As Deo returned to the field of writhing pests, he saw that two thirds of the Jumping Jacks had also assembled at the scene and were deep in discussion with Elandor. Justin, usually the depiction of laid-back confidence, wore an expression of uncharacteristic discontent as he surveyed the infested fields, while Jerome conversed with the middle-aged merchant. As Deo approached, the leader of the band looked up.
"Ho, Deo," Jerome called out. "Finley came to us requesting aid – he mentioned we'd been invaded by an insect horde. We came as soon as we could, leaving Jez to guard the perimeter, but I'm afraid this is a bit out of our wheelhouse."
Justin nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed. "We're more accustomed to dealing with larger, more tangible threats, like bandits or wild beasts. Insects, though? Not sure how much help we can be here, Deo." As he spoke, he lifted his boot and brought it down on a wriggling grub, crushing it into the earth.
"No problem," Deo said in a resigned voice. "I appreciate you coming out here so quickly, but I appreciate there's not much you can do”.
"Elandor, any news?" he continued, as he turned to face the man. His voice didn’t hold too much hope as he noted the troubled expression already etched on the merchant's face.
Elandor sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Not good news, I'm afraid," he said, his voice heavy with concern. "It was odd... The bottom line is, it's a very, very niche business. And the one purveyor of these nematodes, an eccentric woman by the name of Nara, went missing a few months back on an expedition."
Deo's unease deepened, a frown creasing his forehead.
The merchant slowly continued, "And the number of questions I got after I raised the topic... Well, it was unusual. And my contact was very insistent with it, a tad aggressive even. I guess the disappearance has got him spooked. He did quite a bit of probing, but I wasn't prepared to share too much information with him."
"So, the nematodes..." Deo said, his voice heavy with trepidation. "I assume there's no chance of getting any?"
Elandor's shoulders slumped, his expression apologetic. "I'm afraid not. My contact said there was very little chance they could get us any in a reasonable timeframe, at least until Nara is located."
Deo's heart sank as another promising lead was lost.
"It's alright," Deo said, trying to inject a note of reassurance into his voice. "We still haven't heard back from Tillo and Caelum yet, maybe they've had more luck searching for the fungi."
As if on cue, Finley emerged from the treeline, his face a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. In his hand, he clutched a small, green, spongy cluster of fungus.
" Deo!" Finley called out, hurrying towards the group. "I found this near the swamplands. It looks similar to the green, spongy fungus you described. Could this be it?"
Deo took the fungus from Finley, examining it closely. He activated his Botanical Knowledge skill, and information flooded his mind.
Verdigris Puffball
* Tier: Common
* Description: This small, green fungus grows in spongy clusters on damp, decaying wood. The individual puffballs are spherical, with a slightly rough texture. When mature, they release a cloud of dark green spores, which have a slightly pungent, acrid smell but are completely harmless. They are inedible, being both tough and bitter to taste.
[Experience Gained: +10 XP]
"Good find, Finley," Deo said, trying to keep the disappointment from his voice. "But I'm afraid this isn't quite what we need. The spores in this are harmless, and the ones we are looking for are much more dangerous”.
Finley's shoulders slumped, but he nodded in understanding. "I'll keep looking," he said, determination in his eyes.
Just then, before Finley could set out once more, Tillo and Caelum burst into view, their faces alight with excitement. They were moving quickly towards the group, Tillo waving something white and cottony in his hand.
"Master Deo!" Caelum shouted, his voice ringing with triumph. "We found it! At least, we think we have!"
Tillo thrust the white, fluffy fungus into Deo's hands, grinning from ear to ear. "It matches your description perfectly," he said, his words tumbling out in a rush. "White, cottony, growing in a dense mat. It has to be the one!"
Deo hardly dared to hope as he examined the fungus, once again activating his Botanical Knowledge skill. As the information flowed, his heart began to race.
