Along the way, I would slash through any creatures that dared stand in my way, no matter its mana reservoir. The Wandering Woodlands have a sparse but open layout, which means there is minimal hindrance to my path. That only holds true for the outer region. Further within lies the true Wandering Woodlands, and I was nearing its destination. The ground elevated slightly, and in the distance were trees more closely packed. The vegetation in this area gives the impression that the area I wanted to access was blocked. Trees were like the iron bars of a prison, and the inner area of the Wandering Woodlands functioned as the prison cell. The beings in the external region were only the guards, yet those were managed promptly. An alluring scent wafted inside, and I would not let anything get in my way.
To save my energy, I willed the blood scythe to disappear. I made a single powerful leap, reached the sturdy branches and preceded by leaping from tree to tree like a skilled gibbon. Rather than running along the forest floor, I thought it might be better to take a more subdued approach to this kind of prey. If I could help it, I wouldn't want to alert them to my presence. They could become alarmed that a predator was approaching, resulting in their retreat. If the creature I had in mind was the one at the end, then secrecy was the best.
Never in a million years would I have thought of using tactics such as these, but as things stand, I am weak. This body can be defeated with just a flick of a finger from one of the Pillars. Regarding monsters, I can count many that can defeat me as is. I find my lack of strength highly unpleasant, yet I must adjust to these circumstances to the best of my capabilities. It is a wonder how these mortals can survive in these paper bodies when surrounded by species much stronger than they are.
During my contemplation, I was half-heartedly watching below as I traveled through the canopy. Occasional beams of moonlight shone through the trees, which were as tall as buildings on Earth. The gnarled tree roots twisted, forming an intricate pattern around the bright mushrooms, like a child's candy dream. I felt the soft, spongy moss cushion the soles of my feet as I stepped onto the tree branch. Insects of various sizes hummed with life as they drifted through the night. In the corner of my eye, a black snake as thick as the towering trees hissed as it slithered on top of a fallen log. At the end of said log was a large four-legged creature with shaggy hair. While nibbling at some bushes, the snake silently crept up and wrapped its body around the unsuspecting creature. A crunch as loud as a dry branch reverberated across the Wandering Woodlands.
"Survival of the fittest."
Drawing closer to the scent, I slowed down my movements. Up ahead was a circular clearing with its own stream running down into a different section of the Wandering Woodlands. In the middle was a spacious flowerbed of white, four-leaved flowers. With the moon shining down, the petals were given a silverish hue, like aluminum. What interested me wasn't the flowers or the stream, but the creature that currently occupied the clearing. Standing on top of a pile of deceased corpses was a massive creature. Its scales glistened in a deep, forest-green hue, like jagged rocks in a fissure. The beasts' wings were rolled, though the webbing expressed a leaf-like pattern. Thick horns reminiscent of branches sprouted from the top of its head. Every time it released a breath, a green light glowed from the mouth of spears. As of now, it was chowing down at the corpses that lay underneath its talons like a hawk consuming mice.
"So, my hunch was correct," I mumbled, not wanting to alert it.
I was rooted in one spot, observing the creature. Since the creature's identity was revealed, I was at a loss on what to do. The creature having a full-course meal was an earth dragon, a revelation I found bizarre as earth dragons are usually herbivores. Nevertheless, it was the only creature that met the criteria due to its physical appearance and the mana it was emitting. Fighting an earth dragon would prove difficult, as these creatures are forces of nature. If it was a hatchling, it would've been a different story, but this thing was adult sized. It was as big as three elephants, yet as deadly as a- well, dragon. They are territorial predators that will use their brute strength to vanquish foes and prey alike. If a mortal were to encounter one, they were recommended to run.
"Alas, running is not an option. If I were to run now, I may never encounter another dragon. It'd be best to take advantage of this lucky event."
The dragon had yet to be aware of my presence. Just a few minutes ago, I slowed blood circulation just enough to keep me alive. I relocated to an area where the wind was not blowing in the dragon's direction, so that it took more time for it to detect my scent. This won't last forever, however, as the creatures' keen senses will detect me soon. The reason I have evaded detection thus far is that of its dedication to its sustenance. It knows that it is at the top of the food chain and few creatures can harm it. Its defenses are at an all-time low. The thick tail was drooped to the side, unmoving. As the seconds ticked by, I thought about my next course of action.
