Morning came mercilessly, I woke up to something licking my face, my reflexes immediately activated, my eyes opened, my body moved before my mind. I grabbed a Thorny Branch and stabbed forward.

SRAK!

The small, furry, gray creature screamed and was thrown. I sat up, breathing heavily, my adrenaline pumping as it fell a few meters away from me. It looked like a squirrel when it decides life isn't exciting enough and grows more fangs.

A notification appears.

Stone Squirrel Lv.2

Status: dying

I looked at him he was still moving a little, I sighed.

“Morning too.”

I ended his suffering with a second stab, killing the confirmed root coming out automatically absorbing.

Notification:

EXP gained.

Strength +1

I'm getting used to this, too fast but a little worrying but there's no time for deep moral reflection. 

My stomach is rumbling again. Seriously? This body is now like a calorie-burning machine. Maybe it's the effects of stat growth or stress, or both. 

I stood up and stretched. The wounds from last night were much better, and the increased vitality had definitely helped. Okay, I'll take another look at the quest.

Quest:

Survive 7 days in the Forbidden Forest

Day 1/7

It was a fantastic first day, and I looked around. The morning mist was still thin, and a small river flowed quietly. This area was safe for a while, but I couldn't stay there for long. Predators usually follow water sources, and I wasn't interested in becoming their menu yet, so I started walking along with the river's current.

Today's goal is simple:

Search for resources

Level up

Not dead

Reasonable goals. 

As I walked, I tried to deepen my understanding of Minor Mana Sense. I focused on it and closed my eyes for a moment. A faint sensation appeared, like a small wave of energy spreading around me. 

There's a small bright spot of low-level monsters, and a larger one further north. Hmm, there's a good chance of trouble. I opt to evade the south, which is a bit safer.

The next few hours were spent hunting monsters and surprisingly I was quite talented or rather my class was too cheaty. 

Low-level monsters are truly free experience: Gray Fang, Night Hare, Stone Squirrel, and sometimes the odd, overly aggressive bird. All provide small stats, though little by little, but they add up over time.

Notifications appear periodically.

Level 9 reached.

Agility +1

Dexterity +1

Level 10 reached.

Milestone reward unlocked.

I stopped.

“Oh?”

Auto open status.

LEVEL 10 REWARD

Skill unlocked:

Root Snare

Nice new skill, I immediately read the info.

Root Snare

Conjures roots from the ground to restrain the target for a few seconds.

Duration depends on level and power difference, low mana usage.

I smiled broadly. Crowd control? That's great, finally having a more tactical use isn't so bad. Thorny Branch also seems to have changed a bit again, the thorns are longer, the stem is darker, a small evolution but it's nice to see. 

As midday approached, I discovered something interesting: human footprints. I immediately focused on them. The tracks were fresh, not many, perhaps one or two people. It was very interesting.

Classmates or locals or people who want to kill me in a different way? Unknown, I followed the trail slowly in stealth mode. 

A few minutes later, I finally heard human voices. I hid behind a bush and peeked at two people, not classmates. They were wearing leather armor, short swords, and travel bags, looking like adventurers or hunters. They were talking.

“The trail leads this way.”

“There are really humans in the depths of the forest?”

"He said young people."

I narrowed my eyes, wait, talking about me? Oh good, I'm famous, one of them sighed.

"If he's still alive, the reward is quite substantial."

Amazingly I leaned back slowly thinking about the situation, so information about my whereabouts had spread whether from last night's survivors or other factors. 

This meant I wasn't the only one hunting; now I was the one being hunted, which was incredibly enjoyable. The two hunters began to move closer to me. I readied my Thorny Branch as one of them almost passed me, and I activated a new skill.

Root Snare.

Roots came out of the ground very quickly wrapping around the first hunter's legs.

"What?!"

He fell, his friend immediately panicked.

“Cursed!”

I came out of the bushes and stabbed the first hunter in the shoulder, before he could get up the man shouted then his friend attacked with a sword that was neater than Kevin and more trained, I held it back.

