Eldrin Forest (3): Soul Tree's Blessing
My hazy consciousness slowly returns. At the end, there was definitely…
Health Potion effect: Foreign substance (Dimension - Eldrin Forest designated World Tree Sap) detected during body reconstruction.
Lord's Blood effect: Incorporates into blood regardless of compatibility.
…something like an alert window, but not visible to the eyes. It felt like the meaning was being etched directly into my mind as a whole.
“Kuhk!”
Sudden agony crashes over me. Pain like my skin is being shredded into pieces engulfs me.
Ah. So the recovery pain hadn't completely vanished after all.
Pain I'll never get used to, but I'm glad for it. It's proof I'm alive, no matter what.
And most importantly, the plan worked.
It hurts like hell, but if I can come back good as new for 100 Cron, I can endure it with a smile.
“Heh… heh heh heh…”
The air expelled from my lungs passes through flesh-made windpipes, turning into laughter. The sensation of exhalation and the pitch of the echoing laugh are vivid.
Soon, my eyelids recover too, and my vision returns.
The grassy field where arrows and blood orbs were flying everywhere. Thankfully, it hadn't burned away.
I turn my head and see Selendia's conflicted expression and Selin crying.
Our eyes meet as I open mine, and they startle.
“You're awake!”
“Are you okay?!”
We made it through safely after all. Good.
A commander's presence is more important than anything on the battlefield. I have avengers as backup if needed.
“Status report.”
“Ah… yes… Thanks to you, the Ifrit was repelled. That last…”
“You! You jumped into that fireball! You were hurt so bad… We sprayed the sap… and the potion you gave…”
Ah. Selin's fussing clears up all my questions.
The elf sisters sliced the incoming fireballs, then drenched my dissolving body with sap haphazardly. And somehow, they even shoved the Health Potion I'd given them into my mouth.
Reconstruction, not just recovery. During that process, the World Tree Sap soaking my entire body must have mixed with my Lord's Blood and triggered something special.
But why that sap?
“Why'd you spray the World Tree Sap?”
“Well… you were burning in the Ifrit's flames…”
Aha. It was an antacid.
Once again, I feel the broken power of the Status Ailment Recovery Potion. Normally, that first hit would've set me ablaze.
“And the sacred tree's sap revered by our kin has a sort of anti-fire effect… It also has minor recovery properties… The flames wouldn't go out easily, so…”
Anti-fire effect? Probably referring to the ability that negates physical damage immunity.
Magic negation that beats physical negation immunity? In the negation showdown, we won.
“Ha… cough. Good work.”
A ridiculous thought brings an involuntary chuckle. But it had a positive effect instead.
Their worried looks ease a bit. The sisters' expressions soften.
“Really… you're okay, right?”
“Thanks to you.”
“Waaah! I thought you were gonna die!”
As if. Come on, elder.
I peel off the clinging Selin and take back the Elixir I'd entrusted to Selendia. The Belt Pocket is half-burned, but it still functions enough. Thank goodness.
I tuck the Elixir safely into the Belt Pocket, then draw my dagger again.
“Uh… where are you going?”
“What do you mean? The wave isn't over yet, is it?”
“You! You're badly hurt—rest!”
Hm? Just in case, I swing my arm back and forth. Feels good. Plenty.
“I'm rested.”
Summoned unit 'Slasher Berga''s contribution rated HIGHEST GRADE!
Excess contribution available for claim! (Excess contribution affects rank recalculation.)
It's over.
There were unexpected variables and costs, but it ended in victory.
As I sheathe my dagger, Selendia approaches me.
“I don't know what to say… First, as the forest keeper representing Eldrin Forest, thank you. And…”
She trails off.
“As Selendia Arbel, not the forest keeper.”
“And Selin Arbel.”
“As the Arbel sisters, we thank our lifesaver.”
They bow side by side.
“The elves of Eldrin Forest… no, my sister and I—we're on your side, anytime, anywhere.”
Uh… I did save their lives. I figured they'd say something like this.
Still, somehow… I awkwardly scratch my cheek.
“Got it. Call on me if you ever need help.”
Someday, return the favor.
But first.
“Survive the waves.”
“Pardon?”
“Your barracks are a mess. Of course, your archers' firepower is top-notch. Even I was surprised. If you set up forward bases and mobile fire nets like this wave, you can clear waves easily for a while. But it's not viable for all-weather battlefields. You saw that today. Better to improve your barracks' structure than rely on mercenaries. Train mages right away. No need for attack magic—focus on earth magic, especially golem magic. Oh, wall-of-earth spells are good too. Use those for your front line. Archers handle the firepower… You listening?”
“Uh… uh… uh…”
No, it's all solid advice that turns blood to flesh and bone?
◈ Base Pay: 2,000 Cron
◈ Settlement Fee: 20% (-400 Cron)
◈ Final Payout:1,600 Cron
Back in the waiting room. Perfect timing to hammer in the final improvements for Eldrin Forest to Selendia. Hope they clear waves without issue for a long time.
Anyway.
Time to check my gains.
After Rosalyn's blood injection, the changes became the Lord's Blood skill.
World Tree Sap. If it's changed my body somehow, it'll probably show as a skill too.
Feels kinda creepy, like becoming a vampire tree-man.
Or maybe… I touch my ears just in case. Phew, no changes.
Did I become a dryad vampire…?
…No. And I'm not a vampire either.
You don't like vampires…?
Vampire, huh. Suddenly, I recall the Nox sanctuary's vampire mass suicide show.
…Ignore it.
A blessing from the tree long revered by the elves. Allows physical impact on intangible entities.
There it is. Soul Tree. Is that the original name of what they called the World Tree?
Soul Tree Blessing: Allows physical impact on intangible things… Probably the effect from applying it to my weapon, now passive.
Useful. Very.
Intangible things come in many varieties. Spirits like the Ifrit I just caught, ghosts, magical creatures—maybe even magic itself.
Now my blade will hit without extra steps. Perfect timing, since I needed counters for big magic battles.
Other gains too.
Learned firsthand how the Status Ailment Recovery Potion works and its scope. Status ailments are broader than expected, and it's versatile in combat.
Worth every 200 Cron. Must stock up whenever possible.
For some reason, my growth path started as an extreme evasion one-shot dealer, but now it feels like a suicide bomber who just mutual destroys.
The cold-blooded trait? Anyway.
While I'm thinking, restock potions.
Lucky. Elixir was sold out, but I got one Status Ailment Recovery Potion. Bought another Health Potion too.
The two glass vials now sit neatly on the drawer. I tuck them into my Belt Pocket.
The Belt Pocket regenerated along with my rags upon return. Good.
Oh, right.
My pretty useful bracelet got incinerated. Fabric armor, no match for Ifrit's flames.
Something similar? Switch shop to equipment tab.
Damn. Dragon Leather Jacket still there? Malignant stock?
Heat-Resistant Hat…? What the hell… Even a burn-resistant hat I'd hesitate on.
Tsk. Fine. Most gear wouldn't make much difference anyway.
Close the shop and reply to Lena's messages.
Answers on detachment composition, plus some praise. Quite a bit, actually. She's doing well. Good for her.
No message from Kiara yet.
Now, check community for industry trends…
Hero unit 'Slasher Berga' requested on the battlefield.
Teleporting shortly. Check battlefield info.
No time for that—a summon alert pops up.
Good thing I stocked potions quick.
◈ Wave: 39
◈ Commander: Samar Al Nasrin
Should've bought that Heat-Resistant Hat…?