Beauveria bassiana
* Tier: Rare
* Description: This pure white fungus grows in a dense, cottony mat on decaying organic matter. The individual filaments are fine and silky, interweaving to form a soft, spongy texture. It is known for its rapid growth and ability to parasitize insects. The fungus produces spores that attach to the cuticle of insects, germinating and penetrating their bodies. Once inside, the fungus proliferates, consuming the insect from within and eventually killing it. Beauveria bassiana is highly specific to insects and does not affect plant life or more complex organisms such as humans.
[Experience Gained: +60 XP]
A slow smile spread across Deo's face as he looked up at Tillo and Caelum. "This is it," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of relief and elation. "You found it!"
The pregnant silence as the group awaited for Deo’s confirmation erupted into cheers and congratulations, their spirits lifted by the breakthrough. Tillo and Caelum were grinning from ear to ear, proud of their successful foray. Tillo nearly buckled forward as he got a hefty pat on the back from Justin. However, as the initial excitement died down, Caelum's expression shifted to one of uncertainty. He glanced out at the infested fields, the writhing mass of grubs seeming more daunting than ever. Turning back to Deo, he held up the small, cottony fungus, his young face filled with doubt.
"But Master Deo," he said, his young voice tinged with worry as he gestured towards the fields, "how will this tiny thing stop that?"
Deo smiled reassuringly at the young halfling, understanding his concerns. He knelt down to Caelum's level, holding the fungus between them.
"It may seem small, Caelum, but this fungus has a powerful ability. It doesn't need to physically overpower the insects. Instead, it infects them with its spores, growing inside them and eventually killing them."
Tillo's eyes widened as he listened to the side, both fascinated and slightly horrified by the description. "That sounds... effective," he said, his voice a mix of awe and revulsion, while Caelum stood there in silence, processing the information Deo had just relayed.
Deo nodded, a solemn look on his face. "It is. And luckily for us, these fungi are specific to insects. They won't harm the plants. Or us!"
Caelum's continued to weigh up Deo’s words, a pensive expression settling over his youthful features. He turned to Deo, his voice hesitant but filled with a genuine desire to understand.
"Master Deo," Caelum began, his words measured and thoughtful, "I know these fungi will help us save the crops, but should we be killing the insects? Isn't all life sacred I mean? By using these fungi to kill the grubs, aren't we breaking the harmony we want to maintain?"
Deo paused, considering Caelum's question. It was an extremely valid point, one that spoke to the very heart of their community's values. He placed a gentle hand on Caelum's shoulder, meeting his gaze with a mix of empathy and resolve.
"That is a fantastic question. And you're right, Caelum. All life is indeed sacred, and taking any life, even of creatures as small as these grubs, is not a decision to be made lightly. However, there are times when we must make difficult choices to protect the greater good. The world is not black and white. It unfortunately isn’t as simple we should take a life. As Green Mages we are conduits of nature - and the first law of nature is self-preservation. The fleeing deer doesn’t lay down, surrender, and let the starving wolf eat it. And we cannot afford to act any different."
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
He gestured towards the infested fields, the once-vibrant crops now withering under the onslaught of the grubs. "These insects, left unchecked, will destroy our crops, our livelihood, and the very harmony we strive to maintain. Sometimes, to preserve balance, we must take action, even if it means making hard decisions."
He gripped Caelum's shoulder harder. “But Caelum, I am very glad you asked me that question. And you must remember to ask yourself that question every time you face a dilemma like this. You should never destroy wantonly, for greed, or for convenience. You should only ever take steps like these in necessity.”
Caelum listened intently, his brow furrowed as he grappled with the moral complexities of the situation. Slowly, he nodded, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "I think I see what you mean, Master Deo. It's about balance, isn't it? About weighing the consequences of our actions and choosing the path that does the least harm and the most good."
Deo smiled, pride and affection for his young pupil welling up in his chest. "Exactly, Caelum. It's a delicate balance, one that requires wisdom, compassion, and sometimes, difficult decisions. As Green Mages, it's our responsibility to maintain that balance, to protect the harmony of nature, even when it means making sacrifices."
Caelum took a deep breath, squaring his small shoulders as he looked out over the besieged fields. "I understand, Master Deo. And I'm ready to do what I can to help."
