Chapter 40: The Path of the Mage XIII
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Despite the exhaustion, John felt a weak chuckle escape his lips. He crouched next to the beast, his dagger in hand, and studied the glistening black scales along its body. Even dead, the Nightscale Howler was terrifying. Its muscles coiled beneath the hide, its claws could gouge stone, and its fangs still gleamed like polished ivory.
"System," he whispered in his mind, "scan the body. Identify useful materials."
[Ding. Scanning complete. Recommended collection:
Nightscale Hide: Durable, resistant to basic magic damage.
Claws and Fangs: Can be forged into uncommon grade daggers.
Mana Core: E-rank, low purity. Useful for forging and enchantment on equipment.
Warning: Blood is mildly corrosive. Handle with caution.]
John exhaled slowly and got to work. His movements were careful, deliberate. He had learned from the miners how to remove cores and extract usable materials without damaging them. He cut along the beast’s sternum first, exposing the faintly glowing mana core nestled near its heart. It pulsed weakly in his palm before dimming completely.
Fizz floated upside down nearby, watching with the casual interest of someone who believed they had already done the hard part. "You know, I think I will name this gun. Something heroic, something cool. Maybe... the Fizz Blaster."
"No," John said flatly.
"How about Fizz Cannon?"