Within the light screen, the palm-sized crystalline tissue seemed to come alive.
A wisp of jet-black pattern slowly crawled along the cross-section, like blood vessels burned into the crystal. Every time it stretched outward a little, the pale mark within flashed and forcibly pressed it back. Even after leaving the juvenile beast, the two forces were still fighting over this chunk of flesh.
The juvenile beast was no longer visible north of the river, and the earthen ridge raised by the Thorn-Mouthed Burrower had vanished into the depths of the forest. The replacement Star Spirit commander took off from where he stood and stared into the distance for a moment. When he landed, he immediately shook his head.
"Both Tier Three creatures have left the river. The situation farther out is unknown. I can't protect the tracking team, nor can I protect this sample."
The regiment commander leading the team closed the shared map. "Then don't chase them. What would we do if we caught up, watch two Tier Threes tear into each other? We can't stop the Burrowing Beast, and we can't drag the juvenile beast back. At least we can still examine what's in front of us."
The players who had already retreated to the northern breach turned around and ran back. Some contacted the nearest regional transport node, while others cleared space for the Star Spirit engineers. No one took another step into the forest. Chasing something like that wasn't hot-blooded—it was throwing their lives away. No one present wanted to become an example.
The Star Spirit engineers did not touch the sample directly. They first cut away the sample along with the rock beneath it, then clamped it between two stone slabs carved with Star Runes. The isolation screen contracted, sealing the slabs, the rock, and