A farmer works five days to earn five silver coins.

Now, he’s just made that much with ease.

Being a hunter really pays off!

Oliver felt a surge of excitement, but he also understood that not everyone could be a hunter.

Without his ability to foresee danger, he couldn’t count how many times he would have met his end.

Yet even this talent didn’t guarantee his safety; it merely allowed him to navigate the forest’s edge, avoiding perilous threats.

Deeper within the woods, there were creatures so formidable that sensing their danger wouldn't be enough to escape.

He was still too weak and needed to grow stronger.

Should he designate the weasel he had already captured as a special being?

The thought crossed Oliver’s mind, but he ultimately decided against it. His first capture had been an ordinary hunting dog, and this weasel was just another typical creature.

He felt there was no need to choose it.

He needed to target something more powerful to truly benefit from his efforts.

With that in mind, and with time still on his side, Oliver rested briefly before resuming his exploration along the forest’s border.

Five silver coins would fill his stomach, but to live comfortably, he needed more coin.

Amid the shadows of the trees, Oliver moved stealthily.

Thanks to his enhanced stamina, he didn’t feel tired at all.

An hour slipped by in a flash.

Unfortunately, during that time, he hadn’t stumbled upon any creatures as promising as the weasel.

He spotted a spirit antlered deer, but after careful consideration, Oliver realized that even if he could defeat it, he wouldn’t be able to catch up. He wisely chose not to provoke it.

The deer was too swift; without a fatal blow, it would vanish in an instant.

“If only I had a bow, or even a sword or spear, I might have a chance,” Oliver mused.

As it stood, his only weapon was a sickle.

It was adequate for small game, but against something larger, it lacked the necessary power.

“Hmm? Is that… Mandrake?”

At the base of a towering oak, Oliver spotted a green, serrated-leafed plant. He was certain it was the legendary Mandrake.

It was said that pulling it from the ground would emit a horrifying scream that could drive a person mad, requiring one to cover their ears to remove it safely.

This plant must be worth a fortune!

He had truly encountered a piece of magic!

Filled with excitement, Oliver longed to approach and harvest the Mandrake, but suddenly, a thought struck him. He turned his gaze towards the dark thicket behind the oak.

There, concealed among the shadows, something massive lay in wait, its body subtly rising and falling, causing the underbrush to rustle.

With his exceptional night vision, Oliver discerned that it was a wild boar!

Its size dwarfed that of an ordinary boar; it looked like a small mountain.

Although it was sleeping, its bulk radiated a palpable danger.

What’s more, this boar seemed to be guarding the Mandrake—was it interested in it as well?

Could he sneak in and steal the Mandrake while it slept?

No, the Mandrake would scream upon being uprooted.He would surely be discovered.

Should he abandon the precious magical plant?

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Truth be told, Oliver be unwilling to give up like this.

After a moment’s contemplation, he gritted his teeth and made a bolder decision.

If I can’t have the Mandrake, I’ll take down this wild boar too!

Wild boars were notoriously fearsome; it was said they could rival tigers in a head-on clash.

But that was under direct confrontation.

Right now, this beast was sleeping, wasn’t it?

Oliver could launch a sneak attack.

Of course, with just his sickle, it would be impossible to kill such a tough-skinned creature in a single blow.

However, another option lay before him.

He could use the power of his mana core to subdue it!

Indeed, aside from shape-shifting, his mana core had another crucial ability: the power to capture magical beasts.

If he could get close enough to the boar and press his forehead against its body, he might be able to channel his strong mental energy to try and capture it.

He couldn’t let this chance slip by!

If he managed to capture such a mighty boar, his mana core would unlock a new form, significantly boosting his strength!

Moreover, having the boar as his ally would allow him to delve deeper into the forest and reap countless benefits!

With these thoughts racing through his mind, Oliver took a deep breath and cautiously approached the giant oak near the Mandrake.

Using both hands and feet, he silently climbed the massive tree.

Peering down, he saw the boar below, its robust body rhythmically rising and falling, blissfully unaware of his presence.

Gripping a large stone hanging from his waist, Oliver searched for the right angle from the tree.

Then—

He leaped from the branches, utilizing the immense force of his descent to smash the sharp stone onto the boar’s head.

Bang!

A dull thud echoed through the forest.

The boar let out a shriek, blood spraying from its skull.

This creature truly had tough skin; if it had been another animal, such a blow would have shattered its skull, but the boar merely roared and began to rise.

At that moment, Oliver was sprawled across its back.

The boar, in a fit of rage, kicked its powerful hind legs, thrashing wildly through the woods, trying to throw him off.

Oliver clung tightly to its bristles, but the branches around him whipped like a thousand whips, tearing at his clothes and skin!

The pain was excruciating!

Yet despite it all, Oliver showed no intention of letting go.

If he did, he would surely be trampled and become the boar’s next meal.

In that moment, he clung even tighter, pressing his forehead firmly against the boar's back.

Time to activate the mana core’s innate magic: Beast Capture!

Engage!

A wave of energy surged from Oliver’s mind, and he felt a wave of exhaustion nearly forcing him to release his grip on the bristles.

Fortunately, while the effort drained him, the boar was struggling as well.

Under the influence of the capture spell, the massive creature quivered, its frantic charge slowing.

Dizziness overwhelmed it, and it suddenly collapsed to the ground.

However, Oliver was in worse shape; his mental energy was rapidly depleting, leaving him dizzy and with a splitting headache, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness!

Fortunately, the boar was not a magical creature, nor did it possess strong magical abilities—it was simply a beast of great size.

Its spirit power could not compare to Oliver's.

Finally, a remarkable mental link formed in Oliver’s mind.

In the wild boar’s fierce gaze, a spark of intelligence suddenly emerged.

Oliver’s mana core shimmered softly.

[Silver-Maned Boar captured! Evolution available.]

[New form of mana core unlocked.]

Oliver's heart soared with joy—he had captured the boar!

Ha! This was exhilarating!