CLANG.

The impact was quite strong. Okay, not an amateur, that's interesting. He quickly slashed twice, and I stepped back to avoid it. The Thorn Branch's counterattack grazed his cheek, blood flowing. The man stepped back, his expression immediately changing.

“Are you that target?”

I smiled a little.

“I'm so popular today.”

He gritted his teeth.

“Surrender.”

"No."

After negotiations were over, he attacked again, but the first hunter was still tied up in the roots. I took advantage of the poor position and moved sideways, stabbing the bound target in the neck. 

A quick, clean kill, and the Devour Root's active human energy coming in wasn't bad. The second Hunter saw that and immediately made the smartest decision of the day: flee. 

Oh, the cowardly attitude with the highly underrated survival skills, I almost gave chase but stopped, let him bring information and maybe that fear is very useful, I stared at the hunter's corpse.

A notification appears.

Human slain.

Strength +2

Vitality +1

EXP gained.

Level 11 reached.

I smiled faintly. Great, the first day was only halfway through and I was already:

Farming monster

Kill the hunter

So be a bounty target

Very productive, I peered deeper into the forest if outsiders started to enter, then this forest was not just a wasted place but there was something here, something important enough for people to dare enter. It was interesting that I turned the Thorny Branch in my hand.

"Okay."

Then the new target increases not only to survive, I want to know the secrets of this place and if necessary take everything.

[END CHAPTER 6]

I checked the body of the hunter I just killed, ordinary leather armor, a small knife, rope, a water bottle, some dry food and most interestingly a crumpled paper. 

I unfolded it, revealing a rough map of the forest area with several red crosses and a large circle in the innermost area. The target location? Very interesting, and I took a closer look at the small writing at the bottom.

Core Zone — No Entry

I chuckled.

"If it's written that it's prohibited, that's usually the main goal."

Universal rule of fantasy stories, I put the map in the loot bag, of course it is very useful, hunter items are also quite helpful.

I now have:

Knife

Water bottle

small bag

Few rations

Increase the storage a lot I really like, after making sure there is nothing useful anymore I continue the journey, the new target is clear towards the core zone. 

If many people are searching there, it means the potential for a big reward and the risk are also high. As I walked deeper, the trees began to change; their trunks grew larger, the leaves darker, and the roots protruded like giant snakes, and the fog grew thicker. 

Minor Mana Sense gave me an uncomfortable sensation the energy in this area was much denser, wilder like the forest itself was actually alive it wasn't impossible, I sighed.

"Okay."

“Hopefully no trees will suddenly start talking.”

I had just finished speaking when the stalk in my hand gave a small throb, I stared at the Thorny Branch.

“…I’m not giving ideas.” Please don’t. 

A few minutes later, I heard a rumbling sound in the distance. I immediately stopped, my footsteps heavy, very heavy. The ground shook slightly, not ideal. I crouched down and focused. 

Mana Sense caught something, a very large dot approaching. Okay, time to hide, I quickly climbed up a large root and hid behind a tree trunk. 

A few seconds later something appeared and I immediately understood why this area was called forbidden. 

The monster was almost three meters tall, a gorilla-like body, stone gray skin, large arms, short horns, glowing yellow eyes, it seemed like evolution had forgotten the ordinary.

A notification appears.

Stoneback Ape Lv.18

Danger: High

I stared at the number.

"Eighteen?"

I'm now level 11, the difference is too great, it doesn't make sense at all. A stone gorilla walks through the area carrying something, and I squint, and it turns out to be a human bone. 

Ah what a good variety of food to know, I held my breath until the monster was gone for a few very long minutes, once its steps were away from me then I slowly got down.

"Notes."

"Don't mess with the rock gorilla."

With the knowledge gained, I chose a much safer detour or at least one that wouldn't lead directly to suicide. 

The sun was starting to set in the late afternoon and that's when I discovered something else, namely the Ruins. 

I stopped in the middle of a dense forest hidden behind roots and moss was an ancient, half-ruined stone building, cracked pillars and stairs leading down to the underground.

