We stared at each other in silence, the night air chilling, a thin mist moving through the stone ruins. On one side was me, the smell of blood, dungeon dust, and questionable life decisions. On the other, a strange woman with two daggers and the aura of someone who clearly knew how to kill. 

A very healthy dynamic. I examined his appearance in more detail; he was probably around my age or slightly older. Short, shoulder-length black hair, sharp eyes, as if always calculating the worst possible outcome, dark leather armor, and light, efficient movements with no wasted movement. Experienced.

A small notification appears.

Target analysis limited.

Level unreadable.

Threat: Unknown

I frowned, unable to read the level? Not good at all. The woman seemed to see my reaction, the corners of her lips lifting slightly.

“Hm.”

“At least you have some instinct.”

I sighed.

“Thanks, I guess.”

He kept one of his daggers but kept the other in his hand, semi-friendly or semi-threatening it was hard to tell.

"I'm Nara," she said briefly.

What a beautiful and nice name, I nodded slowly.

“Cancer.”

"I know."

Oh well he really did know, I crossed my arms.

“News about me spread fast.”

Nara leaned against a large rock.

"A child who was thrown into the Forbidden Forest, then in two days killed several hunters."

He tilted his head.

"Quite interesting."

I chuckled.

“Glad to entertain.”

Nara didn't laugh, it wasn't a joke. Okay, it's been noted, she stared at the ruins behind me.

“You went in there?”

“Yes.”

"You are alone?"

“Unfortunately yes.”

Nara's gaze turned slightly sharper, more serious.

“You defeated the guardian alone?”

I shrugged.

“With unhealthy levels of stress.”

There was a moment of silence, and for the first time, her expression showed a hint of surprise, indicating that this achievement was indeed unusual. Good, her brand is improving. Nara stepped closer, and I was automatically on guard. She stopped about three meters away from me, a safe distance for negotiation and possible betrayal.

“Why aren't you dead yet?”

The question is direct, I like it.

“The motivation of revenge is quite helpful,” I replied.

He stared at me for a long time as if looking for a lie then gave a small nod.

“An honest answer.”

“Sometimes,” I said.

Nara looked towards the forest.

“They are looking for you.”

"Who?"

“Hunter. Adventure. A bit of a mercenary.”

Oh, it's getting more and more exciting.

“Why?”

He looked at me blankly.

“You bring something that interests them.”

I was speechless. It wasn't just my presence? That meant there was a bigger reason, I narrowed my eyes.

“This forest,” I said softly.

“There's something here.”

Nara smiled faintly, finally showing a bit of human expression.

“You caught on quicker than I thought.”

I didn't answer. Nara continued.

“In the past few months, the mana in the Forbidden Forest has increased drastically.”

“Monsters evolve faster.”

“The ancient ruins are starting to become active.”

He glanced at the ring on my finger. Ah there he was, he noticed of course he did.

“And some artifacts are starting to reappear.”

I lowered my hand casually to cover the ring slightly, not subtly but instinctively. Nara looked amused.

"Calm."

“I'm not interested in low-grade artifacts.”

A little offended, this storage ring is amazing to me but okay perspective.

“I'm here for something bigger,” he continued.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Are you from Zona?”

He nodded. Bingo, so everything was leading there, I leaned against the stone wall.

“Okay. Let's save time.”

“You didn't approach me to have a casual chat.”

“So what do you want?”

Nara looked satisfied, perhaps because the conversation had finally gotten to the point.

“I need someone.”

A sentence that raised a red flag, he continued before I could comment.

“Someone who is reckless enough to go deeper.”

"And it's enough to use once if things are bad."

Ah there it is. Such refreshing honesty, I smiled.

“Your charm is extraordinary.”

"Thank You."

He really said it flat the master of flat expressions, I'm starting to like this guy a little, a little within safe limits.

“And why should I agree?” I asked.

Nara raised one finger.

"Information."

Second finger.

“Guide.”

Third finger.

“The chances of life are greater.”

Quite convincingly, he then added,

“And you're not strong enough to enter the core zone alone.”

Well, that part is really annoying, but true. Just a level 18 rock gorilla makes me want to reconsider my life choices. 

I think a few seconds of temporary companionship might be helpful. Just a word of caution: don't stab them while they're sleeping. Important detail.

“What is your purpose in the core zone?” I asked.

Nara was silent for a moment, a little longer than before. Hmm, sensitive topic, so she finally answered,

“Looking for something that belongs to my family.”

Cryptic? Looks suspiciously like a protagonist, but to be fair, I'm not completely transparent either.

“And if we find it?”

He answered without hesitation.

“I'll take what's mine.”

“You take whatever is left.”

Pragmatic I like the clear distribution of loot reduces drama very potentially, I nodded slowly.

