The group had spent the night around the pond resting and healing, their exhaustion finally catching up with them. Maximus had even stored some of the remaining pond water, filling empty bottles so that he had more quality water for potions and elixirs.
He also managed to find some of the dark seeds wrapped in fluffy, cotton-like fibers from the toppled Ironbark trees, storing them if ever needed.
***
Once the sun burst through the canopy, Maximus morphed into Cat Form, and they continued east through the centipedes’ territory.
They pushed through thick shrubbery and thorny vines, half in a rush, half enjoying the rare peace and the sun’s warm rays that pierced down like spears through the tall, dense canopy above.
A few hours later, the distant sound of running water drew them southeast.
Silex immediately rushed ahead to take a swim.
A large river cut through the area, its current flowing deeper into the Wildlands. Its waters were crystal clear and eerily devoid of life.
Maximus activated his World Sense and observed enormous amounts of water numina and mana. Looks safe to drink. He crouched and started drinking in his cat form. Well… this just feels wrong. He shuddered and morphed back into his human form, summoning a cup and dipping it into the water, filling it to the brim.
He chugged it greedily as the cold water refreshed his mind and body. “We didn’t clean ourselves back then due to someone using up almost all of the pond’s water to fight. Let’s wash off the grime and blood here,” Maximus ordered.
“If it wasn’t for my water mastery, you all would be dead, mark my words!” Silex complained as he floated lazily on the surface of the slow-moving river.
Maximus took off his armor and clothing and jumped nude into the river without hesitation.
He scrubbed away the grime, dried blood, and even patches of dried poison from his body and paused at his belly. With the quest cleared, the black spot was gone, but in its place remained a small mark, almost tattoo-like, of a coiled centipede. The patch of skin felt sturdier than the rest of his body and colder to the touch. It’s possibly related to the blessing… Hmm, just who is this Weaver of Shrouds? He frowned and sighed, pushing the thought aside. There was no point dwelling on it now. He had a hunch that once the first trial ended, everything would become much clearer.
Like that, he washed his face and hair and stared into his reflection in the water. I still cannot get used to this face… This fiery red hair… Though the eyes at least fit nicely. He chuckled inwardly as he complimented the only part that still resembled the old Aurelius. The scars are still here, though. He noticed the stab wound on his belly that had killed the old Maximus; even the slash scars on his wrists remained. Just what happened to you? Did your family hunt you, or someone you wronged? He shook the thoughts away and grabbed his shirt and pants, using them to dry himself.
I could use a new pair. He nodded and purchased a simple white button-down, brown cargo pants, and some underwear. He didn’t bother with socks since his shapeshifting skill would just tear through them anyway.
I should buy some new boots again, maybe something that works with shapeshifting? He opened the store and browsed the E-ranked footwear, but he didn’t have many tokens, even with everything he had earned.
[BT: 11,000]
After a few minutes of inspecting and thinking it over, he finally chose something cheaper.
[Lightstep Sneakers (E)]
Footwear made of Duststep Antelope leather and Shifting Cotton, threaded with liquid mana-treated yarn. Designed and inspired by footwear from Earth, made to impress younger generations.
Increases movement speed by 10% and dodge chance by 5%, improving your chances of avoiding incoming attacks.
If worn by a shapeshifter, it will adapt to any form taken.
BT: 6500
Maximus purchased them, and a pair of sleek black running sneakers appeared in his hands. He inspected them and their strange shape. I did see others wear similar-looking shoes… Didn’t pay them much attention before, but they’re very light and soft. Hmm… let’s try them on.
He put them on; the slip-on design allowed for easy wear. As soon as he did, they adjusted to his legs, fitting him perfectly as if tailored.
He jumped up and down, feeling his speed increase and his body grow slightly lighter, more responsive.
He then shifted his legs into lupine form, and the shoes morphed alongside them, leaving behind two cloud-like glowing marks around his ankles. He shifted back, and they re-formed around his legs in perfect shape. “Amazing!” He smiled, clearly pleased. Though the boons are barely passable.
“You three ready?” He then turned toward the floating trio.
“Boss, give us more time; this is pleasant,” Vesper said while Sprout clapped his vines in agreement.
“Yes, yes, a little bit more!” Silex chimed in.
Maximus smiled. “Alright, then.”
Half an hour later, they finally continued, Maximus now using his lupine legs for movement. He wanted to level up the skill and evolve it at last.
Like that, the group moved for a few more hours until they reached the edge of the centipedes’ territory. Before them, as if marked by an unseen boundary, the other side was overtaken by towering bramble plants. As large as trees compared to the previous region, they twisted and curled like waves of thorny green, and massive berries of all colors hung from the sprawling vines that stretched as far as the eye could see.
“This area looks like a world blessed by the spirits. You know, in my old world, such places would grow where the World Tree’s sap had fallen, breathing life into everything in the region,” Maximus spoke, his heart tightening as memories surfaced of his old world and of what he had done to his own mother, the maker of all Elves, the World Tree. One day, I will find out why she did that… He sighed and leapt across the invisible border with his crimson lupine legs.
