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The Mage's Path: Chapter 12
🕑 Added 2024-09-30 22:33:14 +0000 UTCHi all,
Here’s the next chapter. Harry fights the elite monster, and some information about the stranger is revealed.
Chapter 12
The monster loomed over Harry, its twisted branches creaking ominously as it advanced. Gravity intensified with each thunderous step, pressing Harry into the splintering platform. The wood groaned beneath him, threatening to give way at any moment.
"Scan," Harry muttered through gritted teeth.
Elite monsters cannot be scanned.
"Brilliant," he growled, muscles straining as he struggled to his feet. His legs nearly buckled under the strain.
The creature's hollow face pulsed with sickly green light, casting eerie shadows that danced across the platform. The thing was something out of a nightmare.
Harry lunged forward, muscles screaming in protest against the crushing gravity. With a practised flick of his wrist, he hurled his dagger at the monster's face. It stuck with a satisfying thunk, quivering as it embedded itself in the wooden flesh. Putrid ichor oozed from the wound, but the monster barely flinched.
He activated Gust Leap Wind magic surged around him, propelling him upward and momentarily countering the crushing gravity. He sailed over the Guardian's head and landed behind it with a grunt.
The monster whirled with surprising agility, its bulk belying its speed. A massive fist of gnarled wood, easily the size of Harry's body, swung towards him like a battering ram. Harry ducked, feeling the rush of air as it passed mere centimetres over his head. The fist smashed into a nearby tree, sending a shower of splinters and leaves cascading down.
Suddenly, the gravity doubled, an invisible weight slamming down on Harry's shoulders. His knees buckled, a cry of pain escaping his lips as he fought to stay upright.
A decaying limb shot out from the monster’s torso. It latched onto Harry's arm, its grip vice-like and burning cold. He screamed as he felt his health being syphoned away. He struggled to break free, but it was like being wrapped in steel. Several precious seconds passed as his health continued to deteriorate.
Harry's HP: 150/210
Harry gritted his teeth against the pain and wrenched free. The effort sent him stumbling backwards, his mind racing as he desperately sought a solution. How could he possibly win this?
An idea struck like lightning, cutting through the fog of pain. He reached into his spatial bag and the inventory window popped up in front of him. He quickly pulled the Tome of Chaos out. It was unaffected by the weapon phase, allowing him to use its magic. The only issue was that the spells were completely random.
As another branch-like limb lashed out. Harry leapt aside. He nearly lost his footing, the platform's edge looming dangerously close. He fumbled with the book, his palms slick with sweat.
The tome sprung open of its own accord, pages riffling as if caught in a strong wind. Crackling energy erupted from its depths, coalescing into a writhing ball of purple flame. It shot towards the monster with unerring accuracy, exploding against its wooden hide in a shower of sparks and charred debris.
The monster roared, the sound reverberating through Harry's bones. It staggered back, momentarily stunned. Chunks of charred wood fell away, revealing pulsing green corruption beneath. The air filled with the acrid stench of burning sap and decay.
Aspen Abomination’s HP: 370/500
Hope surged through Harry, giving him a second wind. He darted forward, ducking under another sweeping attack that whistled past his ear.
"Come on," he muttered, flipping through the tome's pages with trembling fingers. "Give me another good spell!"
A bolt of sizzling lightning leapt from the book, arcing through the air with a deafening crack. It struck the monster's leg, leaving a blackened crater in its wake.
Aspen Abomination’s HP: 290/500
The creature howled, its voice shaking the very air. Fury blazed in its hollow eyes as it slammed both fists into the platform. Cracks spiderwebbed across the wood, the entire structure groaning ominously. Harry felt the platform shift beneath his feet, tilting precariously.
Harry stumbled, nearly losing his footing as the platform lurched beneath him. He raised the tome again, but the monster was faster, driven by pain and rage.
A massive hand closed around Harry, lifting him off his feet. He gasped as the air was squeezed from his lungs, his ribs creaking under the immense pressure. Spots danced at the edges of his vision, darkness threatening to overtake him. The corrupted wood of the monster's hand burned against his skin, sapping his strength with every passing second.
Harry's HP: 70/210
The numbers flashed red in his vision, a dire warning. With the last of his strength, Harry pressed the tome against the monster's arm, praying it would activate.
A swirling vortex erupted from the pages, a maelstrom of chaotic energy. It engulfed the monster’s limb, shredding wood and corruption alike. The monster's agonised scream was deafening at such close range, reverberating through Harry's skull.
