Flora continued to lean on me and buried her face in my chest for a couple of minutes.
As I hugged her back while burying my face in her shoulders, I felt something resounding inside her body. 'Thump''Thump''Thump' almost a second each worth of heartbeat entered in my body. Although I'm really glad and happy that her crazily beating heart finally went back to being like a regular beat, it also left me greatly perplexed. This sensation, this beating heart, all of this seemed real beyond doubt as if
I was back in reality and this girl in my arms are without no doubt a real girl not a virtual NPC monster.
--------It was really beating!
The beating of a heart. If this was a biological being --- a real person, then this was a given. Of course, IF this was a biological being in the first place. But isn't she an NPC?
So how can this be? Is the programmers and creators of this game really that amazing and outstanding to be able to produce such realism? Listening to this weak but regular heart beat is very comfortable. Now, It seems I can't refer this world as an imagination but also another reality!
After maintaining that position for several minutes, she finally calmed down and went back to her normal demeanor. Slowly separating from each other, we didn't say anything but I can feel that the distance between us became closer than ever.
'Thank you so much, Master Hein' Rosa's voice resounded in my mind. 'You're welcome~'
"...Well, I guess it's time to finish this whole thing up..."
Reluctantly saying, I said while wearing a bitter smile. She smiled at me and nod
"Hmm...With your strength right now, there would be no problems..." She paused for a while and then as if she finally decided something she continued "...after this fight you can finally....leave"
"Uugh...F-flora...that is..." steeling my resolve, thus I said "...won't you go with me?"
She seemed surprised at first but then she slightly shook her head.
"...like you, I still have something I need to do...although after you clear this dungeon, I will be freed from my duty, I still need to go back in my own kingdom after a very long time"
"I-I...see"
"Don't worry Hein...this is not a good bye after all...after I've finally do all the things I need to do, I will find you and return to your side once again...that time will be the time I can finally stay at your side forever"
Although I can't clearly hear the last words she muttered, but by just hearing that we will meet again in the future makes my spirit surge up. Butterflies flutter in my stomach and I feel my soul rising up towards cloud 9, this is the first time in my life I seemed to really look forward in the future.
"Hmm...I will surely wait for you!...Now then better check all the things before my fight!
[ Status ]"
Saying the key word, a familiar window appeared in my vision. It's been a long time since I look at my [ Status ] after all~
[tr][tr]
Status WindowCharacter Name:Hein Vilestone/ Dryad Princess RosaAlignment:NeutralLevel:65Restricted! Skill [ Spirit Merge ] Activated!
[ Temporary ]
Countdown: 1 hour and 25 minutes left!
Health:6,995Mana:7,233Strength:845Agility:851Wisdom:805Intellect:815Sustenance750Fighting Spirit750Luck175Leadership:0Natures Affinity:MaximumUnique Skills:
>Heightened Senses (Passive)
>Gamers’ Heart and Mind
(Passive)Skills:
Divine Vision LVL 1
Cooking skill LVL 1
Sword Mastery LVL 4
Lesser Teleportation LVL 1
Night Vision LVL1
Divine Sense LVL1
Poison Immunity LVL1
Acrobatics LVL1
Hand-to-Hand Combat LVL1
Precognition LVL1
Sub-skill: Trajectory Lane LVL1
Coercion LVL1
Blade Dance LVL1
Menace LVL1
War Cry LVL
Stealth LVL1
Assassination LVL1
Healing Touch LVL1
Lesser Treant Minions LVL1
Spirit Separation LVL1
Essence Refinement LVL1
Skill Absorption LVL1
Meditation LVL1
Divine Skill: Spirit Merging
Custom Skills:MakenSword Skills :
o Way of the Dragon God, First form: Swallow Beheading Mountain
o Way of the Dragon God, second defensive form: Dragon Cyclone
o Way of the Dragon God, Fourth Form: Battle Dance of the Mantis
Magic Skills :Divine Skill: Scorched HellDryad Princess Rosa's Skills:
[align=left]Plant Language MAX
Healing Touch MAX
Flower Corpse MAX
Lesser Treant Minions MAX
Medium Treant Minions MAX
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Feel the Earth MAX
Bark Skin MAX
Flower Poison MAX
Plant Heal MAX
Vine shackles MAX
Photosynthesis MAX
Thirsty Roots MAX
Vine wall MAX
Charm Speak MAX
Tree Meld MAX
Money:101 gold, 52 silver, 8 coppers
Oh my god! Look at that level! Is this the result of [ Spirit Merging ]? Isn't this a total cheat skill! What the hell!
I really had the urge to jump right now while laughing so loud but I restraint myself for it is quite unsightly and childish. However, this skill can really make one so jealous,
Just how can a balance breaker skill like this existed? Isn't this too much of a
cheat!......who cares~ as long as I have it, no problemo mi amigos! kekekeke
kuhahahahahahahaha
"Uum, Is there a problem, Hein?"