As they passed through, the air grew even hotter than before, making the entire place feel like a sealed greenhouse. The atmosphere carried the scent of dried vegetation mixed with the sweet aroma of fruit hanging high above.
“Say, Max, that place you came from, did you have majestic beings like me?” Silex asked proudly, wriggling in pleasant warmth.
“Nothing like you, buddy, but we did have dragons,” Maximus chuckled.
“What are dragons?” Vesper asked.
“Oh, right… Makes sense; you wouldn’t know about them. They are enormous reptilian creatures, with wings large enough to cast shadows over entire regions. Masters of the elements, and they could live eternally, well, as long as they didn’t cross yours truly,” Maximus said, a hint of pride creeping into his voice.
“Wow, can I become a dragon one day?” Silex asked, intrigued.
“I’m sorry, I don’t think it works like that,” Maximus said, his tone softening, but as he noticed Silex’s disappointment, he quickly added, “But who knows? This world is full of mysteries; even I didn’t think any of this was possible.”
Silex lifted his head, his eyes glistening with excitement. “I want to fly one day too!” he declared.
“Hah, the gecko wants to fly. Let’s move; I’m dying from this heat!” Vesper growled as he activated his bloody barrier, shielding himself from the oppressive warmth.
Silex flicked his tail at him in annoyance as he moved along.
Sprout, on the other hand, extended his vines and wrapped them around a head-sized Cloudberry before giving it a gentle tug. The fruit detached easily, and he brought it down, offering it to Maximus.
“Aren’t you kind? Thank you, Sprout!” Maximus patted his small head and examined the fruit carefully.
[Agility Cloudberry]
Rarity: D
Berry that, when ingested, increases overall speed by 8% for 10 minutes.
Can be used in potions or as food.
Maximus’s eyes widened as he scanned the other berries, each one enhancing something different; some increased various resource regenerations, others boosted strength, and some even increased experience gained from fighting. None of them exceeded a 10% increase in any of the boons, but the sheer variety made them all valuable.
“Sprout, you truly are a gift.” Maximus offered him the berry as he took a small bite. “Here, absorb this. I’ll get more,” Maximus said with a smile. “Hey, you two, stop there. Help me pick some of these berries; you can eat them as well,” Maximus ordered.
Vesper paused and summoned his pack, ordering them to help pick the fruits. The small wolves leapt into the air, grabbing the hanging fruits by their stems and tearing them free with sharp snaps.
Silex, on the other hand, remained sprawled on the ground. “I’m not doing that. What am I, a butterfly?” He scoffed lazily.
Maximus ignored him; he didn’t expect much from him anyway. He used his Thorn Whip to grab the fruits and pull them down with quick, practiced motions.
Like that, the group, alongside Sprout, gathered all sorts of berries until Maximus had amassed a nice, sizable pile. He offered some to everyone, even Silex, who devoured his portion greedily. “Good, good, save some for later as well,” he ordered.
“Ungrateful lizard,” Vesper muttered under his breath.
“Don’t worry, we will have him pay for this with his body once the fighting starts,” Maximus said, smiling evilly.
“I can hear you, you know,” Silex complained.
“Good, listen well then.” Maximus morphed his head into a crocodile’s and stared him down with cold intent.
Silex shivered and lowered his head slightly. His mother really did a number on him, huh? Maximus chuckled as he shifted back into his human form.
“Let’s continue forward; be on guard. With all this fruit hanging around, there could be insects everywhere,” Maximus warned.
Silex muttered something under his breath just as a bramble vine suddenly whipped toward him. His barrier flared to life as the thorny tendril wrapped around him and yanked him upward.
As Silex was pulled into the air, dangling helplessly, a massive wooden head emerged from the thorny canopy, its eyes glowing like polished emeralds, its mouth opening wide to reveal dozens of rows of shark-like teeth. It buzzed happily, a grotesque hum, as it slowly dragged Silex closer as if savoring the beast’s panic.
“Max, you smelly bastard, help me! What are you standing there staring like a fool?!” Silex roared.
Maximus remained calm and summoned three Wind Spears, which hovered above his head. With a flick of his hand, they shot forward, striking the wooden creature directly in the mouth before detonating into slicing bursts of razor wind. At the same time, Maximus leapt forward with the power of his lupine legs and slashed the vines into pieces, while Vesper darted in and caught Silex mid-fall, landing him safely.
“Let’s run; it’s recovering fast!” Maximus shouted as the bramble creature began rapidly regenerating the shattered portions of its face.
Sprout lingered for just a moment, staring at it, then hurried after Maximus and the rest.
The creature buzzed louder, making the entire area vibrate, and from deep within its thorny thicket, a swarm of black-and-green wasps burst forth. Each had three sets of scythe-like limbs and a large crimson stinger extending from its abdomen, and in a chaotic wave, they rushed after the fleeing group.