There exists only one Heart of Nature in all of Eryan.
It is the seed of the Druidic Sacred Tree, the origin and end of that oak as vast as an island. Every thousand years, the Sacred Tree withers. The Archdruid then extracts the Heart of Nature from its decaying branches and journeys far with all the guardians of the sacred site, planting the Heart into a brand-new land. They heeded the winds for their course, and the ravens knew the destination. Where the Sacred Tree stood, there lay the Druids' sanctuary.
Beneath this oak, the first Druid grasped the principles of nature. Beside this oak, each generation of High Druids laid their remains to rest. New trees sprouted from their graves, growing vigorously. The millennial migration leaves the surrounding forests untouched, yet the druids take no offense—for renewal is nature's eternal cycle. Each generation of druids must earn the Heart of Nature's recognition, paying homage to the elements as if attending a grand banquet of introductions. Only then are they granted the privilege to wield nature's power.
The sheer weight of the Heart of Nature's history alone attested to its preciousness. Setting aside its commemorative value, as Tashu read these explanations, he felt he was looking at a Druid skill bundle.
"It's not actually that useful," Victor said, sounding unconvinced. "The dungeon doesn't rely on Nature's power to function, and you don't have any Druids here. Without guardians, the Heart of Nature is just meat on a chopping block. Just look at that oak tree itself—it couldn't even defeat a single human squad, could it?"
"I've signed it," Tasha replied bluntly.
"I truly don't understand why a druid's sacred artifact would be hidden within this tree," Victor lamented. "Did every last one of those druids perish? Getting the Heart of Nature the moment you step onto the surface? Even the most fanciful knightly tales wouldn't write something like that."
This time, his tone sounded less like persuasion and more like pure complaint. Tasha let it go in one ear and out the other. She was in high spirits. After completing the Forest Pact, a new card had appeared in the Hall of the Mind Palace.
"Oak Guardian. A mere tree yet it holds the Heart of Nature, unafraid of shortening its lifespan—oh oh, it has already shortened its lifespan. Even the power of nature cannot halt this oak's decay. Within a year or two, it will die, leaving you its Heart of Nature."
Even without using her own contract, she could gain corresponding abilities after signing? This was truly good news. Tasha glanced down and discovered the "Heart of Nature" skill had already appeared on the card, as fortunate as receiving her reward early.
[Heart of Nature]: The essence of nature envelops you.
...That's it?
Tasha had never seen such a vague skill description before. She tried using it, but nothing happened. Looking closer, she noticed a few small characters beside "Heart of Nature," adding two supplementary notes: (Pseudo). (Passive).
[Heart of Nature](Pseudo)(Passive): The essence of nature envelops you.
Alright, one can't be too greedy when running dungeons.
She could test the passive skill's effects later. After all, Tashan hadn't contracted with this tree for this bonus skill.
The Forest Pact glowed in the dark space. Both parties had signed their names, and the contract took effect. The Old Oak sighed wearily. The space grew unstable and would soon dissolve on its own. Tashar hurriedly asked, "What does 'opening a passage to the Abyss or the Celestial Realm' mean? Is the passage closed?"
"To be precise, they were severed," the Old Oak replied. "With the pact signed, the wise races of Erian united to declare war upon the Abyss and the Heavens. Ultimately, the heroes cleaved the planes apart, leaving no pathways to either realm."
"It's done," Tasha mentally informed Victor. "I promised I'd find the source of the Abyss's problems."
"That's it?!" Victor exclaimed in disbelief.
The Book of Dungeons stared dumbfounded at Tasha's blatant evasion, yet found no grounds to argue. After all, the contract only stipulated she would "find the problem with the Abyss"—it never specified completion standards, let alone resolving the issue. Tasha couldn't fathom how a demon like Victor could be so naive and endearing. Could a salesperson like this truly survive in the Abyss? She mentally closed the book, pressing her hand over its cover, listening to him whimper like a pitiful soul with his mouth covered.
Ah, peace at last.
"That's why I choose to trust you," the Oak Elder continued. "The Abyss is the ultimate line we must not cross. As long as you don't drag Erian back into the quagmire of planar wars, no matter what you are... I believe... the non-human races on the surface should support each other now."
The oak's voice held many tales, Tashan thought. When she had ample time, she would ask him about them properly. She paused briefly before speaking. "But I am a product of the Abyss. The core of the dungeon originates from the Abyss."
"That is different," the tree explained succinctly. "The essence I speak of is the Abyssal Factor—a trace of activity connected to the Abyss."
"It's a phenomenon, not a permanent substance—like the difference between wind and air?" Tasha asked.
"Precisely," the ancient oak affirmed. "Things connected to the Abyss cannot hide their traces from the discerning. A storm of Abyssal factors always swirls around them. But you are different. The one who destroyed your previous incarnation must have been a hero. Their attack severed your connection to the Abyss, purging the aura of your former pact with it. Even if someone could detect your presence the moment you awoke, they could never pinpoint your location afterward—for you are entirely new."
It sounded like good news for concealment.
At that moment, the Book of Dungeons began thrashing wildly, even momentarily knocking Tashan's hand away. "How is that possible?" Victor shouted in disbelief. "I am a Great Demon! I am a manifestation of the Abyss's will itself! You bound me in a contract—how could I not carry the Abyss's essence?"
Tasha pressed down on the pages, glaring warningly at Victor. He fell silent, but each page flickered with restless patterns.
