Harry sat on the cold ground of the clearing, the pain and adrenaline fading under the influence of his newfound attributes. Stamina was a great relief.
An emerald-green light manifested in the palm of his hand, swirling into a complex and delicate runic circle.
"Minor Healing."
He felt a soft, golden warmth spread from the runic circle to his chest, healing superficial wounds and easing lingering pain. Within minutes, his breathing returned to normal.
"I need to get out of here, but going in blind is the quickest way to die."
[Accessing the [SYSTEM SHOP].]
"Give me a map of the continent. Something that tells me where I am and what's around me."
[Map of the Continent (Fragment): Reveals the immediate area of Argena.] Classification: Rank F.]
[Price: 50 SC.]
—Buy.
[Spend: 50 SC. SC remaining: 802 SC.]
[Map has been downloaded to the [Information] Panel.]
The map showed that he was on the edge of the Forest. The only known safe exit was a three-day walk away.
Harry got his bearings and began to move, this time cautiously. He was about to leave the area when he detected an anomaly.
—Mana... it's different. Pure, in this rotten place.
Harry looked around, using his Appraisal skill until he found it.
[Tree: Lignum Argenta]
[Classification: Rare Magical Tree (Grade A–)]
[Height: 20 meters]
[Status: Living / Resistant to Corruption]
[Magical Properties: High magical stability, Reduces demonic interference, Ideal for precise mana control.]
[Focus Compatibility (Wands/Stands): ✔ Excellent. Compatible with purification, barrier, and analysis magic.]
[Evaluation Note: Extremely valuable wood. Rare even outside the forest. Recommended for unstable cores.]
"An unstable core! I need this wood."
Harry didn't hesitate. Using [Quick Slash] and his dagger, he attacked the bark, but the tree resisted. He had to resort to mana. Harry channeled his energy into the dagger, creating a brilliant blue edge. Finally, with great effort, he sliced through several thick branches.
[The Host has acquired 5 Branches of Argent Wood (Grade A–).]
"That's better than leaving it here."
He had barely put the wood away when the ground shook. A large, red, gelatinous, fiery mass blocked his path.
[Alert! Rank C Threat Detected.]
[Monster: Hell Slime]
[Level: 200]
[Magic: 500 | Attack: 1000 | Defense: 5000]
"5000 Defense! This will be a magical siege."
Harry began his offensive. A runic circle of intense red and orange appeared, unleashing the first attack.
"Fire Tornado!"
The vortex hit. The Slime didn't flinch and responded by launching lances of boiling gel. Harry used his Agility and the [Rapid Boost] ability to dodge, but several projectiles hit him.
"Agh!"
[Host's HP: 650/1000. Condition: Minor burns.]
Harry changed tactics, searching for a weakness.
"System, use [Full Analysis] on its defenses."
[Analysis: The Hell Slime is susceptible to attacks that disrupt its form's cohesion (Water Magic and Cold/Steam Meltdown).]
Harry combined his attacks. He launched a Water Wall (a bright blue rune circle) that instantly boiled the Slime, destabilizing it. He seized the opportunity.
"Steam Lance!"
The attack pierced the outer defense at its weak point.
The severely wounded Slime lunged at Harry in a desperate attack. Harry couldn't dodge; he had to finish the fight. Absorbing the impact, he channeled all his remaining magic.
Harry conjured white and blue runic circles for maximized mana defense and, at the same time, unleashed the final detonation.
"Point-blank Sonic Blast!"
The slime enveloped Harry, but the Sonic Blast detonated inside the gelatinous mass, causing the creature to collapse from the inside out.
[Host has used 90% of remaining mana. Internal damage: 600.]
[Enemy Eliminated: Hell Slime (Class C).]
Harry fell to the ground, spitting out the acidic jelly. Victory was complete, but his body was at its limit.
[Host's HP: 10/1000. Mana: 21/210. Condition: Critical.]
Harry, nearly unconscious, could barely whisper.
—Activate the Dimensional Gate. Let's return to the Pocket Dimension.
[INFERNO SLIME BATTLE REPORT (RANK C) – Host Victory.]
[LOOT OBTAINED:]
[Inferno Slime Core: The heart of the Inferno Slime. It is filled with a massive amount of magical power and can be used in the process of creating armor.]
[Inferno Slime Jelly: A coffee-flavored jelly. Consuming it can increase magical power and defense.]
[Rank C Magic Stone: A special mineral that can be obtained from magical beasts.]
[SC obtained: 150 SC.]
[BP obtained: 15 BP.]