The monster's grip loosened, and Harry fell. He hit the platform hard, the impact driving what little air remained from his lungs. He rolled desperately, narrowly avoiding a retaliatory stomp that splintered the wood where he'd lain moments before. Splinters flew, several embedding themselves in Harry's arm.
He used Gust Leap once more. The wind magic responded, propelling him to temporary safety. He landed awkwardly on a nearby branch, stumbling to his knees and gasping for air.
Harry flipped open the tome once more, silently pleading for it to give him something, anything, that could turn the tide. This time, a swarm of spectral butterflies erupted from its pages. They filled the air with an eerie, shimmering light, their delicate wings belying their true nature. As they swarmed the monster, those ethereal appendages sliced through wood like razors, leaving deep gouges in their wake.
The monster thrashed, swatting futilely at the magical insects. It staggered back, teetering dangerously close to the platform's edge. Pieces of its wooden hide fell away, revealing more of the pulsating corruption beneath.
Harry saw his chance, a desperate gamble that might end this battle once and for all. He charged forward, tome held high, muscles screaming in protest with every step.
The monster's eyes locked onto him, blazing with hatred. With a roar of defiance that shook the very trees, it raised both arms high above its head.
Too late, Harry realised his mistake. The monster brought its fists down with earth-shattering force. The platform exploded beneath them.
Harry plummeted, wind rushing past his ears. Panic clawed at his throat as the ground raced up to meet him, a sea of green that promised a swift and brutal end. A flash of movement caught his eye, barely visible through the falling debris. One of the lower platforms!
He quickly used Gust Leap. It slowed his fall, but would it be enough? Harry's fingers scrabbled at the platform's edge. For one heart-stopping moment, he thought he'd miss.
Then his hand found purchase. He slammed into the side of the platform, crying out as pain lanced through his shoulder. The impact nearly dislodged him, his grip tenuous at best.
Harry's HP: 30/210
The numbers flashed an angry red, a dire warning that he was a hair's breadth from death.
As for the monster, it fell to the ground like a meteor. It crashed to the forest floor with a thunderous impact that shook the trees.
Aspen Abomination defeated! Experience gained: 500
Harry hung there, every muscle screaming as he fought against the lingering gravity magic. His fingers, slick with sweat, threatened to slip at any moment. Slowly, agonisingly, he pulled himself up onto the platform. Each movement was a study in pain; his battered body pushed well beyond its limits.
He collapsed onto his back, chest heaving as he gulped down air. His vision swam, the world tilting and spinning around him.
“Harry! Are you alright?” A shout came from below.
Harry blinked. “Celeste?”
“Who else would it be? Take your time to catch your breath. The monster is dead.”
Harry followed her advice. He drank a health potion to restore some of his HP. It would have been mortifying to survive that gruelling battle only to succumb to his injuries afterwards. Sure, he'd had to rely on the Tome of Chaos, but it had done the job.
With the immediate danger past, curiosity began to gnaw at him. He wanted to understand what he'd just faced. With a thought, he opened his menu and navigated to the database. When an Elite Monster was defeated, its information was automatically recorded.
======
Aspen Abomination | Level: 10 | Type: Elite | Corrupted Plant | HP: 500/500 | MP: 100/100 |
Primary Attributes: Strength: 30 | Vitality: 35 |
Defence: 30
Primary Skills
Gravity Manipulation: Increases gravity around it, significantly slowing those caught in its field of effect.
Life Harvest: Latches onto a target with decaying limbs, syphoning their health.
Fist of the Forest: Delivers a devastating blow capable of shattering boulders.
Earth-Shattering Slam: Brings both fists down with tremendous force, destroying the surrounding area.
Monster Traits
Titanium Timber: Resistant to physical damage, reducing incoming physical attacks by 60%.
Weakness to Fire: Takes 50% additional damage from fire-based attacks.
Gravity Mastery: Immune to knockback effects.
Corruption Incarnate: Presence alone can wither and corrupt nearby plant life.
======
Exp: 500
Loot: 100 pounds, Corrupted Aspen Core, Aspen Abomination’s Essence, Gravity Stone.
Bestiary Entry: Elite monster (automatic after defeat).
