I peeked out again, just in time to see ripples fading back to stillness. The lake looked calm. Innocent. Like nothing had happened.
Yeah. Sure. Nothing says "holy healing spring" like tongue monsters in the deep.
I crouched lower, tail twitching nervously.
I needed that water. The girl needed that water.
And the lake… clearly wanted anything that touched it dead.
I was doomed.
Then, from the opposite side, something moved.
A soft scrape.
My ears twitched.
[Listen]
It was clearer now—a faint hiss, like scales brushing bark.
I glanced up—and froze.
Something long and green draped itself over a high branch near the water's edge.
Another Forest Snake? Great. Just what I needed.
I crouched lower, heart thudding. Its body was half-hidden under leaves, still as moss, sunlight glinting off its slick back.
Then—
fwip!
Something shot out from the tree.
A thin, taut line stretched across the air, anchoring itself to the crumbled statue at the lake's center.
…Wait. Rope?
The "snake" shifted—then stood up.
A small figure adjusted something around its shoulders. A hood of interwoven leaves fell back slightly, and I realized—it wasn't a snake at all. It was a person.
What the—?
The figure—small, nimble—stepped out onto the rope like it was nothing. Perfect balance.
Each movement was light, deliberate. Almost dancer-like.
Sunlight caught his face as he left the shade. A boy. Maybe twelve? Thirteen?
Cloaked head to toe in green and brown, bits of bark and fern stitched into his clothes.
He looked like a ranger straight out of an RPG.
He crossed halfway, then crouched, shifting his weight with practiced ease.
When he reached the statue, he hooked his legs around one of its broken arms, Mission-Impossible-style, and leaned dangerously over the edge.
W-whoa, careful, kid! My claws dug into the dirt. There's something in the water!
He didn't seem to hear. He reached toward something growing near the statue's base—a strange plant clinging to the stone.
It was beautiful and unsettling all at once.
A pale green stem coiled around the rock, ending in a semi-translucent orb. Motes of light floated inside it, like mist trapped in glass. The orb shimmered faintly with each ripple of sunlight.
[Appraisal]
[Aqua Bloom]
Grade: Uncommon
Type: Absorbent Flora / Minor Magical Reservoir
A moisture-rich plant found near ponds and shallow waters within high-mana regions. The Aqua Bloom naturally absorbs and stores both water and ambient essence without disturbing its surroundings. Travelers value it as a living canteen, while healers and alchemists prize its ability to stabilize volatile liquids.
Note: Once saturated, the Bloom releases a faintly sweet scent that can attract certain sensitive monsters.
That's it!? He's risking his life for a glorified sponge!?
The boy pulled out a knife, cut the stem cleanly, and let the orb fall.
No no no no—!That's gonna splash—!
But it didn't.
The sphere touched the lake—no sound, no ripple, nothing.
It floated, impossibly still, light as air.
Then it began to change.
The orb slowly filled—like a sponge drinking deeply. The faint mist inside turned blue, pulsing softly with light.
Then it finished filling, the glow brightening until it looked almost alive.
Instinctively, I triggered Appraisal again.
[Aqua Bloom – Awakened]
Grade: Rare
Type: Absorbent Flora / Magical Reservoir
When filled with waters of high mana saturation, the Aqua Bloom undergoes an awakening. Its stored liquid becomes imbued with restorative essence capable of neutralizing minor toxins and mending small injuries.
Effect: Restores minor health and cures weak poisons.
Note: Continues to emit a faintly sweet scent that may attract sensitive monsters.
What in the—
The boy plucked the orb from the water, tucked it into his satchel, and vanished into the forest shadows as quietly as he came.
Okay. I stared after him. That was… something.
The way he moved—balanced, calm, perfectly timed. Whatever was under the lake hadn't even noticed him.
Not to mention the plant. Turns out the water did have healing properties—only there was a trick to it.
A natural potion, huh? Shame the only way to it is over the monster lagoon.
Nature sure loves balance, doesn't it?
I glanced at the statue again. There was only one of those Aqua Blooms left.
I squinted at the distance.
If I want that water without becoming lunch, I need to do the same thing.
It wasn't far—but far enough that one bad hop meant game over.
The image of the bird being yanked down replayed in my head, making my fur bristle.
Then I thought of the girl—pale, feverish. Forty-eight hours.
Alright then. Here goes nothing.
I crept to the edge, muscles coiled. One deep breath.
[Greater Hop]
I launched.
Wind screamed past my ears. For one dizzying heartbeat, I was airborne over the cursed blue glass.
Then—impact.
Still alive. 10/10 landing. Jackie Chan would be proud.
Carefully, I edged down, mimicking what the boy had done. My horn brushed stone as I leaned forward.
There—the last Aqua Bloom, swaying softly near the statue's base.
Just gotta… be quiet.
I bit through the stem, gentle as possible. The orb drifted free, hovering just above the surface.
Alright… moment of truth.
I let go.
The orb fell.
No splash.
It landed soundlessly, and began to fill—just like before.
My fur prickled as the orb drank greedily from the lake's surface.
When it was full, I scooped it up carefully between my teeth. Success. Time to hop awa—
bzzzzzzzzz…
Huh?
A low hum vibrated through the air. I turned.
Something golden glinted in the sunlight.
A massive insect, wings blurring in a furious halo, zipped straight toward me.
It was the size of me. Maybe bigger.
[Appraisal]
[Status]
Species: Vespa
Level: 7/10
HP: 40 | MP: -
Stats: Vit – F+ | Str – E | End – E- | Agi – E+ | Int – E | Wis – E- | Lck – E
Skills: [Precision Flight Lv.4], [Sweet Sense Lv.2], [Venom Barb Lv.3], [Slipstream Dodge Lv.3]
Bestiary: Low-tier nectar predator resembling an oversized wasp. Known for its rapid darting strikes and venom-coated stinger capable of weakening prey. Drawn to sweet aetheric fluids—particularly those stored in Aqua Blooms.
Oh great. A sugar-addicted wasp. Because that's exactly what I needed right now.
It zipped closer, the air whining from its wings.
I backed up—and my hind leg hit something.
crack.
I froze. Looked down.
A loose piece of the statue rolled off the edge—
—and fell.
Time slowed.
It hit the water.
plop.
The lake shivered, like something exhaling beneath the surface.
Then—
SCCCHLORP.