Chapter 8: Unfulfilled Revenge and Reward of Stone Tablet
Horiz had a different plan in mind—to seek revenge against a particular rank 3 beast that had eluded him before. He ventured into the Night Wild Forest, discovering a hidden passage leading to a unique hunting spot. This spot was different from the others; the beasts here had lower ranks but were incredibly powerful. The highest rank among them was only rank 3, yet their strength surpassed that of rank 6 creatures. Horiz wondered if he could finally defeat the elusive rabbit.
As he entered the passage, the surroundings underwent a complete transformation. The towering trees and wild nocturnal beasts of the Night Wild Forest disappeared, replaced by a different region bursting with vibrant greenery. Countless untouched plants and herbs thrived, making this place greener than anywhere else. The purity of mana here exceeded that of the outside world, although the density was lower. Rank 1 and rank 2 beasts sensed his presence and quickly fled, impressing Horiz with their intelligence.
He made his way directly to the shallow region beside the hill, where a significant trench awaited him. Horiz had discovered this place while chasing a small rabbit before, which had led him to the alpha rabbit of rank 3. He considered it one of his luckiest escapes. This time, he had come for revenge, as this rabbit possessed abilities akin to those of a human. Rabbits had been a peaceful race before the mutations, but they had turned violent and become an uncommon, aggressive species.
Horiz prepared himself for the upcoming encounter. He was determined not to let the alpha rabbit escape this time. The other rabbits couldn't compare to the formidable alpha. Crushing the alpha rabbit under his heel and establishing dominance over the rabbit race excited him.
From a distance, Horiz spotted the rabbits gathered in a semi-circle, their sounds of distress and anguish reaching his ears. They formed a ring around the side of a hill where a towering tree stood. Intrigued, Horiz approached quietly. He became absorbed in observing the scene as he drew nearer. There, he saw the lifeless body of the alpha rabbit placed upon a stone stage. The rabbits mourned the loss of their alpha, and Horiz felt a deep sadness and respect for the fallen hero. A mixture of regret and admiration filled him.
A rabbit priest conducted rituals for the fallen alpha, guiding him peacefully into the afterlife. Horiz watched solemnly, silently offering his well-wishes. He knew his presence wouldn't lead to a positive outcome, so he remained hidden, observing the funeral in respectful silence.
Suddenly, the priest raised his wand, causing the hill to tremble. Horiz's attention was captured as the tree emitted a radiant glow, transforming the dark forest into darkness. A brilliant white light enveloped the stone stage where the new alpha rabbit stood, causing the fallen alpha's body to vanish. Horiz stood there, stunned by the unexpected turn of events.
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As the golden light dissipated, the trees radiated with a luminous white glow. The entire tree appeared like a withered relic, emanating an otherworldly light. A branch descended toward the stone stage, where the priest and the new alpha rabbit stood.
Horiz watched with curiosity as a stone tablet appeared at the center where the branches converged. It held an elevated position, high above the ground. Horiz realized the significance of this tablet. It represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gain immense power.
Whatever was inscribed on that stone tablet surpassed ordinary mystic arts or common skills found in the market. Greed flickered in Horiz's eyes as he realized he needed to act swiftly to seize this chance for extraordinary power.
The entire rabbit race watched as their new alpha received the blessings of this newfound power. Unbeknownst to everyone, Horiz whispered a single word under his breath, barely audible amidst the collective attention fixed on the stone tree.
"Nightmare."
In response, a colossal rune materialized beneath the feet of the rabbit, unseen by all. The spell took effect, and each rabbit fell into a deep slumber. Horiz advanced toward the stone stage as the rabbits succumbed to the spell. The new alpha, the strongest among them, tried to resist but failed. Horiz stood on the stage, observing the sleeping rabbits. He then leaped onto the branch leading to the center of the tree.
With each step, Horiz felt a stronger attraction toward the stone tablet. He sensed that this was no ordinary tree and remained alert to its peculiar nature. The tree had the ability to absorb living creatures and held a secret within its core.
Standing close to the stone tablet, Horiz stared at the inscriptions, unable to decipher their meaning. But he could sense a formidable power emanating from within the stone. Reaching out, he touched the tablet.
As soon as his finger made contact, a sharp object pierced his fingertip, causing a drop of blood to fall onto the stone. Instantly, the inscriptions lit up, illuminated by the blood. The white tree channeled its light directly into Horiz's body. Overwhelmed by this power, he found himself enveloped in brilliance. It was a force unlike mana, distinct in its essence. The tree's luminescence diminished as the light was drawn completely into Horiz.
Nervous and caught off guard, Horiz lost his balance and tumbled from the tree. He quickly picked himself up, surveying the scene. Everything had returned to normal. The rabbits still lay motionless, and the tree appeared ordinary. To ease his concerns, he decided to examine his status, ensuring that no curses or abnormalities afflicted him.
Status
Horiz
Mage: Rank 2
Artifacts: Divine Metal Door, Exclusive Wooden Door, Heavy Metal Sword
Beast Artifacts: Purple Armor (Rank 5), Hedge Crossbow (Rank 5)
Mystic Art: Infinitely Reversible Worldly Mana (Rank 1), Ancient Limit Breaker Art (Rank 0)
Mana: 2000
"A new mystic art!" Horiz exclaimed with excitement. He hadn't anticipated this development. The previous alpha rabbit possessed this mystic art, indicating its formidable nature. Horiz couldn't wait to utilize it, even though mastering it would be a challenge. It required relentless experimentation to discover its practical applications in combat. He longed for a mentor to guide him along this path. Having a teacher would undoubtedly ease his journey.
Observing the still-sleeping rabbits, Horiz realized there was nothing more to be done at the moment. They would awaken in a few hours. Resolute, he unsheathed his metal sword, mounted it, and soared into the sky. Riding the sword allowed for swift ascent, and he noticed an increase in his speed since his breakthrough.