The One Branch of The Tree
Chapter 18
Two minutes of rest turned into about thirty seconds, because of course my life was unfamiliar with the concept of healthy recovery.
The ground shook again. The Colossus on the other side of the chasm still hadn't given up. The monster slammed against the cliff repeatedly, trying to find another way out. A true hater, I stood there with a deep sigh.
"Okay."
“It seems the universe is rejecting the balance of life.”
Nara had already started, which was no surprise. We continued along the narrow, rocky path, the area was higher, cooler, a thick fog was beginning to descend, and the trees were becoming sparser.
The good thing is there are fewer places for monsters to hide. The bad thing? There are also fewer places for us to hide.
The quest countdown continues.
Time remaining:
08:13:44
Finally a single digit of motivation increased slightly, I stared at that number like an investor looks at a green or hopeful graph.
We kept moving until night fell and the sky was completely dark, the faint stars were visible through the mist for the first time in days, the atmosphere felt... calm, truly calm, no monsters, no cult followers, no dungeons collapsing, it was refreshing.
I sat on a large rock, my completely exhausted body was slowly recovering thanks to Nature Assimilation, Nara was sitting not far from me, strangely quiet but not bad, I glanced at him.
“Are you always like this?”
Nara turned around slightly.
"Like what?"
"Quiet type."
He thought for a moment.
“Yes.”
That makes sense, I nodded then asked,
"Why enter the Forbidden Forest?"
Nara was silent longer this time, I thought she wouldn't answer but finally she spoke.
“Looking for something.”
Cryptic? Of course. I smiled slightly.
“Everyone in this world is allergic to complete answers.”
Nara stared at the small fire in front.
"If you know too much, you usually die faster."
Hmm, fair, very fair, I looked up at the sky. Maybe he was right—since coming into this world, the more I learned, the bigger my problems became. The development and consequences were balanced.
The countdown continues.
03:22:18
As we got closer I started to feel a little emotional, seven whole days felt like seven years. I closed my eyes for a moment then
notification appears.
Quest nearly complete.
Prepare for reward synchronization.
Oh? Interesting, I sat up straight.
Reward synchronization, I open the quest details.
Quest:
Survive 7 days in the Forbidden Forest
Reward:
Blessing upgrade
Random skill
Hidden title
I read the gift twice. Okay, it was worth it, the trauma was partially repaid, I smiled.
“Maybe all this suffering is worth it.”
Nara looked at me like I had just said something incredibly naive, a natural reaction. Time passed very slowly, each minute felt like an eternity, but eventually
final notification appears.
Quest completed.
Survive 7 days in Forbidden Forest.
Reward distribution starting.
YES. FINALLY.
I almost stood up and applauded. A green light appeared in my body. It was warm, not painful, a rare experience. Thank you very much.
Notifications appear in succession.
Blessing upgraded.
New blessing:
Blessing of the Withered World Tree
New skill acquired:
Predator Sense
Title obtained:
The Forsaken Survivor
Effect:
Fear resistance +
Survival instinct +
Level bonus:
+1
Current level: 19
I read it all with a big smile.
"Good."
"Very good."
Finally reward without evolution nearing the death of character development, I read the new blessing.
Blessing of the Withered World Tree:
Increases compatibility with fragments, nature energy, corruption resistance, and adaptive growth.
Sounds broken, I agree.
New skills:
Predator Sense:
Detects killing intent and hidden dangers around.
Oh, that's very useful, especially for someone with an above-average level of betrayal. I'm very satisfied. Nara noticed the notification on my face.
“Got something good?”
I nodded.
“Premium trauma package.”
Nara tilted her head, I sighed.
“That means yes.”
He nodded slightly, the conversation successful, but after the gift was finished, the ground beneath us began to glow, and I froze. Oh no, please no, not again. A large magic circle appeared around my feet.
New notification.
Exit protocol activated.
Returning participant to spawn region.
I blinked, waiting. Teleporting out? Automatically? I looked at Nara, she was also looking at the circle, her expression slightly changed for the first time, looking... unprepared.
“So this is an automatic goodbye?” I asked.
Nara was silent for a few seconds then nodded, I guess yes. The light grew brighter, meaning the teleport would activate. I stared at her.
“I don't even know your real goal yet.”
Nara looked back at me, her gaze calm as usual but this time a little softer.
"Live longer," he said.
“That would help.”
I chuckled.
“Advice that really suits your brand.”
The corners of Nara's lips lifted slightly, almost into a smile. The light grew stronger, and my body began to feel lighter. I raised one hand.
“See you, Nara.”
He nodded.
"See you later, Raka."
The next second light engulfed my vision the world changed, teleport activated and when my consciousness returned I was no longer in the Forbidden Forest but in a large, crowded and noisy stone hall filled with people.
Humans, Armor, Mages, Knights, and all those very familiar faces. Yes, those were my classmates, and I froze them too.
Silence suddenly filled the hall, their gazes fixed on me at my tattered clothes, the black sword in my hand the aura now far different and the level above my head.
19
I saw their expressions of shock, disbelief, a little fear, good, a small smile appeared on my face, finally we meet again.
[END CHAPTER 18]
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