After braving through numerous skirmishes with the juvenile Timberstones, Axel stumbled upon a chamber that was a stark contrast from the rest. Firstly, it was massive, roughly three times the size of the previous caverns. Secondly, there were stalactites and stalagmites, jutting out from the walls including the ones protruding from the ceiling and ground, providing much more light than usual. And finally, the most important reason, there stood a Timberstone Tree dwarfing any of the ones he had the luck of encountering so far, at least double in height.

This must be the Adult Timberstone Tree.

Apart from its size, what made the Timberstone Tree even more unique was that its rough, woody exterior was instead replaced with smooth gray stone that shone and reflected the light off its polished surface. Gone were the twisted maze of spindly branches that grew from a small trunk. Instead, they bore a crown of luscious leaves, but instead of the vibrant green leaves of those outside the cave, they were a somber gray. Gray like the stone that covered its body, echoing the stone that encased their wooden forms. Like its smaller counterpart, it possessed four large roots that acted as its limbs, slowly inching its way forward. Except that this was the only part of the tree not encased in stone, instead possessing fragments of rock embedded into its otherwise normal brown roots.

The tree had spotted Axel and launched its roots at him using the same coil-and-release technique. It had a far longer reach than its junior, with thicker roots to boot. Axel managed to [Block] all four attacks, the wood-like roots colliding with his own wooden sword, each one feeling heavier than the last. The milliseconds between attacks only gave Axel enough time to tighten the grip on his swords, each attack gradually knocking the blades ever so higher. The adults and juniors may have the same attack patterns, but the difference in their size and strength was immeasurable. If it possessed just one more root it would have knocked the swords right out of his grasp. If it possessed two more... Well, he did not want to imagine what the second one would do to him.

Taking advantage of the momentary lull between attacks, Axel dashed forward. Chasing after the roots as they retreated back to the main body. Closing in, the Timberstone Tree started acting odd, its leaves began to rustle and yet there was not even a lick of wind within the cavernous walls. The leaves rattled together, mimicking the sound of rocks tumbling down a rocky hill. Something was amiss, something was wrong, something was happening.

As if autumn had arrived early, the tree initiated a sudden shedding of its leaves. While the leaves would soon fall to the ground they still had one more obstacle to overcome, Axel. The tree shot them at him, and a barrage of stone rocketed through the air all intent on building a rocky tombstone for him.

Axel's eyes widened in shock as a stream of pointed projectiles surged towards him. Axel brought up his blades, prepared to [Block] the assault, but he realized that his swords were useless here. They were unable to stop the multitude of leaves headed straight for him. With a quick leap to the side, he narrowly avoided the flying debris, feeling the rush of air as they whizzed past. Rolling back onto his feet, he barely had time to regain his bearings before the roots were already bearing down on him, poised to deliver a finishing blow to his chest.

As Axel dove forward, he rolled into a somersault, narrowly evading the roots that brushed against his back. As he scrambled back onto his feet, he glanced upward just in time to see another wave of rocky leaves descending upon him. Regaining his footing, he lunged to the side, seeking cover behind a glowing stalagmite. He winced as he heard the dull thuds of leaves colliding with hard stone, grateful for the temporary reprieve it provided from the relentless assault.

Axel needed a way to get closer to the monster, preferably without thousands of leaves giving him the acupuncture of a lifetime.

The tree had somehow lost him, but given how dim the cave was even with the hundreds of glowing rocks that protruded out of every crevice, it was understandable how a tree with zero eyes was unable to determine Axel’s location.

Fortunately, there was a fairly obvious solution to his problems lying right in front of him, literally. But, he had to act fast. The roots had begun to scout around the other stalagmites in the area. Like a nest of snakes, slithering about in search of their next meal. They coiled around each stalagmite, squeezing the glowing protrusion until it shattered into a thousand pieces before it proceeded to the next stalagmite. The main body remained affixed in the center of the cave, as the roots moved out to do its bidding.

Using a combination of [Strength Boost] and [Slash] he began to chip away at the stalagmite. Each strike caused Axel anguish, as repressed memories tried to resurface from the deepest recesses of his mind. His heart beating faster than his striking against the rock.

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Each strike upon the stalagmite created a soft mix of blue and orange, as the glowing [Wooden Training Sword] dug into the stalagmite, carving in deeper and deeper. Axel just prayed that the roots would not encroach upon him any time soon. Many strikes later he had successfully separated the stalagmite from the ground.

