63 New Strength

"So, how's your new class?"

After gulping down the nectar, I turn towards Six, not quite used to seeing him wearing a bow and quiver on him.

"It's... different, I suppose. My eyes sights are better than it's ever been and my body feels stupidly flexible. It's kind of scarily how much has changed. I'm liking the fact that I can attack from range now though. Before, it was always frustrating trying to fight enemies just out of reach."

"I'll bet, not that I know anything about it. I've always played the magic classes."

"At any rate, this is pretty useful. How about you, Cecilia, think you might want to change classes too?"

"No thanks, I like my classes just fine. Besides, if I change, who would be the tank?"

"Well, I mean, since we're fighting within a forest, I think it's better to have mobility and range over durability. We have plenty of trees to take cover behind after all."

"True, but there will be situations where we have to fight up front. Besides, if I'm partnered up with Timothy, there shouldn't e a problem in the mobility department."

Is it just me, or are these two talking to one another a lot more lately? I don't think I've seen these two interact with each other this much in such a short time before, not without me as an intermediary between them. Looks like with me out of commission these past days, those two found themselves needing to rely on each other a bit more than usual. It's a good thing I suppose, though it does leave me feeling a little left out.

Regardless, this is still something to be glad about, not just about those two, but my current condition as well. Having summoned the [World Devourer Woods], I've gained a new ability through this Keeper: [Mutation]. It is the ability exclusive to the [World Devourer Woods] and most probably, its purified counterpart, the [Holy Protector Woods].

With the [Mutation] skill and the control over the [Corruption] and thereby the H.U.D. by extension, I have effectively achieved the ability to provide class changes and the 'learning' of new skills.

"Speaking of which though, why can't you just give us all the skills?"

The question comes from Six.

"Right, I've been wondering about that. Rather than just changing it up, why not just give us access to all skills, wouldn't that be more advantageous?"

"That's actually a good question, but the answer is simple, so basic and fundamental really no way around it. Simply put, Champions we may be, there's still a limit to our bodies. I think I mentioned it at some point in time, but each skill and spell we have corresponds with a mana pathway within our bodies. Use a particular pathway too much and it 'overheats'. That is why we get mana burn when we ignore cooldowns. The thing is, even with [Mutation], there are only so many pathways I can stuff into your bodies. So when you gain new skills, you're going to have to 'forget' some others."

"Ugh, that sucks."

"Hey, don't look at me, I don't make the- *yawn* I don't make the rules."

"Getting sleepy again?"

"Somewhat, but no worries, I can still go on for a bit. When you only get about an hour a day, it really feels like you're missing out. I'd like to talk more, with just the three of us, You, Six, and me."

"You say that, but we're not exactly alone."

Tilting his head, Six gestures towards a particular pair standing around the corner, the two being the Bestial Champion and the girl with spiraling horns.

"Yes well, what can you do, she insisted that they stay with my range, or rather, the range of the Tree. Said that it's the safest spot in the forest and she can't risk the Purifier being anywhere less secure. I could try to remove her, but she's going to make it as much of a pain in the ass she can. Speaking of which, when the other bring in the Half-Dragon Shaman, don't let her near me no matter what, not useless you hear directly from me to allow it."

"The Shaman? You mean the one you just sent Gulford out to find?"

"Yes, that's the one. The Shamans can call upon spirits, right? The Bestial Champion over there will probably say something along the lines of the Shaman being able call upon my soul and reconnect it to this body, but I wouldn't buy it and neither should any of you."

Even through her helmet, I can feel her glare, the Bestial Champion's fierce glare that feels as if it might burn a hole right through me.

"So we can't trust her then? Wouldn't it be better if we just get rid of her? We only need the Purifier, not her."

As she gazes over to the Bestial Champion, Cecilia slowly moves her hand towards the hilt of her blade, more than ready for a fight.

"No, I wouldn't advice fighting her either. She can be useful in her own way. We merely need to be able to reach a certain understanding first."

"Are you sure about that?"

Six furrows his brows, understandably confused.

"Don't worry about it, just keep the Shaman away for me, and in a day or two, when Oro has properly come under the World Devourer's Corruption, I tell everything. You see, while I was bound to this Tree, I was able to reach it, the truth of this world."

I turn my sight towards the Bestial Champion who is still holding her glare upon me, but besides that, I can't tell what she's feeling inside. Is it anger? Is it fear? Or in truth, does she actually not care? However, one thing is for sure, our paths lead to the same place.

I turn back to Six and Cecilia.

