"Damn, that shit is good!"

"Jasmine…" Alain sighed.

"Shorry," she apologized, taking another bite. "Wha-diz?"

"Fawn," Blueberry replied, gently turning a spit over the fire. A massive haunch was skewered on it, slowly roasting above the flames and wafting a delicious aroma that permeated the entire camp.

"Am I eating Bambi?!" Rose exclaimed, pushing her plate away in horror.

"Blueberry also prepared ratatouille," Louis offered, eyeing her plate. "I'm sure Ymir will be happy to share with you."

"With pleasure," the vegetarian merchant smiled. "It's simply delightful."

Rose hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "I'll finish my plate," she said, cutting one of the caramelized apples accompanying the meat. "But it breaks my heart. Fawns are so cute..."

Myuri nodded, signaling her agreement.

"That one wasn't cute at all, it even tried to bite me."

Priam abruptly stopped eating. "Blueberry..."

"Hmm?"

"Please, don't tell me I'm eating a corrupted carcass."

The bear shrugged. "Okay, I won’t tell you."

Priam widened his eyes before realizing the others didn’t care. Everyone was feasting, some even going back for seconds. "Am I the only one disgusted?! We're eating an undead here!"

"It's perfectly dead," Jasmine remarked, prodding the meat with her knife. "That's how I like beasts. Medium rare."

"The hordes from the Necromoon have killed most animals that aren't Tier 3s," Alain explained to his son. "Fish are spared for now, but we were all getting tired of trout."

"Why don't we buy meat at the Auctions?"

"We're not all as rich as you," Louis teased.

"But—"

Blueberry cut him off. "No criticism until you participate in meal preparation. If you want to eat something untouched by the Necromoon, I won't stop you from hunting a Tier 3 beast..."

Priam grimaced. A Tier 3 beast powerful enough to withstand Elysium and the Necromoon was too much for him. For now.

"But... Isn't that bad for our health?"

"There are pills that can repel the Necromoon's corruption," Blueberry said, showing one. "I dissolve them in water and soak the bodies for about a day. That's enough to dissipate the curse in the meat. Then I use a second marinade made of Log-a-rhythm sap. It's full of vitality and gives the venison a normal appearance."

"And a great taste!" Rose exclaimed, grabbing another piece. She had already mourned Bambi.

"If you don't want your share…" Jasmine offered, reaching out.

Priam blocked the attack and devoured his piece. He chewed twice before swallowing. "Let me savor my Necro Bambi in peace!"

"It's full of toxins," pointed Louis.

"Even better."

Lvl Up: [Revelation Resilience] lvl 22, 23

MEM +6META (Affinity) +6

META (Authority) +6Lvl Up: [Divination Interception] lvl 6

META (Affinity) +2META (Perception) +1

Priam and Kazuki stood on the rampart, watching Oasis and the bloody hell that lay beyond. Their enhanced visions revealed the thousands of animated corpses marching in their direction, a terrifying gleam in their empty sockets.

"We're an island of peace in a sea of death and blood," Priam sighed.

"Every passing day strengthens us and allows us to grow," Kazuki said, opening the barrier to let a corrupted pass. "This event is as much a nightmare as an opportunity."

Priam nodded as he watched one of the half-buried bio traps close on the undead. The body, crushed by leafy jaws, was drawn underground to be digested, thereby strengthening the plants in the long term. A bio trap could be upgraded for free by consuming the Sun points equivalent to its next upgrade. For now, none had evolved yet, but the necro event was still young.

Despite the traps' efficiency, many corrupted died under the aether bullets from the turrets or under the blows of the hoplites. Those were then lifted by mechas piloted by AGIs and thrown at the foot of Log-a-rhythm. There, its roots attracted the corpses underground where the main rune of Natural Growth Ritual I rapidly degraded them. Minerals and other interesting molecules were then distributed to the trees in a five hundred square meters area to boost their growth. Oasis knew how to recycle its enemies.

"Log-a-rhythm gained almost five meters and... The forest is greener?" Priam noticed.

