Looking around with bleary eyes, the world seemed to vibrate with a newfound intensity. The once-muted colors of the forest now burst with a vivid brilliance, the leaves shimmering in a spectrum of greens, golds, reds, and blues. I couldn’t tell if this heightened sense of vitality was a result of the recent changes to my Qi Body or simply the boost to my stats, but every detail felt more vibrant and alive. Setting aside my amazement for the moment, I forced myself to focus, determined to Identify the colossal tree that had nearly claimed my life with its mere existence.
Species: Monarch Oalek Tree
The Monarch Oalek Tree, revered as the supreme guardian of the Wertelli forest and its denizens. Though inherently gentle, this ancient sentinel is unwavering in its duty, offering guidance to those who seek it and protecting the forest from any threat.
The realization that I had managed to Identify the tree this time left me astonished, as did the fact that the Monarch Oalek hadn’t obliterated me for my audacity. After all, I had drunk the very lifeblood of this formidable guardian, a sacrilege that could have easily led to my undoing. The fact that it had spared me was both a relief and a perplexity, leaving me to wonder why it had shown me mercy. Despite the relief of still being alive and feeling the strength coursing through me, confusion and caution warred within me as I studied the magnificent tree.
The Monarch Oalek’s trunk was a towering giant, its girth extending several meters wide and its branches stretching high into the sky. Its canopy was a living kaleidoscope of colors, with vibrant hues shifting and shimmering as though alive. Struggling to my feet, I retrieved my club and frond pouch, picking up the scattered Oalek nuts that had fallen during my earlier chaos. Determined, I navigated the vast network of roots, each one a gnarled, ancient path leading to the heart of the tree. As I approached the final monumental root, a mysterious force tugged me toward a hollow at the base of the trunk. Despite my apprehension, there was no immediate threat—just a curious, almost benign sense of irritation emanating from the tree.
I crawled through the narrow, earthen tunnel, my hands brushing against the cool, damp walls until I stumbled into an open chamber. The space was dimly lit by a soft, ethereal glow that seeped through cracks in the walls, revealing a pedestal at the center. The pedestal, encircled by pulsing, iridescent veins, was crafted from twisted wood, its surface a mesmerizing tapestry of knots and whorls that spoke of age and elegance.
With cautious steps, I approached the pedestal and placed my hands on its intricately knotted surface. To my dismay, nothing happened. I was puzzled; in stories, the protagonist often communicates with celestial entities through sacred relics. Perhaps a sacrifice was required? Surveying my meager offerings—a crude club and a handful of nuts—I decided to place the nuts on the pedestal, hoping for some form of response.
Immediately, I was engulfed by an overwhelming presence, one so vast and alien that it defied comprehension. Time seemed to stretch into infinity, and language became an inadequate tool for grasping the enormity of this consciousness. The sheer depth of it was staggering, and attempting to understand it caused a sharp, piercing pain in my mind, revealing the limits of my own perception. Then, just as abruptly, the pain vanished, replaced by a profound sense of serenity. I felt as though I had finally connected with the King of the Forest.
A regal voice, resonant and tinged with an otherworldly quality, enveloped my senses. Its words echoed with ancient wisdom, cutting through the fog of my confusion.
“Wow limiting my thoughts to your level of intelligence is a struggle man. Look, I need your help, and after going all bloodsucker on me I think you owe me. What do you say? Want to help a brother out?”
~
Erm… well, this wasn’t exactly what I had anticipated. Instead of a wise and regal sovereign, the tree's voice sounded more like a condescending parent trying too hard to be trendy but coming off as hilariously out of touch. I could almost hear the Monarch Oalek scoffing in disdain as my thoughts shifted in disbelief.
“Alright, listen here, primate,” the voice boomed with a mix of exasperation and irritation. “I can hear your utterly disrespectful thoughts. Do you know who I am? I am the most sagacious, sensible, and astute Monarch in the entire forest! I have witnessed millennia of life’s grand spectacle while you’re just a fleeting speck of dust in comparison to my ancient grandeur.”
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Feeling a pang of irritation myself, since the tree could apparently eavesdrop on my thoughts, I decided to respond with equal bluntness.
“First off, you’re the only Monarch in this forest. Second, all three of those words just mean you’re smart—smartass. Now, just tell me what you want.”