"The element of surprise is my best friend. A full-on confrontation is disadvantageous. [Blood Manipulation] on the creature will not work. It is highly probable that the dragon is stronger than I am. [Soul Snatch] and [Terrorizer] are null too, as they are low-leveled masteries. What to do…"
Drumming my fingers along my chin, I opened the Status, flicking through tabs as my thoughts drifted. When my eyes landed on the Point Store, an epiphany unraveled. I hovered my finger over at the subsections and tapped on Consumables. Various flasks filled my view. Two caught my attention.
"You'll do just nicely. Saving points will do me no good."
A press of a button later, two glass flasks entered my hands. The bottles were uncorked, and I gulped down the contents merrily. Once consumed, I pocketed the empty flasks into my inventory.
[You have consumed a strength potion! The strength stat has been increased for three minutes]
[You have consumed an agility potion! The agility stat has been increased for three minutes]
"Status."
Name: Xalan
Rank: 1st
Points: 3268
Strength: 64 (74) Agility: 64 (74)
Durability: 63 Mana: 104
Masteries: Blood Manipulation Lvl 7 Blood Absorption Lvl 5 Mana Barrier Lvl 3 Mana Field Lvl 4 Soul Snatch Lvl 1 Night Vision Lvl 5 Terrorizer Lvl 1
Potions in the Point Store are separated into three tiers according to their potency: low-grade, middle-grade, and upper-grade. As the grade increases in value, the cost follows suit. I had consumed a low-grade strength and agility potion, which wasn't expensive. While the increase in stats may seem miniscule, it doesn't hurt to decrease the gap. Losing my life against a beast lesser than I would severely wound my pride.
"Enough eating up the time limit. I've stalled for too long. Activating [Blood Manipulation] now would be akin to screaming at the top of my lungs. It would sense the influx of mana and notice my existence. Using the mastery should be when I'm a few meters away."
With a plan in mind, I squinted at the creature. Its back was still turned and was chowing on the next victim, a razor-fanged jaguar I fought not too long ago. When its head sagged, that was when I began the attack. I bent low and then pushed off, feeling the midnight air brushing against me as I glided through it. The dragon detected the snap of the branch as a result of the jump and inclined its head towards the source. Since its attention was at my previous location, I descended rapidly on top of its head. Now two meters away, I activated [Blood Manipulation] and created a longsword. In one swift motion, I swung a wide arc at its head.
I thought I had successfully completed my sneak attack, but unbeknownst to me, the creature was one step ahead. It ducked its head in time, my attack only grazing its horns, and flicked its tail in my direction. A look of vexation crossed my face as I lifted my arms to ward off the strike. Upon contact, the heavy blow sent me tumbling across the flower field. The sweet scent melded into my own as I straightened myself up.
"What is a being like you doing here in the Wandering Woodlands?"
Its voice sounded like trees rustling in the wind. There was a slight echo, as if the plant-life itself was speaking. The dragon eyed me suspiciously as it slowly left the bound of bodies, its wings now unfurled. For whatever reason, it was sideways, showing only half of its body.
"I was conscious of your presence the moment you stepped into my domain. The emanation of deity is unmistakable, whatever form you may choose to take."
"I don't have to answer your question, dragon. You must have some idea of why I'm here."
The dragon's pupils dilated as it hissed. "Turn back now, or you will feel the wrath of a dragon. Leave, and I will forget you were ever here."
"How odd. A prideful species is allowing an intruder to leave in one piece… That's seems suspicious, no?"
Although I am curious as to why the dragon has set the inner region of the Wandering Woodlands as its home, I do not have the time to investigate further. This organism was hesitating, insisting that I retreat. Its behavior is so unusual for a dragon that it is nearly beyond belief. There is a secret it doesn't wish for me to uncover, and I will seize it within my grasp.
When I advanced, aiming the blade at the dragon, it bellowed out a sound so loud that the earth shook with its intensity. The emerald luminescence from its jaws intensified, mirroring the moonlight's brightness. Soon, it opened its maw wide and released its breath attack.