I decided to turn it in early yesterday and as a result woke up early today. When I opened my pod, the sun was just barely peaking over the forest canopy. I stretched myself and let out a massive yawn. I survey my domain, the trees on the outer edges of the glade have finally been fully encompassed by my flora network. That means today I can try something new, making myself some clothing so I don’t get mistaken for a nudist. I’ve got an idea of how to at least make something resembling a bra, making panties will be a lot harder. Maybe I should go for something closer to a skirt, it will be easier to make.
I make my way over to the closest tree and start looking for a good branch. Something with a lot of leaves already close together would be preferable, but the branches need to be spaced in a way that will make it easier to manipulate into what I want. After looking for a few minutes I see a branch I want just out of arms reach. Easy enough to fix, I will the tree to drop that branch down to my height. With a little bit of mana loss my chosen materials are now within my reach and easier to work with.
I start by moving the leaves into overlapping positions, then encircle them with a part of the branch. After that I have them get partially reabsorbed into the branch around the edges, binding the leaves to the rest of the branch in a circle. I then repeat this process on the other side, leading to a connecting point in the center. The branch then circles around with two connecting hooks that will eventually hook together in the back to keep it on me. I then add in loop that goes around my neck to help keep it. I hold it close to my chest and adjust the sizing to match my needs, a little decrease in the leaf size and lengthening of the neck loop and I am good to go. I put the hoop over my head then reach back and hook it together in the back. I officially have my first article of clothing as I reach over and pinch the bra off the tree at its connecting point.
I look down admiring my work, not bad for a semi complex article of clothing made out of plants. It really helps that I can manipulate these at will, even if it is draining.
Mana: 759/1400
That took a lot out of me, I can feel the lack of mana making me lethargic. And I’m not even under half. I would hate to see the effects of running completely out of mana.
*Ding* You have leveled up!
Oh sweet I leveled up now I get to see what happens. My musing was interrupted by a deep guttural growl seeping out of the forest behind me. I freeze up on the spot, then slowly turn my head to investigate the forest in front of me. That growl was close, way too close for my liking. All I can hear now is the rustling of the grass in the wind and my own heartbeat. I stand frozen for a couple more moments, and just as I decide to make the decision to slowly walk backwards, I see it. A pair of yellow eyes boring into me from within the forest. Immediately I feel a tinge of anxiety run through me, along with excitement?
The creature in question makes its appearance into the light of the glade. It’s a menacing looking wolf creature that is as tall as I am. Grey fur dotted with black patches covers the beast, its eyes pure yellow like two mini suns intent on burning away at its prey. Massive four-inch claws stick out of its black feet. It snarls at me, revealing putrid yellow teeth. Some of the teeth are chipped. Red drool drips from its mouth onto the floor. Wait red? I give its fur a second closer look as it slowly prowls closer while snarling. It’s covered in cuts and open wounds. Red liquid weeps out of one particularly large gnash down its side. This thing clearly just finished fighting something else and is just looking for an easy meal to replenish its strength.
I should be pissing my non-existent pants with how this thing is looking at me. But I’m not, I have no fear. Only a sense of anger that this creature would dare to attack me in my own domain.
I can take this thing; I have home field advantage. I reach up to the tree I was just working with, and grab hold of a long branch. The branch straitens out and hardens, while gaining a very pointed tip at the end. With a loud snap the branch is broken off and held in my hand, pointed end towards the creature.
Grey Timber Wolf (Level:17)
It’s only eight times my level, but also very wounded from the looks of it. I know it probably has a health stat like me so appearances can be deceiving. But this thing is moving too slow to be at full potential. As I slowly back my way into the glade the timber wolf creeps forward even more. When it approaches the trees under my command at the edge of the glade they begin to twist and reform. The trees on either side start to slowly creep in towards the wolf. Branches harden and turn into spikes ready to impale their victim. This is pushing my mana to its limits but if I don’t get this thing to either die or piss off, it’s going to eat my ass.
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I flash the wolf a sinister grin, showing my pearly razors in all their glory. The wolf pauses for a moment, its snarl gone as it contemplates the meaning of my gesture. But it’s too late, the trees close in. A slight creak alerts the wolf that something is amiss above it. By the time it reacts it is already surrounded by pointed spear branches. The wolf jumps hard to its left, only to find spear branches waiting to impale it.
