The Tree of Life revealed a touched expression that seemed to say, "I can’t believe a mere Human like you would go through hell and high water for the forest," but Blaze was certain he hadn’t indicated anything of the sort.
The word [SKIP] seemed to bypass all the cajoling and pity-mongering, directly selling him out completely.
[Special Storyline: The Great Stars Accepted]
[Defeat the Traitors indulging in Power and enshrine The Great Stars back into the sky.]
[Recommended level: Level 99+]
If a difficulty rating had a question mark, it meant the difficulty would fluctuate randomly during the quest. But Level 99+ was just unadulterated difficulty—extremely difficult.
But it made sense. The Nemean Lion King in its embryonic state was already far stronger than an average Level 30, let alone its perfect form, or the progenitor that kept spawning offspring like laying eggs.
He had just wanted to ask about the Golden Country and the Armor, but he ended up selling himself out. Come to think of it, he didn’t need to be too clever for his own good by gathering intelligence. Wouldn’t it have been better to just stay honestly around the town and help the Foreigners get Honor Points?
"Why did it turn out like this? Wasn’t the Hundred-Womb Ganges quite peaceful before?"
[A major event occurred recently. For some unknown reason, currency that can bribe the Ferryman to enter the World of the Dead has constantly been appearing in the world of the living. That entity, who could only hide in the World of the Dead under the attacks of the Foreigners, probably grew anxious because of this. That’s why it gathered the Evil God’s Blood, hoping to reach a new height.]
"Because of the Foreigners? Then there’s really no helping it." Blaze scratched his head. He was wearing a helmet, and as his sharp Hand Armor scratched against it, it produced a flurry of Sparks.
[Look on the bright side. If you do this, you will become the benefactor of the Golden Tree Sea and the Trees of Life. You will have our friendship.]
He retorted inwardly, "If friendship is purely for bringing benefits, then it’s just mutual exploitation." But the Tree of Life seemed to take this for granted when it spoke.
Perhaps there was a massive ethical gap between plants and living creatures. Just like how plants absorbed nutrients from decaying corpses to grow, there was a friendship between plants and decaying corpses.
Such a friendship was somewhat...
The Tree of Life read Blaze’s resistant emotions. It immediately leaned in close to his face, standing on its tiptoes and whispering temptations in his ear like a Demon.
[Our friendship can bring many benefits. For example, we can bestow many Skills upon you, or unlock Professions for you...]
[Druid, Shaman, Forest Guard, Spirit Summoner, Necromancer, and more. As a reward for helping me escape this nightmare, you can choose one right now.]
This person—no, this tree—was clearly an entity representing Life and purity, yet its skill in temptation was not the slightest bit inferior to a Demon from Hell.
"Can I ask first, why would a Tree of Life that symbolizes nature give me a Profession like Necromancer, which sounds like a bad guy?" Blaze rubbed his hands together, feigning nonchalance.
[Because death is also a part of the Natural Cycle. Life Spirits that die beneath the tree become a part of the tree, reborn in the form of seeds.]
"Then I’ll choose Necromancer."
Although he felt this nutrient-like friendship was a bit off, this was their territory. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Blaze managed to convince himself.
[Then do you want a Profession sacrifice?]
"Sacrifice?"
[It’s a sacrificial ritual that combines two Professions into one. You didn’t know... Ah, I understand.] The Tree of Life thoughtfully pinched its chin as it examined Blaze, circling around him.
[A year ago, archaeological scholars deciphered the stone tablets left by the Creator and discovered new fundamental rules. Every Life could hear the bell of the world’s Transformation at that moment, remembering this rule just like the common sense of knowing an apple will fall to the ground. The only ones who couldn’t hear this bell were the Foreigners who don’t belong to this world.]
The Tree of Life revealed a "how fascinating" expression and spread its arms, declaring loudly.
[Then I shall take the liberty of sacrificing the power of the Necromancer to the Hunter.]
[Level 35 - Level 31 (10)]
[Hunter Level 5 - Night Watcher Level 1]
[Hunter of the forest, summon the servants from your own Shadow, and go hunt the wandering spirits that have escaped reincarnation. All Life will eventually return to the embrace of the tree.]
[Learnable Skills: Low-level Contract / Soul Seed / Soul Capture / Soul Shock / Cultivate / Botany / Translation / Skeleton Aesthetics / Skillful Hand /]
"Hmm... I’ve never heard of this Profession."
Plans could never keep up with Transformation. Blaze originally intended to follow the Cultivate direction mentioned by the Foreigners and develop toward the final [Divine Era Hunter]. However, Professions could be repeatedly obtained. By the time he killed another twenty or so Monsters with the Wild Beast affix, he would be able to unlock Hunter again.
[Oh, Night Watcher, you do not need to feel anxious or lost. Take your time to ponder your future. You are free.]
For some reason, Blaze felt that the Tree of Life had placed extra emphasis on the words "future" and "free." Perhaps this was a thought and lamentation only a long-existing Life would have. This kind of philosophical contemplation was simply too remote for someone who had just recently been an Ordinary Person.
[Alright, it is time for you to leave. Thank you for letting me have a peaceful sleep at the very end.]
"The end? What do you mean by the end?"
Blaze felt an unprompted sense of unease.
The Tree of Life did not answer. It clasped its hands behind its back and turned around. Its Golden long hair cascaded down as it tilted its head, revealing misty eyes, and gave him a sweet smile.
[Bye-bye—]
"Wait—"
Blaze bolted upright. The surroundings were covered in Golden leaves. It seemed he had just leaned against the thick trunk and fallen asleep among the fallen leaves.
The tree hollow that had invited him inside seemed as if it had never existed at all.
The glowing signposts brought by the Natural Guidance State had vanished, and the voice in his ear had disappeared as well. A gust of wind suddenly blew past, sending the Golden leaves dancing into the air. Life scattered across the entire forest.
The Tree of Life had withered, but the Erosion from the Evil God’s Blood that plagued this forest had receded.
The quest titled [The Great Stars] sat quietly within the Blessing frame, declaring that its Golden existence was once real.
Blaze raised his hand and pressed it against the withered trunk of the Tree of Life. An inexplicable emotion spread within his heart. He had seen the deaths of Foreigners, witnessed the deaths of villagers, and even nearly died himself, but the word "death" had never left any mark in his heart.
Perhaps it was because those deaths were always linked to fear, whereas the death before his eyes was so profoundly peaceful.
"Alas..." Blaze let out a sigh. He glanced at the recommended level for [The Great Stars], and the slight flutter in his heart vanished instantly.
If he didn’t figure something out, he would soon be joining the Tree of Life in death.