“What is the skill Analyze and Appraisal? It is the most ubiquitous skill that anyone of a certain age has attained. Anaylze for non-living and moving objects and Appraisal for monsters and living beings. As for why these skills do not have a proficiency like the others, it is due to their nature. These skills simply deduce and verify from the knowledge we possess as The System simplifies it and shows the truth. For example, where someone would Analyze it to be a stone, a geologist will see perhaps slate, or granite, or flint. It cannot show you information you do not know and may not deduce from the knowledge you possess. More knowledge in such means more access to The System’s ultimate truth.”
-A piece from “Useful and Useless Facts” by ????
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Bianca
Bianca used Analyze on the now noticeable and prevalent scent. However, after using it, she learned the scents were mixed and changing continuously, needing time to figure it out, which was a luxury she couldn’t afford, and using salves was problematic.
Her salves countered the scent and effects, sleeping with awakening, dulling with heightened senses, relaxing with muscle stimulants, and other such effects. They were viable for the mobs but not for the floor boss.
Bianca quickly used her water affinity to take out the potion inside the vials, a perk for crafters to have control over their crafts if they have an affinity for it.
“Open up wide, you two, and you guys are paying me with the herbs because these weren’t cheap!”
Lesser Mind Awakening Potion
Quality: Decent
A potion made by an apprentice herbalist, quite some effort, and rare herbs were used in the process.
-Provides a Moderate boost to the mind and mental power for 30 minutes once consumed
Lesser Body Enchantment Potion
Quality: Decent
A potion made by an apprentice herbalist, quite some effort, and rare herbs were used in the process.
-Provides a Moderate boost to the body, senses, and physical power for 30 minutes once consumed
The two and Bianca immediately drank the liquid coming toward their mouth as they put on their masks. These potions and masks would help her party to resist. However, besides invading through the respiratory system, the scent could also seep in through the skin. It wasn’t a problem for the mobs since the effect was meager.
Enhanced Mind
Heightened Senses
Yet, using her skill, she could now feel the scent affecting her and also the floor boss’s hidden scent inside them, prepared before they were ambushed.
The different herb bushes around them began to move, unfurling and growing larger as they encompassed them in the middle like a dome with an opening at the top.
Bianca could see that, although this dome was made of various herbs, it was actually made from one plant. This dome was the floor boss. If not for this situation, she would have loved to study it.
“Formation D!”
Andrea shouted as the three of them put their backs against each other. It wasn’t something they thought they would use since such formation required quite some teamwork, but it was the most effective in this situation, and they would have to make do.
Andrea readied her daggers, Travis knocked his bow, and Randy readied his mace and shield as a volley of thorns and branches came from everywhere.
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Though they weren’t focused on combat-related classes, it didn’t mean they weren’t skilled. Bianca, for one, had to fight multiple monsters and delve into dungeons to procure herbs and plants tasked by her master and for her personal use.
Her master was no pushover. He was obstinate about personally harvesting plants since only this way could he learn more and harvest them perfectly. He had to take care of the dangerous monsters and delve higher floors himself, and Bianca learned one or two things from him.
She heated up her daggers, cutting the branches coming her way and using her water affinity to create a water barrier around her as the thorns collided.
Randy used his kinetic affinity to vibrate the mace as they tore through anything it touched, using his shield to reflect the thorns back.
Travis used his metal affinity to control his specially made arrows as they moved to cut off several branches at once and retrieve them back to his quiver. The metal pieces attached to his armor were spread wide like a small shield just as the thorns were about to hit him.
Even then, they couldn’t stop every thorn and branch. The branch entangles them as they drain their energy, and where the cuts the thorns made became openings for the scent to invade faster.
“Bianca! Energy! Mana!”
Randy shouted 5 minutes into the fight, he was using his kinetic affinity on the attacks within his range, pulling them towards him to bear the brunt instead of the two, resulting in his energy and mana being drained the most.
“Here!”
Bianca immediately used her water affinity on the potions, with Randy using Telekinesis to lift his mask just in time for the liquids to arrive in his mouth.
Minor Energy Potion
Quality: Average
A potion made by an apprentice herbalist, a common potion ubiquitous among Aetheria. (Warning! Frequent use within a short time will cause consequences)
-Provides a Minuscule amount of energy once consumed
Minor Mana Potion
Quality: Average
A potion made by an apprentice herbalist, a common potion ubiquitous among Aetheria. (Warning! Frequent use within a short time will cause consequences)
-Provides a Minuscule amount of mana once consumed
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It was a war of attrition, the party had to finish before the potion’s effect wore off, but it was difficult as the floor boss continued to regrow and regenerate any damage taken. But, it wasn’t a fair trade as it was using its, with their energy and mana absorbed from them.
