(Lesser Monster Core)

(Blackbirch Circlet)

A circlet hewn from the wood of a Blackbirch Dryad and inscribed with their magic, this circlet provides a barkskin effect upon its wearer, which toughens the skin as if it were a layer of Blackbirch bark, as well as allowing the wearer to absorb tiny amounts of sustenance from direct sunlight on their skin. As a side effect, the wearer becomes more susceptible to (Fire), if only skin-deep.

(Blackbirch Dryad Leaves)

These Dryad leaves are a useful ingredient in concoctions with restorative effects, and give a tiny boost to Recovery when consumed raw.

I lean down and first pick up the band of black twigs that are entwined around each other to make up the Blackbirch Circlet, inspecting its appearance further, trying to figure out a way to make it fit on my head, as it seems to be sized for someone with, lets say, human proportions in mind, because obviously I am itching to put it on. As someone who has spent most of their time in scraps for apparel, having a source of protection other than my ugly-as-hell pants is for sure welcome. As I twist and turn the ring of wood sized for an average human’s head, my eye catches on a glint of violet on one section of the circlet, which upon closer look reveals faintly glowing symbols of an unknown script lining the equipment around its length. Dozens of tiny, purple etchings fill the wood’s surface, and it only takes me a few moments to realize what exactly I am looking at, though it's the System notification that actually tips me off.

[Skill [Runic Vision] Has Gone From Level 22 To Level 23!]

“Huh, so that's what runes look like. Neat.”

Unfortunately for me, I haven't the foggiest idea what to do with this information. Yes, I have the [Alter Runes] Skill, but there is no way I am using it. For all I know, I would mess something up and break the circlet somehow. Besides, I don't even have anything to alter, since I don't know any runes myself.

I’ll have to keep an eye out for more stuff with inscriptions or runes on them. I could probably compare items with similar effects to find common runes. Or just find someone to ask questions, or read a book.

One of the many downsides to my solo operation is how I still have pretty much no idea where I am and what I should be doing. I’ve been so occupied with running around and trying not to die, that I haven't really taken the time to think out what to do next, going from one fight to the next with little breaks between. Hell, I've been on Dharta for only a few days, and I've already taken down skeletons, wolves, living trees and other such nonsense, changed my appearance multiple times, gained an extra two feet in height along the way, and more. Yet I've got no plan on what I want to do.

I let out a sigh, and stick the band of wood atop my head to distract myself from my anxiety, only for it to stretch out like my trousers did, until it sits snug around my skull, resting right above my stubby horns. Moments afterwards, I feel an oddly pleasant itch all over my body, and I look down to see my skin take on the appearance of crimson bark. It's an odd sight, to say the least, as while it looks like I am covered in bark all over, I can still move around just as nimbly as before, the “bark” stretching and flexing as easily as my skin did.

Worries momentarily forgotten once more, I mess around for a bit, pulling and poking various parts of my body, feeling the slightly unsettling texture of fleshy wood, an odd combination that I would never have conceived before, nor will I forget anytime soon. Even my tail benefits from the Barkskin effect, making its already tough, leathery hide even more durable, though touching the tips still gives me an odd tingling sensation, even with the enhanced protection.

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After getting my fill of poking and prodding myself, I leave the Monster Core and Dryad Leaves on the floor for now to claim the most intriguing reward, the bonus chest. This time there is no lock, and I lift up the lid with ease, peering inside the large box to see… a small bag.

“That's it? This chest looks like it can hold dozens of those bags, and it doesn't even look like it has anything in it!”

Getting slightly angry at the Dungeon for its stinginess, my previous fortunes slipping my mind for the moment, I huff as I pick up the purple bag as I Analyze it with my [Runic Vision].

(Lesser Bag Of Holding)

A somewhat basic bag of holding, this bag uses (Spatial) magic to allow for storage of items many times what its appearance would suggest. This particular bag of holding also has inscriptions that reduce weight and has a moderate preservation effect.

At the same time as I finish reading the description that is leaving me dumbstruck, I bring the precious item up close enough to realize that the bag of holding is not, in fact, purple, but rather, it would have the appearance of a normal cloth bag, if not for the hundreds of runes covering it from all over. If I copied the amount of runes from my circlet onto paper, it might have the length of a couple sentences. This bag would be a multi-page essay. The overwhelming amount of incomprehensible magic covering the deceptively simple bag leaves me slack jawed, and I swiftly learn that I at least don’t need to understand what I am looking at to Level my Skills as I gain two more levels in [Runic Vision], and even one in [Alter Runes]. The latter of which almost made me drop the bag, fearing that I accidentally activated the Skill unknowingly.

Thankfully I didn’t ruin my new prized possession, which was easy to confirm by sticking my hand in much further than should be possible, and retrieving a handful of copper and silver coins. It seems as if my bag came pre-filled with some items, and after some experimentation on how to work the damn thing, I figure out how to “sense” the items inside and take out each one. Nothing held within is super impressive, mainly being more coins and some Moss Wolf meat in that Dungeon-leaf packaging. The fact that I pulled out enough chunks of meat to feed me for days, including how I have eaten probably two full Moss Wolf’s worth of the stuff into that calculation, is much more impressive to me.

At the sight of the pile of leaf-wrapped bundles spread before me, my stomach betrays me by letting out a large gurgling sound, and my face heats up slightly as I take some of the bundles and eat an early lunch/dinner, depending on what time it actually is, as I return the rest of the meat and the coins, as well as the Dryad leaves, Lesser Monster Core, and even my old cloth pouch and its contents, into my Lesser Bag Of Holding. Each item goes in easily, the bag seeming to stretch out to let each item in, and once complete, the bag doesn’t seem noticeably heavier or more full, and so I attach it to my belt where my mundane cloth pouch once occupied, and lick the amber colored blood from my fingers as I finish of my meal.

Sometime along the way, the chest must have merged back into the ground, as it has disappeared from sight. That is a good enough signal to me that it's time to head out, my mini-adventure now complete and the spoils adorned on my body, so I turn to head out. Maybe I can find my axe in the pixie room on my way out, if it's still there. The Dungeon did absorb that pack of Sunlight Moss Wolves, so I won't keep my hopes up, but it would be nice. I also had that one bundle of Moss Wolf meat I left in the Safe room, so I can check if that remains as well. If one or the other is gone, I’ll at least know not to leave stuff unattended in the future.

As I step past the stone doors which reopened after defeating the Dungeon Boss, absorbed in my thoughts, a whisper from behind me catches my attention.

“Come back again”

Turning around, I see the Dryad peeking out from behind their tree, waving shyly at me with a slight smile, and I hear them call out to me with the edge of my hearing, slightly louder than their previous whisper.

“It was a fun fight. I’d love to do it again, so please come back soon.”

And before I can utter a single word, the large stone doors slam shut once again, a Dungeon message appearing in my vision moments later.

[Your party may challenge the Dungeon Boss again in: 3 Days]