Deo nodded, standing up and placing a hand on Caelum's back. "I know you are, Caelum. And I have no doubt that you'll become a great Green Mage”.
Holding out the fungus he now had in his hands, Deo continued, “Now,” he said, carefully breaking off a portion and handing it to Caelum, “you can help me spread the fungus across the infested fields. Take this and distribute it evenly, making sure to cover as much ground as possible. I'll do the same.
“Right away Master Deo”, Caelum said with excitement, taking the fungus carefully and cradling it in his small hands.
With that, the two set off, each taking a section of the embattled fields. As they walked, the soil beneath their feet writhed with the grotesque, pale bodies of the grubs. The insects were everywhere, their soft, segmented forms wriggling and squirming as they feasted on the roots of the crops. The plants themselves were covered in the pests, their leaves and stems riddled with holes. Deo moved with precision, his hands deftly spreading fungus across the soil as he worked methodically; his focus unwavering as he covered row after row of the imperilled crops. Caelum, though lacking Deo's experience, made up for it with enthusiasm and diligence as he carefully navigated the rows of crops, his small hands gently dispersing the cottony fungus. His face was a mask of concentration, his eyes focused on the task at hand. Every so often, he would glance towards Deo, watching his mentor's techniques and trying to emulate them as best he could.
Before long they met back at the epicentre of the infestation as they concluded their distribution. Deo paused, taking a moment to survey the damage of his fields. The once lush and vibrant crops were wilted and yellowing, the soil churning with the menace of the grubs. It was a sight that filled him with both sorrow and a fierce determination to set things right. Planting Yggdrasil's Branch in the earth beside him, Deo closed his eyes and reached out with his Whispers of the World Tree skill, connecting to the fungi they had distributed throughout the field. He could sense their presence, as a serene connection unfolded, linking him to the circle of fungi they had painstakingly dispersed around the perimeter of devastation.
With a steady heart, Deo tapped into his Flora Communication skill. He projected a wordless plea to the rudimentary consciousness of the fungi, urging them to delve deep into the earth, to flourish and spread their tendrils far and wide. He envisioned them as benevolent conquerors in the depths below, spreading their mycelial networks through the tainted soil. Next, he activated his Verdant Growth ability, funnelling his mana into the fungi as they sought to respond to his plea. The fungal network began to expand through the soil, slowly at first but swiftly building up speed, as they weaved themselves around the roots of the crops and penetrated the damp, dark corners where the grubs had taken refuge. Deo could feel the fungi's progress, their mycelium stretching and growing, forming an intricate web that encompassed the entire field and the soil below it.
With the network firmly established, Deo focused his attention on the next stage of his plan. He coaxed the fungi to release their microscopic spores, a barrage of tiny, invisible particles that filled the air and settled on the marauding grubs. The spores clung to the insects' soft, segmented bodies, awaiting the perfect conditions to germinate. As the grubs moved and jostled each other in the tightly packed earth, the spores rubbed off onto another, ensuring the infectious dust was spread efficiently among the horde.
Deo's mind strained as he released his connection with the fungal network and instead reached out to the microscopic spores, his consciousness stretching to its limits as he sought to establish a connection. It was like trying to grasp a thousand grains of sand at once, each one slipping through his mental fingers. But Deo persisted, his desperation fuelling his efforts, until at last, he felt the tiny spores respond to his call. Channelling his Verdant Growth ability once more, Deo poured his energy into the spores, urging them to germinate and penetrate the grubs' delicate exoskeletons. As the spores took root, he delved even deeper, tapping into his Celestial Bloom ability and the mana began to leave him in a tempest. The cosmic energy intertwined with his green magic, creating a dazzling display of power that pulsed through the fungal spores.
Under the onslaught of Deo's magic, the spores germinated at an astonishing rate, the fungus growing and spreading within the bodies of the grubs. From each spore, a delicate white filament emerged, the first sign of the fungus's deadly advance. The filaments, as fine as spider silk, quickly multiplied, weaving themselves through the grubs' soft innards and consuming them from within. As the fungus grew within them, the grubs began to change. Their once-pale bodies took on a sickly, greyish colour, their movements becoming sluggish and uncoordinated. The filaments, now visible beneath the grubs' translucent skin, pulsed and writhed, a macabre dance of life and death.