Bianca tried to use fire magic, like with the mobs, but it was intercepted with an Arcane Shield. And even if once a fire was started, it was extinguished immediately, enclosed with an Arcane Barrier, before it could spread and cause severe damage.
Travis tried to throw the flammable vials, yet the moment it was out in the open, an Arcane Arrow immediately shattered it. Drenching him and making Bianca have to stop using fire magic.
Bianca swore once she realized the floor boss probably had more talent than her as a mage. As a botanist, she shouldn’t think like that and would probably be thrilled if she wasn’t overloaded and fighting against it.
It even got worse as the scent started affecting them enough to hinder them. As their movement slowed and became unstable, the floor boss took this opportunity. Randy was ambushed and entangled by three of the mobs, who camouflaged themselves inside the floor boss, looking like a part of it, as it emerged and ambushed him.
The other two wanted to help, but more mobs emerged from the floor boss and ambushed Bianca and Travis. At that point, Travis shouted as he covered Bianca under him.
“Randy, get down, put up your defenses!”
Soon, the pieces of metal on his armor broke to pieces as they flew all around him, shredding the incoming mobs. Randy was thankfully unharmed as only some shrapnel came toward him with the mobs taking most of the hit while using Barrier on his vital points. Quickly they got back into the formation with an enraged floor boss attacking them.
They were drained, and frequent use of the mana and energy potion decreased their effect on them, signaling them that major fatigue and mana strain were coming in a few hours from now.
Yet, their cooperation and teamwork improved in leaps and bounds with each passing minute and obstacle. Slowly but surely, they began to cover each other's blindsides and backs with less and less communication until there were no words among them except for tactic understanding. They worked like a well-oiled machine, able to hit and cause more damage as they countered and dodged the coming attacks.
27 minutes into the fight, half of the floor boss’s body was gone as its energy and mana weren’t enough for its regeneration as it exploded into mana leaving behind several loot.
Side Quest: Levi’s Herb Haven Completed
Mission Goals
- Defeat the lord of Herb Haven
Reward for Completion: Levi’s Favourite Herb
The three of them, supporting each other with their backs together, didn’t immediately lower their guard but slowly scanned their surroundings for dangers. Once they were sure there were none, they collapsed on the ground, out of breath.
After a few minutes of rest, they had to stand up immediately, preparing their weapons as they spotted something coming towards them.
“Stop!”
Yet Bianca stopped them as she used when she saw the identity with Aprrasial.
Name
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Blossom Sylva Seraphim
Race
Fruit Fairy
Titles
Gardener, Child of Harmony, Descendent of Seraphim, Child of Healing
Affinity
Arcane, Life, Nature, Water, Heal,◼◼◼
Skill
Planting, Herbology, Nutrition Supplement, Plant Nurturing, Healing Touch, Healing Grounds, Healing Water, Rain, Healing Rain, Fertile Grounds, Mend, Restore, Growth Manipulation, Pruning, Harvest
Trait
Dungeon Born, Elite Monster, Curious
Out came a squirrel made out of an apple as it looked at them a few meters away. Soon, mana swirled around it as it used its skills.
Growth Manipulation
Healing Rain
Water came down, healing their wounds, and in the barren grounds around them, plants sprouted out, growing into shrubs at a fast rate.
Seeing how they let down their guards, it came closer, touching each of them as it used Restore, giving them enough energy to not collapse on the way out. Soon, it turned away and ran in a certain direction, stopping and looking towards them.
Randy was the frist to speak in his usual boisterous and cheerful voice.
“One moment, we have to sort the loot.”
With that, it nodded and waited.
They knew about its existence in the pamphlet, and the ruler mentioned them, the elites on this floor, the children of the ruler, and the Gardeners. They would help the delvers, heal their injuries, and guide them to the safe zone. It was repeatedly emphasized not to engage in a fight unless instigated by it. What would happen then was not written down.
It was strange for a monster not to attack, much less be healed by one. Bianca now understood why that old man was smiling ear to ear every time he came back from this dungeon. Even she was curious. All the other things she found, except for the ruler, were variations of the plants she knew. But the elite in front of her was different—it was unheard of. Knowledge and experience came to her mind, wanting to understand and figure it out.
While Bianca was lost in thought, Randy went to pick up the loot, but Travis did most of the work. He silently and quickly organized the loot as he gave it to Bianca, only taking two rainbow-shimmering leaves and giving one to Randy.
Bianca came back from her thoughts as she was handed the loot: one shimmering leaf, a variety of herbs whose quality rivaled that of the fruit given by the ruler at first glance.
She was slightly ashamed of her behavior, which she had picked up from her master. Usually, it was only her and her old man, so they would discuss and study right there when they were in this state.
“Sorry about that, and thank you.”
“No problem!”