Description: The Aspen Abomination was once an Aspen tree before being altered through unholy experimentations. Standing over 5 metres tall, its body is a twisted mass of gnarled wood and pulsating green corruption. It possesses immense strength, vitality, and the ability to manipulate gravity. Because of its hatred of humans, it will attack them on sight and not relent until they are dead. ======
The monster would have been nearly impossible to defeat without the Tome of Chaos. Even if he'd been in the magic phase, victory would have been a long shot at best. He replayed the battle in his mind, marvelling at how fortune had favoured him. The random spells the tome had produced had been remarkably effective against the monster.
Harry paused when something occurred to him. "Where did the tome go?"
He looked around desperately but the Tome of Chaos was nowhere to be seen. He had dropped it when the platform shattered, sending him plummeting. A cold dread settled in his stomach at the thought of losing such a powerful item.
"Celeste!" he called out. "Did the Tome of Chaos drop down there?"
"Yep! It's here, along with a bunch of other stuff. The Guardian left behind some amazing loot when it went splat!"
Harry breathed a sigh of relief, slumping against the tree trunk. He would have been devastated if he'd lost the tome. It wasn't just another magical item—it was a lifeline, a trump card against seemingly insurmountable odds.
How many uses did the tome have left? Two? Three? Or had this battle drained its last page of magic? The uncertainty was unsettling, but he pushed the worry aside. One thing was clear—if he ever found himself in another situation with no other options, he wouldn't hesitate to use it again.
After resting, Harry used the lower platforms to reach the ground.
Celeste flew over and gave him once over. "You look like you've been through a meat grinder.”
"Thanks for the glowing assessment."
"I'm serious, Harry. That was too close. And your cloak..."
Harry glanced down, wincing as he took in the state of his once-pristine garment. The fabric hung in tatters, a large tear exposing his shirt beneath.
"Yeah," he sighed, "it's seen better days. The durability's almost gone.”
Celeste grinned. "At least we got some sweet loot out of it! Let's see what that overgrown splinter dropped."
The monster had dropped three items along with the hundred pounds. Harry pocketed the money before examining the items with his Appraisal skill.
====== Corrupted Aspen Core | Rare | Effect: Crafting Material | Quality: High
Description: A fist-sized crystal pulsing with sickly green energy, veined with threads of pure corruption. It’s a crafting material that is used to power something. ======
====== Gravity Stone | Uncommon | Effect: Consumable | Quality: High
Description: A small, impossibly dense stone that seems to bend the very fabric of space around it.
* Can be used to remove a gravity field.
* Disappears after being consumed.
* Because of its quality, it has a 50% chance of being used again.
====== Aspen Abomination’s Essence | Rare | Effect: Crafting Material | Quality: Pristine
Description: A vial containing the distilled magical essence of the Aspen Abomination. Swirling mists of green and brown, flecked with golden light, roil within the glass. It is used as a catalyst in the brewing process to give a potion a unique effect. ======
Celeste wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Such a letdown. What are we supposed to do with them?”
“I can see a use for this,” Harry said, cradling the stone. “This area must be under the effect of a gravity field. If we encounter another one, I won’t have to deal with it.”
Harry put the items away before opening his menu. He had gained a great deal of experience from the elite monster. He didn’t have to share it with Celeste as well. This appears to be one of those rare cases in which the individual who wasn’t involved in the fight didn’t get a share of the experience.
Harry levelled up to seven and invested his AP into Vitality. The decision stemmed from his brush with death against the Aspen Abomination, highlighting the inadequacy of his current HP pool. His buffs ran out before the fight began, offering no HP boost during the critical encounter.
The health potion he had taken had pushed his consumption gauge dangerously high. He couldn’t take another potion or eat another meal until it went down. Increasing Vitality served a dual purpose: it would provide a much-needed buffer in future battles and accelerate the reduction of his consumption gauge, allowing him to use potions more frequently.
Level nine couldn’t come soon enough. He could use his new dagger, a significant upgrade over the old one. Speaking of, where did his old dagger go? He had thrown it at the monster and lodged itself in its trunk.
After searching the area, he discovered the dagger buried among some bushes.
Harry opened his menu and carefully considered which skill he wanted to learn. While each skill provided unique benefits, he remained focused on offensive magic. He selected the next skill in the Tempest Path, investing three path points to unlock it.
====== Gale Force Push | Active | Level 1 | Upgrade: (0/30) | Cost: 15 MP | Attribute: MAG/STR
Description: Gale Force Push harnesses the raw power of wind, allowing the caster to release a concentrated burst of air from their hand. This versatile skill can be used both offensively and defensively, creating distance between the caster and their opponents or manipulating the environment.