The tree’s response was a mix of sputtering confusion and what sounded like rustling leaves, a noise that filled my mind before it gathered itself and responded with renewed gravitas.
“I will say this once and once only, you oversized monkey; I am allowing you to live out of sheer curiosity. I have a task for you. Should you refuse this charge, every creature within my realm will turn their collective focus towards ending your insignificant existence. Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes,” I replied, my mental tone dripping with annoyance, “but only if you give me more of your sap after I finish the task, and also something with a sharp edge before I head out.”
“You are a greedy one,” the Monarch Oalek responded with an undertone of begrudging respect. “But I will grant you as much of my blood as you can carry. Approximately 150 kilometers west of here lies an ancient temple now overrun by creatures spreading a foul corruption through my Oalek brethren. I have dispatched others to investigate, but only aviens—those that wisely kept their distance—have returned.”
“So, it’s a suicide mission,” I retorted dryly.
“For you, it may not be,” the tree countered quickly, a hint of desperation creeping into its voice. “Because you managed to withstand the potent Qi within my blood, I believe you might be uniquely suited to purge the corruption.”
“Fine,” I conceded, though my skepticism lingered. “But if you expect me to have any chance of success, you need to teach me how to use Qi.”
“We Oaleks do not employ Qi in the same manner as your primitive kind. I will share knowledge that has been sought after by many, but I cannot guarantee you will master any technique without proper guidance. Crafting techniques is the domain of prodigies, and you are certainly not one. Prepare yourself.”
Before I could snap back at the tree for yet another veiled insult, a searing pain erupted in my head, as though lightning was striking every nerve simultaneously. Blood trickled from my eyes, ears, and nose, and a whirlwind of fragmented memories flashed before my eyes too swiftly to grasp. Then, unconsciousness mercifully claimed me.
~
As Rune’s consciousness faded, a faint, almost amused groan resonated from the Monarch Oalek—a sound that could be interpreted as the tree’s attempt at humor.
“He really does pass out a lot,” the tree chuckled to itself with a hint of dark amusement.
~
Groaning, I woke outside the burrow, the faint light of dawn filtering through the crown of the Monarch Oalek. Whatever the tree had done, it had left my head feeling as though it had been dunked in molten lava. My mind, already strained from my time in this world, felt like it was fraying at the edges. I lay on the loamy soil for a while, trying to piece together my disjointed thoughts. If I was to save the forest, my current strength was inadequate. I needed levels and a grasp on how to wield Qi.
Tentatively sitting up, I tried to recall any of the memories the tree had forcibly implanted in my mind. Each attempt to focus on them was met with sharp pain, like slamming into an invisible barrier. Resolving to move on, I turned my attention to the steady pulse of my Qi.
The circulation system I had devised, though effective in keeping me alive when I nearly went supernova, suddenly seemed flawed. My body was plagued with stagnant pools of Qi, with only a trickle making its way to my extremities. Using both Blood Control and Qi Control, I created small whirlpools at each blockage, dramatically enhancing the flow of Qi and blood through these areas.
I willed my body to sustain this process, hoping it would enable more effective use of Qi once I learned how. Honestly, I was grasping at straws, but my instincts told me I was on the right path. A nauseating smell soon intruded upon my concentration. I blinked open my eyes and searched for the source, but found nothing. Dismissing the confusion, I noticed a sharp knife with an off-white handle lying a few feet away. I could gripe about the Monarch Oalek’s brusque demeanor, but at least it had kept its end of the bargain. With another groan, I hauled myself to my feet, retrieved the knife, and activated Identify.
Ancient Bone Knife
Created by unknown individuals, this knife was given to the Monarch Oalek in return for a bountiful harvest. Increases overall Knife damage by 25%
Designating the knife as my off-hand weapon for now, I searched for my Primitive Bone Club, unwilling to part with my first weapon. After locating it a few paces away, I scanned the horizon, mentally bracing for the trials ahead. With determination igniting within me, I set off, only to realize that the foul odor from earlier was still clinging to me.
Gagging at the stench, I sniffed my armpit and finally identified the source: it was me. Trying to maintain some semblance of dignity, I trudged forward into the unknown, the forest waiting to test my resolve.