“Temporary cooperation?”

"Temporary cooperation," he said.

He held out his hand, I looked at his hand then looked at his face.

"If you betray me"

“I know,” he interrupted.

“Revenge, unreasonable growth, creepy tree trunks.”

I blinked.

“…has it become my reputation?”

“Less is more.”

Great, his personal brand is growing rapidly. I finally shook his hand briefly, coldly, and there was no trust built at all. A perfect alliance.

Notifications pop up suddenly.

Party formed (Temporary)

Members:

Cancer

Nara

Bonus:

Minor EXP increase while cooperating.

I stared at the screen.

“Oh, so the system supports teamwork.”

Nara shrugged.

“Sometimes.”

He started walking.

“Take a rest first.”

“We'll go deeper tomorrow morning.”

I follow.

“And if I refuse halfway?”

Nara glanced at me.

"Please."

“Then die alone.”

Fair enough, we arrived at a small, sheltered area near the ruins. Nara's temporary camp had been lit with a flint, a very primitive fire. I was a little proud of having Ember Slash, which boosted my confidence a bit. We sat across from each other in silence, the small fire burning in the middle. It was awkward, and I decided to break the silence.

"So."

“Do all your introductions always start with an ambiguous threat?”

Nara stared at the fire.

“Usually worse.”

“Relieves.”

He glanced at me for a moment, then said softly,

“You don't look like a murderer.”

I chuckled.

“Two days ago I didn't either.”

It was quiet again this time not so awkward more like two people who were both tired and both had too many problems, I saw the quest.

Day 2/7 complete.

There are still five days left, but I'm no longer alone. Whether this is good news or the beginning of new problems remains to be seen. I slowly close my eyes. Tomorrow, the Core Zone will be filled with greater danger, greater rewards, and the possibility of even more spectacular bad decisions as planned.

[END CHAPTER 9]

I woke up earlier than usual or maybe I didn't really sleep well, it's hard to sleep when your only travel companion is a mysterious woman whose level is unreadable and who could most likely stab you in three fatal spots before breakfast.

The campfire was a healthy environment, with only a few embers remaining, and the morning mist hanging low among the trees. The air was cooler than yesterday. I opened my eyes and reflexively looked around. Nara was awake, of course, sitting on a rock, sharpening one of her daggers. Her movements were calm, precise, almost deliberate. I ignored the fact that the tool she was sharpening was meant for stabbing vital organs.

“Good morning,” I said.

Nara glanced briefly.

“You slept holding a gun.”

I looked at the Thorny Branch that I was still holding.

“…new habits.”

“Paranoid,” he corrected.

“Survival instinct,” I replied.

Nara didn't respond, it was hard to win a debate with someone whose default expression was unpaid invoice. 

I stood up and stretched. Nature Assimilation was actually very helpful, even after a short sleep. My body felt much fresher, and the minor injuries from last night were almost healed, which was very good. I opened my status.

Name: Lock

Level 13

Class: One Tree Trunk

Weapon: Thorny Branch

Skill:

Devour Root

Ember Slash

Root Snare

Minor Mana Sense

Nature Assimilation

Good progress, still far from overpowered, but no longer depressing, I was a little satisfied. Nara threw something at me, and I caught it reflexively, a small, dark red fruit.

“What is this?” I asked.

“It’s edible.” Not a very convincing answer.

I stared at the fruit.

“Edible and safe to eat are two different categories.”

"If it was poisonous I wouldn't give it to you."

I raised an eyebrow.

“High optimism.”

Even though I ate it, it tasted sour, a little bitter but gave a warm sensation in the body, not bad.

“Light buff,” Nara said.

“Thirty minutes of cold resistance.” I nodded. 

Okay, that's useful. We started walking after packing up camp. Today's target: the core zone. 

There was no pressure, the morning forest felt different, the deeper we went in, the heavier the atmosphere, the trees changed shape, the trunks were darker, the leaves were almost black, large roots spread like giant snakes. 

Some even moved slightly, but I chose to pretend not to notice that mental health was important. Minor Mana Sense also began to work harder, the energy in this area was too dense, even the air felt heavy. I looked at Nara.

“Have you been this far?”

“Once,” he replied.

"Almost die."

A great boost in confidence, we continued our journey in silence, occasionally Nara signaling stops, avoiding certain areas, pointing out monster tracks or natural traps. 

He's clearly experienced, I'm starting to understand why he's still alive a useful but still suspicious partner, yeah pretty balanced.

A few hours passed and finally we arrived at the limit, I knew it even before Nara stopped because the atmosphere changed drastically. 

Before us lay a large open area like a giant clearing in the middle of a black earth forest, the fog was thicker and in the middle of it a giant tree. 

