Now that the fight was finally over, Erik approached the defeated Shadowthorn Dahlia with extreme caution. The once-powerful creature now lay withered and defeated, its once-beautiful appearance marred by the signs of its defeat. However, even in that condition, its presence still possessed an allure that could not be denied.
"By the Ancients, that was haaaaaaaaaaaaard," he murmured, his eyes tracing the intricate patterns of the withered plant. "To think that such beauty could house such power."
Even in its dying state, he could not help but be impressed by the remnants of the once majestic plant-like thaid. The twisted tendrils and wilting petals still exuded an eerie allure that enthralled him and held his attention.
When he looked down at the severed tendrils that were scattered across the ground, he couldn't help but think back to how intense the fight had been. The tendrils had struck with lightning speed, putting his reflexes and agility to the test.
"If only I could do the same thing…," Erik muttered, his tone filled with a mix of respect and frustration. "Damn… if I got hit just once, I would have been dead meat… Dodging them was no easy feat."
He felt the remnants of adrenaline coursing through his veins as he ran a hand through his dripping-wet hair and felt the urge to laugh. The image of the tendrils lashing out at him and reaching for him with the intention of killing him was still very fresh in his mind.
As Erik got closer to the plant, he noticed a strange liquid dripping out of it and staining the foliage below it.
The liquid glowed with a glow that seemed to come from another world, creating an eerie light in the area around it and dripping a small gem into the creature's body so that it was embedded there.
He didn't know where it came from or what its properties were, so he couldn't help but be fascinated by this strange substance.
"System, what is that?" The young man asked the biological supercomputer.
[ANSWER: THAT IS THE CREATURE'S SAP. IT IS THE EQUIVALENT TO ITS BLOOD, SO YOU MUST DRINK IT IN ORDER TO GET THE CREATURE'S DNA.]
"Is it safe?" the young man asked again.
[ANSWER: YES.]
Erik knelt cautiously beside the shattered thaid, his eyes sweeping over the wilted petals that were holding the crimson gem in their embrace. In the midst of the barren landscape of the dying forest, the precious stone shone brightly, almost like a drop of blood. It gave off the appearance of pulsating with a dim, ethereal light, which drew his attention.
Erik reached out with some trepidation and natural curiosity and removed the gem from its mooring.
"And I guess that would be the equivalent of the brain crystal power, right?"
[ANSWER: INDEED.]
"I guess I should just swallow them both to get the thaid's brain crystal power," the young man said out loud again.
He felt a surge of energy course through his body as his fingertips brushed against the smooth surface of the gem. It was almost as if it recognized his touch.
It was different from when he got brain crystals from animal-like thaids. Still, he speculated that this was because the one he held belonged to a plant-like monster instead of an animal-like one and that there was a sort of resonance between the brain crystal and his birth power. Of course, it was all assumptions.
Though, the young man could detect a faint hum resonating within his very being as if the gem contained latent power waiting to be released and utilized.
When Erik looked at the gem more closely, he was amazed by its intricate design. The color appeared to shimmer and change, casting fleeting reflections of the environment around it. It was a sight that held everyone's attention.
After taking a few deep breaths, Erik made the decision to consume the gem and the liquid, putting his trust in the fact that the biological supercomputer had informed him that doing so was risk-free.
[SHADOWTHORN DAHLIA'S DNA ACQUIRED. STARTING THE ANALYSIS.]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[100 DNA POINTS ARE REQUIRED TO EXTRACT THE DNA.]
[7190 DNA POINTS DETECTED. COMMENCING EXTRACTION?.]
"Not now," the young man said.
[SHADOWTHORN DAHLIA'S BRAIN CRYSTAL ACQUIRED. STARTING THE ANALYSIS.]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[100 DNA POINTS ARE REQUIRED TO EXTRACT THE POWER.]
[7190 DNA POINTS DETECTED. EXTRACTION IS NOT ADVISED; THE HOST HAS INCOMPATIBLE DNA.]
[EXTRACTION ABORTED]
After that, there was no longer any reason for Erik to continue staying there, so he decided to look for somewhere to stop, rest, and eat before continuing his journey.
"System, is there a way for me to absorb the brain crystals I got without losing consciousness and easing the pain?"
[ANSWER: IT IS POSSIBLE TO SPEED THINGS UP BY INCREASING THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION. YOU NEED TO USE MORE DNA POINTS.]
"Really? Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Erik asked.
[ANSWER: IT WOULD HAVE BEEN INEFFICIENT TO USE MORE DNA POINTS FOR SOMETHING YOU COULD HAVE ENDURED. BESIDES, YOU WERE RELATIVELY SAFE AT HOME, AND THERE WAS NO NEED TO SPEED THE PROCESS UP.]