“GROOOOOO!”
It lets out a wail as it slams into the spear branches, impaling itself on half a dozen. The branches give under the weight of the wolf, snapping away from the trees while remaining implanted into the snarling beast. That was way more effective than I thought it would be, now if only this thing would leave. But it doesn’t leave, the wolf lets out a fierce howl and lunges forward.
Mana: 57/1400
Shit, I’m out of mana and this thing still wants to eat me. The wolf blows past the remaining branches without so much as a scratch and bolts the short distance across the glade to me. I crouch low and hold the spear forward. The beast lunges at me from about five feet away, closing the distance quickly. In the blink of an eye it’s upon me. It goes for my neck, so I throw my left arm out in front of me to take the hit. It chomps down with a sickening crunch as piercing hot pain radiates up my arm and into my shoulder. I return the transgression in kind by swinging my right hand as hard as I can, still holding my homemade spear. I hit the beast right in between the chest and the neck, adding a new hole to the dozens already doting it. It yelps but refuses to yield my arm, instead opting to start swinging its head back and forth violently in an attempt to rip it off.
Health: 161/200
Mana: 59/1400
Stamina: 370/400
My health is dropping fast. In a desperate bid to get the wolf off me I yank back on my spear and prepare to thrust it into the wolf’s face. But as I pulled the spear out and back the wolf decided to change tactics. It stops trying to rip my arm off and instead pulls backwards. I fall forward and end up getting dragged along by the wolf as it tries to take me into the forest. I swing my legs back under me and dig in my heels, giving the beast a slight pause before it begins pulling me along again. I pull my right hand back and thrust forward again, hitting the beast in the neck this time. It gives a grunt but refuses to give up. My left arm feels like a mix of fire and throbbing agony. It's completely shredded, amber blood covering it and dripping onto the ground. Then the beast slows its backwards pull, raises its front right paw, and tries to swipe at my mid-section. I have no time to dodge as the four-inch claws rip into my skin, cutting deep.
Health: 103/200
Mana: 61/1400
Stamina: 309/400
I scream in anguish as the claws cut through me. But that little stunt of its gave me leverage to pull back. I start to build momentum and move back towards the center of the glade, pulling the wolf still attached to my arm. Then I feel it, a sharp pain shooting through my tail and up my back. I freeze in place wide eyed. I stepped on my own tail, and it hurts like fucking hell. The wolf takes the opportunity to pull, but nothing happens.
Anguish turns to burning anger as I feel power course into me. The wolf lets go of my arm with a yelp and turns to flee. No, you won’t escape me that easily little puppy. I lunge forward, grabbing the wolf by the scruff and yanking myself to it. I open my mouth wide and with my forward razors bite into the wolf, ripping a huge chunk away from its neck. Smiling with glee I savor the taste of its blood. The wolf flails about desperately trying to throw me off, but even my shredded left arm has a death grip around its neck. I continue to take chunks out of the wolf’s neck, until with a final wheeze it falls to the ground motionless.
Defeated: Grey Timber Wolf (Level:17)
+75 EXP
*Ding* You have leveled up!
*Ding* You have leveled up!
Breathing heavily, I put my arms on my knees to support myself. I’m exhausted, that was intense. I don’t know what came over me. Normally stepping on the connector tail results in pain, but that time it sent me berserk. Shit, what is my health at. I’ve lost a lot of blood; I need to rest.
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Name: Petal (Exhausted)
Race: Willow Dryad: Level 4 (Rare)
EXP: 13
Nutrition: 93/100
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Health: 35/200
Mana: 57/1400
Stamina: 150/400
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My health is dangerously low, and I’m exhausted. That would explain why I got so angry all the sudden. Well, it let me survive so I’m not complaining. But I’ll need to be careful not to lose control of myself completely. I finally get enough energy to stand properly and limp my way over to my pod. All the while dripping amber colored blood from my mangled arm and sliced open torso. I get to the pod and just flop over the side and into the center. Never has my little bed felt so amazing. I need to sleep. No, I need to regenerate. As I close my eyes to rest the petals of the pod close around me, enclosing me like I was originally. But I’m not concerned this time, I know I can get out. I drift into sleep as the sap like substance starts to seep out of the floor, slowly filling the chamber.