"Only human blood and their perfect genes can help Lucien complete a true Pyreborn," Edric said the words gravely, then glanced toward the recovery pod. "After everything I've said, I think you've already guessed it. Emma—she's human." So it's true… Marcus had already suspected it, but hearing Edric confirm it still sent a shock through him. He turned sharply toward the pod, his voice rising. "So Ms. Tibarn intends to use her own blood for the transfusion?" Edric nodded once. "Yes." The moment he'd heard the Aurelian physician mention that only human blood could trigger Lucien's rebirth, he hadn't needed to think twice. He already knew what Emma would choose. Marcus sank onto the ground, shoulders slumped. He didn't ask why Edric hadn't stopped her—because they all knew no one could stop Emma once she made up her mind. He stared blankly at the trees ahead, voice bitter. "If I'd known it would come to this, I should've killed Lucien back on the Pantheon Battlefield. At least then Ms. Tibarn wouldn't have to sacrifice herself for him." He didn't care if Emma had gotten angry enough to cut off his beast mark; none of that mattered as long as she was safe. But now… … Inside the recovery pod, Emma sat in a medical chair, her slender arm extended. A thin, gleaming tube pierced her pale skin with surgical precision. Crimson blood flowed slowly through the transparent line, vivid and alive, as if carrying the raw force of life itself. Beside her, a monitoring device tracked her vitals—everything stable. On the other side lay Lucien, motionless on the treatment bed, his body connected to far more tubes. One by one, they drew out the dark, tainted blood corrupted by Chitinid genes. Silas operated the instruments carefully, his heart aching at the sight of her. "Does it hurt, Emy?" Emma shook her head, nibbling on a Beast God's fruit as if it were a snack. "No. I feel fine. Keep going." The fruit hadn't helped Lucien—but it worked wonders on her. The instant she swallowed a bite, energy surged through her body, replenishing what had been drained. Her blood was being drawn at a rapid rate, yet her complexion remained bright, untouched by pallor. "Silas, this Beast God's fruit really works. I've lost so much blood, but I'm not even dizzy. If anything, I feel more energized." She thought she could probably lift a boulder right then. Silas adjusted the controls beside her and ruffled her hair affectionately. "Trust you to come up with something this clever. You've made full use of that fruit." Seeing that every number on the monitor stayed normal, he finally allowed himself to relax. When Emma finished one fruit, Silas immediately handed her another. She accepted it but frowned thoughtfully. "Silas, do you think the Beast God might be a prophet? Maybe he knew I'd need to save Lucien, so he gave me this fruit as a 'reward'—just so I'd have enough energy to replace my blood." Silas quirked a brow, amused. "I always thought the Beast God just wanted to dump Calum on you and used the fruit as compensation." "No, that doesn't sound right." Emma chewed on the fruit and muttered, "I think he was using me as a tool. He handed me Calum to deal with, then gave me this fruit so I'd have it when it was time to save Lucien." But after all that, I didn't get a single thing out of it! She bit down hard, glaring at nothing in particular. "That ancient thing is a b*stard! One day, I'm going up Beast God Mountain myself to make him answer for it." Then, a darker thought flickered in her mind—maybe her arrival in this world had been the Beast God's doing too. Meanwhile, as more of her blood flowed into Lucien's veins, changes began to ripple across his body. His tightly shut eyelashes trembled; a faint expression of pain crossed his beautiful face. Sweat gathered on his temples, and his long body began to twitch uncontrollably. "Silas, what's happening to him?" Emma's heart clenched at the sight. Silas glanced at the monitor, his tone steady but tense. "Don't worry. It's a normal reaction. The Chitinid genes in his body can sense danger—they're resisting your blood." No sooner had he said it than strange, dark-purple veins began to glow beneath Lucien's skin. They spread like sinister tendrils from his heart, crawling across his body as an icy, violent aura filled the room. "Urgh…" A low groan escaped Lucien's throat. His fingers curled tight around the bedsheet, veins bulging on the back of his hand as if he were enduring unbearable pain. "He's not going to die, is he?" Emma whispered, eyes wide with fear.