In a split second, Sera quickly thought of something to distract her mind: desserts. She latched onto the idea, clinging to it like a lifeline. Desserts. Cakes. Pies. Sugary confections. She forced herself to focus on the sweet imagery, picturing elaborate pastries and delicate sweets. She chanted the words in her mind, repeating them over and over. Cakes, pastries, cookies. Cakes, pastries, cookies.

The pain surged again, another wave crashing through her. More black sap dribbled from her lips, her body shuddering with the effort to stay upright. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms as she fought to maintain the chant. Cakes, pastries, cookies.

Fortunately, the pain began to ebb, the intensity lessening with each passing moment. Sera continued her chant, her mind stubbornly clinging to the sugary thoughts. The Spirit Tree's probing felt less invasive, the roots' grip on her loosening. The connection began to stabilize, the searing pain reducing to a dull ache.

Finally, another notification flashed in her mind,

Administrator is stable, normal operations may continue.

Sera gasped in relief, the tension draining from her body. She swayed on her feet, exhaustion washing over her. She wiped the black sap from her lips, her breathing ragged but steady. By the dead gods, I can't believe that actually worked.

The dull ache in Sera's back was a constant reminder of the Spirit Tree's probing. Her hand brushed against the rough bark, feeling the gritty texture beneath her fingertips. She exhaled slowly, focusing her mind on the task at hand. Everything's fine, proceed as normal.

"Initiate experience extraction please."

[Experience extraction initiated]

The Spirit Tree's roots surged forward, writhing across the ground to seek out the lifeless bodies scattered around the chamber. As they found their targets, the roots coiled around the corpses, tight like a vise closing with immense force.

Before long, the roots dug into the dead bodies. The roots pulsed with energy, their surfaces glowing with a vibrant green hue that intensified with each beat.

Slowly, the roots extracted the essence from the bodies, drawing out shimmering motes of mana. They floated upward, a slow and graceful ascent, gathering around Sera in a swirling, luminescent dance. The air grew thick with the energy, and Sera felt it seep into her, a rejuvenating force that soothed the ache in her back and filled her with renewed vigor.

The motes of mana floated upwards, coalescing into a dense cloud above the Spirit Tree. The bodies of the prisoners rapidly disintegrated, their forms breaking down into fine particles that were absorbed by the roots.

As the last of the bodies were consumed, a notification flashed in Sera's front of her eyes:

[Experience extraction complete]

Core experience updated to 12000. Rank-up requirement from Rank 3 to Rank 4: 10000 experience. Initiate rank-up sequence?

Without hesitation, Sera spoke her desire, "yes please."

[Rank-up sequence initiated, please wait]

The air around Sera thrummed with energy, the ground beneath her feet vibrating in resonance. With each passing second, the Spirit Tree expanded. Its trunk thickened and elongated, the gnarled bark shifting and creaking as it grew taller. Before long, the tree went from being as tall as her hips to the point it matched her own height.

[Rank-up sequence complete]

[Displaying dungeon status]

Core Rank: 4

Core Experience: 2000

Dungeon Boss: Sera

Number of Floors: 3

Mana: 400/800 (400 currently used for monster maintenance)

Monsters: 29

New features unlocked: new terrain option, new floor construction, enhanced experience extraction

Enhanced experience extraction sounded promising, likely allowing her to draw even more power from the adventurers and monsters that fell within her domain. Perhaps it involved a more efficient conversion process, resulting in greater mana or experience gains. But more importantly, I can finally construct new floors in the dungeon.

She summoned the system interface with a thought, her curiosity piqued. A notification appeared, explaining the mechanics of floor construction.

[Displaying floor construction details]

Constructing a new floor requires core experience. The cost of constructing a new floor increases with each additional floor.

"How much does it cost to construct a new floor now?" she asked aloud, though she already knew the answer.

The current cost is 1000 core experience. Would you like to construct a new floor?

"Yes," she affirmed without hesitation.

A new floor has been chosen as the target of terrain alteration, please review the available terrain options below:

1. Basic theme (Default option; unique passive: none)

2. Stone maze (Rank 2 option; unique passive: minor bonus to adventurer's fear)

3. Glowmoss cavern (Rank 3 option; unique passive: slight possibility that glimmercap mushrooms will sporadically emerge over time)

4. White Forest (Rank 4 option; unique passive: this terrain option comes with four frost banshees. These frost banshees are self-sustaining and do not require mana for maintenance. They have a respawn time of 12 hours.; restriction: this terrain can be applied to only one out of every four floors in the dungeon.)