Bianca apologized, but Randy just laughed. Travis gave a small nod, though Bianca could see some red appear on his cheeks.
“Sorry for the wait! Let’s go!”
Randy spoke to Blossom as it led the way out of Herb Haven. The mobs did not attack them once, just as in the pamphlet. However, the pamphlet also mentioned that when someone harvested any resource while being led, that would stop as the elite vanished.
Soon they arrived at the safe zone road as Blosson went back into Herb Haven. It was still not time for them to gather at the clearing, but they were tired and had enough for today as they arrived at the clearing, collapsing on the benches as they lay their heads on the table.
Bianca started checking the herbs gathered, but one stood out the most.
Levi’s Favorite Herb
A herb leaf from the Floor Boss named Levi, imbued with the dungeon of desire’s mana, transmuting it into an elixir. Has an extremely rare chance of dropping once defeating the floor boss, Levi. Has properties of enhancing the mind and bringing tranquility. Extremely fragrant.
-Gain a Minuscule boost to the mind permanently (One-time for each individual)
She was shocked by what she found, an elixir was any consumable able to increase one’s attribute permanently. Most of the elixirs she is aware of were made by legendary or mythical alchemists using ingredients that would cost a kingdom or even rarer gifts given by the gods.
Of course, the one-time limit and its properties are extremely lackluster compared to the elixirs of legends. However, this can be gained by anyone for the first time coming here and could be gained when the floor boss is defeated. She could only imagine the impact this would have.
But, she calmed her heart and mind. The ones who brought us here knew about this. Worrying about it won’t do anything. So, instead, she thought about what to do with the herb she had. Using it was out of the question. She didn’t even know if her master could do it, considering it was something that has never been recorded, and he was called a legend, but that didn’t mean he has a legendary class. He was just close to it from what he has told her. Considering that about one person in a hundred years might be able to reach legendary in a class meant that was incredible in itself.
As she looked at the two, Bianca considered whether to suggest giving it to her master so that her master could learn more and they could gain a higher benefit than when consumed raw. However, she thought against it. Anyone who could defeat the floor boss would acquire it. It was not worth the risk. Perhaps in a hundred years, they would have the luxury to study and use it for crafting in moderation.
Instead, she thought about something different she could do as she called out to the two of them.
“Hey, catch.”
Bianca threw two cherries at each, leaving the last two for her to eat. They both recognized the fruit as the one Bianca had been given from the ruler. Surprised, they looked toward her.
“Why are you giving these to us?”
Randy asked, and Travis questioned the same with his eyes. The fruit was precious, and both of them had already eaten the one they got as a reward. When they took a bite of the fruit the ruler gave them, they engulfed it right there like the others. She only ate one, fighting the urge to eat another, and saved the others for later research.
She knew the fruits dropped by the floor boss in the fruits section were just as good, though it dropped random ones. She knew this because his master was given fruits from the floor boss and from the ruler to compare as he shared some of his findings with me.
She also knew him enough to know that there was a difference enough to keep a secret from me, insinuating the fruits are of the same value. She wasn’t upset because she knew it was for her own good, and sometimes the less you knew, the better. Though, she can’t deny her curiosity.
As she looked at them both, she thought about her other dungeon-delving experiences. She would apply her commission to the adventures guild and would delve with the group of adventures who signed up. Her master was never stingy when it came to this, so they were some of the best and most experienced adventures in the area. Of course, she fought with dungeon monsters to improve her skills and learn from her experience as her master wanted. But she was never truly in danger, and she knew that.
Before going to the dungeon, her master informed her of something not written in the pamphlet. He said that the dungeon hasn’t killed anybody, and its action implies that it will continue to do so. Yet, she didn’t slack off and let her guard down because of it. She treated every moment like her life was on the line.
Today was something. It was hard, it was hectic, it was frustrating but it was fun, it was thrilling, it was a new excitement different from the adventures with her master. It was an experience she would like to have again. Something she would like to do with the two of them as she looked into their eyes.
Before the old man, all her thoughts were on surviving. After he adopted her, she needed time to adapt, and once she did, her life of continuously traveling prevented her from making close connections. It wasn’t like there weren’t good people. She was simply afraid of committing when knowing when it would end.
From her life of traveling, she has learned to read people, and the two in front of her were good people. So, since I don’t know how this would end, why not try it out?
“Because we are tired, and this will help.”
At the same time, they both refused as they gave the cherries back, taking out their ration of food.
“No, let’s just eat these to restore our mana.”
Randy said with a serious expression as Travis nodded along, both eating their rations.
“Haha, look, we took way too much energy and mana potions, and probably in a few hours, we won’t have the energy to lift a finger and a massive period due to mana strain. Just eat these to help with that, so we can hang out after we are out of the dungeon.”
