d, and most interestingly, a crumpled piece of paper. I unfolded it, revealing a rough map. It was a forested area, with several red cross

one -

huc

t it's prohibited, that'

the map in my loot bag. It was very useful,

ow

n

r bo

ll

le r

e, it meant both great reward and great risk. Balanced, I walked deeper. The trees began to change: their trunks grew larger, the leaves darker, their roots protruded like giant snakes,

"O

trees will sudde

he branch in my hand gave a small t

m not givi

nd shook slightly, not ideal. I crouched down and focused, my Mana Sense picking up something. A large, very large dot was approaching. Okay, time to hide. I qui

body, stone-gray skin, massive arms, short horns, and glowing

ication

ack Ap

er:

d at th

Eight

something. I squinted, human bones. Ah, a variety of food, good to know. I held my breath until

"Not

ss with the r

, or at least less likely to lead to suicide. The sun began to set

tairs descended underground. As the level increased drastically, I slowly approached. My Minor Mana Sense immediately reacted strongly, a powerful energy emanating fro

vated Ember Slash for a bit of light, the small flame at the end of a Thorny Branch helping quite a bit. The stone hallway stretched o

and suspicious. Its mana was so strong that I slowly approached. There were no traps visible. Meaning, there was definitely a trap. I used Root Snare around the altar,

Trial D

dit

t gua

y eyes for

Of co

easy, a crackin

AC

o move, its red eyes glowing. Oh come on, the Guardian trope activated.

ication

tone Guar

uardian raised his sword, a heavy aura filling the room. I gripped the Thorny Branch and took a breath. Alrig

Let's

ox a correspo

an att

ight

CHAPT