"I see," Tashar remarked casually to the Oak Elder. "I understand Archdevils are part of the Abyss. If they're on the surface, wouldn't they radiate Abyssal essence, making them instantly recognizable?"
"Precisely," the Oak Elder replied after a pause. "Therefore, no Archdevils could possibly remain in Erian now."
Victor snorted.
"The 'hunt' has lasted centuries, child," the Oak Elder shook his head gently. "Humans have already created tools to discern non-human bloodlines. How could they possibly overlook Erian's true enemy? If a single demon remained in this world, it would shine as brightly as the sun on humanity's astrolabe, drawing all of Erian's armies to it. Not only did the cunning Great Demon depart before the planes fractured, but even if some lingered in Erian, they couldn't have survived undetected until now."
"Wherever demons dwell, the Abyss's essence lingers—even those bound," he concluded. "Unless it's dead or banished from the Abyss."
Tasha nodded, ending the subject. She waited inwardly for Victor's rebuttal, but nothing came—that end of the connection fell silent as if a thread had suddenly snapped. Tasha nudged the spine of the book. It remained motionless, like an ordinary notebook. She prodded it again, and the book snapped shut.
The space created by the Old Oak disintegrated, and the surroundings brightened, revealing dozens of anxious faces once more. They had conversed for so long, yet outside, it seemed scarcely any time had passed. Tashan dismissed the book from her thoughts and hastily cast a healing spell on the dying oak.
The werewolf girl's expression instantly relaxed. Sniffling, she rushed forward and hugged the trunk, no longer charred black. As if on cue, all the gathered little wanderers threw themselves at the oak tree, encircling him in a tight embrace, cheers rising and falling in waves. Their small stature made them appear even shorter beneath the tree, like a cluster of squirrels.
The ancient oak embraced them all with tender care, using his still-bare branches—the burn marks gone, though leaves had not yet returned. He patted dozens of backs with his comforting hands, then pulled a sturdy, bearded figure from the crowd and nudged him toward Tasha.
"This is the Dungeon Master." he announced to both parties. "This is Hogan, chieftain of the Grindstone clan."
"Hello! Thank you for saving us all!" the diminutive, thickly bearded old man exclaimed, even reaching out to embrace Tashan. His hand passed through the ghostly figure, and he stumbled forward, tumbling twice across the ground.
"As you know, we have few places left to go," the Old Oak said to Tashan. if you're willing to take them in, they'll be of considerable assistance. Though not skilled in combat, they know the surrounding area better than I do, and many are excellent craftsmen. I can act as a notary to draw up a clan contract, binding them to work for you and swearing them to secrecy about your existence."
Marion let out a low gasp of delight, her shoulders instantly relaxing as the unexpected turn of events lifted a heavy weight from her shoulders.
"Sounds good," Tash nodded. Truthfully, if Old Oak hadn't suggested this, the secrecy measures she'd have to take would have been rather hurtful.
"What do you think, Hogan?" Old Oak asked again.
"Hell yeah!" The chieftain dusted himself off, his voice booming. "Should've never moved! And freeloading feels kinda awkward..."
His wife, standing behind him, kicked him in the rear. Hogan cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject: "Thank you so much! Would you mind if we brought some things inside? We need to find lots of torches, oh, make vents and oil lamps, build some tables and chairs, beds, cabinets, some nice furniture! We can make these, plus weapons, toys, trinkets—if you need anything, please let us know. It's a family business!"
Several people behind him nodded proudly. Tasha thought these folks recovered way too fast after surviving an attack and seeing skeletons—their nerves were so thick she couldn't even be bothered to comment.
The Oak Elder produced the Forest Covenant. Hogan signed the contract in his capacity as clan chieftain. All survivors present bore the Millstone surname and were thus covered under the agreement. Tasha would provide them shelter. In exchange, they offered their craftsmanship and intelligence, swearing never to betray her. The new card was quite interesting—it encompassed an entire tribe. Finally, Tasha understood what these short folk were.
"Half-blood artisan dwarves. Their bloodline is so diluted they've lost their innate abilities, retaining only their stunted height. They lack the courage and combat prowess of true dwarves, destined to be the first deserters on the battlefield. They possess none of the gnomes' financial acumen; most remain unaware of the coins in their own pockets. They lack the agility and cunning of halflings, though their excessive optimism mirrors it perfectly. Thankfully, these timid, foolish dwarves are, for the most part, exceptional craftsmen."
Skill [Workers Have Power]: Knowledge is power, they say. Though you know nothing of forging, you possess an eye for recognizing basic craftsmanship. For example: When you see a sword so hideously misshapen it barely resembles a blade, you instantly recognize it as a sword!
The Oak Elder hadn't exaggerated. A light bulb went off in Tashan's mind. Didn't she happen to have an unused forge here? When opportunity knocks, even a skill as useless as this one is worth the gain.
As the second Forest Pact vanished into thin air, obvious fatigue washed over the Oak Elder's face. "I'm afraid I must rest for a while. " he sighed, closing his eyes. Soon after, he dissolved into an ordinary oak tree, devoid of his face.
Marion glanced at the tree with lingering concern, while the artisan dwarves had already begun chattering excitedly about settling down. Watching this unreliable group, Tashar pondered ways to cover her tracks, suddenly feeling a sense of responsibility as if she'd adopted a whole pack of pets.