* Releases a powerful gust of wind capable of pushing back enemies or objects within a 5-metre range. It’s most effective against lighter enemies.
* Deals minor bludgeoning damage to targets struck directly by the burst.
* MAG > 25: Increases push force by 50% and extends range to 7 metres.
* STR > 30: Adds a concussive effect, potentially stunning targets for 1 second.
* Upgrades to level 2 after successfully pushing 30 targets. ======
Harry closed his menu. "The skill should help with crowd control."
He lowered himself to the ground, crossing his legs and settling into a comfortable position. "I need to meditate to recover my MP. It'll take a while."
Celeste buzzed her wings. "Alright, I'll keep a lookout. Try not to fall asleep, yeah?"
Harry closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. The sounds of the forest faded away as he slipped into a meditative state. With his current Willpower and the bonus effects of Nexus Meditation, it would take just under four hours to fully restore his MP. He'd rather save his two mana potions for emergencies. The break would also allow him to decrease his consumption gauge and regenerate some of his HP.
After Harry finished restoring his MP, they returned to the underground and the first exit they'd skipped. Along the way, the dungeon returned to the magic phase. He hoped that it would last until he reached level nine.
They emerged back into a massive forest section. As they began to explore, they encountered a confusing maze of branching paths and dead ends. Several entrances led back underground, but instead of exploring them, they spent an hour mapping out the forest section. Harry was kept occupied by sketching the routes and adding notes to his map.
They encountered several more Aspen Horror Saplings but they dispatched them without much trouble. The only blemish was that he was poisoned by one of them and had to use one of his antidotes.
Harry found additional patches of Bloodroot. After harvesting them, he only needed a bit more to complete the sub-objective. They also discovered several more nodes. With each node destroyed, Harry felt a small sense of satisfaction. It was like lancing a boil, releasing the corruption and allowing the natural order to reassert itself, if only in a small way.
To their disappointment, they didn’t find any treasure chests. Their absence became a running joke among them, a way to lighten the mood in the oppressive atmosphere of the forest.
Once they finished mapping the forest section, they paused to decide which entrance to tackle first.
"Might as well go for the closest one," Harry said, pointing to an entrance nearby.
Celeste nodded. "Makes sense. We will have to explore all of them at some point, so it doesn’t matter which one we choose."
Before entering, Harry and Celeste ate another English Breakfast to receive its buffs. He decided to hold off on consuming another Invigoration Draught, as he wanted to save it for when he needed it. The normal monsters weren’t causing him too much trouble at the moment.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Let's do it," Celeste replied.
A minute later, Harry and Celeste emerged from the underground passage. The tunnel was surprisingly simple and short in comparison to the previous one. As they surveyed their surroundings, they found themselves enveloped by a grove of Aspen trees. These trees stood in stark contrast to the corrupted, twisted versions they'd encountered earlier in the dungeon. Their trunks were straight and true, leaves rustling gently in a breeze that seemed to exist only in this pocket of the forest.
A thin trail stretched out before them, cutting through the underbrush like a lifeline. Without a word, they began to follow it.
As they walked, Harry couldn't shake a growing sense of unease. The tranquillity of this area felt out of place, almost artificial in its perfection. He kept his hand near his dagger, eyes darting from tree to tree, anticipating an ambush that never came.
After a few minutes of walking, the trail opened up into a clearing. At its centre lay a serene pond, its surface like polished glass. Beside the water stood a rustic cabin, its weathered wooden exterior speaking of years exposed to the elements.
"Is this the safe zone?" Celeste asked.
Harry shrugged. "We can't assume anything. Stay close."
They approached the cabin. The door creaked as Harry pushed it open, and he poked his head in, half-expecting to find some nightmarish scene. Instead, he was met with an utterly ordinary interior. A stone fireplace dominated one wall, comfortable-looking furniture was arranged around it, and a small kitchenette occupied the far corner.
They started searching the cabin. There were no personal touches—no photographs on the walls, no books left casually on side tables—nothing to suggest that anyone had ever lived here. It felt more like a stage set than a home.
"Harry," Celeste called from the back of the cabin. She was hovering near a window, her tiny face pressed against the glass. "Look at this."
He joined her, following her gaze to the backyard. There, partially hidden by overgrown grass, was a cellar entrance. Two wooden doors lay flat against the ground, their handles connected by a rusty chain.
They made their way outside. He kneeled by the cellar doors, examining the chain. It fell away at his touch, disintegrating into rust. With a grunt, he heaved one of the doors open, revealing a set of stone steps descending into darkness.