"For once, we'll know what we're doing rather than being some headless pawns doing whatever we're told to do. This time we'll fight on our own terms, this time we fight for us and no one else."

***

Waking up, I face a ceiling covered in moss and vines. As my body is sandwiched between a cotton mattress and blanket, I feel comfortable and rested. I hardly remember anything in my sleep, no thoughts, no dreams, a night of restful sleep through and through. When was the last time I have had such a peaceful night? From beside me, a cool breeze caresses my face. Someone must have forgotten to shut the window, or so I thought, but when I turn to look, I find a wall collapsed to make way for a tree growing in its place. Seeing such a sight, the realization of where I am slowly settles in as I come to my senses.

Like a frog dropped suddenly into boiling water, I leap right out of the bed. Noticing that I've been stripped down to my undershirt and pants, I anxiously scan my surroundings for my weapons and armor.

"Whoa! Settle down, seriously!"

While standing on the bed, I turn to my side, and sitting there, is Asha, looking at me with her usual disdain. Still, upon seeing her fine and well, I can't help but feel a sense of relief and joy. If she's here and I'm alive, does that mean we've won? Did I do it? I try to remember, recalling how I rushed in to take the head of the Summoner Champion's head off. I knew that if I killed him, the World Devourer should disappear as well. So, did I do it? I remember feeling my blades cutting into flesh, I remember shedding blood, but... that was...

"No... That can't be... That's a dream, right?"

"Oro? What's wrong? What's a dream?"

I... I killed her... I killed...

"Corona!"

I rush towards the nearest door. I don't know where I am supposed to be heading, but I need to know. I need to see her. I need to make sure she's alright and that I didn't... I didn't kill her. I couldn't have. That's the last thing I-

"You called?"

As soon as the door swings open, I see her before me. Her hair as blue as the ocean, her eyes like a clear lake, her skin fair and rosy, and she's exactly as I remembered, without the red eyes or gray skin, none of that.

"Corona? Is that you?"

"Can't you see for yourself? Of course it's me. I'm surprised you're well enough to be so rowdy in the morning."

Feeling a surge of emotion from within, my hands reach out before I can contain myself and pull Corona towards me, holding her tightly, terrified that she might vanish.

"I'm so glad, so glad you're alright."

In response, she too wraps her arms around me and rests her chin upon my shoulder.

"Is something the matter, I heard a ruckus?"

A voice comes from one end of the hall, from there, a figure approaches, one with pale white hair and pointed ears. I recognize him as an elf, one of the Faefolks. Quickly, I break away from Corona and hurriedly shoved her behind me. If the Faefolks are still here, then doesn't that mean the [World Devourer Woods] still live?

"Everything is taken care of, there's nothing to worry about."

"I see, that is good to know. Also, I am here to inform you the Lord of the Woods has awakened and has summoned you, Lady Corona, as well as Sir Oro when he's ready. Do note to not take too long. You know he doesn't have too much time to waste."

"We'll be there shortly."

The elf does a small bow and promptly leaves. From his demeanor, I at least understand that he's not hostile, not to mention, he doesn't look at all like a [Demon]. So we are safe, right? I'm still confused, there's clearly a gap in my memory. What happened while I was unconscious? I'm not still in a dream am I?"

"Oro, I'll explain the situation later. For now, you must come with me."

"To see this Lord of the Woods?"

"Yes, this is important, so we'll go as soon as possible."

"Wait, take me too."

Asha rushes to the door. Having obviously heard our conversation, it looks like she doesn't want to be left alone.

"I can't, he has explicitly stated to not let you near him, no matter what. He has ordered to shoot on sight if you're spotted within fifty meters of him."

Shoot on sight? What kind of situation have we actually gotten into?

"Isn't that too much!? I mean Asha is physically strong, but she has no combat experience. There's no reason to be that afraid, right?"

"He has his reasons. Like I said, I'll explain it all to you later. For now, you must come with me."

What to do? If I insist to stay with Asha, I doubt Corona will disagree, though she is probably not going to be happy. What if I insist on taking Asha? Looking at how insistent Corona is, I don't think she'll relent. So my choices are either to go or leave Asha alone.

"Sorry, but can you wait here, Asha?"

"Again!? Have you any idea how... Whatever, I get it, I'll wait."

Her intensity died down suddenly mid-sentence. There's probably something she wanted to say but couldn't bring herself to, not that she needed to say it. I can more or less guess from the look in her eyes, it was the same as when Seif and I left her behind to hide in the cupboard. She must have been scared back then, and don't doubt that she's feeling the same this time as well. Speaking of which, where's Seif. I left him behind as well to follow Corona. Did I really make the right call then? No, this isn't the time for that. Asha is fine, isn't she? I'm sure Seif will be too.

