It was a terrifying prospect.
What could possibly be contaminating these plants and animals?
While the Grimalkynes only found the glowing flora and insects charming and beautiful—treasures to be collected or used as toys—the human scholars had far more to consider.
What effect would these blue leaves have on plant growth? How would herbivores change after consuming these mutated plants?
And most importantly: what was the cause of this transformation?
Everything in the world must have a cause.
It was bizarre. Despite the leaves showing not a hint of green, they functioned perfectly, providing nutrients for the plants. Under the sunlight, they grew lush and vibrant—even more so than ordinary trees and foliage.
Given that this change first appeared in the leaves at the very top of the Great Tree, the more daring scholars immediately suspected that it was caused by Asterion and Kulve Taroth. They officially dubbed this mutation the "Blue Phenomenon."
However, the Grimalkynes guarded the tunnel leading to Asterion's new nest with fanatical devotion. Following Asterion's orders, they neither entered themselves nor allowed any outsiders inside. Dragon-Chosen Braves stood watch at the entrance at all times. Without becoming hostile toward the Glavenus Tribe, the hunters had no way to sneak in and confirm the status of the two Elder Dragons.
Thus, they were left with mere speculation. Scholars repeatedly reviewed the status of Asterion and Kulve Taroth during their last known sightings. Kulve Taroth was a masterpiece of exquisite gold from head to toe, showing no traits related to this eerie blue energy. As for Asterion, he had only breathed searing white flames, which likewise lacked any trace of the blue energy.
The reports gathered from numerous hunters and Grimalkynes put the scholars at ease to some extent. However, considering Asterion's unique, stage-based growth characteristics—where he appeared significantly different with every sighting—they couldn't be entirely certain. Still... Asterion should be fully grown by now, shouldn't he?
In that free-flying state, he shouldn't require further metamorphosis.
With that thought, the suspicion directed at the Glavenus and Kulve Taroth lessened significantly. What further cleared them was the intel brought back by hunter teams sent out by the scholars: the Blue Phenomenon had appeared in the forests outside the Glavenus Tribe's territory as well.
Eerie blue plants and insects were everywhere, from the moss on the bark to the lichen in underground caves. The Blue Phenomenon was omnipresent.
It was particularly severe in the giant trees that rivaled those of the Glavenus Tribe's home. In these giants, the phenomenon was far worse than in the forest floor. Deep blue crystals had even begun to form within the crevices of the bark, looking like solidified sap.
The scale of the anomaly was staggering. Hunter teams explored deep into multiple directions, and no matter where they went, the Blue Phenomenon was there.
"In summary, we suspect this is a large-scale disaster triggered by either an unknown monster or an unknown natural phenomenon. Personally, I lean toward the former. If left unchecked, the eventual damage could very well exceed the Great Frost caused by Velkhana."
Standing within Astera, a representative of the scholars reported to the Commander with a grim expression.
"According to the intel sent back earlier, I dispatched several teams to investigate the Wildspire Waste, and they found no trace of this Blue Phenomenon," the Commander said after a moment of thought. "You mentioned a 'disaster'? As far as I know, this phenomenon hasn't caused any actual harm yet, and the monsters aren't showing signs of rioting."
"Not only that, but the Glavenus Tribe is treating these beautiful blue plants and insects as commodities. They've been capturing and gathering them, commissioning us to sell them to the Old World." The Commander gestured with his head toward the ships anchored at the docks. "Look, they're already loaded. We don't know the exact price yet, but the Grimalkynes already have a list of what they want in exchange."
"Oh? What do they want?" Though it was irrelevant to the crisis, the scholar couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
"Seasonings, fun things they've never seen, tools, or toys—anything goes," the Commander shrugged. "But let's get back to the matter at hand."
"Right," the scholar nodded. "As you said, the Grimalkynes don't see this as a disaster; they see it as a gift from nature. I said the same thing to Sparky, the leader of the Glavenus Tribe. I told him this might be a harbinger of catastrophe, much like how the frost disaster began with a simple drop in temperature."
"Reasonably speaking, the scars left by Velkhana are only five years old. With Sparky's intelligence, he shouldn't lack that kind of foresight," the scholar said with a wry smile. "And yet, he remained perfectly composed. I could tell it was a genuine, deep-seated calm—an invisible sense of security. He wasn't faking it. Care to guess what he said?"
"What?" the Commander asked, curious.
"He said, 'The Glavenus Boss is right here, so no matter what monster shows up, we aren't afraid,'" the scholar sighed deeply.
"I see," the Sword Master standing nearby remarked understandingly. "The situation is different from the Velkhana era. The Grimalkynes know the Glavenus is slumbering within their territory. If a monster truly threatens the tribe, they only need to invite him out to kill it... It is indeed a simple, effective, and convenient strategy."
"Um... excuse me, Grandfather? May I ask a question?"
Years had passed, and the young man who once held the injured Commander with a face full of grief had grown into a mature hunter. The abundant bio-energy of the New World had given him a powerful, stalwart physique. Based on his own merits, he had been appointed as the Field Team Leader, which was why he was allowed to speak at such a meeting.
"Address me by my title in formal settings," the Commander barked, though his eyes softened slightly. "Speak."
"Yes, Commander!" the Field Team Leader corrected himself quickly. "Generally, shouldn't we nip a threat in the bud? Why don't the Grimalkynes just ask the Glavenus to come out now?"
Hearing the question, the Commander and the Sword Master exchanged a look.
"Two reasons. First, it is currently unconfirmed whether the Blue Phenomenon is a normal natural occurrence of the New World or a disaster caused by an unknown monster. Are you going to tell the Glavenus Dragon to please go investigate a 'maybe'?"
The Commander rubbed his temples before continuing.