Celeste shuddered visibly. "Everything is telling me that we shouldn't go down there."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Where's your sense of adventure?"
"Taking a vacation," Celeste muttered. "Right now, my common sense is in charge."
Ignoring her protests, Harry recast Magelight. The spell illuminated the first dozen steps, but beyond that, the darkness swallowed the light. Harry began his descent with Celeste perched on his shoulder and her tiny hands tightly gripping his collar.
At the bottom, they found themselves facing a set of double doors. A sign hung from one of the handles, its message ominous: "For all those with delicate sensibilities, do not enter."
Celeste's grip on Harry's collar tightened. "It's that jerk again; I just know it," she grumbled.
Harry pushed the doors open, wincing at the loud creak that echoed through the underground chamber. As they stepped inside, the true nature of the room revealed itself. They stood in what could only be described as the laboratory of a mad scientist.
The room was large, with a high ceiling. Tables lined the walls, cluttered with an assortment of science equipment—beakers filled with questionable substances, twisted pieces of metal that might have been tools, and stacks of mouldering parchment. In the centre of the room, a large stone slab dominated the space. Upon it lay the desiccated remains of... something. It might have once been human, or plant, or perhaps some unholy combination of the two.
Harry grimaced. The air was thick with the stench of decay, making his eyes water.
"This place gives me the creeps,” Celeste whispered.
"Let's see if we can find anything useful," Harry said, forcing himself to move deeper into the room.
At the far end, partially hidden behind a rusted contraption that looked like a cross between a printing press and a torture device, stood a simple wooden desk. Its surface was cluttered with papers and books, all covered in a thick layer of dust.
Harry began sifting through the papers, most of which crumbled at his touch. A few, however, remained intact enough to read. They contained complex formulas and diagrams, the meaning of which eluded him entirely.
A leather-bound journal caught his eye. Unlike everything else in the room, it seemed relatively well preserved. Harry opened it carefully, squinting at the faded handwriting within.
"It's some kind of research log," he muttered, flipping through the pages. "Looks like... experiments on plants. Trying to enhance their growth and... resilience?"
As they delved deeper into the journal, a disturbing picture began to form. The researcher, whoever they were, came across as a mad scientist.
"Harry," Celeste said slowly, her voice filled with dawning horror, "you don't think..."
Harry nodded grimly. "This might be how the monsters in here were created."
A few entries in the journal caught his attention.
Day 147 (I think),
Supplies are running low. If I hadn't stockpiled them in my cellar, I'd be dead by now. This realm, this accursed place, it's been months. Or has it been years? Time feels... wrong here.
James is gone. He was killed by that creature in the forest. I hear its roars at night. The fauna here, is fascinating! Like I've never seen before. The way they change, mutate under the right conditions...
I must focus on my work. It's all that keeps me sane now.
Harry paused, shaking his head. "This bloke already sounds mental."
Celeste snorted. "You think?"
He flipped the pages to the next entry.
Day 184,
Breakthrough! The dimensional nature of this place—I'm beginning to understand it. This isn't just some isolated realm. It's a crack, a fissure between worlds. Our world and... something else. Something alien.
"A dimensional crack,” Harry said. “It’s the threat Earth is facing. Was he from another world? How did he become stuck here? And how long ago was this?"
“Who knows?”
He continued reading.
I've done it. My greatest creation—it's alive. But... it's too much. Too powerful. It's torn a hole in the very fabric of this place. I can see... something beyond.
The hole is closing. I have to leave. NOW. This journal stays. Evidence of... of what, exactly? My genius? My madness? Doesn't matter. If anyone finds this, know that Victor was here. And wherever I end up... it has to be better than this place.
“Do you reckon this Victor bloke's the 'Stranger' mentioned in the quest?" Celeste asked.
"Seems likely. But it’s weird. He has been leaving messages for us that involve elements of the dungeon. It’s almost as if he…”
Harry flipped to the final entry in the journal, his eyes widening as he took in the fresher handwriting.
It's been decades since I last set foot in this godforsaken place. After my time on Earth, I've learned so much about the nature of reality, about Gaia, and her schemes.
Gaia, the sentient force of our world, is trying to save it from dimensional incursions. She is clever, creating the system to have someone else do her dirty work. It costs her far less to grant someone power than it does to clean up after herself.
But she's made mistakes. There was another Player before, but it didn't end well. I knew this person personally, and when I learnt of her death, I was furious. Gaia had to expend an enormous amount of power to contain that mess. Nobody else realises how close the Earth came to disaster.