The White Forest stood out the most. The inclusion of frost banshees that did not require mana to sustain was particularly appealing. These spirits would enhance her dungeon's defenses without draining her resources, making them a valuable asset. The restriction is annoying, but it should become more manageable in the future once the dungeon has more floors.

"I choose the White Forest," she decided.

[Where would you like to place the new floor?]

"Just above this one," she said.

The ground beneath Sera's feet tembled, growing stronger with each passing second. Sera reached out and grasped the rough stone wall beside her, its cool surface grounding her amidst the tumult. She pressed her palm against the wall, feeling the solid texture beneath her fingers.

For a moment, she closed her eyes, focusing on the connection between her and the Spirit Tree. The vibrations coursed through her body, resonating with the energy of the roots as they delved deeper into the subterranean depths. Gradually, the tremors subsided, leaving a profound stillness as Sera opened her eyes again.

[New floor construction complete. White Forest terrain successfully implemented. Frost banshees have been deployed.]

Satisfied with the new floor's completion, Sera decided to review the enhanced experience extraction next. She summoned the system interface once more, curious to understand the new capabilities.

[Displaying enhanced experience extraction details]

Experience extraction will now automatically commence whenever a suitable target dies within the dungeon.

Automatic extraction would ensure that no potential power source went to waste, making her dungeon more self-sufficient and efficient. She could now focus on other tasks, confident that the dungeon could now function somewhat reasonably if she were absent.

Her thoughts drifted to the possibilities this enhancement brought. The seamless extraction of experience from fallen enemies would mean a constant influx of power, allowing her to grow stronger without having to micromanage the process. This would free her up to strategize and expand her influence further, pushing the boundaries of what her dungeon could achieve.

Satisfied with this understanding, Sera decided to check her own profile next.

Name: Sera

Species: Elder Dryad

Access Privilege: Administrator

Level: 300

Magic: 300 (Rating: S)

Magic Resistance: 300 (Rating: S)

Physical Defense: 100 (Rating: C)

Strength: 50 (Rating: E)

Speed: 150 (Rating: B)

Vitality: 300 (Rating: S)

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Overall Challenge Rating: S

Alert: Level 3 Winter path progression ability available.

[Processing Level 3 Winter path progression reward]

New winter path ability unlocked: Glacial Aegis

Description: Upon detecting an incoming attack, an ice shield proportional to the threat level automatically manifests to intercept the attack. Additionally, the user can enhance the shield's durability through focused concentration.

Restriction: Successive activations of Glacial Aegis result in progressively diminished shield strength.

Sera paused as she considered the implications of the ability. I believe I used this ability before when I was still borrowing Amaryllis's strength, if it's as strong as it was then, this ability will be a useful addition to my arsenal.

Eager to test it out, she detached herself from the Spirit Tree, the roots unwinding from her form with gentle reluctance. However, before leaving the chamber, Sera turned back to look at the Spirit Tree.

Her relationship with the tree had changed profoundly ever since Winter had revealed the truth to her. What once felt like an unquestioning bond was now corrupted with doubt. The roots stirred slightly, as if sensing her contemplation, prompting her to turn away and exit the chamber quickly.

When she left the Spirit Tree's chamber, Sera saw Aermo and Alpa walking nearby, framed by the towering trees. Faye was with them, her small figure darting around energetically, exploring her surroundings with boundless curiosity. Aermo's animated gestures highlighted his enthusiasm as he showed off the thornlings to Alpa and Faye.

The tiny creatures bounced excitedly on spindly legs, scurrying around with quick, erratic movements that were oddly coordinated. Their tiny eyes sparkled with mischief as they explored the ground. Brave and Valor still played along with the rest of their kind, though they had a hard time not crashing into their friends due to their larger size.

Sera chuckled a bit as she approached the group. "How are you all finding the dungeon so far?"

Aermo's ears perked up at the sound of her voice. He turned to face her, a broad grin spreading across his face. "Hey Boss, Alpa's been quite fond of the thornlings, and Faye's been having a blast too."

The beastkin woman nodded enthusiastically. "They're fascinating! I've never seen anything like them before."

"They're quite adorable, aren't they?" Sera said, her eyes following a particularly bold thornling that had ventured closer to her feet.

"Nicer than I thought too," Alpa said with a light chuckle.

Faye knelt down to get a closer look at the thornlings, her eyes wide with delight. "Uncle Aermo, Auntie Alpa, look at this one! It's so brave!"

Aermo laughed softly. "That's Brave. And the bigger one over there is Valor. They're always up to something."

Sera chuckled lightly. "If there's anything you all need, just let me know, and I'll see what I can do."