"Alright, I'm ready. Let's go, Corona."

***

With Corona leading, we walk through the half-collapsed halls of an unknown building. The trees had grown through the walls, their branches holding up the ceiling in place of pillars. I even spot insects and I believe there's a snake crawling by the bushes on the outside. However, they never came into the halls, remaining outside, leaving the marble floor lifeless and clean. The elf back there mentioned a Lord of the Woods. I wonder if all within this forest is under his control.

Reflexively, I reach for my waist, my hands searching for my weapons only to find none. Everything has been taken away.

"Corona, I know this might be a bad time, but where is my equipment."

"They're kept in the armory. We can go get it later."

Corona's response was immediate and sounded rather rehearsed, as if she expected me to ask that question. I don't like this, to be without weapons, without protection. I don't want to believe it, I want to think that I've done it, but what it the [World Devourer Woods] hasn't been slain? What if that dream I've had was exactly as it went down, that dream where instead of striking down that Summoner, I stabbed Corona instead.

"Corona, you're not hurt, right?"

"I'm fine. I received healing soon enough and so did you. We've both still very alive."

So we have received healing, which means that it really did happen. I did stab her. Which means...

"This Lord of the Woods, is he the Summoner?"

"Yes."

Frankly, she nods.

"Are you... Am I [Corrupted], is that why you and everything else are looking so normal?"

"Everything will be explained. If you want your answers, then we best hurry."

"Corona, I can trust you, right?"

Stopping in her tracks upon hearing my words, Corona turns around and watches me with her cold yet calming eyes that seem to peer right through me every time they turn my way.

"That is something you'll have to decide for yourself, Oro. I'm not going to decide for you."

And she then turns right back around and keeps on walking, this time, without beaconing me to follow. A thought came to mind as I watch her getting further and further away from me, that maybe I should just leave. I should take Asha and find the others, and just leave. However, I soon realize that I don't even know where the others are and I have no idea what sort of situation I am in. Corona said all will be explained. If I follow her, I'll probably get some answers. The question is: Is it worth the risk?

In the end, I went along. I want to trust Corona, and I want to know what is happening. Besides, didn't I come here to find her in the first place, to find Corona and bring her back? I won't leave, not without her.

Leaving the half-collapsed halls, we enter the main building, and here I realize where this place is.

"This is the palace, isn't it? Of the Beastkin's capital."

"Indeed."

Following Corona, once more I am led down a familiar hall before entering what was once the throne room. There, a large tree grows, and beneath the tree, there sits a white-haired young man, cradled by the roots.

"You've come."

The young man gives a friendly smile upon seeing Corona and I enter, with not a single hint of enmity. Beside him, there is a red-headed youth, looking somewhat older than the man sitting under the tree, and a young woman with blond hair so pale, it's almost white, as well as a pair of eerie red eyes akin to that of the [Demons] but lacking their sinister glint. The one under the tree and the red-headed one I find familiar, but the blond one I definitely recognize.

"GodSlayer!"

In reaction, she places the flat of her hand against her head.

"Just call me Cecilia. In fact, I insist."

So it is her, the guildmaster, in that case, the redhead should be...

"SixtyNi-"

"Just 'Six' is fine!"

Well, I suppose they're not as funny when someone actually says them. Really, they weren't all that hilarious in written form either. But if those two are here, then, the one under the tree is...

"Aurelius..."

"You recognize me, Oro."

"Yeah... You had a somewhat important role to play in the World Breaker raid after all. Back then, I couldn't have imagined that you'd kick me down a mountain."

As I mention that little moment we shared, I see Aurelius' eyes shifting towards Corona. Turning my eyes to peek, I find her quirking an eyebrow as if this is the first time she is hearing about this.

"To be fair, I was trying to not get killed by you. So let's say we're even."

It's strange, strange that I can now see them in their Un[Corrupted] forms, enough for me to recognize them. Even though the [World Devourer Woods] is still here, how is this happening? Has the entire forest been purified somehow? They do have the Purifier on hand, but I don't see why they would use it on themselves.

"At any rate, now that we're all here, let us begin. I will now reveal the truth of this world."

The truth... Is this what Corona meant when she said that everything will be explained? Still, anyone can claim what they're saying is the truth whether it is truly the case or not. Will this be any different? Corona seems to trust that it will be, as for myself... Well, I guess I'll be finding out.

***