The midday sun hung high over the forest of Elyria, casting dappled shadows across the expanding grove. Wisps of dark smoke from the defeated tainted boars had fully dissipated, leaving behind a faint, acrid scent that clung to the air like a warning. Alex's root absorbed the residual energy from the battle, converting it into a subtle boost, his mana ticking up to 90/100 as the system quietly processed the aftermath.
Through Claw's shared vision, Alex surveyed the horizon. The storm hawk soared in wide circles, her enhanced sight piercing through the foliage. "The tainted patch grows, Grove father.", She reported telepathically, her voice laced with urgency. "More corrupted beasts stir within, but for now, they retreat. And the watcher.. the elf ... she lingers at the edge observing but not approaching yet."
Alex's branches swayed thoughtfully. He had gained a solid chunk of EXP from the proxy battles, 30 points in total, but now the system revealed a new layer to his legion's growth. A tooltip flickered into view as he pondered the distribution:
System update: Legion Progression unlocked
Allies empowered by the Sap of Life now share the soils of victory. When the proxies defeat enemies, EXP is divided : 60% to the World Tree(you), 40% distributed among participating legion members. This allows them to level up independently, gaining enhanced stats and skills. Current legion levels: Fang(level 1) , Claw(level 1)
From the tainted boar fight, Alex had pocketed 18 EXP(60%), pushing his total to 81/100. The remaining 12 EXP (40%) was split between Fang and Claw , 6 each , enough to nudge the toward their growth. Fang's fur seemed sleeker, his muscles more defined, while Claw's wing cut through the air with sharp precision. "Useful", Alex mused internally. "They'll get stronger alongside me making the whole legion more resilient. But I need to balance this, more allies mean thinner EXP splits, but greater overall power."
Fang sensing Alex's contemplation, padded closer with his pack in to. The five wolves looked invigorated from the hunt, their eyes gleaming with a hint of the intelligence that might one day be fully awakened. "The grove expands, but so do threats.", Fang growled mentally. "We need defenders, sturdy guardians to hold the line while hunters strike and scouts warn." Alex agreed. His root network had spread overnight, sensing larger creatures in the vicinity. A deep rumbled echoed from nearby , a massive brown bear lumbering through the underbrush, drawn by the scent of the deer's remains from the pack's earlier hunt. The bear was enormous, its fur matted with leaves and scars from territorial battles, paws like battering rams.
"Perfect.", Alex thought. He signaled Fang to hold the pack back, allowing the bear to approach without aggression. As it sniffed at the grove's edge, Alex channeled a preliminary burst of Basic Nurture, infusing the beast with mana to make it more receptive.
Nurtured: Large animal (Bear) - +5 EXP
Mana : 70/100
EXP : 86/100
The bear pauses, its eyes softening as vitality coursed through it. Seizing the moment, Alex drew upon the Sap of Life, the golden essence flowing through the extended root to touch the creature's paw. Light bloomed, reshaping the bear; its frame bulked up further, fur thickening with natural armor plated with thorny vines that sprouted organically, and a deep, rumbling intelligence ignited in its gaze.
Sa of life : 2/5 remaining
Sentient ally created : Thorn (Vine armored bear)
Skills gained (Thorn) : Iron Hide ( Enhanced defense against physical and magical attacks), Thorn Barrier (Erect protective walls of vines to shield the user and it allies)
Thorn reared up on hind legs, letting out a resonant roar that shook the nearby tees. He dropped down and bowed his massive head toward Alex's trunk. "Grove father," his voice boomed in Alex's mind, deep and steadfast like ancient roots. "I a your shield. No foe shall breach this sanctuary while I stand." "Welcome to the legion, Thorn." Alex replied, feeling the Defense division solidify. "You'll protect the core while Fang hunts and Claw scouts."
Thorn lumbered into position at the grove's perimeter, his presence alone a deterrent. Fag's pack gave him a wide berth, respecting the new hierarchy. With three division leader, Alex felt his influence growing. He had nurtured a few more shrubs to test the waters, watching his EXP creep higher.
Nurtured : Large plant (shrubs) * 4 - + 2 EXP
Mana : 50/100
EXP : 88/100
As the afternoon deepened, Claw's reconnaissance brought more news. "The elf moves closer, Grove father. She carries a bow of living wood and wears robes woven from leaves. No taint upon her, but caution, she whispers incantations, as if testing the air." Alex's knot eyes focused on the direction Claw indicated. Through the hawk's shared sight, he glimpsed her : a lithe figure with silver cascading like moonlight, pointed ears peeking from beneath a hood. Her eyes, a piercing green, scanned the grove with a mix of wariness and wonder. She was no ordinary wanderer, runes glowed faintly on her skin, marking as one attuned to nature's magic. "Keep watch, but don't engage just yet." , Alex instructed. "If she's an ally, she'll reveal herself. If she's not ..... well, that's what the legion is for."
The peace didn't last. A distant snarl built into a chorus, more tainted beasts emerging from the corrupted patch Claw had spotted before. This time, it was a herd of twisted deer, their antlers warped into jagged spikes, eyes burning with unnatural red fire. They charged towards the grove, drawn by the pulsing life energy Alex exuded. "Defend!" Alex commanded mentally. Thorn roared, activating Thorn Barrier , a wall of thick, thorny vines erupting from the ground to form a defensive perimeter. Fang and his pack flanked the barrier, ready to strike through gaps, while Claw dove from above, using Wind Gust to scatter the herd's formation
The battle erupted. One tainted deer leaped the vines, only to be swatted to the side by Thorn's massive paw, his Iron hide shrugging off its spiked antlers. Fang lunged, tearing another's flank, with his pack coordinating bites and retreats . Claw's aerial assaults disoriented the rest, her talons drawing the corrupted blood. Alex supported from the core, channeling Basic Nurture to heal minor wounds on his allies - a wolf's gashed side mending with a 10 mana pulse.
Mana : 40/100
The legion prevailed, the tainted deer falling one by one, their forms dissolving into shadow essence that the grove absorbed.
Enemies defeated (via Proxy: Legion) - +45 EXP total (60% to the World Tree : +27 EXP)
EXP : 115/100
(40% EXP to legion: Distributed among Fang(+6), Claw(+6), Thorn(+6)
The surge hit Alex like a wave of vitality. His trunk thickened slightly, branches extending further, and new skills unlocked.
Level Up : Seedling Treant (Level 2)
EXP : 15/200 (Overflow carried over)
New Skill : Verdant pulse(Area heal for allies, cost 20 mana)
Mana Max increased : 150/150
Sap of Life : 10/10
Fang , Claw, Thorn each glowed briefly, their levels ticking to 2. Fang's Pack Command grew stronger, allowing better control over his wolves; Claw's vision sharpened for longer range scouting; Thorn's barriers became denser, infused with regenerative properties. As the grove settled, the elf finally stepped forward, emerging from the trees with hands raised inn a gesture of peace. "Ancient One", she called aloud, her voice melodic and laced with reverence. "I am Liora of the Verdant Enclave. Your awakening.... it stirs the old prophecies. The taint spreads, and the high ones whisper in the shadows. May i approach? I bring knowledge, not harm."
Alex's leaves rustled in curiosity. Through his allies, he projected a mental invitation, allowing her past Thorn's barriers. The elf, Liora, knelt before his trunk, her eyes wide with awe. "You are the seed of the World Tree. Together, we might stem the corruption before it consumes Elyria."
To be continued