I froze the trunk was so large it felt like a tower, its roots spread throughout the area, its leaves were dark silver, a faint light was coming from the trunk, the mana from it was so great it was almost suffocating.

Notifications appear automatically.

Area discovered:

Core Zone — False World Tree

Danger: Extreme

I read the name of the area twice.

“The World Tree... is fake?”

Interesting. Nara stood beside me, her gaze serious.

“That is the center of this forest.”

“The root of all change.”

I couldn't stop staring at the tree, the Thorny Branch in my hand started to throb once, twice, stronger than before as if responding to something, I looked at my weapon. Oh?

A new notification appears.

Class resonance detected.

Source nearby.

Evolution material present.

I stared at the writing, my heart beating faster. The closest source? Could it be the tree? I slowly raised my head to look at the giant tree in front of me, a small smile appearing on my face.

“I think my class is very interested.”

Nara glanced at the notification on my face.

"Guess?"

“Maybe a big jackpot,” I replied.

He let out a small sigh.

"Good."

“That means our problems are big too.”

Fair enough we started to slowly move into the area, each step feeling wrong like stepping into the territory of something that shouldn't be disturbed. 

My instincts screamed back, go away, find a quiet life, maybe open a shop, but curiosity was far stronger than a very bad bad trait. 

Just a few steps in, I heard the voices of not monsters but several humans, Nara and I immediately took cover behind a large root to peek. 

There were five people near the tree, their armor better, their weapons fully equipped, and their auras stronger—they weren't hunters by any chance. One of them, wearing a long, dark blue coat, held a metal staff, seemingly the leader. They were digging for something near the tree roots, searching for something. Nara narrowed her eyes.

“Too late,” he whispered.

I noticed the symbol on their armor was an unknown white circle symbol.

A small notification appears.

Faction detected:

White Council

Threat: High

White Council? New name, possibly new problems, that's great, I whispered,

“Know them?”

Nara's expression changed slightly to one of extreme dislike.

“Yes.”

His tone was colder.

“And that's bad news.”

Okay, that's clear. The group leader suddenly spoke, his voice was clear.

“Search faster.”

“The artifact must be found before the next resonance.”

Resonance, Artifact, Tree, Class resonance the puzzle pieces began to connect, I stared at the Thorny Branch my weapon pulsed again stronger as if calling. Damn, please don't activate drama mode now, Nara saw my expression.

"What is it?"

I answered quietly,

“I think... what they're looking for might react to me.”

Nara looked at me, was silent for two seconds then took a deep breath.

“Great.”

“I've only known you for two days and my life is already more complicated.”

I smiled a little.

“Glad to contribute.”

In front of us one of the White Council members suddenly stopped, he turned towards the bush where we were hiding. 

“Who’s there?!” he shouted.

All heads immediately turned towards us, Nara and I looked at each other silently for a split second then I said,

“I think stealth mode is over.”

Nara took out her two daggers.

“Yes.”

And in an instant the situation turned very bad again.

[END CHAPTER 10]

"Who is there?!"

The voice broke the silence, one of the White Council members raised his sword and stared directly at the bush where we were hiding. 

Great, our stealth mode lasted about five minutes—a touching feat. Nara and I exchanged glances for a split second. She already had her two daggers in hand, her gaze focused and calm, as if this was just a normal morning routine. I was a little envious.

“Any plans?” I whispered.

Nara answered briefly.

"There is."

I waited, he glanced at me.

“Don't die.”

I stared at him blankly.

“An inspiring plan.”

Nara didn't respond, moving first, her body darting out of hiding like a shadow too fast. One of the White Council members hadn't even finished reacting when Nara appeared in front of him, two daggers flashing.

SHRAK.

Blood spurted out as the man collapsed cleanly, efficiently and alarmingly, I got out a few seconds later.

“Okay, negotiations failed,” I shouted casually.

Now all eyes were on us, the blue-robed leader narrowed his eyes, his gaze stopping on me and then on the Thorny Branch in my hand, his expression changing slightly. Oh? Interesting.

"That child." he said softly.

“So it's true.”

I don't like that tone too much implied knowledge, one of the other members attacked me with a short sword fast movement more practiced than a normal hunter I blocked.

CLANG!

The impact was quite severe but manageable. I parried his sword and then stabbed, but he dodged.    Not bad, at least he wasn't a disposable NPC. 

The White Council clearly has high recruitment standards, which is annoying to me. Meanwhile, Nara is fighting two people at once and winning quite convincingly. I'm starting to believe this woman isn't just "fairly strong." She's clearly way above my level, a good ally and a potential enemy nightmare. 

I refocused on my opponent slashing quickly towards the neck, I ducked then counterattacked with a flaming Thorny Branch Ember Slash, I slashed and my attack hit the armor on his shoulder a small fire spread the man winced. 