It was very interesting to increase the level drastically, I approached slowly Minor Mana Sense immediately reacted very strongly large energy came from below. 

Oh, Jackpot? Maybe.

Death trap? High probability

I stood in front of the stairs thinking rationally: going into a mysterious dungeon alone was a bad idea. 

In terms of fantasy protagonist development: of course I'm in. 

I descended the stairs, the air turning cold, damp, and dark. I activated Ember Slash a bit, but the small flame at the end of the Thorny Branch was enough to help. 

The stone corridor stretched out, the walls filled with strange symbols in an unknown language or perhaps too old, I walked carefully, the sound of my footsteps echoing.

After a few minutes, the corridor opened into a circular room, with a stone altar in the center. Atop it lay a small, simple, minimalist, and suspicious black box. 

The mana from it was very strong. I slowly approached, but no traps were visible. This meant there was definitely a trap. I used Root Snare around the altar. The roots touched the floor, but there was no reaction. 

Hmm, Maybe it's safe? I reached out as my finger almost touched the notification box that appeared.

Hidden Trial Detected.

Condition:

Defeat guardian.

I closed my eyes for a moment.

"Of course."

It won't be that easy, a cracking sound was heard.

CRACK.

I turned to see the stone statue in the corner of the room begin to move, its eyes glowing red. Oh come on, the Guardian trope activated. The statue stood fully humanoid, with stone armor and a large sword.

A notification appears.

Ancient Stone Guardian Lv.14

I looked at him, Level 14? Still higher, but not as bad as the gorilla earlier, maybe it could still be handled. 

The guardian raised his sword, a heavy aura filling the room. I gripped the Thorny Branch and took a breath. Alright, first Dungeon, first boss fight, mysterious reward, very much in keeping with the genre. I smiled faintly.

“Let's see.”

"Is the box a corresponding trauma?"

Guardian attacks. 

The fight begins.

[END CHAPTER 7]

The stone guardian attacked without warning, his greatsword swung horizontally with brutal force.

WHOOOSH!

I reflexively ducked, the wind from the slash was enough to mess up my hair, then the sword hit the stone wall behind me.

DUAAR!

The rock cracked, dust fell, I stared at the slash marks.

"Good."

“Can’t be hit.” Simple enough, 

The Guardian pulled his sword out of the wall with ease. With such incredible strength, I immediately moved to the side, giving the monster no room to lock onto its target.

Bosses like this usually:

Slow

Hard

Irritating

Hopefully at least two out of three, I attack first stabbing the guardian's thigh.

CLANG.

Thorny Branch bounces.

…

I stared at my weapon, the Guardian stared at me. We both understood one thing: that had been embarrassing. 

High defense as expected. Guardian raised his leg and kicked, and I barely had time to dodge.

BUK!

My body was thrown several meters away, my back hitting the floor.

“UGH!”

The forced breath was so painful, I rolled quickly before the large sword hit my fallen position.

BOOM!

The floor broke. 

Okay, no more mistakes, I got up, clutching my chest. The increased vitality was a big help, but I was still human. 

I activated Minor Mana Sense, focusing on sensing the energy flow. This guardian wasn't truly alive, but rather powered by mana core. This meant there had to be a weak point. I circled the guardian, searching for it. The monster attacked again with a vertical slash, which I dodged and then counterattacked at the arm.

CLANG.

Still useless.

“Yes, I know your armor is thick.”

"No need to show off."

I kept my eyes focused and then I saw it. On the back of the guardian's neck was a small red crystal embedded. Oh, my classic core, I like the predictable look. 

The problem: the position is high and the guardian won't stay still waiting for me to need a pass, I took a breath.

"Good."

“Simple strategy.” Trap first, 

I raised my hand.

Root Snare!

Roots coming out of the floor wrapped around the guardian's legs successfully a little, his movements slowed down but not completely stopped as expected the level difference was enough. 

