Kael turned his gaze back to the fallen naga, its enormous body sprawled across the cavern floor, lifeless yet imposing even in death. The battle had been brief but fierce, and now, the true reward lay within the creature's remains. He had faced powerful beasts before, including the earth dragon at Valteiri, but this naga had been something else—a guardian of something valuable.
With a controlled breath, Kael activated his mana sight, channeling energy through his eyes. The world around him shifted, hues of magic pulsing like veins beneath the surface of reality. The naga's corpse flickered with remnants of lingering energy, but at its core, deep within the thick layers of muscle and bone, a brilliant crimson glow pulsed steadily.
"There you are," Kael murmured.
