In the forest at the time of noon, Limbo and Rin had taken a short break. They were having soup that was made with ingredients they brought with them, while some Rin found on the way.
Do you like it? How is it...
Not bad. You're a good chef, Rin.
Yeah, I have to, I travel in the forest often, so I have to learn a few things from seniors.
Because of you, "I don't have to worry about food." Limbo said, "I don't usually travel, so I didn't get chance to learn." Maybe someday I'll prepare something for you.
Have you made anything before?
Hmm, yeah, I made some tea. He said, laughing.
Rin was laughing till her stomach started to ache. And with this, can you survive? No, I guess? He said while embarrassed.
I guess I'll have to teach you. About how to survive in a forest. I'll be counting on you then.
After a Short break, they hit the road again. While the system was giving signals and messages on the window..
[ Alpha fragment direction North ]
[ Distance: 15km ]
[ User Stamina recovered 80%. ]
[User HP Stable.]
Limbo started to feel more energetic and less fatigued compared to how he was in the village. In the village, after some errands, he used to take a short break, but since he had entered the forest, he was feeling less tired.
Hey System, why am I feeling less fatigue compared to the village?
System rewrite on Windows.
[ User has made contact with pure mana and consumes recovery herbs, fatigue level remains stable. ]
Limbo was trying to code on the way. As he walked, he was writing commands.
If user(made contact with pure mana):
Then : recover HP constantly.
If user: (repeat exposure within 60 sec ):
Then: generate skill();
Auto mana regenation = true;
He was trying to obtain skills through code like a cheat,
Will he be able to succeed? Let's see...
Rin was looking at him, What are you doing?
His focus shifted. Nothing.
Hmm..okay. Rin pretend like she didn't pay attention to him and continues to walk.
While they were marching forward, Rin stopped suddenly. And stretching her arm in front of him, wait..she stops Limbo.
Did you spot something? Yeah, Rin said.
It smells like a...she started looking here and there, then her gaze stopped on a certain plant. She rush forward and picks that flower plant while leaving a few..
What's this used for? Umm Rin.
This is a flower that is a close relative of the Jasminum grandiflorum family.
Do flowers have families?
You dummy, the thing this is a hybrid of Jasminum grandiflorum. It is formed when Butterflies carry seeds from one plant to another.
But this hybrid formation rarely occurred. So it's valuable, its smell is very close to that.
System Pop-up,
[ Insight: user has gained knowledge of hybridation. ]
[ conditions met: Potential skill 'Combine' available upon sufficient knowledge. ]
What? He said loudly..
Rin, shocked, What happened?
Limbo shut his mouth with his hands.
Sorry, my bad, I had another thought, Rin looks with suspicious eyes.
Really, you are acting strange these days, you know that?
He gave an awkward smile and laughed to hide. Sorry!... Haha ha.
Rin, draw out a little bag from her bag and store some of that flower, and leave a few. Are you going to collect all if this is precious?
No, I will leave some if anyone else needs it, they can have it, and if not, they will multiply with time. And we can have it later. Oh.. didn't think about that.
Let's move.
After some time, they met a few wild animals, one of them was surrounded by impure energy.
The system quickly responded,
[ Attention: Impure energy source detected nearby user. ]
[ If not neutralize soon user and his companions may be affected ]
What? This is bad news. Rin, relaxed, it's just a wild beast. Don't worry, yeah, that beast is not affected. It was not harmful, but it was as so. And Rin didn't think of anything bad and tried to calm it using her forest affinity. But as she came in range, he suddenly moved back as if her senses were warning of corruption.
Limbo, this is not normal? Don't be recklessly. Look who's talking, you try to go near him. Whatever, we have to remove this impurity, how? Limbo asked.
Use your skills idiots, and attack if we didn't finish it, then it might corrupt in whole forest. Rin used her wind magic to attack, while Limbo used his light skill to blind it. And they swiftly finished it, and burned the remains. So no one gets corrupt.
Few... this was my first kill. Rin said.
Limbo asked Did we have to kill anyone? Can't we just cure it and get rid of the source? We can, if..?
Once, elder Chaya told me about this, something sinister had awakened in this world, as well as some pure energy. And dark forces are active, and many times, beasts just get corrupted by coming in contact with them.
Would elder Chaya tell this to a 7-year-old child? Do I look foolish to you?
Rin, smile with tongue out.
You got me...
Actually, I eavesdropped when she was talking to someone. And we can get rid of this with holy water or magic. Or we have to defeat them and burn.
I see this trip is not going to be as easy as I thought! he said. Should we head back or continue?
What are you scared, cat? Man, we have come this far. But you make sense. Limbo gets a message from the system.
[ Alpha fragment in 8km range.]
[ Defeating corrupted beasts can increase strength. Level up possible. ]
Can I level up?
[ Responding: yes ]
Should we proceed, Rin? He said.
We will not get a chance again if we go back now, no one will allow us if we tell them about the incident.
Yeah, that's right? But ..
Okay, we'll leave if anything goes wrong, and you can detect them with your forest affinity, right?
Rin was also thinking of continuing, a few minutes early, when she defeated the beast, her skill control was improving. And she thought she might unlock new forms.
Or gain something... but still she was hesitating.
She made up her mind.
If you say so, then let's proceed as you say, she said to Limbo.
And began to move forward.
As they are about to move. Limbo saw a thing and picked it up, system
Do you know what it is?
[ Drop item by impure beast, it will be useful for strengthen user. ]
[ Recommendation: keep. ]
Strengthen me. Okay.
Should I share this with Rin? She will also... Interrupted in mid..
System,
[ Sharing with others is not recommended.
Resistance apply only to user ]
You're giving me, not others?
Are you really on my side?
[ It might corrupt them or cause harm. While users possess a resistance protocol, it has less chance of affecting the Root User. ]
[ This will be beneficial only for the Root User. ]
Okay. Then.. fine i understand..
They started their journey again.
Soon resting time of the sun comes, they search safe place with skills and tools, and after confirming the surroundings, they prepare a tent and begin making food.
Rin, I wanted to ask how all these are u carrying? My dad said all these are expensive magic items.
Yeah, you're right, these all things belong to my mother actually, her health is not good these days, I'm trying to help her.
But when I met her I didn't see anything, she was fit and fine.
Yeah, you met before the ceremony. She was on an errand after that day, and after that, she felt sick. That's why I need that flower and other medicinal herbs. Materials.
I heard the elder and mother talking to the doctor. They need medicine, but couldn't find it in the safe region where they usually grow. East and West forests, so the remaining South and North forests have high chances, and also the adventures of villagers who can bring them haven't come yet from their errands and business trips from outside the village.
So I decided to go, that's why I'm going to the Forest these days. And luckily, I got the forest affinity, also didn't tell anyone that I know. And trying to find them, naturally, I was raised and grew up in the shadow of a medicine expert, so I learned from them.
She didn't show all this time, but Limbo saw through her smile. She can burst into tears at any moment, but she was holding up well. Limbo has decided to help whatever the cause, and whatever he has to do.
Rin started to cook.
Meanwhile, Limbo, bring out a powder and mix with water and draw a circle around them and tent.
What's this? This... It's what my parents gave me. They say, this will keep insects and wild animals away. Though we are already in a safe place, I draw... Just in case to be sure..
Good, this is a good thing. Now we can eat and rest without worrying about anything.
Yeah, they finished their eating and went to sleep as quickly, they were exhausted from the journey.
Good night, Rin, good night..
Today was a really tiring day, but what will Tommorow holds, who knows.
But suddenly,
For the first time system flash red,
[ System alert: Unknown presence detected 3km North. Logging anomaly. ]