"Alright, boy, eat your breakfast. We've got a day of work ahead of us," he said, gesturing toward a plate piled high with delicious-looking food. I noticed that Stonegorge was now wearing armor, but decided not to comment on it.

As I sat down and began to eat, I couldn't help but think that the meal reminded me of dining at a restaurant back in my world. The food was expertly prepared, and each bite was a symphony of flavors that made me savor every mouthful. The meal provided a small comfort amidst the strangeness of my new life, filling me with a sense of warmth and satisfaction.

Stonegorge looked at me with a teasing grin as I continued to enjoy my breakfast. "You know, most lumberjacks pack their own rations for the week," he said with a chuckle. "But I figured a dumb bastard like you wouldn't be prepared. Just remember, Dylan, that the cost of your meals will be coming out of your pay."

I looked up from my plate and responded, "You know, Stonegorge, even if others bring their own food, I'd gladly give up a portion of my pay for this meal you've prepared. I'd fell the mightiest tree just to hurry back and enjoy dinner like this."

Stonegorge seemed genuinely pleased by my comment, his eyes sparkling with pride. "Well, I appreciate the kind words, Dylan. My cooking level isn't even that high, but I do put some effort into it. Though I imagine with your mental faculties you often find yourself eating dirt by the handful."

I finished my meal and headed back to my room to grab my axe, which I had carelessly left on the dresser instead of stowing it in my interdimensional storage. As I picked up the axe, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and froze. I looked like myself, but younger - way younger, almost like a teenager. It finally clicked why Stonegorge had made that comment about me not looking a day over 18. I stared at my reflection, feeling a mix of confusion and surprise.

Just as I continued to ponder my youthful appearance, Stonegorge's voice boomed from the other room. "Hurry up, lad! We're not getting paid to eat my cooking and sleep all day!"

I quickly snapped out of my thoughts and joined Stonegorge. He explained that today I would be doing the cutting, as there were some low-level logs I could start off with to level up. "Today's about getting your level high enough to chop oak, which is our primary focus this week," he said.

Stonegorge went on to explain that logs and ores were the lifeblood of an empire, and while their work might not be as noble as fighting in open-field combat, he took great pride in supporting the kingdom through his labor. His passion for his work was evident, and it made me feel motivated to give it my all as well.

Stonegorge and I made our way down a path that was clearly familiar to him. As we reached a group of trees, he pointed out which ones I could chop at my current level. After that, he began to chant and place stones in a large circle around the work area. I was confused, and Stonegorge explained that when you chop a tree at your level and not below, there is a chance that a tree ent or some other forest guardian may attack.

This ritual prevents critical failures and will only produce tree ents of your level. If they appear, I should run away and Stonegorge will handle them. He also mentioned that tree ents drop higher quality logs, which is why untrained lumberjacks are hired. This benefit decreases at higher levels as the tree ents become too strong, but it's still worth it in the early stages. Stonegorge assured me that he could easily handle any tree ents.

I listened to Stonegorge's explanation, fascinated by this world's unique ways of operating. I picked up my axe and swung it at one of the low-level trees, feeling the satisfying thud as the axe made contact with the bark. I was surprised at how easily the tree came down, and Stonegorge chuckled at my amazement. "Don't get too cocky, boy. You're just getting started," he said with a grin.

I moved onto the next tree marvelling at how as the trees felled they formed a perfect stack of logs. I almost made a comment about this fact but knew Stonegorge would question my intelligence yet again. I kept going, chopping away at the tree until suddenly my axe bounced off. Frustrated, I swung again, hoping to make a dent in the tree. But before I could swing again, Stonegorge yelled at me to run away. Confused, I kept swinging at the tree until suddenly I realized this was no simple tree but a massive tree ent, towering over me. I was frozen with fear for a moment, before trying to chop once again. The axe bounced off as the tree ent struck my in the chest with a massive branch sending me flying smacking against a tree. Stonegorge quickly chopped the tree ent down before coming over to check on me.

Stonegorge checked me over for injuries, grumbling under his breath about having to waste a healing potion on a foolish idiot who couldn't even run when he needed to. I winced in pain as he prodded a sore spot on my back, muttering something about my stupidity under his breath. "You should've known better than to keep hitting that tree," he scolded me. "The moment that axe bounced off, you should've been running. But no, you had to keep swinging like a daft fool."

