Mana was a mysterious concept that couldn’t be seen with the eyes, and could barely be felt by highly sensitive perceptions.

Although Leon knew that mana was like a basic source of energy, especially for anything supernatural, he didn’t have a clear understanding of it.

Even then, he understood how strange it was for a plant to produce mana by itself. Even Thyra’s expression showed that it was nothing common at all.

She pursed her lips and said, "It’s still a dangerous mutated plant, though. You should kill it before it causes you trouble."

Leon nodded and approached it with his greatsword. The plant’s eight vines vibrated as he drew close, then sharply shot at him like arrows.

Leon’s expression hardened slightly, as he knew he would be grievously wounded if he was struck by the sharp vines. He had already lost his Asura Armor, and his only protection was the combat gear.

Still, he was unfazed as the vines approached him. He rubbed the Force Ring he was wearing, and a transparent barrier appeared before him, completely blocking the vines. It merely rippled from the force of the attack, proving that the mutated plant was strong.

Noticing that its attack was blocked, it pulled back its vines and prepared to attack again.

Leon didn’t give it that chance. With the Force Ring still active, he stepped forward and slashed down his sword with all his might.

The mutated plant immediately sensed the crisis and wanted to flee. However, it was rooted to the ground and couldn’t move.

So, it could only muster up the little defense it could with the vines. They were crossed above each other, forming a strange layer of shield. Just as they finished forming, Leon’s Jade Greatsword landed.

BANG!

The entire bridge shook from the impact, and everyone unconsciously covered their eyes to avoid having dust blown into their eyes.

"Crazy..."

Richard muttered as he lowered his arms. The dust had settled, and everyone could see where the plant had been.

The vines were broken completely, and they were sprawled on the ground, seeping light green liquid.

Leon’s expression flashed with surprise as he read the message before him.

[You have slain a Level 25 Tier One Evolved Vicious Vine!]

[You cannot level up!]

[Progress has been stored!]

It was actually a Vicious Vine! Just a few minutes ago, he had been complaining about where he was going to see the mysterious plant, but it had practically delivered itself to him.

He couldn’t stop a wide smile from appearing on his face, as he immediately crouched by the plant, ready to uproot it.

"Oi, don’t be too hasty," Thyra said with a smirk, causing him to pause.

"What’s that?" He asked in a low voice that only she could hear.

"Before you take out the roots, you might want to eat this fruit before it rots."

She answered, pointing at the white eggplant-like fruit. The unnatural whiteness was already dimming, so he understood why she told him to eat it quickly.

Still, he felt hesitant for two reasons. The first was naturally the name of the plant. It was called a Vicious Vine. Didn’t that mean its fruit would be poisonous or something?

As for the second reason, it was the shape of the plant. Before the apocalypse, the eggplant shape was something popular and often represented a manhood.

To eat something shaped like that as a man... Leon’s expression turned ugly.

"What are you waiting for? You want it to rot completely?"

Thyra urged him, oblivious to his thoughts.

Gritting his teeth, he forcefully put away his thoughts and plucked the white fruit from its stalk.

Under the confused stares of the others, he opened his mouth and bit on the fruit. His face immediately contorted as the sour taste of the fruit filled his mouth. Still, he continued eating until the fruit completely disappeared into his mouth.

After a few seconds of chewing, he finally swallowed the last bites.

"Eh? What are you eating?" Reymond asked as he walked over, casting a suspicious glance at Leon.

His behavior was strange, as it could clearly be seen that he had hastily stuffed the fruit into his mouth.

Before Leon could even digest the question, his expression contorted in agony. His whole body froze and his muscles tightened, spasming like a person experiencing seizures.

Of course, he wasn’t experiencing seizures. Instead, he was merely experiencing pure mana ravaging through his body.

It was as if a flood of water had been poured into a bottle, trying to fit into its shape. Unfortunately, the process wasn’t as easy as it sounded. It was incredibly painful, as it could be seen with the black-haired guy.

"Hey! Are you okay?"

Reymond rushed over to his side, his voice etched with subtle concern.

Leon was kneeling on the ground, his face completely red. However, a single groan didn’t even escape his lips. He bore through the pain, believing that it was a tempering process.

In a few minutes, the pain slowly subsided and his skin color returned to its usual pale complexion.

"Phew..."

By now, everyone had completely surrounded him, and most were staring at him with worried expressions.

"Boss, are you alright?" Cassie asked as she crouched before him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

Leon nodded in a daze, his attention fixed on the notification before him.

[You have consumed a Mana Fruit!]

[+20 points gained in all stats!]

His eyes widened in surprise, and he finally understood why Thyra had urged him to eat the fruit.

Clearing his throat, he stood up straight and put on an indifferent expression.

"I’m fine. Just a little stomach upset."

He said casually, then began digging the ground for the roots of the dead mutated plant.

Stomach upset? Selene’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, and a cold glint flashed in those blue orbs. She knew it definitely wasn’t that simple, and this guy was just evading their questions again.

Just like her, no one else really believed him, but they also didn’t press further. After all, not everyone completely trusted each other, and it was fine to keep secrets from each other.

After digging the roots, Leon observed them, then sighed in his heart.

’Finally. One requirement completed.’