sleep when your only travel companion is a mysterious woman whose level is unr

than yesterday. I opened my eyes and reflexively looked around. Nara was awake, of course. She sat on a rock, sharpening one of her daggers.

morning,

anced b

lept holdi

orny Branch that I

..new

noid," he

al instinct

npaid invoice. I stood up and stretched; Nature Assimilation was surprisingly helpful. Despite my limited sleep,

e:

ve

One Tre

Thorny

il

our

er

t S

Mana

Assim

essing. I was a little satisfied. Nara threw something at me,

is this?

." Not a very co

d at th

e to eat are two di

isonous I wouldn'

ed an

igh op

and a little bitter. But it gave me

t buff,"

inutes of col

per, the atmosphere grew heavier, the trees changing shape, their trunks darker, the leaves almost black, large roots snaking like giant snakes, some even moving slightly. I chose t

you been

ce," he

Almos

iding certain areas, pointing out monster tracks or natural traps. She was clearly experienced, and I was

was like a giant clearing in the middle of the forest. The ground was black, the fog thicker, and in the center was a giant tree. I froze. Its trunk was so large it felt like

ns appear a

disco

- False

r: Ex

name of the

orld Tree.

stood beside me,

the center of

root of a

my hand began to throb. Once, twice, stronger than before.

ification

sonance

ce n

material

urce? Could it be the tree? I slowly raised my head, staring at

y class is ver

t the notifica

"Gue

big jackpot

ut a sma

"G

s our problems

s far louder, a bad trait, very bad. Just a few steps in I heard a voice, not a monster, but a human. Several people, Nara and I immediately took cover behind a large root. Peeking, there were five people near the tree, better armor,

late," he

on their armor, a whi

otificati

on de

e Co

at:

. Possibly new problems

Know

anged slightly, very

"Y

ne was

that's

group leader suddenly

earch

ust be found before

ace, and I stared at the Thorny Branch. My weapon pulsed again, stronger, as if calling

What

ered q

they're looking for

nt for two seconds. The

"Gre

or two days, and my life i

ed a l

d to con

il members suddenly stopped, he turned

there?!"

nd Nara and I looked at each other. There

k stealth m

out her tw

"Y

things took a turn

CHAPT