Erik talked to the biological supercomputer the whole time he was moving. The young man decided to make use of the features offered by this system in order to obtain the five brain crystals he had previously acquired. He still needed to absorb Hais's brain crystal power, and he was counting down the seconds until he could do so because it would be of great use to him.
As Erik emerged from the depths of the hearth of the deteriorating forest, he discovered that he was standing in the Shadowthorn Dahlia's territory. Still, he was starting to leave it since the twisted trees gave way to a more open expanse of land. The oppressive presence that had been present in the depths that he had just traversed seemed to decrease, resulting in a lighter feeling in the air. He paused momentarily to collect his thoughts and take in the surroundings before him.
As he made his way to escape from the forest's grasp, it appeared as though the vegetation had started breathing again. Everything the sunlight touched was illuminated with a warm glow as it passed through the canopy in the sky. Once eerie shadows now moved with a sense of freedom, harmonizing their movements with the gentle sway of the remaining healthy foliage.
Following his encounter with the Shadowthorn Dahlia, Erik's eyes swept the area around him as he proceeded to leave the area, taking in the aftermath of the plant devouring thaids and animals alike. The skeletal remains of various animals the thaid's embrace had killed were visible on the forest floor. Their lifeless forms served as a jarring reminder of the perils that lay in wait at the forest's decaying core.
Despite the devastation, however, there were beginning to be indications of change and rebirth. The tendrils that had once entangled and constrained lay withered and lifeless, their twisted forms reduced to mere relics of the thaid's former power.
As he moved through the forest, they disintegrated beneath his steps, leaving behind a trail of deterioration in his wake. He continued walking, his stride becoming lighter and his heart filling up with a fresh appreciation for the delicate balance between life and death.
The forest had examined him and given him problems to solve, and as a result, he had emerged from the experience more capable. Erik's instincts led him to a small clearing within the forest, a relatively open space where the canopy above-allowed sunlight to filter through. It appeared to be an appropriate location for him to take a moment to catch his breath and find some temporary relief from the threats that continued to lurk in the darkness all around him.
Erik thoroughly searched the area with a watchful eye, looking for any indications of imminent danger. He surveyed the tall trees that encircled him, content in the knowledge that he was protected for the time being.
The fake awakener concentrated his mana and channeled it into the vegetation that was all around him, drawing upon the essence of the birth brain crystal power he was born with. He flung his arms outward with his palms facing the ground and invoked the power to manipulate plant growth. Immediately, vegetation began to sprout beneath and around him with a flourish of vibrant greenery.
The plants grew taller and denser, creating a barrier that shielded him from prying eyes and potential threats in a matter of moments. The thick vines that climbed the nearby trees, intertwining and weaving themselves together to form a natural cocoon around him, concealed Erik's whereabouts. Under his feet lush ferns and other vegetation began to grow under his feet, transforming the ground into a plush and reassuring bed.
As the young man made his way up one of the towering trees, he located a sturdy branch on which he could perch in order to survey his surroundings. From this elevated vantage point, he was able to see the full extent of his creation, which was a hidden sanctuary hidden among the chaos of the forest.
The young man made his home in the safe haven he had recently discovered, which was a patchwork of colorful leaves and blossoming flowers. In the midst of the mayhem, the soft rustling of the leaves performed like a lullaby, evoking feelings of peace and serenity within the listener.
Erik was finally able to take some time to rest and recuperate, thanks to his ability to remain unseen and protected by his power. He rested his tired eyes and allowed the natural energy of the plants to permeate his body in order to revive his spirit.
"System, can you tell me how many DNA points I need to get the five brain crystal powers without losing consciousness and feeling pain?" Erik asked.
[ANSWER: YOU NEED 400 MORE DNA POINTS NOT TO FEEL PAIN AND NOT LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS; HOWEVER, YOU WILL NEED TO WAIT FOR AN AVERAGE OF 6 HOURS PER POWER TO GET ALL OF THEM, MEANING YOU WILL NEED TO WAIT 30 HOURS TO GET THEM ALL. DO YOU WANT TO START THE PROCEDURE?]
"Yes, start the procedure now."
[UNDERSTOOD. 4600 DNA POINTS USED. 30 HOURS UNTIL THE PROCEDURE ENDS.]
"Good… With this becoming possible, I will still be able to get the brain crystal powers despite being in this shithole," Erik said to himself.
"I don't know if it will allow me to do what I had in mind, but Hais's power will be useful. Besides, if I manage to control plants while even growing them, I will get a power similar to Martha's, but at least I will be able to control all kinds of plants, not only the thorny vines."
R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freew𝒆(b)novel.c(o)m Only