Alpa looked at Sera with a thoughtful expression, brows slightly furrowed as if pondering something important. "This might be sudden, but would it be alright if me and Aermo built a proper house here in the dungeon?"

Sera tilted her head, intrigued. "I don't mind at all. But why didn't Aermo ever want to build one before?"

"I... I just didn't really think of it," Aermo admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But now that Alpa wants a house, I want to help her build one."

"Are we going to have a house here, Auntie Alpa?" Faye asked.

Alpa smiled down at the young girl. "Of course, Faye. You can help us decorate it too."

Sera nodded. "I can help you build a basic living space and some furniture, but you two are free to decorate and furnish it however you wish."

"Thank you, Boss! That means a lot to us," Aermo said.

"Let's find a suitable spot. Aermo, Alpa, Faye, follow me."

The elder dryad led the group to a secluded alcove, partially hidden by dense foliage. It was secluded yet accessible, with enough space to build a comfortable living area.

"Here," Sera said, stopping and gesturing to the open space. "I think this will be a good place for your home."

"Looks good to me," Aermo said, before turning towards Alpa. "What do you think?"

Alpa tilted her head at first, then shrugged lightly. "No complaints from me."

"If nothing else, I'll start," Sera said.

She extended her hands to channel her magic. The ground rumbled as roots from the surrounding trees surged upward with a low, rumbling sound. They moved like serpents, intertwining to form a small house. Each root wove together tightly, creating walls that looked both natural and magical, their surfaces rough yet sturdy.

As the structure rose, bark and leaves joined the roots, adding texture and form to the walls. The bark was smooth in some places, rough in others, and the leaves rustled softly as they settled into their new positions. With a flick of her wrist, Sera directed the roots to grow into the shape of a roof.

Wooden furniture emerged from the ground, seamlessly growing into the space. Chairs, a table, and even a cozy bed formed from the tree roots, each piece intricate and beautifully crafted. The chairs had elegant, curved backs, the table was sturdy and smooth, and the bed looked inviting with its soft, leaf-strewn surface. Flowers blossomed along the walls and windowsills, their petals vibrant and fragrant, adding splashes of color and a sweet fragrance to the air.

Alpa's eyes were wide as she watched everything unfold, while Aermo's tail flicked with excitement. The house was simple yet enchanting, a perfect blend of nature and comfort.

Faye clapped her hands in delight. "It's like a fairy house! Thank you, Auntie Sera!"

Sera turned to the couple. "Will this suffice?"

"Uh, you really didn't have to put this much effort into it, Boss," Aermo said nervously.

"Well, it's here now, so I'll show you all inside," Sera said.

She led them inside, pointing out the different features. "Here is the main living area," she said, gesturing to the space with the wooden furniture. "You have a table and chairs for dining, and over there is your bed."

Alpa's enthusiasm bubbled over as she explored the space. "This is amazing! I can already imagine what we'll do with it. We'll add some cushions here, maybe hang some decorative lights there... Oh, and a little herb garden by the window would be perfect!"

Aermo chuckled, clearly delighted by Alpa's excitement. "You've outdone yourself, Boss. This is more than we could have asked for."

Sera smiled, pleased with their reactions. "I'm glad you like it. Feel free to make it your own. This is your space now."

Alpa continued to detail her plans, her eyes shining with joy. "We can use the flowers for herbal remedies, and the leaves for teas. Oh, and we'll definitely need a little shelf for our books and trinkets."

Aermo nodded along. "Maybe a small workshop outside for crafting, and we could set up a little area for the thornlings to play nearby."

Faye beamed, looking around with wonder. "This is going to be the best house ever!"

Sera waved off their thanks with a modest smile. "I'm happy to see you all so excited. But I'll leave you to it for now."

***

Sera stepped into the White Forest, breath visible in the frigid air. The trees around her had barks that glistened like crystalline ice, capturing and refracting the faint light filtering through the canopy. Each branch was adorned with delicate white leaves that shimmered as if dusted with frost, sparkling almost as if they were tiny diamonds.

She took her time exploring, noting the intricate patterns formed by the ice on the tree trunks. This place feels familiar for some reason, perhaps I'll ask Winter about it should I get the chance in the future.

As she ventured deeper, Sera’s eyes caught movement among the trees. She soon spotted the frost banshees. They floated just above the ground, their ghostly forms draped in tattered, ice-blue shrouds that trailed behind them like wisps of smoke. Their faces were gaunt and hollow, with eyes that glowed an eerie, cold blue. As they moved, the air around them appeared to crystallize, freezing anything they passed through.

