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The Mage's Path: Chapter 11
🕑 Added 2024-09-19 10:22:32 +0000 UTCHi all,
Here’s the next chapter. I have finally made a post for Harry and Celeste's status and skills. Let me know if there is anything else you want added to it.
Chapter 11
Harry squeezed through the hidden hollow, his breath catching as the space narrowed around him. The rough bark scraped against his cloak, and the musty scent of damp earth filled his nostrils. Celeste darted ahead, her tiny form a blur of motion in the glow of Harry's mage light.
He emerged into a small, enclosed chamber, barely large enough for him to stand upright. Gnarled roots and packed earth formed the walls, with a single, narrow exit leading into a dark tunnel.
"Not much room to manoeuvre in here," Harry muttered, his voice oddly muffled in the confined space.
"Speak for yourself," Celeste snorted, zipping around his head with ease.
The tight space didn't bother him, not after years in the cupboard under the stairs. Still, that didn’t mean he wasn’t nervous. If they encountered monsters down here, fighting in such close quarters could turn deadly fast.
His mage light cast a steady, bright glow, illuminating the immediate area. As Harry peered into the tunnel ahead, the passage curved sharply to the left, limiting his view to just a few metres.
They set off, the tunnel walls a mix of damp earth and tangled roots. Harry walked upright, though he had to duck occasionally to avoid low-hanging roots. Each brush against his head sent a shiver down his spine, his mind conjuring images of tiny arms reaching out to ensnare him.
The passage twisted and turned, sometimes so abruptly that Harry could barely see beyond his arm's reach. However, its linear nature made it easy to navigate—until they came to an intersection with three branching paths.
"Which way?" Celeste asked, hovering near the junction.
"Give me a second," Harry replied, reaching for his Spatial Pouch. He retrieved a pen and parchment, quickly sketching a crude map of the intersection.
Since the map function was disabled, he would have to rely on a handdrawn map. It also meant that he couldn’t use Route Mastery to return to previously explored areas, as it required a map to place markers down.
"Let’s go this way,” Harry said, pointing to the right tunnel.
They followed the new tunnel for about a minute before a familiar, sickly glow caught their attention. Another corrupted node pulsed behind a tangle of roots.
Harry stepped forward, fingers outstretched, to clear the obstruction. A sudden hiss froze him in place, hand hovering mere inches from the roots.
A sickening crunch echoed through the narrow tunnel, and something burst from the wall, its segmented body unfurling like a nightmarish jack-in-the-box. Bark-like plates scraped against each other as it fully emerged, its cluster of eye-buds swivelling to focus on Harry.
"Bloody hell!" Harry leapt back. He narrowly avoided a tangle of root-like appendages that lashed out.
"Scan!" he shouted, dodging another swipe as the window appeared in front of him.
======Rootborer | Level: 7 | Type: Corrupted | Plant/Insect Hybrid | HP: 120/120 | MP: 40/40 |
Primary Attributes: Vitality: 22 | Perception 15 |
Defence: 15
Primary Skills:
Burrow: Moves through earth and roots with ease, gaining +50% movement speed underground.
Root Snare: Attempts to entangle the opponent, reducing their movement speed by 30% for 5 seconds.
Hypnotic Vision: Uses eye-buds to mesmerise targets, causing confusion or sleep (incapacitated for 10 seconds, awakened on damage) status effects.
Monster Traits:
Armoured Hide: Resistant to physical damage, reducing incoming physical attacks by 30%.
Corruption Symbiosis: Regenerates 5 HP/second when within 10 metres of a corrupted node.
Subterranean Senses: Adapted to dark environments; PER +10 in low-light conditions.
Weakness to Fire: Takes 50% additional damage from fire-based attacks.
Eyesore: Eye buds are vulnerable to damage, taking 50% more damage from all types of damage. Interrupts Hypnotic Vision attacks.
=====
Exp: 34 [Base 27 + 1 per level]
Loot: 15 pounds; Rootborer Hide; ????
