Chapter 6 – "Scout and Survive"

Silvan studied the world map hovering in front of him, taking in the details with a steady gaze. The markers for the Core Shards glowed faintly on the map, with yellow glow with cross marks.and beneath them, the timer of 30 minutes started.

Aside from the locations of shards the map showed quite a few interesting places. The map also showed where he was with a small white mark. He wasn't far from the first shard's location.

The red-leafed trees swayed gently in the cold wind, casting an eerie glow over the ground. Silvan's senses were on high alert as he moved toward the marked location. His danger detection skill and Eyes of Azur Eagle worked perfectly making him absorb every little change as he walked. He was also trying out his Focus Visson skill now and then to get used to it.

After a few minutes of weaving through the strange terrain, he finally reached a ridge overlooking the clearing.

There was it the shard. But along with there was also something new.

The a figure stood motionless, like an statue carved from barks and vines. Its massive form stretched nearly 10 feet tall, thick roots coiled around its body. The center of its chest glowed with a pulsing green Core Shard, illuminating the spiraling runes etched into its bark. But what really caught Silvan's eye were the spores—large seed-like pods dangling from its branches, glowing faintly releasing some kind of green mist. Which silvan concluded to be poison.

[ You have discovered the shard Guardian protecting the shard]

Silvan understood what it was after reading that and focused on to it. It was an wildwood the very same thing he encountered earlier but this one was far more bigger. Also stronger.

[ Wildwood Body tempering 9th stage ]

"If I go in there without a plan, I'll be dead before I get close" Silvan thought. Retreating wasn't a option. Whatever that shard was it will unlock something and he has to get everything he can and use to gain before having his revenge.

He thought and backed away . As he stepped back into the shadows of the forest, his eyes caught a faint glow beneath a tangle of roots.

He padded closer at the base of the tree. There, hidden in the soil, was a cluster of Misty Bloom—delicate blue flowers that shimmered like frost under moonlight. His eyes widen a bit. As this thing wasn't supposed to be so easy to find.

Misty Bloom… but that's impossible.

These herbs were considered rare even in his old world, known for their Energy-rich properties and ability to enhance magical focus. They could be brewed into potent elixirs of many kinds.

Carefully, One by one silvan started pulling them trying his best to make the roots stay intact. Perhaps he could plant them considering the mana on the environment was higher then his old world.

He gathered enough for several doses.

"If I can make potions with these, I won't have to wait hours for my mana to recover." He stopped back a few steps before checking the surroundings one by one and started putting them through the portal.

Just as he was about to head back toward the other way, a faint hum filled the air. His ears twitched as a shadow passed over him.

What the hell…

He looked up just in time to see a huge bird diving toward him. Its wings flared wide, crackling with arcs of blue lightning.

"Move!" Silvan's instincts screamed as he jumped back just as the beast released a blinding bolt of lightning. The bolt struck the ground where he'd been standing, sending dirt and branches flying.

The screech of the bird was loud, but it wasn't just the sound that froze Silvan in place—it was what followed. A second roar, a second roar shocked the forest.

"Crap!"

His instincts screamed at him to run, but he forced himself to stay low, eyes locked on the scene unfolding above.

[Stormbird Body tempering 9th stage]

Silvan rolled to the side hiding behind an tree.

He looked at the two beasts. It was an opportunity to learn about the Shard guardian that he has to face.Both of them were on same level, Perhaps that huge bird will kill it.. the moment he thought his mind clicked as he thought of something. He quickly opened his world map and looked within.

Meanwhile,

The Storm bird screeched again its wings blazing with blue arcs of lightning. It twisted in the air, preparing another row of lightning.

Then the guardian moved.

Its massive arm swung wide, roots and bark twisting together into a massive sphere of vines, branches, and thorns. It looked like a living wrecking ball, pulsating with green energy. The guardian raised it above his head.

With a roar, the guardian hurled the massive ball upward with devastating force. It shot through the air, tearing through the branches above.

The bird screeched, its wings flaring as it tried to doge. The ball was missed by a feather's breath, but the outer edges scraped its wings. Making Storm bird hard to maintain its huge body.

The Storm bird flapped desperately, but the damage was done. Its massive body Shaked in the air before gravity did its work.

With a final, screech, the bird plummeted, crashing into the ground with a loud thud.

Silvan stepped back instinctively, eyes flicking between the fallen beast that was trying to stand while the guardian was preparing another ball of vines and trees mangled up.

It's not going to die—not from that, he thought, studying the stormbird's situation But it's definitely not taking the guardian down either.

Silvan's eyes narrowed. "I can't wait for another opening. The longer I hesitate, the worse my chances get. Let's Stick to the plan"

He exhaled slowly, Then, without a second thought, he dashed towards the forest. He kept low, slipping between roots and bushes.

The guardian was still occupied, roaring while sparks of lightning echoed. " As expected, the bird won't fall down easily "

He reached the far side of the clearing where the dense bushes hide a small rise .

Just beyond it was a hollow framed by moss-covered stones. The glow he'd seen earlier was unmistakably the Shard!.

The hum of energy filled the air as he touched it with his paw.

[Congratulations you have obtained, Shard of Forest Guardian ]

-----+2

[Shard of Forest Guardian has merged with the core, New feature has been unlocked ]

Silvan's eyes flickered, He did it! It worked!.

Before Silvan could read the notifications more, A loud pitched roar echoed from distance belong to the bird before echoed before quitting down, followed by another notification from the system.

[You have killed an Stormbird of Body tempering 9th stage]

[You have gained 270 experience points.]

[You have gained 270 Dungeon points.]

Qi particles rushed towards him like a tide entering his veins and blood vessels before reaching towards his core. All of his depleted qi was restored. Before Qi overflowed his core. And a thud sound escaped from within his core sending a small qi wave at the surroundings.

[You have broken through to Second stage of body tempering ]

Silvan clinched his fists realizing he has become stronger he can feel it he has more qi within him now.

He didn't even have to fight the Storm bird directly, yet he'd reaped the rewards. "Perfect"

The smug satisfaction lasted for only a heartbeat.

CRACK!

The sharp sound of splintering wood roared through the clearing, making Silvan's ears twitch. His instincts screamed. He spun around, eyes widening as the wall of trees behind him was torn apart like paper.

The guardian.

Its massive form barreled through the trees as one by one they fall down. Making a way for the guardian to rush towards him with a frightening speed reaching out its hand.

Silvan didn't even care and shouted"Switched to the main body!" And closed his eyes.