light."
A branch of light magic, typically used by priests. Like dark and spatial magic, it existed outside conventional elemental systems—rare and hard to master.
Though Thunder had the mana reserves of an archmage, allowing him to craft eighth-tier scrolls, his light magic was limited to third-tier. Not for lack of skill—light elements were simply elusive and rebellious.
*Blessing of Holy Light* was a second-tier healing spell. Even Thunder was awed by its effects. His wounds itched and tingled as they visibly closed.
By the time the glow faded, the bone-deep gashes had sealed mostly shut, leaving only residual healing to his body.
Sisi, no longer stunned by Thunder's endless surprises, quickly used the remaining two talismans on his shoulder and abdomen.
Under the holy light, Thunder's pallor from blood loss regained color, his strength partially returning.
A warm droplet hit his arm. Thunder looked up to see Sisi biting her lip, her eyes glistening as she stared at his wounds.
"Why the tears?" He hadn't expected the little devil to show such vulnerability.
"Who's crying?" She turned away, wiping her eyes, then hardened her tone. "If you're not dying, get up and help. Griffins might not be dragons, but they've got plenty of treasures."
Eric returned, bottles in hand. "Bro Thunder, sorry—I tried. This feathery bastard barely had any blood left. I even considered gutting it, but this is all I got."
Three bottles—one not even full.
It was the truth. Thunder nodded, storing them in his spatial bag before standing and bouncing experimentally.
"Stop jumping around!" Sisi yanked him down. "You'll reopen your wounds, idiot."
"I'm fine." Thunder complied but smirked.
Eric eyed Thunder's current state—and decided it was the epitome of cool.
His black robe was in tatters, a gaping hole from chest to abdomen revealing bloodstained skin and half-healed wounds. His left sleeve was shredded, showcasing a vicious shoulder gash, while the right sleeve remained intact—creating a bizarrely asymmetrical aesthetic.
His robe was hitched up, tucked into his belt, exposing two surprisingly pale, slightly hairy thighs.
Eric's eyes shone. *This... this is what a real man looks like.*
Sisi glanced over, then flushed. Through the robe's tear, she had a clear view of Thunder's boxers.
Earlier, she'd been too focused on his injuries to notice. Now, embarrassment prickled her cheeks.
She hurried toward Maria, who, despite her magical backlash, had recovered enough to move.
Just as Thunder and Eric approached the griffin to harvest its core and other valuables—
*Whoosh!*
A figure dropped from the trees, landing between them and the carcass. A greatsword slammed into the rocks, sparks flying as the newcomer knelt dramatically before rising with a booming laugh.
**Who is this uninvited guest?**