Good, damage comes in, he retreats, I don't give him any space to run forward, Root Snare! Roots come out of the ground, wrapping around his legs successfully.

"WHAT?!"

I immediately stabbed his stomach, the attack was confirmed, his body weakened and then died, the Devour Root activated automatically, energy flowed in, hot, addictive.

A notification appears.

Human target slain.

Strength +1

Dexterity +1

EXP gained.

Level 14 reached.

Good, I raised my head, there were still three people left including the leader and he hadn't moved, just observing, I didn't like that. 

People who are too calm usually have problems with Nara completing her second target, two bodies fell almost simultaneously she was really unreasonable. 

Now only the blue-robed leader was left alone, he looked at his fallen subordinates without much emotion, coldly, professionally then he sighed.

“Incompetent.”

Wow, he raised his metal staff and the mana around him instantly became denser, heavier, I tensed up automatically.

A notification appears.

Target identified:

Aldric

White Council Executor

Level unreadable.

Threat: Very High

It was unreadable, I hated that writing. Aldric was looking at me, not Nara, I was fully focused.

“We have been looking for a resonance holder for a long time,” he said.

I frowned.

“Can you use more human language?”

Aldric ignored me.

“Surrender yourself.”

“No,” I answered quickly.

No need to complicate things, Aldric tilted his head slightly as if he had already expected the answer.

"Of course."

He raised his wand and a magic circle appeared beneath my feet. Oh no, I jumped back but it was too late.

BOOM!

Black ice exploded from the ground, narrowly missing my feet. I stared at the frozen remains of the explosion. The surrounding area instantly froze. 

Okay, Mage, good. Why is it always mages? Aldric attacked again, three ice spears forming in the air, hurtling towards me. I dodged two, and one grazed my shoulder. A sharp chill spread instantly.

    “Ah!”

It hurt, it wasn't pleasant at all. Nara finally stepped in, charging at Aldric from a blind spot. Her dagger was aimed at his neck, but Aldric raised one hand, and a transparent barrier appeared.

THING!

Nara's attack was blocked by Aldric staring at him blankly.

“Disturber.”

It releases a mana shock wave.

HANDS!

Nara was thrown several meters.

Oh, that wasn't an ideal situation, not at all ideal. Aldric was far stronger than the other subordinates. The difference was palpable, I gritted my teeth.

Minor Mana Sense caught a strange mana flow in his staff which was the main source, of course mage and staff dependent, I shouted at Nara.

“The stick!”

He immediately understood the good cooperation, Aldric attacked again using ice chains this time. The ice chains shot out from the ground, I dodged, rolled, got up, and ran closer. Aldric seemed a little displeased with me getting in close. 

Good, he retreated while keeping his distance again but Nara appeared from the left her dagger hitting the stick.

CRACK.

A small crack appeared, and Aldric finally showed a hint of anger. Excellent, I activated Ember Slash, gathering all my mana. The Thorny Branch flared brighter, and I leaped and stabbed straight into the staff.

CRAAACK!

The stick cracked, and the mana exploded wildly. Aldric's eyes widened.

“Nooooo”

BOOM!

The mana explosion threw us all away, my body hitting a large root, my breath escaping, my vision slightly blurry. It hurt so much, I forced myself to stand up and look ahead. 

Aldric knelt down, his staff shattered, his mana distorted, and his face showed a panicked expression for the first time. Fortunately, Nara had already stood up and walked toward Aldric with her dagger in hand. 

Aldric looked at us both and chuckled. I frowned, wondering why villains always do this before something bad happens. Aldric pulled out a small crystal from his robes. Oh no, that was a very suspicious object. He crushed it.

CRUSH.

White light exploded a teleport circle appeared, I moved forward.

 “Wait!”

Too late, Aldric disappeared, teleporting out, a villain privilege. The room fell silent again, or rather, the tree area fell silent again, and I took a deep breath.

“Great.”

“We just made an enemy of the organization.”

Nara cleaned the blood from her dagger.

“It was from the start.”

A reasonable point, I looked around the corpses, the giant tree roots, the excavation area and something new because after the fight earlier the part of the roots near the tree opened up like a door to a passageway going down and you could see a large amount of mana flowing from inside.

A notification appears.

Hidden path unlocked.

Destination:

Core Chamber

I looked at the writing then looked at Nara, she also saw it, it was silent for two seconds then I smiled faintly.

"So."

"Enter?"

Nara put her dagger back in.

"Clear."

"Yeah, stupid question," we looked at each other and without another word, began walking down the underground passageway to the true core of the False World Tree. I had a bad feeling, which usually means good story progress.

[END CHAPTER 11]