The morning air was sharp and cool, a light chill of hinting of the bright energy alive in Everbloom. Jun sat at his round table, finishing off the last bits of breakfast. Yogundr lay lazily coiled near the warmth of the stove, its half-closed eyes savoring the heat. "Today," Jun announced, "we are going to visit the Stigmata Tree.
Yogundr lifted its head, and the scales on its body reflected the morning sun. "A wise decision," it said, with a hint of approval in its voice. "The journey will test you, but the rewards may prove transformative.
Jun packed his rucksack carefully, making sure it contained all the essentials: potions, a home compass, and a waterskin. He slung the bag over his shoulder and donned his cloak, its fabric a mix of Sector 13's roughness and the State's enchantments. With Yogundr resting comfortably on his shoulder, they headed into the wilderness.
The trail was full of life, Everbloom vibrancy pulsating all around him. Magic hung in the air, pouring into the plants and animals that surrounded him. Jun's breaths were lighter now, his cultivation subtly improving as he harmonized with the environment's mana. He saw a bed of fibrous plants with pale, silken strands as he walked.
"Yhute," he murmured, examining it closely.
"Good cortage material," Yogundr said. "Strong, durable, and enchantable."
Jun took his time harvesting a bundle, bundling it neatly before tucking it into his rucksack. He pressed onward, marveling at the beauty around him. The land seemed to breathe with magic, every step revealing new wonders.
Jun's progress was both fast and meandering, his pace often interrupted by the fascinating creatures he saw. A group of Soim Toads hopped lazily near a shallow pond. Jun recognized them from his studies; their alchemical value was immense, especially when dried or alive.
Further along, he came upon a **Xiaxoan Snail**, its shell shining with an intricate, iridescent pattern. The creature was the size of a watermelon, moving with slow deliberation. Jun's Rigg confirmed that snails with specialized diets, like magma, developed stronger and sharper shells that could be used for enchanting.
He looked up and froze. Perched on a high branch was a **Baymouth Owl**, its predatory gaze fixed squarely upon him. The bird exuded the aura of dominance, and for a moment, Jun felt he was the prey. He felt that bead of cold sweat trickling down his back, but he managed to hold its stare until it finally looked away.
"That one has seen battles," Yogundr whispered. "It likely commands more magic than you do. Be careful in its domain."
Jun nodded, moving on but keeping a wary eye on the trees above.
The distractions continued: a patch of Tygmil Shrooms, hallucinogenic fungi prized for their shamanic properties; a grove of Whistling Ferns that sang like wind chimes when the breeze picked up. Jun harvested what he could, his rucksack steadily filling with the region's unique offerings.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
As the afternoon dragged on, Jun's attention was sharply snapped in by a heavy distortion around him in the mana. The air vibrated as thick with tension as when an intense magical clash was on its way. "What is happening?" Jun asked, scanning the area about him with his Rigg.
The device chimed in with its gentle, female voice. "Two adult creatures detected: a Slouched Bear and a Tree-fork Elk. Both are engaged in combat. Estimated sizes of combatants: 10 feet tall. Types of magic: Slouched Bear – Fire and Nature; Tree-fork Elk – Arcane, Nature, and Water."
Jun moved slowly, ascending up a tree for better observation. The dense foliage in front allowed him to view the two colossal beasts battling brutally.
The Slouched Bear was the color of fiery oranges streaked with mossy green; it roared as a burst of flames erupted from its massive paws, flaying the ground and trails of ash and scorched foliage. It spelled out with a conjuring Jun had never seen anything like—it was a Thorn Spire—heavy, spikily barked vines spewed out of the ground and whiplashed the opponent toward it.
The Tree-fork Elk is a powerful creature with long, branching antlers that counter in finesse. Its antlers glow as it uses [Aqua Veil], an ethereal shield of water that quenches the flames and repels the thorns. Not waiting a single moment, it launches a return with [Arcane Torrent], sending waves of glowing, crackling orbs toward the bear.
Again, the bear roared, its mana surging as it used [Inferno Roar], a wave of flame that pushed the elk back. The elk stumbled but regained his footing quickly, siphoning mana from the environment to heal minor wounds. His eyes shone with intelligence as he changed tactics, using [Nature Bind] to bind the bear's hind legs in roots before summoning a waterfall to slam into his opponent.
Despite its ferocity, the Slouched Bear was no match. The elk's combination of elemental magic and combat experience overwhelmed it. With a final, devastating charge, the elk impaled the bear with its antlers, lifting it momentarily before letting the lifeless body fall to the ground.
Jun held his breath as the elk turned its gaze on him. For five long seconds, their eyes met. There was no malice in the creature's expression; only a quiet acknowledgment. Then, with a flick of its antlers, the Tree-fork Elk turned and disappeared into the forest, its movements fluid despite the massiveness of its frame.
Jun moved carefully, reaching the dead Slouched Bear. The body was warm, and its fur and leather were intact.
"This pelt is worth preserving," Yogundr said. "Its mana-rich properties will serve you well.
Jun nodded, drawing out his dagger. It was a challenge to skin the bear, but his Rigg offered step-by-step instructions and, with years of survival in the streets, he had the sharpness to execute it precisely. The process took him six long hours, making him physically exhausted but very pleased. He was able to bring back 100 kilograms of meat, with the pelt, which he immediately started treating with preservative spells.
As he prepared to send out a Hovering Beacon to summon aid from a nearby forestry post, Yogundr broke in.
"There's no necessity for that," the shadow snake said. "You forget that most void practitioners have access to void space. Whilst you have yet to master how to use it yourself, I can store the meat and leather for you."
Jun stared at Yogundr in disbelief. "You can do that?"
"Of course," Yogundr replied smoothly. "This will make your burdens much lighter. Void space is something you'll learn soon enough."
Jun handed over the materials, watching in amazement as Yogundr's form shimmered briefly before the items vanished into storage.
It turned dark very fast, and Jun made camp high up in the trees. Utilizing stout branches and collected Yhute, he erected a small platform on all sides of a shelter, a design reminiscent of hunting stands but with camping purposes.
As the mist rolled in, Jun worked late into the evening, treating the Slouched Bear's pelt with strengthening spells while making sure its elasticity remained intact. His Rigg provided precise instructions, and the preservation process went smoothly.
When he finally lay down to rest, exhaustion weighed on him, but his mind replayed the battle between the Slouched Bear and the Tree-fork Elk. The creatures' use of magic fascinated him, particularly the seamless way they cast spells without visible runes or incantations.
"How do they do it?" he murmured, half to himself and half to Yogundr.
"They've had lifetimes to attune to their magic," the snake replied. "For them, casting is as natural as breathing. You'll learn in time."
Jun closed his eyes, but he could see the Tree-fork Elk's glowing antlers vividly in his mind. His journey to the Stigmata Tree had only just started, and he was already feeling the weight of Gaia's mysteries settling on him. With each step, new challenges appeared, new lessons to learn, and new possibilities were presented. And Jun wanted to face them all.