(Omina's POV)
The sound of hooves and sled runners cut through the quiet afternoon streets as Omina led the two boars toward the alchemy district. Behind them, the sled carried a hefty load — several bundles of taurox hide, a pair of massive horns, carefully wrapped organs, and sacks filled with herbs, weeds, and flowers she'd picked along the way.
She glanced back at Laboar and the other boar. "Almost there, boys. Don't get distracted, okay?"
Laboar snorted, lifting its head with a kind of smug confidence that made her laugh. Even the other boar seemed to puff up its chest as if competing for her praise.
As they passed through the market, some children pointed at the two massive beasts in awe. Merchants leaned over their stalls, whispering. It wasn't every day someone saw boars dragging sleds loaded like a miniature caravan.
Finally, she turned onto a narrow street where the scent of herbs, powders, and pungent concoctions filled the air. A small sign carved with runes swung gently outside a wooden door: Mira's Alchemy & Herbal Works.
She pushed the door open — ting! — and was immediately met by a wave of earthy fragrance. Shelves were stacked high with jars of colorful liquids and bundles of dried plants hanging from the rafters.
Mira was at the back, stirring a thick green mixture in a crystal cauldron. She wore her usual oversized apron and messy braid, her face glowing from the heat of the bubbling brew.
"Oho~ Omina! What a delivery you've got there," Mira greeted with a mischievous grin. "I can smell the monster blood from here."
"Taurox," Omina replied proudly. "Big ones. And…" she tapped the bundle carefully. "…an Alpha."
Mira's eyes widened. "You're kidding. You actually took down an Alpha Taurox?"
Omina smirked. "Let's just say the boys worked hard, and Yoshiya got creative."
They cleared a large worktable. One by one, Omina unpacked the items: hides, herbs, organs, and finally, the Alpha Heart, wrapped in thick cloth to keep its heat. Mira whistled low.
"This is a treasure trove," Mira muttered as she donned her gloves. "Alright, let's see what we can make."
First, she drained what little blood remained from the taurox organs, spreading it thinly on enchanted trays. With a wave of her hand, the trays emitted a gentle heat until the blood turned into fine, reddish powder.
"This is Taurox Blood Powder," Mira explained. "You mix this with tanning oil or forging slurry, and the durability of your armor will jump up. Not quite magical… but close."
Next came the pair of large horns. She split them cleanly with a precision saw, then crushed sections into refined shards, soaking them in stabilizing solution. "Refined horn shards. You can use these as catalysts for strengthening potions… or even reinforcing weapons," she said with a wink.
The rest of the organs were cleaned and submerged in a preservation vat, their faint glow visible through the glass jars.
Finally, she turned her attention to the Alpha Heart. "One heart, huh? Good thing it's an Alpha — there's enough power in this to transform two beasts."
She ground select herbs, added rare alchemical stabilizers, then slowly submerged the heart into a swirling golden mixture inside the cauldron. The room filled with a deep, resonant hum as mana reacted to the potent ingredient.
Omina watched, wide-eyed. "It's like it's alive…"
"It practically is," Mira replied. "Now… stir with the rhythm. Don't rush it."
They worked in tandem — Mira stabilizing the brew, Omina pouring in the crushed herbs and powdered blood. After several minutes, the mixture calmed into a warm, pulsing red liquid. Mira carefully bottled it into a single reinforced glass vial with a thick cork stopper.
"Evolution Draught," Mira announced. "Have them drink this together. Their skin will toughen, their muscles will strengthen, and they'll grow a little bigger. But don't let them go wild right after — their bodies will need to adapt."
Omina grinned. "Don't worry. Laboar's smarter than he looks. Sometimes I think he understands Yoshiya's sarcasm."
Mira burst out laughing. "Then this'll be a breeze. Just make sure you've got space… they'll outgrow those old sled straps fast."
Omina handed over a few silver coins and some spare herbs as payment. Mira, in turn, gave her the finished Evolution Draught, the horn shards, and several packets of taurox blood powder wrapped in wax paper.
As she stepped out into the cool evening air, she felt a surge of excitement. She wasn't just a fighter — she was starting to build something with Yoshiya. A foundation. Their group was slowly becoming more than wandering adventurers.
The two boars snorted beside her, clearly sensing the change in her mood. "Come on, boys," she said with a grin. "Let's go back. I'm sure Yoshiya made a mess of Bren's shop by now."
By the time she arrived, the forge lights inside Bren's shop were still burning bright. The sound of hammering had stopped, replaced by the faint hiss of cooling metal.
Omina guided the boars to the side and entered the shop. As she glanced up, she caught sight of Yoshiya, leaning out of the upstairs window, his hair messy, face streaked with soot, and a wild grin plastered across his face.
He didn't say anything — just raised a hand, eyes gleaming with the thrill of creation.
Omina raised the potion vial in response, her grin just as sharp.
Something told her they were both up to something big.