Bestiary Entry: 0/10 defeated.
Description: The Rootborer is a nightmarish fusion of plant and insect, born from the corruption infecting the Aspen forest. Its bark-like exoskeleton and numerous root-legs allow it to navigate underground with ease. A formidable predator, the Rootborer uses a combination of brute strength and toxic spores to overwhelm its prey. =====
"Celeste, watch out for its eyes!" Harry shouted, quickly dismissing the window.
He summoned a whirlwind blade, the air around his hand shimmering as wind magic coalesced. The blade sliced through the air with a high-pitched whistle, carving a gash in the Rootborer's bark-like hide. Foul-smelling ichor oozed from the wound.
The creature shrieked an inhuman sound that set Harry's teeth on edge. Without warning, it burrowed into the tunnel wall, disappearing from sight.
"Where'd it go?" Celeste darted around. The tunnel fell eerily silent, broken only by Harry's ragged breathing.
The ground beneath Harry's feet trembled. Fine cracks appeared in the packed earth, spreading rapidly. He dove forward, feeling the rush of air as the Rootborer erupted from the spot he'd just vacated, its root legs scrabbling for purchase on the tunnel floor
Harry recognised the attack too late. Roots burst from the ground, writhing like serpents as they wrapped around his legs. He stumbled, his movements becoming sluggish as if wading through treacle.
Celeste swooped in, her wings a blur of motion. "Shadow Lance!" she cried, dark energy crackling around her diminutive form. The lance of shadow magic pierced one of the Rootborer's eye-buds with pinpoint accuracy. It reeled back, a high-pitched keening escaping its maw as ichor sprayed from the ruined eye.
Harry hacked at the roots with his dagger, the blade glinting in the magelight as he sawed through the tough fibres. Finally freeing himself, he raised his hand, preparing another wind spell. But before he could cast, the Rootborer's remaining eye-buds fixed on him, pulsing with an eerie, hypnotic light.
A wave of disorientation washed over Harry. The world tilted and swam, colours blurring together like a warped painting. He blinked rapidly, suddenly unsure of where he was or what he was doing. Was he fighting something? He couldn't remember.
"Harry!" Celeste's voice seemed to come from far away, muffled as if he were underwater. "Snap out of it!"
The Rootborer lunged, taking advantage of Harry's confusion. Its root-legs slashed across his chest, tearing into his cloak. Pain exploded through him, sharp and clarifying, jolting him back to reality.
Harry Potter's HP: 170/241
"Thanks, Celeste," Harry gasped, stumbling back. His chest stung where the creature had struck him. "Whirlwind Blade!"
The wind magic materialised, more powerful this time. It sliced through the air, cleaving through two more of the Rootborer's eye-buds. The creature thrashed wildly, its movements becoming erratic as it lost more of its sensory organs.
"Shadow Lance!" Celeste cried again. Another spear of dark energy formed, larger than before, and struck true. It pierced the Rootborer's weakened hide, sinking deep into its body.
Harry seized the chance and unleashed a Gale Breaker. The concentrated blast of wind erupted from his palms, slamming into the Rootborer with the force of a battering ram. Its armoured hide cracked audibly, pieces of bark-like plating falling away.
Rootborer's HP: 45/120
The creature, sensing its impending defeat, burrowed into the ground once more. The tunnel fell silent, save for the soft patter of falling dirt and Harry's heavy breathing.
"Is it gone?" Celeste whispered, her eyes scanning the tunnel warily.
A rumble from behind answered her question. The wall exploded outward as the Rootborer burst through, showering them with debris. Its remaining eye-buds glowed with desperate intensity, pulsing rapidly.
"Not this time," Harry growled, gritting his teeth. As the hypnotic pulse washed over him, he closed his eyes tight, relying on his other senses to pinpoint the creature's location. "Now, Celeste!"
"Shadow Lance!"