Now the dungeon has reset. A new Player must be here. I wonder how this one will fare. Perhaps I should leave some helpful hints.
To the Player who finds this: Be careful. Be clever. And above all, don't trust everything you're told—even by Gaia herself. I’m looking forward to when we finally meet.
PS: There is a concealed door in this laboratory. I've left something behind that might help. Use it wisely. May we cross paths one day. It certainly would be…interesting.
Victor.
Harry lowered the journal, his mind reeling. He turned to Celeste, whose tiny face mirrored his shock.
"What the hell?" Harry breathed. "I... I wasn't the first?"
Celeste fluttered her wings nervously. "What happened to the other player? And how much has Gaia kept from you?"
Harry shook his head, trying to process the implications. "And how did Victor get into the dungeon without being a player himself? It doesn't make sense."
"I don’t trust this Victor," Celeste exclaimed, shaking her fist angrily. “Those hints weren’t helpful in the slightest. That last entry might be a complete lie."
Harry nodded. It was a thought to keep in mind. They were already suspicious of the stranger before they discovered this laboratory. The journal entries showed that Victor was unstable. It was terrifying how Victor left the journal for Harry to find, as if he didn’t care if he knew the truth. It conveyed absolute confidence. He was thumbing his nose at Harry by pretending to be helpful in the last entry.
As if in response to his swirling thoughts, a new quest icon popped up in his HUD. Harry opened the menu, curious and a little apprehensive about what he might find.
======New Main Quest: To the Victor, Goes the Spoils
Quest Description: Uncover the mysterious past of Victor, the dimension-hopping scientist who seems to know more about the dungeon system and Gaia than anyone else. His story is intertwined with the fate of a previous Player and may hold crucial information for your journey.
Main Objectives:
Find and explore 3 locations connected to Victor's past. (not including this dungeon).
Uncover the identity and fate of the previous Player.
Locate and defeat 3 monsters created by Victor's experiments.
Discover the method Victor uses to enter and exit dungeons.
Discover Victor’s whereabouts and confront him.
Quest Rewards: 50,000 XP; 10, 000 pounds; unique skill.
Time Limit: None (Long-term quest)
Quest Difficulty: Extreme
Failure: Miss out on crucial information that could affect the outcome of your entire journey.
Note: This quest will update as you progress and uncover more information. ======
Harry read the quest description twice. This was the hardest quest he'd received so far. He hoped he didn’t meet Victor anytime soon.
“So he was speaking the truth,” Celeste said, having read the description herself.
Harry closed the menu. “Let’s not worry about the quest for now. It’s way beyond us. Now, didn’t he say there was a secret door in this laboratory?"
“That’s right.” Celeste flew off his shoulder and began searching. “It might be hiding some loot.”
"And she has already forgotten about not trusting Victor," Harry murmured.
Harry and Celeste searched the laboratory methodically, tapping walls and checking for hidden switches. After several minutes, Celeste spotted a slight discolouration on the floor near a corner. Harry pressed it, and a section of the wall slid open with a grinding noise.
They entered cautiously, both surprised by what they found. An underground garden stretched before them, lit by an unknown source. In the centre stood a large, solitary tree, its branches reaching towards the ceiling. Beneath it lay a treasure chest. To the side, Harry spotted another patch of Bloodroots.
"Does Victor think we're dumb? This is obviously a trap," Celeste said.
"Prepare yourself for anything," Harry replied, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of movement.
They approached the chest slowly, muscles tense, ready to react to any sudden threat. When they reached it, they paused, waiting for a full minute. Nothing happened.
Harry knelt beside the chest, his hand hovering over the lid. He took a deep breath and opened it. Inside lay a single item—a grimoire.
The title read: Grimoire of Animated Constructs.
As soon as he touched it, he was met with a prompt.
====== You have found the Grimoire of Animated Constructs
Description: This ancient tome contains the arcane knowledge required to breathe life into inanimate matter. Through careful study and practice, a wielder of this grimoire can master the art of golem creation, bringing forth loyal servants crafted from the very elements themselves.
Requirements to unlock: 20 Intelligence; 20 Willpower
Elemental Golems Paths: 0/7
Golem Crafting Mastery Path: 0/5 ======
“Wicked!’ Celeste exclaimed.
So, what do you think? The next chapter will probably be longer in length so I can wrap up the dungeon.
Thanks for reading.