Sera watched in awe as the frost crept along the ground and up the trees, leaving a trail of ice in their wake. The banshees’ movements were hypnotic, swaying gently as they glided forward with an ethereal grace. Upon noticing Sera, they changed course, drifting toward her silently.

The banshees halted a few paces away and bowed their heads in unison, a silent acknowledgment of her presence and authority. A pleasant surprise.

Sera took a step closer. She studied the delicate contours of their translucent forms, the way the light passed through their bodies. "Can you speak?"

The banshees exchanged glances, their hollow eyes flickering with an unspoken understanding. Slowly, they shook their heads, the motion almost imperceptible, yet undeniably clear. Ah, so none of them can speak after all.

Sera pondered this for a moment as she considered their silence. "But can you screech like normal banshees?"

In response, the frost banshees nodded all at once. Their icy blue eyes seemed to brighten, a cold fire igniting within their depths.

"Can you show me?"

Sera watched closely as the banshees exchanged hesitant glances, their eyes reflecting both uncertainty and determination. One of them raised a bony, translucent hand, as if asking for her final confirmation.

The elder dryad smiled slightly. "I'm completely sure. Even if my eardrums get damaged, I can regenerate them."

The banshees appeared reluctant, their ethereal forms shimmering with uncertainty. But finally, one of them floated forward, positioning itself to unleash its screech. The air around it grew colder, a sign of the power it was about to release.

Sera brought her hands to her ears, fingers pressing tightly against them. "Go ahead," she instructed, bracing herself for what was to come.

The frost banshee took a deep breath, its translucent skin stretching as it prepared. Then, it unleashed an ear-wrenching screech. The sound was so powerful it froze the very air, ice crystals forming mid-air and falling like delicate snowflakes.

Pain exploded in Sera's ears, a sharp, stinging sensation that made her gasp. Bits of black sap leaked from her ear canals, a stark contrast against her pale skin. The world around her spun, the piercing sound reverberating in her skull, disorienting and relentless. She staggered, knees buckling under the sheer force of the noise.

When the screech ended, the banshees rushed to her side, faces etched with worry and remorse. Their hands fluttered around her, translucent fingers trying to offer comfort and assistance in their ghostly, intangible way.

Sera waved them off, her voice strained but firm. "I'm fine," she assured them, though her hearing was still compromised. The ringing in her ears was deafening, a constant, high-pitched whine that made it difficult to focus. But she simply closed her eyes, concentrating on her natural regenerative abilities and willed her body to heal.

Gradually, the ringing subsided. Clarity soon returned to Sera's ears as the normal sounds of the forest filtered back in. She took a deep breath, opening her eyes to the worried faces of the frost banshees. "See? I told you I'd be fine."

The banshees still looked apologetic, their heads bowed in a gesture of remorse. Sera reached out, her hand passing through the cold, ethereal form of the nearest banshee. "Your abilities are impressive. Don't worry about me. This was a necessary test."

The banshees seemed to relax slightly, their forms less tense. Sera stood up straight, brushing off the lingering discomfort. I suppose all that's left now is to test my Glacial Aegis.

She walked around for a moment, absorbing the serene yet formidable landscape. The frost-covered trees stood tall and majestic, their icy branches glistening in the soft light. The snow beneath her feet crunched softly with each step, creating a symphony of gentle sounds that blended with the stillness of the White Forest. She closed her eyes, the cold air filling her lungs as she inhaled deeply.

With a focused thought, she called out internally, Zoha. Before long, the familiar sound of buzzing flies reached her ears, starting as a faint hum and growing louder until it enveloped her completely.

When Sera opened her eyes, Zoha stood before her, her form composed of countless flies that swirled and solidified into a graceful figure. "Greeting, Mistress, what would you have me do?"

"I've done almost everything that I need to do in the dungeon, except I still need to test a new ability that I've acquired. Hence, I'd like your help with that."

"Understood, Mistress. But I… uh, I—"

"Is something the matter?"

Surprisingly, Zoha's playful demeanor faltered. Her posture stiffened, and a hint of nervousness crept into her eyes. "Mistress, this might be sudden… but can I ask you for help?" She glanced down briefly, hands wringing together in an uncharacteristic display of anxiety, before looking back up at Sera with a pleading look.

"That depends, what do you want from me and why?"

"M-my mother is actually very sick, and you're the most capable I know. I didn't ask earlier because I was worried you might take my request as an insult, but now—"

"I don't mind, take me to her." Sera said, breaking off her antlers while her dress morphed into a familiar hooded cloak.