"Second, you've been focusing a bit too much on your physical training these past few years... Don't just bury your head in the wild. Pure strength isn't enough to fulfill the role of Field Team Leader," the Commander sighed. "If you truly understood the Glavenus Tribe, you would realize exactly what that dragon means to them."
For the hunters who came from the Old World, the entire New World was a mystery. A tribe of Lynians living in harmony with—and being protected by—a monster was a fascinating novelty. They had their own culture and souvenirs, so hunters would visit whenever they could.
It was like a Muggle who had never seen magic suddenly being given the chance to learn it; they would naturally dive in headfirst.
But to a child like the Field Team Leader, who was born in the New World, everything here felt somewhat ordinary. Instead of hanging out at the Glavenus Tribe's village, he preferred to hone his muscles and weapon skills, spending his remaining time mastering survival in the wild.
"Wait... isn't it a symbiotic relationship?" The Field Team Leader scratched his head. "Mutual aid? The Grimalkynes cook for the Glavenus, and he protects them."
"No," the scholar shook his head. "Unlike the Aptonoth we use to pull carts, the Glavenus is not a domesticated helper of the tribe. Quite the opposite—it is the Glavenus who has 'domesticated' the tribe. Everything in their culture revolves around him. It is no exaggeration to say that to those Grimalkynes, he is a God."
"So, here is the question: can you simply order a God around?" The Commander looked at his grandson with a stern face. "If you disturb a God over every little thing, will that God continue to protect you?"
The Field Team Leader wasn't stupid. Once it was put that way, he understood exactly where his perspective had failed.
"I'm sorry," he lowered his head in shame. "I will work harder."
"No need to apologize. No one is omniscient, and you are still young," the scholar consoled him. As a Wyverian, he certainly had the longevity to back up that statement.
"Regardless, the Blue Phenomenon cannot be ignored. We cannot wait for a calamity to strike before reacting," the Commander said firmly. "Concentrate our forces on the investigation. I will allocate personnel and prepare the necessary supplies."
"Whatever the case, the presence of the Glavenus gives us some peace of mind," the scholar added seriously. "Even if an invincible, unknown monster appears, at least we have a trump card."
"Agreed," the Commander nodded.
"By the way, has the Fifth Fleet still not departed?" the Sword Master suddenly asked.
"No." At the mention of this, the Commander looked troubled. "It's been delayed for over a year now, hasn't it? According to the messages from the Guild, there are still no signs of Elder Dragons leaving their territories to cross the sea. Only Zorah Magdaros seems restless; it's been spotted near the Kingdom's coastal waters."
"Is the Elder Crossing behaving abnormally too?" The Sword Master's tone grew heavy. "I remember it used to be a fixed occurrence every ten years."
"Yes. So the Fifth Fleet remains on standby at the port," the Commander said, shaking his head slightly. "I hope they can depart soon. Our combat strength is clearly insufficient."
"I will do my best, Commander!" the Field Team Leader said, puffing out his chest.
"Good. Go then," the Commander said seriously. "Lead the Field Team into the Ancient Forest and conduct a deep-dive investigation into this Blue Phenomenon... Stay safe."
At the very end, after a brief hesitation, the Commander added that last part.
"Yes, sir!"
Astera was a military outpost; once the Commander made a decision, the entire base moved with maximum efficiency.
A vast amount of investigative supplies was shipped to the Glavenus Tribe's frontline camp. After years of expansions, that place could now be called a full-scale base.
Combat-ready hunters were selected and organized into squads to head to the frontline base. Using that as their hub, the hunters would strike out in all directions into the Ancient Forest simultaneously.
"This time, I have to achieve something that makes Grandfather see me in a new light. You're fired up too, aren't you, partner!"
Already clad in his armor, the Field Team Leader sharpened his Great Sword while glancing to his side.
"ROAR!!!"
Crouched beside him was Mirrorblade. After a low roar, the creature shifted its forebody slightly, gently bumping its snout against the Field Team Leader's outstretched right fist.
It was a wordless understanding between brothers—a bond that required no explanation.
"It might be a normal natural phenomenon, or it might be a new monster... I bet it's the latter. If the New World had this kind of cycle, there should have been traces of it long ago..."
"My grandfather and the others arrived here over fifty years ago. If it were a periodic natural occurrence, they would have seen it by now..."
"I have to give this investigation everything I've got. It would be best if I could find the source of the anomaly directly..."
The Field Team Leader talked non-stop with excitement as he packed his gear.
He wasn't the only child born in the New World within Astera, but he carried a weight of pressure that few others understood.
His grandfather was the Commander, the highest-ranking official in the Research Commission. With the Admiral rarely handling day-to-day affairs, every logistical detail and wartime command in Astera fell to the Commander.
"That's the Commander's grandson." "Don't tarnish the Commander's name." Since he was small, such whispers followed him. They were a source of immense pressure, but also the fuel for his ambition.
More importantly, his own father—also born in the New World—had been unable to handle that pressure and chose to take a ship back to the Old World. Because of that, the Field Team Leader was desperate to prove himself.
And now, the opportunity had arrived.
Compared to the agitated Field Team Leader, Mirrorblade was much calmer... or at least, he appeared to be.
He remained crouched on the ground, listening to the leader's ramblings and inner thoughts. It reminded him of the night they had first become acquainted.
He was the same as he was back then. At that time, the Field Team Leader wasn't a leader at all—just an ordinary hunter. For some unknown reason, he had wandered away from the crowds and stood before Mirrorblade, pouring his heart out.
It seemed the man felt that because Mirrorblade was a dragon, no matter how smart he was, he couldn't repeat those secrets to others. He wouldn't gossip like a human. Back then, the Field Team Leader had emptied every secret he had been holding in his heart.
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