Mana was a wondrous form of energy, capable of turning decay into marvels-even merging with extraordinary things to create something entirely new and unimaginable.
What lay before Kroya now were thorns steeped in mana, born as the world consciousness, stubbornly struggling to survive, changed along with that mana. They grew tenaciously, each stem looking wild and unkempt.
Thorns were not particularly beautiful. Scraggly and haphazard, they were generally only good for making hedges. Yet the tips of these thorns were transparent crystal, lending their untidy appearance a fragile, crystalline beauty.
[Thorns of Life]
It was a simple name, but within them lay this world's most fundamental, purest vitality. That was why they manifested in such a clear, crystalline form.
As a Potion Master himself, Kroya knew at a glance that if these things were ground into dust and processed, their effects would surpass even the Fountain of Life.
After all, these were thorns born from the outburst of a world stubbornly striving to live. Their value was almost unimaginable.
"The Sacred Spring Trade Guild really doesn't know how to conduct a thorough survey. Did they just check this world's resources and spirituality, then leave?"
Kroya could not help muttering a few complaints.
He had no idea that he had guessed correctly. The Sacred Spring Trade Guild traded so many planar worlds at any given moment that a small plane like this would, at most, receive a quick sweep with a scanning device.
After all, planes with such tenacious wills were exceedingly rare. Even the Sacred Spring Trade Guild could not inspect every single one in detail.
He surveyed the thorns with delight.
"Huh?"
Upon closer inspection, Kroya suddenly discovered that this might not be the only surprise.
He sensed a wondrous imprint, a natural imprint formed by those