Harry's eyes snapped open as Celeste's attack struck true, the sound of impact reverberating through the tunnel. Without missing a beat, he followed up with a final Whirlwind Blade, putting every ounce of his remaining magical energy into the spell. The wind magic cleaved through the Rootborer's weakened body, slicing it nearly in two.
With a sound like a tree being felled, the creature collapsed. Its massive form shuddered once, then began to shimmer. It dissolved into motes of light, leaving behind a small pile of loot where it had fallen.
Rootborer defeated. Harry and Celeste each receive 17 exp.
"Well," Harry panted. "That was utterly horrifying."
Celeste's concerned gaze swept over him. "You okay?"
Harry nodded, wincing as he rubbed his chest. The pain should have faded, but it lingered, a dull throb beneath his ribs. He inspected his cloak, grimacing at the long tear that marred its surface. The damage had significantly reduced its durability, as the garment wasn't designed to withstand a lot of damage. One swipe from the Rootborer had proven that all too clearly.
"I need better armour," he muttered, more to himself than Celeste. "It's nearly impossible to dodge those attacks in these cramped tunnels."
The fallen monster had dropped fifteen pounds and a piece of hide. Harry used Appraisal on the latter:
====== Rootborer Hide | Uncommon | Crafting Material
A piece of the Rootborer's tough, bark-like exoskeleton. It can be used in crafting to create armour with high physical defence. ======
"Just what I needed," Harry mused. "If only I knew how to use it."
Before continuing, they destroyed the corrupted node. As they pressed forward, their movements became more cautious, eyes darting to the root-covered walls, half-expecting monsters to burst forth at any moment.
They hadn't gone far when they encountered another node, and with it, another Rootborer. This time, forewarned and prepared, they had an easier go of it. Celeste, seizing an opening, finished the beast with a Shadow Lance.
Harry and Celeste reached the end of the tunnel, their footsteps echoing in the narrow space. The passage terminated abruptly in a solid wall of packed earth and tangled roots, so they retraced their steps to the initial intersection.
"Let's try the left path this time," Harry suggested.
As they ventured down the left passage, the walls seemed to press in closer. Roots dangled from the ceiling like grasping fingers, forcing them to duck and weave. Eventually, they arrived at another junction, this one splitting into two branching paths.
"Left again?" Celeste asked, hovering near Harry's shoulder.
Harry nodded, and they took the left fork. After a short distance, they discovered an exit leading back above ground.
"Let’s explore the rest of the underground first,” Harry said.
Celeste nodded. “We can’t miss out on any loot.”
The fresh air was tempting, but they resisted the urge to leave, instead returning to the first intersection. This time, they headed north. The tunnel wound its way through the earth before terminating in a small, circular chamber.
At first glance, the room seemed unremarkable. Then Harry's eyes caught a splash of vibrant red amidst the browns and greys of the chamber floor.
"What's that?" he muttered, kneeling to examine the unfamiliar plant. Its crimson leaves stood out starkly against the dark soil. Harry used Appraisal on the mysterious herb:
====== Bloodroot | Uncommon | Effect: Crafting Material | Quality: Moderate
A rare herb with potent medicinal properties. Commonly used in the creation of health potions. Harvest with care because they are delicate and quality may suffer. ======
“This'll be incredibly useful for brewing health potions."
Harry carefully harvested the bloodroot plants and stored them in his inventory.
Sub-Objective updated: Find and harvest rare ingredients: 22/100
Backtracking once more, they returned to the second intersection and took the right path. They encountered two more corrupted nodes, and the Rootborers emerged to defend them. Though the fights were challenging in the narrow confines, Harry and Celeste's growing experience allowed them to win without too much trouble.
They reached another intersection, the air heavy with anticipation. Straight ahead, the tunnel appeared to terminate at a dead end, but something caught Harry's eye—a glint of metal in the magelight.
"Is that a chest?"
Celeste zipped forward, her excitement palpable. "The first treasure chest of the dungeon!" she exclaimed.
