The One Branch of The Tree

I checked the body of the hunter I just killed, ordinary leather armor, a small knife, rope, a water bottle, some dry food and most interestingly a crumpled paper. 

I unfolded it, revealing a rough map of the forest area with several red crosses and a large circle in the innermost area. The target location? Very interesting, and I took a closer look at the small writing at the bottom.

Core Zone — No Entry

I chuckled.

"If it's written that it's prohibited, that's usually the main goal."

Universal rule of fantasy stories, I put the map in the loot bag, of course it is very useful, hunter items are also quite helpful.

I now have:

Knife

Water bottle

small bag

Few rations

Increase the storage a lot I really like, after making sure there is nothing useful anymore I continue the journey, the new target is clear towards the core zone. 

If many people are searching there, it means the potential for a big reward and the risk are also high. As I walked deeper, the trees began to change; their trunks grew larger, the leaves darker, and the roots protruded like giant snakes, and the fog grew thicker. 

Minor Mana Sense gave me an uncomfortable sensation the energy in this area was much denser, wilder like the forest itself was actually alive it wasn't impossible, I sighed.

"Okay."

“Hopefully no trees will suddenly start talking.”

I had just finished speaking when the stalk in my hand gave a small throb, I stared at the Thorny Branch.

“…I’m not giving ideas.” Please don’t. 

A few minutes later, I heard a rumbling sound in the distance. I immediately stopped, my footsteps heavy, very heavy. The ground shook slightly, not ideal. I crouched down and focused. 

Mana Sense caught something, a very large dot approaching. Okay, time to hide, I quickly climbed up a large root and hid behind a tree trunk. 

A few seconds later something appeared and I immediately understood why this area was called forbidden. 

The monster was almost three meters tall, a gorilla-like body, stone gray skin, large arms, short horns, glowing yellow eyes, it seemed like evolution had forgotten the ordinary.

A notification appears.

Stoneback Ape Lv.18

Danger: High

I stared at the number.

"Eighteen?"

I'm now level 11, the difference is too great, it doesn't make sense at all. A stone gorilla walks through the area carrying something, and I squint, and it turns out to be a human bone. 

Ah what a good variety of food to know, I held my breath until the monster was gone for a few very long minutes, once its steps were away from me then I slowly got down.

"Notes."

"Don't mess with the rock gorilla."

With the knowledge gained, I chose a much safer detour or at least one that wouldn't lead directly to suicide. 

The sun was starting to set in the late afternoon and that's when I discovered something else, namely the Ruins. 

I stopped in the middle of a dense forest hidden behind roots and moss was an ancient, half-ruined stone building, cracked pillars and stairs leading down to the underground.

It was very interesting to increase the level drastically, I approached slowly Minor Mana Sense immediately reacted very strongly large energy came from below. 

Oh, Jackpot? Maybe.

Death trap? High probability

I stood in front of the stairs thinking rationally: going into a mysterious dungeon alone was a bad idea. 

In terms of fantasy protagonist development: of course I'm in. 

I descended the stairs, the air turning cold, damp, and dark. I activated Ember Slash a bit, but the small flame at the end of the Thorny Branch was enough to help. 

The stone corridor stretched out, the walls filled with strange symbols in an unknown language or perhaps too old, I walked carefully, the sound of my footsteps echoing.

After a few minutes, the corridor opened into a circular room, with a stone altar in the center. Atop it lay a small, simple, minimalist, and suspicious black box. 

The mana from it was very strong. I slowly approached, but no traps were visible. This meant there was definitely a trap. I used Root Snare around the altar. The roots touched the floor, but there was no reaction. 

Hmm, Maybe it's safe? I reached out as my finger almost touched the notification box that appeared.

Hidden Trial Detected.

Condition:

Defeat guardian.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

"Of course."

It won't be that easy, a cracking sound was heard.

CRACK.

I turned to see the stone statue in the corner of the room begin to move, its eyes glowing red. Oh come on, the Guardian trope activated. The statue stood fully humanoid, with stone armor and a large sword.

A notification appears.

Ancient Stone Guardian Lv.14

I looked at him, Level 14? Still higher, but not as bad as the gorilla earlier, maybe it could still be handled. 

The guardian raised his sword, a heavy aura filling the room. I gripped the Thorny Branch and took a breath. Alright, first Dungeon, first boss fight, mysterious reward, very much in keeping with the genre. I smiled faintly.

“Let's see.”

"Is the box a corresponding trauma?"

Guardian attacks. 

The fight begins.

[END CHAPTER 7]