The Abundant Oasis.
The moment they drew close, both Nolan and Nilou could immediately feel the refreshing aura that lingered here.
Compared to the rainforest, it was not lacking in the least.
Perhaps it was because they had grown used to the scorching, dry air of the desert. Now, stepping into a place where the moisture in the air was so much greater, the stark contrast sharpened their senses all the more.
"Wow… so this is the oasis? Even though it's still flowers, grass, and trees, the feeling it gives is completely different.
"If the rainforest carries a sense of endless vitality and overflowing life, then the oasis feels solitary and transcendent—yet filled with a stubborn, unyielding will."
Nilou's emerald eyes seemed to sparkle as she spoke.
The hem of her white dress brushed gently across brilliant wildflowers, while the dust-stained grass swayed against her brown short boots.
Nolan followed just behind the girl, glancing curiously left and right.
Even though he had traveled across the stars and seen the vastness of the universe, this was his first time at an oasis. A faint sense of wonder stirred in his heart.
"I think… my dances should carry this same unyielding vitality—so that through them, I can share this indomitable will with everyone!"
Nilou's voice brimmed with sudden inspiration.
"Mr. Adventurer, the map Miss Candace gave us marks a fairly large lake here. Please, come with me and see it together!"
She turned around, eyes full of anticipation as she looked at him.
"You're the employer—naturally, it's your call," Nolan said with a nod, making it clear he'd follow her lead.
"Mhm!"
Nilou stepped forward with a light, buoyant pace. Her calves, wrapped snugly in white silk stockings, peeked faintly from beneath her lifted skirt.
"Chirp, chirp!"
After walking a while, they heard two plump finches calling from the branches above.
There was no trace of elemental power from them—just ordinary little birds.
"Come here, little finches, onto my hand!"
Nilou stretched out her hand toward them. Unfortunately, birds were not humans—they wouldn't fly down simply because she was pretty.
She held her hand out until it turned stiff, but the two finches didn't so much as twitch.
Acting as though nothing had happened, she withdrew her hand, clasped it behind her back, and hummed a little tune—"hm hm hm~"—as if she hadn't just been ignored, continuing ahead without a care.
Nolan couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"...Ugh, don't laugh at me!" Nilou said in a flustered, embarrassed tone, her steps suddenly quickening in frequency.
Just then, Nolan suddenly felt something. He strode forward quickly, reaching out to grasp Nilou's hand.
"Wait—something's up ahead!"
"What… what is it…" Feeling the warmth of his palm against her wrist, Nilou couldn't help but recall the events of last night. Heat crept across her fair cheeks once again.
With her head lowered, she stared forward, not even registering what he had just said.
[Nilou Has Developed Good Feelings Towards You, Obtained 320 Affection Points. Current Affection Level: Lv.9 (120/900).]
Nolan blinked in surprise at the affection prompt that appeared on his character panel. Then, without hesitation—he simply didn't let go of her hand.
He pulled Nilou back a little, tightened his grip on her hand, and looked ahead.
"Shh. Don't make a sound—look up there!"
Nolan's words successfully drew Nilou's attention away from their joined hands. She followed his gaze forward.
In the dense grove where all sorts of plants thrived, a massive beast crouched low. Its entire body was a brilliant emerald green, and five splendid tail feathers fanned out behind it like those of a rooster.
Around it fluttered several floating Fungi.
"Jadeplume Terrorshroom!"
Nilou's eyes widened, and she let out a hushed gasp.
In Sumeru, thanks to the existence of the "Akasha" system, everyone could acquire knowledge from it.
Information about local monsters, their habitats, habits, and distributions was considered essential.
After all, only by understanding monsters could one protect oneself—or at least have some way of responding when encountering them.
The Jadeplume Terrorshroom was an evolved form of the Fungi, and the Fungi themselves were an incredible lifeform.
They began as tiny spores, step by step evolving into Fungi capable of wielding elemental power.
A single ordinary Fungus could often defeat an untrained adult human in a fight.
Even trained soldiers with decent combat skills might only just manage to handle an ordinary Fungus thanks to their battle experience.
From there, some individuals could further evolve into Winged Fungi. These were much more dangerous; ordinary soldiers stood little chance against them.
It generally took three to five trained soldiers to deal with one—and since Winged Fungi could fly, if they rose too high out of reach, then no number of soldiers could do anything but get beaten.
Beyond the Winged Fungi stood an even more formidable evolution: the Jadeplume Terrorshroom.
The sovereign of the forest-dwelling Fungi, a true leader-class monster capable of crushing opponents of the same level with ease.
Such a creature was far beyond the abilities of common soldiers to handle. Defeating it required several powerful adventurers working together in a formal subjugation party.
The Akasha system described Fungi in this way:
"As long as there is rain and fertile soil, Fungi will grow. As long as adversity exists, fungi will adapt. As long as space exists to spread, spores will scatter through heaven and earth."
They are a form of life with limitless possibilities—not elemental beings, yet through sheer evolutionary instinct they gained mastery of elemental power. From tiny spores to fungi to Boss Level Monsters, their growth has been relentless.
Scholars did not doubt that Fungi evolution would not end there. Given time, even Jadeplume Terrorshrooms were destined to evolve into even greater beings.
Unfortunately, no record yet existed of an evolution beyond them.
"Huu… Mr. Adventurer, maybe we should just leave. This kind of monster is far too dangerous," Nilou whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
She knew Nolan was incredibly strong, but she didn't want him to risk danger just because she had come to the oasis for inspiration.
If he were to get hurt because of her, she would feel unbearably guilty.
"Let me think…"
Nolan also knew well the nature of the Jadeplume Terrorshroom. As a creature that had evolved step by step from a spore, its research value was immense.
His eyes gradually turned golden as he looked at the monster ahead:
[Level: 87]
Its strength was indeed considerable. But if he chose to fight, it would be an easy victory. Still, its research value far outweighed simply killing it. Knocking it out and then controlling it with a "Command Seal" seemed a much better idea.
Having made up his mind, Nolan smiled and said,
"Don't worry, Nilou. I can clearly feel that it's much weaker than me. There won't be any danger. Besides—I want to capture it, so scholars can study it."
"Eh? Really—no danger at all?"
Nilou still looked uneasy. Without realizing it, the hand Nolan was holding gently squeezed back against his.
Because Nolan hadn't lowered his voice, his words carried. Before he could reply, the Jadeplume Terrorshroom ahead suddenly rose to its feet, bristling with alarm!
(End of Chapter)
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