Harry followed her into the small tunnel. Suddenly, the tunnel walls erupted into violent motion. Roots, as thick as Harry's arm and sharp as spears, burst from the earth with frightening speed. They lashed out wildly, filling the narrow space with a writhing mass of wooden tentacles.
"Watch out!" Celeste cried, her agile form darting between the animated roots with remarkable speed.
Harry's reflexes kicked in, his body twisting and ducking to avoid the onslaught. But in the confined space, perfect evasion was impossible. A root slipped past his guard, its jagged edge grazing his side. Harry felt a sharp sting as it tore through his already damaged cloak and bit into flesh.
He hissed in pain, stumbling slightly as warm blood began to seep into his shirt.
Harry Potter's HP: 150/241
"Harry!" Celeste flew over to inspect the wound.
Gritting his teeth, Harry pressed forward. "I'm alright," he managed, though his side throbbed with each movement. "Let's get that chest before this place throws anything else at us."
“In hindsight, that was an obvious trap,” Harry muttered.
“Sorry,” Celeste said sheepishly.
Harry waved his hand, dismissing the apology. They were both too careless.
If it hadn’t been for the Invigorating Draught boosting his reflexes, he would have sustained more damage. His HUD showed that the effect had almost run its course. It only lasted for an hour. He still had some left, but he needed to be careful with his consumption. Although his consumption limit had increased because of the meal he had eaten earlier, the effect only lasted an hour as well.
They reached the chest, a wooden box bound with rusted metal. Harry examined it for traps, his fingers probing for hidden mechanisms while keeping a wary eye out for further attacks.
When he opened it, he found two small white vials.
====== Antidote Potion | Uncommon | Effect: Cures most poisons | Quality: Moderate
A potent concoction that neutralises most common poisons and venoms. Provides immunity to poison effects for 1 hour after consumption. ======
Celeste wrinkled her nose. “We’re going to need them if we encounter any more of those monsters.”
“I could do without meeting them again.”
As Harry stood up, Celeste darted towards the wall.
"Harry," she said. "Come look at this."
Harry looked at where Celeste was pointing. At first, he saw nothing but the usual pattern of roots and soil. Then, as he leaned in closer, he noticed it—minuscule writing etched into the wall.
"There is a trap here," Harry read aloud, his brow furrowing. "But it's so tiny... you'd never notice it until after the trap was sprung."
Celeste shook her tiny fist at the wall, her wings buzzing angrily. "What kind of ridiculous warning is that? It's practically useless!"
"Someone else has been here. How is that possible? Or did Gaia write this?"
Celeste's anger seemed to deflate suddenly, replaced by a thoughtful expression. "Wait a minute. The stranger mentioned in the quest description must be responsible for this prank."
"You're right. I wouldn’t call it a prank, though. That trap was nasty.”
"At least we know to be on the lookout for more of his handiwork," Celeste pointed out.
They returned to the intersection, eyeing the final unexplored path. It led to another exit from the dungeon, this one partially obscured by hanging vines.
Harry paused, frowning as he updated his map. "This place is getting more complicated.”
“Should we exit from here?” Celeste asked.
“Yeah. We can always come back and explore the other exit later,” Harry said.
Harry and Celeste emerged from the underground. They found themselves in a small clearing, surrounded by a grove of tall Aspen trees.
As they surveyed their surroundings, their gaze was drawn upwards. Above them, a series of wooden platforms ascended in a spiral pattern around the trees. There were five platforms in total, each slightly smaller than the one below, leading to a main platform high up in the trees, easily thirty metres above the ground.
Celeste's tiny form buzzed with excitement. "There must be something good up there. Maybe another treasure chest?"
Harry nodded, but his expression remained cautious. "Be careful as you fly up, Celeste. We don't know what to expect."
Undeterred, Celeste began to ascend. At first, everything seemed normal, but as she reached about ten metres off the ground, something strange happened. An invisible force began to push against her, like a strong downdraft. She fought against it, her tiny wings beating furiously, but it had no effect.