I hung my head in shame, realizing that Stonegorge was right. If I had listened to him, I wouldn't be in this pain right now, and I wouldn't be ending my day owing him even more money.

As Stonegorge offered me a healing potion, I politely declined and reassured him that I just needed a few moments for my natural regeneration to kick in. He grunted in frustration, thinking I was refusing his help. However, I explained to him that my healing abilities were innate as a demi god, and it would be a waste of the potion. Stonegorge chuckled and made a snide remark about me being an adventurer, but his laughter quickly faded as he witnessed my wounds healing before his eyes.

His gruff demeanor softened, and his expression was a mix of amazement and disbelief. "By the gods," he muttered, "I've never seen anything like that before."

He suddenly smacked me upside the head, making me wince. "Why didn't you tell me you were an adventurer?" he demanded, his voice betraying his astonishment.

"I did try to tell you," I reminded him, rubbing the back of my head where he had hit me. "But you just laughed it off."

Stonegorge grumbled, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Well, I didn't think you were serious. I mean, who would've thought an adventurer would be lumbering around with the likes of me, a simple dwarf?"

I couldn't help but smile, seeing the usually gruff and serious Stonegorge so flustered. It was a rare moment of vulnerability that I had never seen before. "Well, now you know," I replied, my wounds fully healed, and my strength returning.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

He snorted, his face regaining its usual scowl. "Why are you even here, you soft-headed human? Didn't you spawn at one of the churches? A gods-forsaken adventurer like yourself shouldn't be out here chopping trees. Any noble house worth their salt would pay for your training and accommodations if you'd just swear your loyalty to them."

My eyes widened in fear at the thought of returning to town and revealing my identity. "I... I don't want to serve anyone or be an adventurer," I stammered, trying to explain my reasoning. "All I want is food in my belly and a home to call my own. I don't want to be someone's pawn in their political games or be forced to fight their battles."

Stonegorge raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my response. It seemed like he hadn't expected me to have such strong reservations about taking the more traditional path of an adventurer. He paused for a moment, considering my words, and then nodded thoughtfully.

"Fair enough," he said, his voice softer than before.

I nodded in appreciation of Stonegorge's understanding and confidence. It was a relief to have someone on my side who respected my choices, even though they strayed from the traditional path of an adventurer.

I continued chopping trees alongside the dwarf. Every once in a while, one of the trees would reveal itself to be a tree ent. Remembering Stonegorge's advice, I immediately retreated, allowing him to expertly dispatch the ents. The day went on like this, with the two of us working together efficiently as a team.

As I worked, I could feel my skills growing, and by the end of the day, I had reached level 3 in woodcutting. It was a small accomplishment, but it was still progress.

Exhausted but satisfied with our day's work, Stonegorge and I headed back to the hut, where he promised to prepare a hearty dinner for us.

We sat down at the table, enjoying the delicious meal Stonegorge had prepared. The aroma of the stew filled the hut, and the flavors danced on my tongue as I took each bite. "This is amazing, Stonegorge," I complimented him. "You're quite the cook."

The dwarf chuckled, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Well, when you've been living on your own for as long as I have, you learn a thing or two about cooking. Besides, a hard day's work deserves a good meal."

We shared stories and laughter throughout the dinner, the warmth of our camaraderie filling the room. As the night wore on, we eventually decided it was time to call it a day. I retired to my room, my body tired but content.

However, as soon as I closed my eyes, the nightmares returned. I found myself back in the void, the inky blackness surrounding me and suffocating me. The cruel laughter of the void gods echoed through the abyss, taunting me and sending shivers down my spine. I struggled to escape the nightmare, desperate to return to the safety of the hut.

I woke up with a start, my heart pounding in my chest as I shook off the terrible nightmare. Lying there, I acknowledged that this might just be a factor in my life until I could overcome the trauma of the void. It seemed like some form of PTSD, a lingering effect of the terrifying experience I had endured.

Pushing the dark thoughts aside, I focused on the day ahead, excited for another day of lumberjacking with Stonegorge. The enticing smell of breakfast wafted through the hut, rousing me from my bed. I took a deep breath, letting the aroma fill my senses and chase away the remnants of my nightmare.

Days went by as Stonegorge and I continued our work together, each day bringing new challenges and experiences. We had fallen into a comfortable rhythm, the bond between us growing stronger with each passing day. The forest was alive with the sounds of our axes striking wood, and the stacks of logs grew taller as we worked tirelessly.

