Chapter 4

After the exhilarating battle with the Luminsire Enchantboar, I felt both drained and invigorated. Deciding it was a good moment to catch my breath and assess the changes, I pulled up my HUD and concentrated to access my personal information:

Name: Maura

Race: Human

Race Skills: Identify, Multilingual

Level:3

Base Stats:

- Strength: 10

- Dexterity: 12

- Intelligence: 15

- Wisdom: 11

- Constitution: 13

- Charisma: 14

- Free Points: 2

Mana: 40/50

Credits: 500

Blessings: [Empty]

Titles: [Empty]

Achievements: [Empty]

Profession: [Empty]

Noticing the addition of two free points and no automatic increases in my stats, I realized the leveling system offered a strategic element I hadn’t anticipated. The choice of where to allocate these points felt significant, almost daunting, but I chose to ponder this decision later.

After ensuring Byte was comfortably positioned and initiating his recharge sequence, I turned my attention back to the Luminsire Enchantboar. Despite the aftermath of the battle, its magical essence still emanated a potent energy, visible even to the naked eye as a faint shimmering around its form.

Inspecting the boar prompted me with a new option, "Harvest Materials." I hesitated for a moment, the reality of what this involved sinking in—it wasn't just about picking up loot in a game; this was the tangible, somewhat visceral reality of harvesting from a once-living creature. Steeling myself, I selected the option, and the system offered a brief tutorial on the process, illustrating the points of extraction for optimal material retrieval.

As I approached the fallen beast, I noticed the air around it vibrated with a subtle magic, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand. I began by carefully extracting the Luminous Essence. The process involved channeling a small amount of my own mana into the carcass to stabilize the magical energies before extraction. As I did so, the boar's body responded, its remaining life force interacting with mine in a strange, ethereal dance. The essence, when extracted, was a glowing orb that pulsed softly in my palm, warm and surprisingly light.

After tucking the orb away in my spacial inventory, I turned my attention to the Enchantboar Tusk. Using the multitool, I carefully severed the connection points where the tusk met the jaw, mindful of preserving the integrity of the magical conduits within. The tusk was heavier than it looked, adorned with intricate natural patterns that suggested its potential use in powerful enchantments.

The Mystic Boarhide proved to be the most challenging to harvest. The hide was thick and imbued with magical resilience, requiring precise cuts to avoid damaging the potent energies within. I found myself sweating as I worked, the physical effort mingled with a deep concentration. Each slice of my tool through the hide released bursts of magical energy, which I had to quickly harness and stabilize to prevent it from dissipating into the air.

Despite my best efforts, some of the materials were damaged during the process. The hide, in particular, suffered from my initial clumsy attempts, resulting in only a small portion being salvageable—a piece that indeed resembled a tattered bathmat more than a majestic beast's skin. However, with each cut and each interaction, my technique improved, informed by the feedback from the magical energies I was manipulating.

After a while, the task became almost meditative, the repetition allowing a rhythm to form. I found a new respect for the creature as I worked, acknowledging its role now in aiding my journey through this magical realm. With the materials finally collected and safely stored in my enchanted inventory, which seemed to defy spatial limitations, I allowed myself a moment to reflect on the complexity and wonder of this new world.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

With Byte now sufficiently recharged and the materials harvested, it was time to return to the group. I felt a mix of accomplishment and solemnity as I left the site of the battle, the forest around me seeming to acknowledge my passage with a whispering breeze through the trees. The experience had been profound, not just in the physical gathering of materials but in the deeper understanding of the magical ecology of this realm. As I made my way back, I was already considering how best to use these components, their potential applications in crafting, and enchantments whirling through my mind, each step bringing new ideas and possibilities.

With materials securely collected, I glanced around the magical forest. The hypnotic blooms nearby caught my eye, their danger now juxtaposed with their beauty. Holding my breath, I carefully harvested the enchanting flowers, thinking of their potential uses despite the risks.

Level Up!

Level 4 Technomancer

New Skill: Data Integration

A surge of energy coursed through me, sharpening my senses and deepening my connection to the magical energies around me. I marveled at the realization that gathering resources could also contribute to my experience gains. Curious about the specifics of these mechanics, I navigated through various menus, though they offered no clear insights into the exact numbers.

As I gathered my tools and prepared to leave the site of my recent skirmish, a profound fatigue washed over me. Glancing at my holopanel, I noted it was just before two o’clock—surprising, given the intensity of the morning’s events. Realizing the physical toll the adventure had taken, I decided it was time to return to the clearing. I prepared for the trek back, my stomach rumbling with hunger.