"I can't... seem to... go any higher!" Celeste grunted.
Slowly but surely, Celeste was pushed back towards the ground. When she finally touched down, she was panting heavily, her wings drooping with exhaustion.
"What the hell was that?" Celeste asked. She shook her tiny fist at the air above them, as if challenging the invisible force to a rematch.
"The area must have specific rules that prevent flying," Harry said. "It's like a game mechanic, designed to make the challenge more difficult."
He eyed the smooth trunks of the trees, considering whether he should attempt to shimmy up them. After a moment's thought, he decided to check the area first for any clues.
"Let's look around," he suggested to Celeste. "There might be something that explains what's going on here."
They began to circle the clearing, examining the trees and ground carefully. Harry ran his hands along the bark of each tree, looking for any unusual markings or hidden switches.
After several minutes of searching, Harry's attention was drawn to one particular tree. At first glance, it looked no different from the others, but as he ran his hand over the bark, he felt a series of small indentations. Leaning in closer, he saw that they formed words:
"If you want the treasure above, you must first shoulder the weight of the world."
"Celeste, come look at this," Harry called. "I've found something."
As Celeste zipped over, Harry read the message aloud. They discussed the cryptic words, turning them over in their minds, trying to decipher their meaning.
"It must be some kind of gravity enchantment," Harry mused, glancing up at the platforms above. "That's why you couldn't fly up. The higher we go, the more the 'weight of the world' presses down on us."
Celeste nodded, her earlier frustration giving way to curiosity. "But what about climbing? Will you experience the same thing if you try to go up the tree?"
"Only one way to find out."
He approached the nearest tree and began to climb. Immediately, he felt the strain. It was as if an invisible weight was pressing down on him, making each movement a struggle. His muscles burned with the effort, and sweat began to bead on his forehead.
He wasn't even halfway up when the force suddenly intensified. It felt like a giant hand was pushing him down, and despite his best efforts, Harry couldn't resist. With a yelp of surprise, he was violently pushed back to the ground.
Harry landed with a thud, the breath knocked out of him. He lay there for a moment, catching his breath, the soft forest loam cushioning his fall. As he stared up at the canopy above, a thought occurred to him.
"Celeste," he said slowly, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "Why weren't you pushed down as hard? Is it because you're much smaller than me?"
"Maybe," she said, tapping her chin. "Or it could be because I was moving faster?"
Harry stood up, brushing leaves and dirt from his robes as they talked. Eventually, a realisation dawned on them.
"The quicker we are, the easier it will be to reach the top unaffected," Harry mused. "The enchantment takes time to build up its force. If we move fast enough, we might be able to outpace it."
This prompted Harry to open his menu. He had been considering learning Gust Leap, and now seemed like the perfect time. Before he did so, he spent enough experience points to level up to six. He had forgotten to do so when he first entered the dungeon.
He earned five AP and two Path Points. He examined his attributes, unsure which one he should improve. After a moment, he decided to spend them on Perception. He was getting ambushed too often, so he needed to improve his ability to detect hidden threats. It would also help to locate hidden areas. Although Celeste had a higher perception because she received a free point at each level, it would be better if the two of them could collaborate to reduce the risk.
Harry opened up his skill board menu and used three PP to learn it. A window popped up, showing him the description.
====== Gust Leap | Active | Level: 1 | Upgrade: (0/10) | Cost: 15 MP | Attribute: AGI
Description: This skill allows the player to harness wind magic to propel themselves high into the air. It’s good for reaching out of reach of places, and can also be used in combat in certain situations. Keep in mind that mastering precise control takes practice. Using it incorrectly can lead to fall damage. The skill's effectiveness depends on your Agility attribute.
* Allows the player to jump up to 5 metres into the air.
* If timed correctly, it can be used again immediately. Otherwise, it has a 5-second cooldown between uses.
