A day later, the group entered the Origin Association under Velin’s lead.

A vast, brightly lit space opened up before them.

The floor was made of flat gray rock, and the walls were polished until they were perfectly smooth.

Dozens of glowing Crystal Stones were embedded in fixed recesses in the ceiling, casting a uniform white light.

There was no strange smell of potions in the air, only a faint, cool, and dry scent.

Long metal tables were arranged in neat rows, laden with various glass vessels and metal instruments they had never seen before.

Everything exuded a profound sense of order.

Ola Stonebeard’s pace faltered for a moment. His eyes, accustomed to dim taverns and battlefields, struggled to adjust to the bright white light.

The place felt alien to him, even a little unsettling.

"Welcome to my laboratory." Velin’s voice was exceptionally clear in the vast space.

Several researchers in matching gray uniforms wheeled over a metal cart. Lying on it was the captured young Giant Crocodile.

It was no longer struggling. Several Runes shimmering with a faint blue light were stuck to its belly, a clear sign it had been paralyzed with magic.

"The preliminary physical analysis is complete." Valerius strode forward and handed Velin a sheet of parchment.

Velin glanced down at it.

...*Scale Armor density is thirty percent higher than its kin. The weak point remains its abdomen... which has been reinforced by a layer of muscle... Averse to low temperatures, which significantly reduce its physiological activity*...

"Ryo, what have you found?"

"Sir, I’ve run tests with sonic magic!" Ryo’s voice was filled with unconcealed excitement. "I found that casting the magic at an extremely narrow and specific frequency has a remarkable effect on the Gray Swamp Giant Crocodile—it triggers a fear response!"

Velin’s eyes lit up, and he gave Ryo an approving nod.

"Excellent."

He then turned to Valerius.

"What about the blood sample? Anything unusual?"

"Unusual? Oh, no, Velin, it’s quite normal." Valerius stroked his beard. "It’s just the blood of a very strong Gray Swamp Giant Crocodile whelp. Brimming with vitality."

"Is that so?" Velin turned his head to look the old alchemist straight in the eye. "Master, don’t you find that strange?"

’Velin’s mind raced. The ability [Dragon’s Might Bellow] had always been a thorn in his side.’

’The crocodile leader hadn’t had a chance to use it, but it was likely a powerful trump card.’

’Dragon’s might usually involved bloodline suppression and a wide-area psychic shock. He had to get to the bottom of it.’

’But... Velin couldn’t explain the source of his intel, so his only option was to guide these brilliant minds to discover the truth for themselves.’

"A species that can withstand a boulder thrown with Ola’s full strength, ignore Ryo’s Slow Skill, and unleash a [Tidal Charge]... Do you really think their young can be summed up with ’brimming with vitality’?"

He leaned forward, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "If these traits appeared individually, you could chalk it up to natural talent. But when they all appear together, the most likely explanation is power derived from a bloodline."

His words struck a chord with the old alchemist, who froze for a second. Velin’s line of questioning had just strung together the crocodile’s various traits like scattered pearls on a thread.

"Wait a minute..." he mumbled to himself, his eyes suddenly flashing with insight. "Impact-deflecting Scale Armor... [Earth Barrier]... [Tidal Charge]... the ancient texts... a Sub-Dragon Species!"

He slapped his thigh, his voice cracking with excitement.

"My gods! It’s the bloodline! A diluted Titan Earth Dragon bloodline, too faint to be detected by conventional means! I’m such a fool! How could I have missed it!"

"The extraction medium... Dragon’s Tongue Herb! Yes, I have to use the juice of the Dragon’s Tongue Herb as a medium to make it manifest!"

Before the words were even out of his mouth, the old alchemist shot off like a gust of wind. He sprinted toward a distant alchemy bench piled high with bottles and jars, frantically muttering the names of reagents, completely lost in a fit of scholarly madness.

All that remained in the laboratory was the sight of Velin’s calm back and the astonished gazes of everyone else.

"As you can see," Velin said, turning around, his voice pulling everyone back to the present. "Our enemy is not invincible. It is powerful, yes, but it is not a god. And so long as it’s a living creature, it has weaknesses."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over each person before he began issuing orders.

"We need to make targeted preparations. The element of surprise is our only advantage."

"Ola."

The gruff Baron took a step forward, letting out a muffled grunt of acknowledgment.

"Let me introduce you to a new associate—Sarah."

Ola’s brow immediately furrowed. He glanced at the Queen of the Swarm, who stood as still as a statue in the shadows.

’He had to "cooperate" with this bizarre insect creature?’

"Your task," Velin continued, ignoring Ola’s expression, "is to find a way for the Bader Dung Beetles to break through an adult Giant Crocodile’s defenses. Sarah will have the swarm cooperate with your tests. I’ll have Valerius prepare some Animal Communication Potions for you. You need to devise a strategy for effectively defending against and killing the enemy."

Forcing a battle-hardened warrior to do such delicate work—and with a swarm of insects, no less.

Ola’s face was as black as soot, but he ultimately gave a sullen nod.

He knew it was the right order. Besides... he had seen the unnatural discipline of those insects.

"Ryo."

"Present, Lord Velin."

"Valerius will soon confirm the exact nature of the diluted bloodline in the Giant Crocodile leader. If it’s the Titan Earth Dragon... it likely possesses an area-of-effect fear ability similar to a dragon’s might. You have two tasks. First, prepare a Protective Array and dispel magic to counter psychic assaults. Second, weaponize that sonic magic you discovered. I want it to cover a wide area and be viable for combat."

Ryo’s eyes lit up. This was precisely his area of expertise. He gripped his Magic Staff tightly and nodded firmly.

"Your Excellency, the Vice President." The silver-haired sorceress made no move, merely lifting her eyes to look at Velin.

"I’m entrusting you with full responsibility for the Origin Association’s logistics and potion production. I need three things."

"First, as many Alchemy Potions as you can produce to strengthen the Bader Dung Beetles’ carapaces and power. Second, prepare some enchanted equipment for Ola, enough for him to stand his ground against those beasts. Third..."

Velin looked at her, his tone growing serious.

"I need a plant with a specific property, along with some potions and other materials."

Caroline’s eyes narrowed slightly. She didn’t ask why, simply replying with brisk efficiency, "Give me the list."

"Very well."

Velin walked toward an isolated chamber in the deepest part of the laboratory. A researcher operated the controls, and a heavy metal door slid open. Velin stepped inside.

Just before the door sealed shut, he looked back.

"Now, it’s my turn."

"I’m going to prepare a special gift for our enemies—one they’re absolutely going to ’love.’"