They arrived at a humble, single-story residence situated on the outer edge of the residential district. The house was constructed entirely from dark, weathered wooden planks that looked deceptively simple. However, as Ethan placed his palm against the doorframe to steady himself, his eyes narrowed. Even with his advanced Core Awakening strength, a passive touch revealed a dense, reinforcing cellular structure within the grain. It felt less like timber and more like cold iron.
"Crul, what kind of wood is this?" Ethan inquired silently.
["This material is harvested from the Azure Mist Trees, Master. While the tree is alive, the wood is soft, porous, and exceptionally easy to harvest. However, once cut and properly dried, the sap crystallizes, causing the timber to harden beyond the density of standard steel. It is the primary building material for lower-class citizens in this region due to its defensive properties."]
