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Chapter 7 - Verdant Hollow

The E-rank dungeon didn't wait for hesitation. The moment I stepped through the gate, the air thickened—saturated with wild mana that pressed against my skin like humidity before a storm.

[Verdant Hollow]

Threat Level: E

Environment: Living Terrain

The ground beneath my boots wasn't stone but soil—dark, damp earth veined with glowing roots that pulsed as if breathing. Towering trees spiraled overhead, their massive canopies blotting out the sky. This place was alive.

I swallowed. "So this is E-rank…"

I moved with caution. The first hour offered only minor threats: ambush predators, snapping vine-beasts, territorial flora that lashed out when I drew near. Rock Formation gave me solid cover, Magic Missile shredded anything that dared approach.

But deeper in, the dungeon's hostility intensified. Roots coiled around my ankles. Spore clouds exploded in my face, scorching my lungs. One misstep sent a thorned vine driving through my shoulder. I ripped free, blood dripping onto the earth. "Still alive," I muttered. Barely.

By the time I reached the heart, my mana was dangerously low and my body a map of aches and bleeding wounds. Then everything went silent. The ground cracked open and a colossal shape emerged: a humanoid mass of bark, bone, and tangled vines, its face a wooden skull mask with hollow eyes glowing green.

Ancient Grove Guardian (E-Rank Boss)

Traits: Regeneration, Area Control

It struck faster than I expected. A vine thicker than my torso whipped through my Rock Formation like paper. I slammed into the ground, ribs screaming. Dazed, I forced myself up and unleashed Magic Missiles, but the wounds knit closed almost instantly. "Regeneration…" I breathed.

Its hands slammed the earth. Roots erupted everywhere. Pain lanced through my calf as thorns ripped through muscle. I screamed, collapsing as mana dipped into the red. Death hovered at the edge of consciousness.

Then a green flare erupted from the Guardian's chest. A half-formed spellbook dropped at my feet, pulsing. Instinct drove me forward. I snatched it. "Learn—now!" Mana flooded me like a tidal wave. Agony twisted through every nerve as arcane vines wove inside me, tightening before settling.

[Spell acquired: Forest's Embrace]

Rank: E

Type: Sustained Regeneration

Mana began draining immediately. Yet the pain eased. The vine in my leg dissolved, flesh knitting visibly. Cracked ribs realigned, bleeding stopped. Gasping, I hauled myself to my feet.

The Guardian roared. I raised my hand. Rock Formation burst beneath its feet, trapping it. Then I unleashed a relentless barrage of Magic Missiles, drilling into its core while Forest's Embrace held me upright through sheer will.

The battle was brutal and exhausting. When the Guardian finally collapsed, I sank to my knees—alive. Barely.

***

I emerged on shaking legs. The Bureau staff's shock was obvious. An operator stared between my clearance log and my battered form. "Solo… E-rank… confirmed?" 

I nodded, voice hoarse. "Yes."

I didn't linger. At the trade center I laid out my gains:

• Forest's Embrace (E-Rank spell book)

• Body Stat Core x2

• Mana Stat Core x1

• Spark Knife (F+ Item)

I sold the stat cores without hesitation—6,000 credits, instant. The Spark Knife I traded for:

[Spell acquired: Boost (F-Rank)]

Type: Enhancement

At home, once my breathing steadied, I opened my trait menu:

Quality Upgrade

Target: Forest's Embrace

[Confirm?] "Yes."

[Spell quality upgraded.]

Forest's Embrace → Forest's Embrace

Rank: D

Effect: Mana cost halved. Healing speed doubled.

I leaned back against the wall, laughter escaping, breathless. Then I upgraded Boost to Rank E.

I opened my status one last time.

<> -- -- -- <> -- -- -- <>

[Player: Alexander Cain (23)]

Trait: Absolute Sage

Spells:

• Magic Missile (E)

• Rock Formation (D)

• Forest's Embrace (D)

• Greater Boost (E)

Items: —

Body: 1.9

Soul: 1.4

Mana: 2.6 / 2.6

<> -- -- -- <> -- -- -- <>

For the first time since the world changed, I let myself smile without restraint. This path was dangerous—and it was mine. And now, I could see a future worth walking toward.

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