As the fungi began to claim their hosts, Deo sensed the tide of life beneath him shift. He could feel the life force of the grubs winking out, one by one, like stars fading from the night sky. Their writhing took on a new, desperate quality as they fought against the inevitable, but it was a battle they could not win. The fungus, empowered by Deo's magic, was relentless in its advance, leaving behind only the husks of the once-deadly pests.
As the last of the grubs succumbed to the fungal onslaught, Deo finally allowed himself to relax, his mind and body drained from the immense effort. He leaned heavily on Yggdrasil's branch, his breathing laboured but his heart filled with a sense of triumph, tinged with a touch of disguted, at the scenes before him. Countless grubs lay strewn across the fields, white mould poking through crevasses in their chitin shells. Just as he was processing the aftermath of his magic, notifications began to pop up:
[174,523 x Burrowings Grubs Defeated!]
[Experience Gained: +17,452 XP]
[Skill Level Up! Whispers of the World Tree has reached Level 6!]
[Skill Level Up! Flora Communication has reached Level 11!]
[Skill Level Up! Verdant Growth has reached Level 16!]
[Congratulations! You've levelled up! You are now level 32!]
[Congratulations! You've levelled up! You are now level 33!]
The onlookers, who had been watching events unfold at a distance, slowly approached Deo. Tillo, Finley, and Caelum were at the forefront, their faces a mix of awe and concern. Justin and Jerome followed close behind, their eyes wide as they surveyed the devastation that lay before them.
"By the gods," Justin muttered, his voice barely audible over the eerie silence that had settled over the fields. "I've never seen anything like this."
Jerome nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the countless grub corpses that littered the ground. "Remind me never to get on the bad side of Deo," he said, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.
As they reached Deo, Tillo and Finley offered their congratulations, their voices hushed and sombre as they took in the grim aftermath of the battle. Caelum, however, couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from the scene of destruction.
"You did it, Master Deo," Caelum said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You destroyed the insect horde."
Deo nodded, a weary smile on his face. "I'm just glad we managed to protect the crops," he said, his gaze sweeping over the fields. "But there's still work to be done."
Checking his mana levels, Deo realized he was running dangerously low. He reached into his robes and pulled out a mana potion, the blue liquid swirling gently within the glass vial. He uncorked the potion and downed it in one swift gulp, feeling the energy coursing through his veins as the potion took effect.
With renewed strength, Deo reached out with his Verdant Surge, focusing his magic on the damaged crops. A soft, green glow emanated from his hands, spreading out over the fields like a gentle caress. The crops responded almost immediately, their wilted leaves filling out and their yellowed stalks turning a vibrant green. The cabbages unfurled their heads, their purple hues brightening as they drank in the rejuvenating magic. The melons, once shrivelled and dull, now gleamed in the fading light, their golden skins almost seeming to sparkle.
As Deo poured more of his energy into the crops, he felt a familiar pain building behind his eyes. He knew he was pushing himself to his limits, but he was determined to see the job through. With a final surge of magic, he withdrew his hands, the green glow fading slowly from the fields.
"I'll have to work on these over the next few days to make sure we can get them harvested before Autumn's end," Deo said, his voice strained with exhaustion.
Pyro, sensing his companion's fatigue, padded over to Deo's side, offering his support. Deo leaned gratefully against the hellhound, his legs suddenly feeling like lead weights.
"Thank you," Deo murmured, his hand resting on Pyro's fiery head.
As the group stood together, taking in the scene of both destruction and renewal, Deo's stomach let out a loud growl. He realized with a start that he hadn't eaten anything since the early hours of the morning, his focus entirely consumed by the battle against the grubs.
"I hope Thalen's got something good to eat," Deo said, a tired grin spreading across his face. "Let's go."