* Advances to level 2 after successfully performing a chain of five jumps ten times. ======
"This could be exactly what we need to get up there," Harry said, glancing up at the platforms above. ======
Celeste hovered near his shoulder, reading the description as well. "It sounds perfect," she agreed, "but that warning about fall damage is a bit concerning. Are you sure about this, Harry?"
Harry nodded. "We need to get up there, and this seems like our best shot. I'll just have to be careful."
“If you say so,” Celeste sighed. “Hey, can you level me up while you’re at it?”
“Sure.”
Celeste advanced to level six, and he spent her AP to increase her Endurance at her request. He didn’t think it was the best use of her AP, but she seemed offended that it was only at three. At the very least, it would boost her defence and stamina slightly.
“Do you want to learn any skills?” Harry asked.
Celeste shook her head. “It can wait.”
"Alright, let's give this skill a try. I'll start with some short hops to get the hang of it."
Harry focused, feeling the wind magic gathering around him. It was a new sensation, different from the destructive force of his Whirlwind Blade. This felt more... buoyant. With a thought, he activated Gust Leap and launched himself into the air.
He found himself suspended in the air for the briefest of moments before gravity took effect and he fell back down with a thud.
"Whoa," he said. "That's going to take some getting used to."
Over the next few minutes, Harry practised with Gust Leap, gradually increasing the distance and height of his jumps. Celeste watched anxiously, offering encouragement and warnings in equal measure.
He wanted to continue but he couldn’t waste all of his MP. He only had one mana potion and had no idea where the safe zone was in this dungeon. He could always meditate if necessary, but it would be time-consuming.
"Here goes nothing," he muttered, wiping his sweaty palms on his robes. With a deep breath, he activated Gust Leap, aiming for the first platform.
The wind rushed around him as he shot upwards, his stomach lurching at the sudden ascent. For a moment, he felt the gravity enchantment begin to take hold, a heaviness settling over him. But before it could fully affect him, he landed on the platform with a solid thud.
"I did it!" Harry called down to Celeste, grinning widely despite the strain.
Celeste cheered. "Great job, Harry! Now for the next one!"
Harry nodded, turning to face the next platform. He could feel the gravity enchantment starting to press down on him, making his movements sluggish. But he knew he had to move quickly.
With another activation of Gust Leap, he propelled himself to the next platform. And then the next. Each leap became more challenging as the gravity enchantment grew stronger, the invisible weight pressing down on him with increasing force.
By the time he reached the fourth platform, Harry was gasping for breath. The gravity enchantment was now a constant, oppressive force, trying to drive him back down to the ground.
Gritting his teeth, Harry gathered the last of his strength. With one final, mighty leap, he propelled himself towards the main platform at the top.
For a heartstopping moment, he thought he wasn't going to make it. The gravity enchantment seemed to redouble its efforts, pulling at him with incredible force. But with a desperate lunge, Harry's hand caught the edge of the platform.
Muscles screaming in protest, he hauled himself up, collapsing onto the wooden surface.
“That was too close. A fall from this height would have seriously hurt.”
When he finally managed to push himself to his knees, Harry looked around the platform. His eyes were drawn to two objects: a blue chest, and an odd machine with intricate gears and levers. There was also another corrupted node near the edge of the platform. Curiosity piqued, he stepped closer to the machine, noticing a plaque affixed to its side. The inscription identified it as an Enchantment Station, complete with operating instructions.
A grin spread across Harry's face. At last, he could put those enchantment gems to use. But first, the chest beckoned.
He opened the blue chest. Inside lay five items. Two moderate health potions and one moderate mana potion found their way to his belt. The fourth item caught his eye—a dagger unlike any he'd seen before.
The dagger's shape is reminiscent of a long, curved thorn. It starts wide at the base, tapering to a needle-fine point. Along its spine run several smaller, thorn-like protrusions, giving it a distinctly organic appearance.
The handle is wrapped in dark leather for a secure grip, with a pommel carved to resemble a cluster of Aspen leaves. Where the blade meets the handle, there's a small guard fashioned like intertwining branches.