On my way, a cluster of unusual mushrooms caught my eye. After a long day filled with combat and crafting, the sight of the unusual mushrooms peeking out beneath a canopy of whispering leaves seemed like an invitation. Despite my initial hesitation due to their fantastical appearance—giant, with vibrant red caps speckled with white—I couldn’t resist the allure of their sweet, marshmallow-like scent.

Taking a cautious bite, the flavor exploded on my tongue, richer and more delightful than any marshmallow I'd ever tasted. It was as if each bite unlocked a flood of warmth and comfort, urging me to continue. Before I knew it, I had devoured several mushrooms, each one feeding the growing euphoria and lightness in my spirit.

As I continued my walk through the forest, the effects of the mushrooms deepened. The trees seemed to sway rhythmically, almost dancing to a silent tune that I felt pulsing through the ground. The colors of the forest intensified, the greens becoming more vibrant, the flowers' hues deepening to surreal shades. I laughed aloud, the sound mingling with the forest's symphony of rustling leaves and distant animal calls.

The enchantment of the mushrooms wove through my senses, blurring the line between reality and fantasy. I found myself engaging in a lengthy conversation with an ancient oak tree, its gnarled face seemingly grimacing at my dad jokes. At one point, I lost my shoe, only to discover it moments later—or so I thought. It turned out to be a mischievous squirrel, which I mistook for my shoe due to its brown, leathery appearance. I chuckled at the absurdity, apologizing to the squirrel before it scampered away, leaving me to find my actual shoe nestled in a bed of moss.

Inspired by the whimsical surroundings, I reimagined the last three Star Wars movies in my mind, recasting the characters with forest creatures and imagining epic battles staged across treetops and burrows. My version somehow seemed more epic, filled with intrigue and a touch of forest magic.

The mushrooms’ effects made every moment feel elongated, each second dripping with vibrant life and imagination. I wandered without a clear direction, each step guided by curiosity and the shifting patterns of light through the leaves. Time lost its meaning as I meandered, encountering various forest denizens and engaging with them in what felt like profound, if entirely hallucinatory, conversations.

Eventually, the effects of the mushrooms began to wane, and reality gradually seeped back in. The forest no longer hummed with magical potential quite so loudly, and the trees ceased their swaying dance. I found myself standing on a familiar path, the clearing just ahead, where the evening had begun to settle in. Relieved yet still tingling with the remnants of the mushroom's magic, I realized I had been walking in circles for hours.

Stepping out of the forest's mystical embrace, I emerged into the clearing to find it transformed into a hive of bustling activity. The scene before me resembled the early makings of a fantastical village, as if lifted straight from a storybook. Shelters of various sizes and shapes were taking form, each looking more like an art installation than a typical survival camp. The blend of moss and vines added a whimsical, fairycore aesthetic to the structures, making them appear as though they sprang from the ground itself.

In the center of this creative chaos, a large bonfire crackled vigorously, its flames reaching skyward as if to greet the fading light. Around the fire, an assembly line of crafters busily transformed freshly cut timber into useful items. Wood was being meticulously shaped into tools and building materials, each piece a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of those who wielded the them.

John, with his device in hand, moved among the groups like a conductor orchestrating a symphony. His gestures were animated and purposeful, providing guidance and encouragement with a tactician's precision. It was impressive how he had adapted to his role, using his skills to bring order and structure to our makeshift community.

Even Susan, the older woman who had initially seemed overwhelmed by our new reality, had found her place among us. She directed several people in the task of filling a large iron cauldron with water, which sat beside the bonfire on its own fiery base. The cauldron simmered, ready to cook a communal meal that would nourish and warm us after a day filled with unexpected challenges.

As I approached the fire, I steered clear of Darren, who was thoroughly enjoying his role as the group's pyrotechnic expert. His enthusiasm for feeding the fire was unmistakable, and while it was essential for cooking and warmth, his zeal bordered on the excessive.

Circling to the quieter side of the fire, I found people exchanging stories of their day’s adventures and crafting dining implements from the wood scraps. The atmosphere here was rich with collaboration and creativity, everyone contributing what they could to help sustain and support the group.

Clutching Byte under my arm, I felt a mixture of pride and an odd, lingering whimsy from the mushrooms’ effects. The warmth from the fire fought off the evening's chill, but couldn't dispel a faint unease that lingered at the edge of my consciousness. Something about the forest’s whispers and the day’s surreal experiences left me with a tingling sense of anticipation, as if the night might still hold a few more secrets.

As laughter and the crackle of the fire filled the air, I settled in among my new companions. Despite the day's trials and the bizarre journey through the enchanted woods, this moment by the fire felt like a point of connection—a shared space where we could all find solace and strength in each other’s company. The unease remained, a subtle reminder of the unpredictability of our new world, but for now, I was content to let the night unfold around us, rich with the possibility of what tomorrow might bring.