Taking a deep breath, he stood out to the side exposing himself. The tree took the bait and launched its roots at him, and once again Axel [Blocked] the attacks, silently cursing at the absurd strength that a tree boasted. While the roots retreated back to the main body, Axel put his plan into motion. With another [Strength Boost] assisted [Slash] he just barely managed to lodge his [Wooden Training Sword] into the glowing stalagmite.

The sword ended up being embedded, in between the point and the base of the stalagmite. Though the sword didn't penetrate fully, leaving half of its blade sticking out, it was good enough for Axel.

Axel charged towards the tree, and as expected it unleashed a barrage of razor-sharp leaves in his direction. Taking a deep breath, he lifted up the sword with the stalagmite attached, using it as a makeshift shield. Each leaf bounced harmlessly off the mineral formation, producing a resounding thud that echoed throughout the cavern as Axel powered through the storm.

Once the impacts had subsided, Axel took a peek out from behind the stalagmite. He found himself just a stone's throw away from the tree, but so were the four roots barreling straight towards him. Axel ceased his charge and prepared for the impending strike. The stalagmite shield shattered after two hits, leaving him to successfully [Block] the last two strikes.

Axel charged towards the tree again, arriving at the base of it. It seemed he had gotten too close for the tree to unleash another barrage of leaves, which was perfect for him. He started to wail on the tree with more [Strength Boosted] [Slashes]. As the roots began to coil up, preparing to strike, Axel rotated to the opposite side of the tree. The roots in their coiled-up state struggled to keep up with Axel as he played a very dangerous game of ring around the rosy.

Again and again, Axel relentlessly hacked away at the tree. After a while, it started to give way as widening cracks appeared, criss-crossing their way across the once-smooth stone, evidence of the damage inflicted. Axel focused all of his strikes onto one area, aiming to exploit the damage and widen the crack, bit by bit until the vulnerable wooden body underneath was revealed.

Splinters began to fly out, as the weapon began to carve into the somewhat softer wooden body of the Timberstone Tree. chips of wood striking Axel in the face. Though the chips of wood stung, he gritted his teeth and pressed on, relentlessly hacking and slashing until the tree began to topple, and just like the juveniles the monster disappeared before making contact with the ground, dropping two pieces of [Wood Infused Stone] and 7 [Gold Coins].

[Adult Timberstone Tree was slain. Gained 18 points]

The fight left Axel drained, but then again every fight so far left him exhausted. Maybe he was overdoing it in the skills department? Then again, without the skills, he would be the one spewing stuff onto the floor dead. Maybe he just had to rank up his skills and he would feel less exhausted after a battle. Or maybe he should not worry about such trivial things and focus on more important matters, such as finishing his task and getting out of this blasted cave.

Axel continued his exploration of the cave, entering chamber after chamber. Each one housed a solitary Adult Timberstone Tree and each one became points and materials for him. Each root was [Blocked] by his sword, and each leaf was blocked by his MacGyvered stalagmite shield. Each time he began his deadly game of ring round a rosy, he was greeted by a rain of splinters, but with [Copper Body] active (something he should have activated against the first one) they merely bounced off of his skin.

Finally, after hours of spelunking, the majority of which was spent felling trees, Axel earned his 31st [Wood Infused Stone], coupled with the 50 [Stone Infused Wood] he had obtained from the juveniles. His pockets were deep in coins, if he still stored coins in them, boasting a total of 520 [Gold Coins]. Now all he had to do was make his way back out of the cave, which was easier said than done.

Backtracking through the cave, he noticed something unsettling. Areas which he had passed through earlier and was absolutely sure were clear of any Timberstone Trees, thanks to his doing, were now populated with a lone Timberstone Tree once again. Where did they pop out from? Axel was too tired, too lazy, too drained, opting to sneak past each one.

Despite numerous close calls, Axel managed to evade combat. While some monsters spotted him, he utilized his agility to outpace their sluggish movements, each narrow escape leaving him on edge. It was nerve-wracking, but the end goal was within his reach. Escape was nigh, as the light grew brighter and brighter with each step forward, until finally, he made it to the exit of the cave, drenched in sweat and panting for breath, but nonetheless glad that he could get out of that infernal place.

Night had fallen, casting the landscape in the soft glow of pale moonlight as Axel stumbled towards the nearest tree. Collapsing onto the ground, he leaned against the cool bark, grateful for a moment of rest before embarking on his journey back. Remembering about Fen, Axel decided to make his way to one of the inns in Tillage Town, hopeful that Fen might be there and willing to donate a much-needed potion.