Harry lifted the blade, its weight balanced perfectly in his hand. He focused, activating his Appraisal skill:
======Aspen Thorn Dagger | Level: 9 | Rare | Type: Weapon | Enchantment Slots: 2
Description: A wickedly sharp dagger crafted from enchanted Aspen wood. Its blade, hardened through magical means, is as durable as steel while retaining the lightweight properties of wood.
* Deals moderate damage for its level.
* +15% Critical Hit Chance.
* +20% damage against plant-based enemies.
* Durability: 140/140
Special Effect: Venom - 10% chance to poison the enemy for moderate damage over time. ======
Harry nodded, satisfied. The new weapon far outclassed his old dagger. It was too bad he couldn’t use it until he reached level nine.
The chest's final offering was a vibrant red gem. Another application of Appraisal revealed its purpose:
======Blazing Core | Weapon Level Required: 7 | Uncommon | Type: Enchantment Gem |
Description: A crystallised essence of elemental fire. When socketed into a weapon, it imbues the item with fiery power.
* Adds minor fire damage to weapon attacks.
* 5% chance to ignite the target, dealing minor fire damage for 5 seconds. ======
Once he was able to attach this to the Aspen Thorn Dagger, it would make for a potent combination. With a chance to deal both fire and damage over time. He still had the Bloodletter and Sharpness gems, and he could put one of them on the dagger as well.
For the moment, he would attach it to the Aspen Thorn Dagger. Although he couldn’t use it yet, nothing was stopping him from adding the enchantment. Who knows when he will be back here.
With his newfound treasures secure, Harry turned to the Enchantment Station. Following the machine's instructions, he placed the dagger into a specially designed slot. With equal care, he inserted the Blazing Core into an adjacent compartment.
Harry pulled a lever, setting the machine's gears in motion. Sparks flew as the gem's essence merged with the dagger's form. When the process finished, Harry retrieved his weapon, marvelling at its transformation.
The dagger now emanated a subtle heat. Its blade bore intricate, flame-like patterns that seemed to dance in the light. When Harry gave it an experimental swing, a faint trail of embers followed its arc.
“Brilliant.”
He retrieved the two enchantment gems from his inventory and examined them. The Bloodletter gem had a ten percent chance to absorb ten HP from the enemy. It may not sound like much, but it added up over time. It could be a good way to save on health potions.
The Sharpness gem gave a weapon a ten percent boost to attack. While it would be useful with higher-level weapons, it didn’t add much at his current level.
He chose the Bloodletter gem and attached it to the dagger.
Harry put the Aspen Thorn Dagger away and pulled out his old one. He destroyed the corrupted node with caution, expecting a monster to jump out of him. When nothing appeared, he breathed a sigh of relief. He should have known better.
As he prepared to descend, a deafening crack split the air. He whirled around, summoning a Whirlwind Blade onto his hands. His senses tingled, and he looked up.
From above, a massive shape plummeted. It crashed onto the platform, wood splintering under its weight. Harry stumbled back, eyes wide.
Before him stood a grotesque fusion of tree and beast. Its body, a gnarled mass of Aspen wood, towered over him. Corruption oozed from its joints, and a crown of twisted branches framed its face—a hollow filled with writhing roots.
"Who dares to ascend?" its voice boomed, shaking the platform. "None may claim the treasure without shouldering the weight of this realm."
The gravity enchantment suddenly intensified. Harry's knees buckled as an immense pressure bore down on him. The monster advanced, each step increasing the crushing force.
Harry gritted his teeth, fighting to stand. Celeste's shouts echoed faintly from below, but he knew she was powerless to help in this situation.
He raised his hand, preparing to launch a blade of wind. Suddenly, a message flashed across his HUD:
The dungeon has shifted into the weapon phase.
The spell sputtered out, magical energy dissipating uselessly.
"Well, shit.”
So, what do you think? In the next chapter, Harry has a hard solo fight, and his only choice is to unleash some chaos.
Thanks for reading.
