Seeing the new display of new attributes that had been unlocked by the successful absorption, Sidius celebrated once more.
He can now experienced the benefit of having no growth limit.
However, his joy was cut short when he noticed the new feature in his status panel, revealing that he could only live up to 77 years in his current state.
"Pathetic," he commented, shaking his head. Despite this revelation, he remained unconcerned, knowing that his lifespan could increase if he absorbed more yang energy or formed either a mana or aurous core.
Once he stabilized his cultivation, Sidius noticed that Pliero had finished butchering the fiery ape corpse and was now organizing the loot to put in his expansion bag.
Meanwhile, Lumia had been observing Sidius with a mix of nervousness and shock from the moment he began cultivating, fearing her life would end if she do anything suspicious.
She couldn't believe her eyes as she saw Sidius eat the advanced D rank demonic beast core and instead of being weakened and demonified, he actually broke through his realm. She has never seen anything like this before.
Sidius broke her trance and wore a smile, remembering a similar reaction from Miss Morningsnow.
"Don't look at me like I'm some demon," he beckoned to her, playfully dispelling her concerns. "Anyway, shouldn't you tell me now what's your purpose of raiding the Fiery Mist?"
Stumbling over her words, Lumia subconciously answered, "I-I need the molten bloodstone."
"Is that the wager they presented you to gain your trust?" Sidius replied. He was talking about Gion and Troy.
"Mhmm. T-they said If I joined their party. I will get the molten bloodstone."
"The item in the fiery ape's forehead?" Pliero interjected, seeking clarity, while collecting mana crystals and energy crystals from the surrounding.
"Mhmm," the lady nodded.
Pliero then turn his head to Sidius and inquired. "Boss, what's your decision?"
"Give it to her," Sidius decisively commanded.
Following his command, Pliero retrieved the crimson crystal from his expansion bag and gently placed it beside the anxious girl. "Here you go."
Lumia was taken aback by the gesture, confusion was forming on her face. "T-this is really for me?"
"You're courageous, but you're too gullible. Do you really think I'll give it to you?" Sidius teased with a wide grin on his face as he emitted some bloodlust.
Lumia's heart sank as she felt the death aura surrounding Sidius, viewing him again as a devil incarnate.
However, in a moment, Sidius lightened up the atmosphere.
"I'm just joking, you can take it."
"F-for real, this time?" she hesitantly replied, even after she experienced Sidius' bloodlust.
"For real," Sidius casually affirmed, waving his right hand as he walked in the direction of the dungeon's entrance. "I'm not in need of it anyway," he added with nonchalance.
Lumia's eyes brightened, and she quickly picked up the crimson crystal, storing it safely in her expansion bag before following Sidius.
Pliero just smiled at the act, finding her cuteness endearing, and he too joined them to leave the dungeon.
"Y-you know, Seed, I-I don't think you're a bad person," Lumia commented as they made their way.
"You think so?" Sidius replied with a casual smile, taking her words in stride.
Meanwhile, Pliero recalled the moments when Sidius had looked at him with intense bloodlust and had no hesitation in killing Gion and Troy. 'Right... he's really not a bad person,' Pliero remarked with a hint of sarcasm.
"You're really naive, Lumia. You're too kind for this world," Pliero added to the conversation.
"I-I'm not that kind..." Lumia mumbled softly. Sidius caught a glimpse of her expression but chose not to dwell on it at the moment.
"You two seem to get along well. Are you already friends?" Sidius interjected. Afterall, the two displayed their marvelous teamwork during their encounter with the fiery ape.
The two exchanged glances before quickly averting their gazes, not fully agreeing with Sidius's assumption.
Moments later, they reached the dungeon's entrance. The portal still appeared the same, with no obvious changes except for the unlock feature. Chosens would not know that the Fiery Mist had already become an acquired dungeon unless the one who cleared it spread the news.
Lumia bid farewell to Sidius and Pliero, genuinely thanking them for the molten bloodstone. Her gratitude was evident, and she seemed genuinely appreciative of their help.
Once Lumia disappeared from their sight, Pliero couldn't contain his curiosity anymore. He bombarded Sidius with his continuous questions as they walked.
"Boss, why do you keep calling me Mirzam?" Pliero inquired, a hint of puzzlement in his voice.
"It's a star in my hometown," Sidius replied with a cryptic smile.
"Your hometown? But I can't recall a star with that name..."
Instead of answering, Sidius just continued to walk.
"Boss, aren't you a mage? Why are you fighting like an assassin?" Pliero asked, genuinely perplexed by Sidius's combat style.
"Just cause."
Pliero paused for a moment, thinking that there's a reason for that and he trusted Sidius' judgement. He decided not to dwell on the matter further and swiftly changed the topic.
"Are you just letting that girl Lumia go away?"
"Yes."
"Ehh??... she knows our faces though? What if she spreads the news that we have the dungeon key to the Fiery Mist?"
"I'm sure that we'll meet again."
"How sure?"
"Hundred percent," Sidius responded confidently, leaving no doubt in his words.
He smiled as he recalled the moments he had glimpsed Lumia's basic stats before the raid.
========Status========
Name: Lumia Blaze | Age: 18
Rank: E+ | Growth Limit: A
Constitution: Azure Pheonix Physique-Heaven Grade(Dormant)
Trait: (Gullible)(Adventurous)
Class: Mage (Tier 2)
Title: N/A
Strength: 1.8 | Agility: 1.7 | Stamina: 1.7 | Mana Power: 1.9 | Dexterity: 1.9
Luck: 5.4 | Intelligence: 4.3 | Charm: 7.1
=====================
Pliero raised an eyebrow, eyeing Sidius with amusement, considering him to be a somewhat eccentric young man.
Nevertheless, he paid no mind to it, knowing well that despite Sidius's youthful appearance, he possessed the shrewd mind of a seasoned veteran.