Randy was stunned by my period joke, while Travis was flustered as his face turned red. Mana strain was different for every individual; for me, it was like a more painful period, which meant massive cramps and constipation.
Soon, they took the cherries again, and as I handed them out, Randy spoke up right before they were about to eat them.
“By the way, we were definitely going to hang out with you afterward, even without this and with our periods, because blood sisters don’t leave behind others! My period is leg cramps and headache, by the way!”
Travis blushed, yet he still hesitantly said his piece.
“Moodswings and cravings.”
At that point, we just laughed, and Travis followed along as we ate the cherries. As she ate, she thought they tasted better than the first time.
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Bianca used the excuse of going to the bathroom to move to a secluded place in the clearing. She also happened to see the elites manipulate the plants, carrying five unconscious people as they throw them into the clearing. They were drained of their energy to the limit with juice all over them; overall, they were fine with no injuries.
‘Huh, so that’s how they do it. And it seems they have taken some equipment, too.’
Finding a place, after checking no one was there she spoke to the air, hoping it would reach the dungeon or the ruler.
“So, I’m technically not allowed to do this, but from the look of it, I’m sure you could do it on your own, but here.”
She took out a small pouch from her bag. Inside were seeds from the many plants she and her master had harvested over the years. She knew that a part of the reason her master agreed to settle here was for her. They have been together for years. Of course, she would know. He probably was worried she wasn’t living a normal life, but she enjoyed every moment with him, even the ones that drove her crazy.
She wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again if she could. Experiencing this dungeon, she knew her master would be thrilled and would have settled even if it wasn’t for her, but he didn’t know that at that time. So, she decided to take a gamble. She said her purpose as she put the pouch on the ground, hiding it from view.
“My…father. He’s a crazed plant enthusiast, so he decided to settle because of this garden. But, by doing so, he also lost his chance to adventure and find rare and exotic plants. It was one of the few things that excited him. So, if it's not much I hope you can consider using these. Just keep doing what you are doing because my… dad loves it here.”
With that, she quickly walked back to her party, but she stopped when the voice of the ruler spoke to her.
“Thank you.”
With a smile on her face, she greeted her two party members as they waved at her. Soon, they began to talk and chat about nonsense as they waited for the others to come back.
‘This is nice.’
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“Hello! Aehteria to Bee! What are you zoned out about now!”
In front, Randy was waving in front of her, ending her flashback.
“About the first time, we delved into this dungeon.”
“It’s been almost a week.”
It was Travis who answered over the week, they had daily delved and met in the town, sometimes just doing nothing, sometimes checking out what their friends do for work.
Randy had two mothers. One ran a famous restaurant that was always packed with customers, while the other ran a famous bakery with the scent of freshly baked in the morning so enticing that the line to get one of her bread was a war. Fortunately, being friends with the owner’s son means we could get it without the struggle.
Travis's parents, the father was famous blacksmith, and the mother helped with scheduling and sometimes designing the crafts. Travis also helped out a few times with his father’s work, but from what I’ve seen, he seems much more interested in designing with his mother. There was a spark in his eyes, and he talked non-stop about it. Not that he was bad at blacksmithing all the arrowheads and metal pieces attached to his armor were made by him after all.
Thinking of hers, she thought about today. When she woke up this morning, she noticed some potions on the table for her. There was no letter or note, but she knew they were for her because they were what she needed. Yet he always refused to make them, saying they were too trivial and tedious for him. She knew why he made them because sometimes he would check up on her when she was with her new friends as he saw how she truly enjoyed hanging out with them. It was his way of saying sorry.
‘13 years, and I never heard sorry from you. Idiot, you don’t need to feel sorry.’
Lost in her thoughts, they soon arrived at their destination. As they entered the section, a side quest popped up.
Side Quest: Harvesting Vegetables (Repeatable)
You’re in Veggie Valley, now don’t be picky and eat all your veggies, now what veggies are we eating today?
Mission Goal
- Harvest seven cucumbers within one hour
Reward for Completion: One duplication of the lowest quality vegetable harvested for the quest
Penalty for Failure: Mild hunger for 10 minutes
Will you accept the quest Side Quest: Harvesting Vegetables (Repeatable)? (Will automatically select No once 5 minutes have passed without input.)
Yes
No
BIanca also checked the quest they couldn’t finish yet.
Side Quest: Samina’s Veggie Valley
Welcome to Veggie Valley. Let the freshness of greens make you healthier than ever. The veggies here are quite angry as they had heard the prejudice prevalent from outside that vegetables are yucky and boring. The Lord will not take kindly to those who don’t show respect for the majesty of vegetables.
Mission Goal
- Defeat the lord of Veggie Valley
Reward for Completion: The defeated floor boss will drop the rarest loot
Penalty for Failure: None
Soon, they went in, unaware that the dungeon was paying attention to their party and especially her.