It seemed like Flora noticed my happiness because I was really grinning from left to right ear. My smile must have been creeped her out....Oh well, hahahaha
"N-nothing....Oh right milady..."
"What is it?"
"...It's just that, I'm quite curious. From what I know, Dryad are bonded to a single tree, right? I heard that they can't leave their tree for too much time? They will die if they will leave their tree, then why are you here? Is your tree near here?"
"How unexpectedly, You're quite knowledgeable about us Dryads aren't you, Hein?"
"I just read some books about you, that's all~"
"Well, you're not wrong at all, but you're also not quite right. You see, I don't need to depend in a tree anymore~"
"Ha? what do you mean?"
"I'm quite special you see, I'm the queen after all. Actually, some dryad can fused with their tree and can be free from dependence when they met various special requirements. One of it is, they must be from the royal blood...like me"
"I see...Fair enough~"
"SO, are you ready?"
"Yup, let's bring it!"
Elder Treant Level 55
Mini-Boss
Seeing me doing the guts pose, she laugh and then called the [ Elder Treant ] from before. This guys must have been waiting for a lifetime now.
Oh, It seems I can finally see its level, however Oh my Norway! A level 55 monster!
Isn't that monster freakishly strong!? No wonder Flora stop me! I would have been killed if I fought it before!
Realizing this fact, I look towards Flora with moisten eyes. T-this lovable queen, Uugh just how can she be so kind! I'm really lucky am I? How can I ever repay this adorable queen!
Noticing my gaze, she became flustered and her face was dyed with red. She lower her head and asked with a soft and beautiful voice
"Wh-what is it? S-something wrong?"
Shaking my head, I replied with a smile
"Nothing~ I'm just thinking, How can you be so beautiful~"
"SH-shut up! A-are you mocking me!.....S-start the f-fight already!"
Wow, her flustered and embarrassed face is really cute! Now I really want to steal this woman and elope! God of destiny or fate whatever you are, I don't really like you but if you ever choose this woman to be with me forever then I promise you I will treat you to a sundae. I will bring you a bouquet of flowers while kneeling and saying my thanks!
Thinking thus, I withdraw the [ Magic Blade Sword ] in my inventory. Gripping it, I closed my eyes and the corner of my lips turned into a smile.
Maintaining the sword in an upright position, I stood there without moving. I inhaled a deep breath and then exhale. Doing such things, made me relax my expression and instantly my senses skyrocketed and unknown power surge inside my body.
"Now then, Time for a Hunt!"
"Then....Begin!"
Seeing that my preparations for the battle were complete, Flora softly announced the beginning of the battle.
As soon as she finished speaking, like a bomb suddenly exploded countless roots and branches from the [ Elder Treant ] shot out like arrows at the same time.
Well, as if it'll hit me. Releasing some of bloodlust, I kicked the ground fiercely dodging the attack gracefully. Although right now my level is higher than this monster, caution is still necessary. To me, level is nothing but a decoration during a fight. No matter how high level one is, if you didn't know how to use your abilities properly then it would be just like a legendary sword used like a knife.
In rapid succession, the sharpened roots and branches cut through the air and was directly targeting my vital points; such as my head, chest, stomach and legs. Truly intending to kill!
As if dancing in midair I kept continuously dodge its attacks as I keep my focused in the [ Elder Treant ] movements and didn't initiate to counter-attack. 'Learning one's enemy is one step to win a battle' its weakness, power and strength I need to know it all.
However, to be able to continuously evade and dodge its attack is no simple matter! I can only do this because of the [ Spirit Merging ] skill I've got letting me fused with Rosa. With Dryad's powerful perception as well as its monstrous senses coupled with my skill [Precognition] and [ Trajectory Lane ], dodging this attacks is child's play.
But still...this numerous roots and branches that the [ Elder Treant ] shot out were unexpectedly not attacking me in a wild and unorganized way. These [ Elder Treant ] was actually attacking me in accordance with great accuracy!
Realizing this, I can't help but smiled wryly. Even if my level is higher compared to it, if
I fought it head on from the start I would really have a hard time.
"This [ Elder Treant ] is not that simple...isn't it~"
"Oho~ it seems you also noticed it. That's right, this child is not just a normal child, if you compared it to the others! Actually it exceeded the norm by a bit~"
Hearing my words, Flora was quietly watching our battle answered.
"I think it's about time for me....to make my move!"
A smile surfaced on my face as I muttered those words. For the first time since the beginning of the battle, I took the initiative. Even though the [ Elder Treant ] attacks went at blinding speed, to me it was ridiculously slow.