Throughout these days, we encountered more tree ents hidden among the ordinary trees. I had grown more adept at spotting them, but there was one instance when I felt brave and decided to face the ent head-on. To my dismay, the ent managed to land a solid blow, smacking me across the face and sending me sprawling to the ground. Stonegorge had to step in and swiftly finish it off, and I learned a valuable lesson about not letting overconfidence cloud my judgment.

On the eve of our last day, I had hit level 5 in woodcutting, a milestone that filled me with a sense of accomplishment. Stonegorge, however, seemed surprised by my rapid progress. As we sat by the fire after dinner, he shared his thoughts with me.

"You know, it's quite astonishing how quickly you've reached level 5 in woodcutting. For most folks, it would take weeks, if not months, to achieve what you've done in such a short amount of time. Your status as an adventurer might be playing a role in this rapid progress."

Stonegorge looked at me thoughtfully before speaking. "Now that you're level 5 in woodcutting, you should know that your axe is actually capable of damaging tree ents," he said, stroking his beard. "I wouldn't suggest this for a regular lumberjack, but with your healing abilities and the ease at which I can slay these basic ents, I think you should try fighting one."

I blinked in surprise but listened intently as he continued. "I'll be right there with you, helping to block the ent's attacks. All you have to do is focus on chopping the damn thing down. Consider it a test of your newfound skills and a chance to build your confidence in battle."

I furrowed my brow, growing concerned at Stonegorge's suggestion of fighting a tree ent. "But, Stonegorge, I don't want to fight or be a hero," I protested, the memory of the ent's blow still fresh in my mind. "I just want to live a simple life."

Stonegorge laughed heartily at my concerns, but there was a sincerity in his voice as he replied, "I understand your desire not to serve or be a hero, as you put it. But you must realize that fighting is a fact of life here. To not fight is to perish."

I exchanged a nod with Stonegorge, reflecting on the fact that, although I was tasked with battling these tree ents, I wasn't obliged to embark on any grand quest. I could level up at a leisurely pace, provided my encounters with the ents went smoothly.

The day began much like those that had preceded it. I approached a tree, gripping my axe tightly, prepared to strike. Unlike previous instances when the Tree Ent revealed itself, I was determined to keep chopping this time. Stonegorge instructed me to maintain my routine, swinging as I would at any ordinary tree, while he would focus on immobilizing the ent.

The first two trees turned out to be just that – trees. After chopping them down, I bundled the logs in a manner that still felt somewhat unfamiliar. As I swung at the third tree, my axe unexpectedly bounced back, leaving me momentarily baffled. Nevertheless, I followed Stonegorge's advice and continued to hack at the tree. The rustling of the awakening Tree Ent mingled with Stonegorge's urgent cries for me to fell the creature.

Despite several more futile strikes, my axe kept rebounding off the ent just as it had done earlier. Growing impatient, the stalwart dwarf decided to take matters into his own hands, wielding his weapon with precision to bring the ent crashing to the ground.

I could see the irritation in Stonegorge's eyes as he glared at me, clearly frustrated. "How in the seven hells were you not able to hurt the ent?" he demanded, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Scratching his beard, he hesitated for a moment before asking, "You didn't happen to skip selecting a woodcutting perk, did you?" His tone made it seem as if he thought such a possibility was utterly ridiculous.

I felt the blood drain from my face as I stammered, "W-what do you mean? I reached level 5 already!"

Stonegorge raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Can you see any flashing notifications if you unfocus your eyes?" he inquired.

I hesitated before doing as he suggested, and sure enough, there were several blinking alerts at the edge of my vision. I nodded, swallowing hard, and focused on one of the notifications. A translucent blue screen materialized in front of me, revealing information I had previously overlooked.

As I examined the blue screen, I thought about woodcutting, and three potential perks appeared before me. It was clear that selecting one of these perks would not only grant me its unique benefit but also rank up my woodcutting skill, providing inherent buffs to improve my overall performance.

1. Timber Titan: Your strikes against trees and wooden creatures deal 15% more damage. Additionally, your woodcutting speed increases by 10%.

2. Heartwood Hunter: You gain the ability to sense the weak points of trees and wooden creatures, allowing you to target these areas for 20% increased damage. Your woodcutting accuracy also improves by 15%.

3. Lumberjack's Resilience: When engaging in woodcutting or battling wooden creatures, you receive a 20% reduction in stamina consumption. You also gain a 10% resistance to any crowd control effects from wooden enemies.