The guardian roared mechanically and tried to break the roots, I ran forward jumping onto the broken rock beside me and then onto the guardian's shoulder.

I love fantasy parkour. Guardian tried to grab me but I was faster, I climbed onto his back and reached his neck, and the red crystal was clearly visible.

"Meet."

I activated the Thorny Branch Ember Slash, it lit up with a small flame and then stabbed the crystal.

CRACK.

Guardian froze for a split second, cracks spread from his neck to his entire body so good, I jumped down. The next second

BOOM!

The guardian's body collapsed into a pile of stones, the room was silent, dust filled the air, I stood still, breathing heavily, my body ached but I was still alive and victorious.

A notification appears.

Ancient Stone Guardian defeated.

EXP gained.

High reward bonus.

Level 12 reached.

Level 13 reached.

Strength +2

Vitality +2

Mana +2

I smiled broadly.

“Useful.”

A further trial notification appears.

Trial complete.

Reward unlocked.

The black box on the altar opened automatically with a simple click, unfortunately there was no dramatic music. I approached inside the box was a plain black ring made of dark metal with small root carvings on its surface. The mana from it was very dense, then I touched it, as soon as my finger touched the ring, information entered my head.

Artifact obtained:

Rootkeeper Ring

Effect:

20 slot item storage

Small mana regeneration

Compatibility bonus with plant-type classes

I froze. A storage ring? Seriously? Jackpot. I immediately put the ring on, it fit perfectly. Great, I tried to focus, but a blank space appeared in my mind. 20 storage slots. I almost laughed with joy.

"Technology."

Finally no more awkwardly carrying random loot.

I entered:

Map

Food

Water bottle

Knife

Everything went into storage beautifully, this was the pinnacle of technological fantasy, I was very satisfied but when I was about to leave Minor Mana Sense suddenly reacted again there was something else still in this room. 

I stopped focusing on this sensation coming from beneath the altar. A hidden compartment? Interesting. I looked around, found a small gap, pressed against a particular stone, and then clicked. 

The altar slides open, revealing a small compartment, and inside is an old book with a dark green, dusty cover and gold root carvings. This book is even stranger than the previous artifact. I pick it up, and as soon as I touch it, a notification appears.

Skill Book detected.

Compatible with user.

Skill:

Nature Assimilation

Requirement:

Plant-compatible class.

I looked at the book then my class then the book again, I smiled.

“Oh.”

“So finally someone appreciates this class.”

I opened the book, green light enveloped my body, the skill information was immediately absorbed.

A notification appears.

Skill learned:

Nature Assimilation

Effect:

Speeds up regeneration when in natural areas.

Enhances sense of plants and resources.

Minor healing while resting.

I nodded in satisfaction. The sustain skill was excellent. I was now even more suited to being a forest dweller. Survival completed, dungeon cleared, artifact obtained, skill doubled. Today had been a truly productive day, I checked my quest progress.

Day 2/7

Survival continues.

Only the second day.

And I have:

kill a classmate

kill hunter

clear mini dungeon

can storage ring

Honestly, making solid progress, I left the altar room and climbed back to the surface. The sky outside was already dark, the second night had begun, but this time it was different. I was stronger, more prepared, and most importantly, I was beginning to understand one thing: this forest wasn't just a dangerous place, it was a resource-rich opportunity zone. 

If I could survive seven days I might come out as a monster just like planned but when I came out of the ruins I stopped because in front of the entrance there was someone standing. 

A woman with short black hair, light armor, holding two daggers, her gaze was sharp and clearly not a monster, not an ordinary hunter either, she stared at me for a few seconds then said,

“So you're the one who's causing a commotion in this forest.”

I sighed.

“Popularity is tiring.”

The woman slightly raised her eyebrows assessing, analyzing the danger, pulling out she spun one of her daggers.

"Calm."

“I haven't decided whether to kill you or not.”

I smiled faintly.

"Good."

“Because I haven't decided whether I want to believe you or not.”

The second night suddenly became more interesting.

[END CHAPTER 8]