"The effect of sacrificing almost a hundred thousand corrupted," Kazuki replied. "The challenging aspect did not lie in their extermination but rather in their transportation to your tree..."

"Natural Growth is a good ritual," Priam noted. "We should upgrade it."

The hoplite raised his hand, and Priam raised an eyebrow as he received a donation of almost a hundred thousand Sun Points.

"The bio traps are set to automatically send you twenty percent of the earned points, but when we kill corrupted directly, you get nothing. I just transferred twenty percent of everything we have earned since last time."

"Thank you."

From the beginning of the necro event, it had been decided that all Oasis residents would give a part of their earnings to help build infrastructures. This twenty percent tax was difficult to monitor since Sun points were personal, but it hadn't caused any problems so far. Oasis being a small sanctuary, all its inhabitants knew each other, and Priam trusted Hyshana and Kazuki to take care of the hoplites.

Lvl Up: [Divination Interception] lvl 7

META (Affinity) +2META (Perception) +1Lvl Up: [Ideal Aether Perception] lvl 11META (Affinity) +3

META (Perception) +6

Priam concealed a smile as one of his trains of thought had just decrypted a new divination probe. If his draconic vivacity allowed him to train while speaking, Priam intended to take advantage of this ability. He could have entrusted the task to his add-on, but focusing on the skill himself increased its level-up speed.

Meanwhile, his system wasn't idle and was concocting a hellish training program. Priam couldn't wait to start and feel himself progress.

A parallel thought bought the upgrades for Natural Growth Ritual.

Natural Growth Ritual II (10 000 points) - A ritual accelerating the growth of living beings, particularly effective on plants. Covers 1 000 square meters. Possibility to add organic remains to enhance the ritual's efficiency. ACQUIRED

Natural Growth Ritual III (25 000 points) - A ritual accelerating the growth of living beings, particularly effective on plants. Covers 2 500 square meters. Possibility to add organic remains to enhance the ritual's efficiency. ACQUIRED

Natural Growth Ritual IV (50 000 points) - A ritual accelerating the growth of living beings, particularly effective on plants. Covers 5 000 square meters. Possibility to add organic remains to enhance the ritual's efficiency. ACQUIRED

Sun points: 1 197 083 (-85 000)

The System descended to change the world. The clearing trembled as Log-a-rhythm's roots moved. Taking on particular shapes, they mimicked runes. Some sigils were able to manipulate reality when fueled by aether—or rather, the fluid reacted to certain forms—and Log-a-rhythm's energy-laden roots were prime material to create runes.

From the tallest tree to the smallest blade of grass, all the roots in Oasis changed position, creating secondary runes and reinforcing the Natural Growth Ritual. A few seconds later, the clearing stopped trembling, and the System withdrew.

The upgrade was finished, and its effects were already being felt. Priam smiled as he felt Log-a-rhythm absorb nutrients, water, and light more rapidly.

"The current ritual boosts Log-a-rhythm's growth by almost fifty percent!" Priam exclaimed, studying his tree's feedback.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"A thousandth of the points spent on the ritual," Kazuki remarked. "In the long term, it's a good thing for the forest to become more resilient."

"It will only slow down the corruption from the Necromoon," said Hyshana as she ascended the rampart stairs. "The trees farthest away didn't benefit from the purification ritual, and the difference was starting to show—even if they were under Log-a-rhythm's protection."

Priam grimaced as he looked at the forest. Three zones stood out in the landscape. The trees closest to the clearing received crimson light filtered by the ritual and were full of vigor. A few meters away, the power of the ritual centered on Log-a-rhythm diminished and had little effect on the vegetation. Trees in poor condition, sometimes even stunted, shed yellow leaves.

It was nothing compared to the almost dead trunks that populated the valley beyond Oasis' borders. The Necromoon was devastating the Wandering Islands.

"I suppose it's time to buy the upgrades for the purification ritual."

"We don't have enough points," said Kazuki.

"I'll take care of it."

"Each of us is supposed to give twenty percent of our earnings," Hyshana said. "If you give more, it won't be fair to you."

"I'm doing this for the community, but it also helps me—Log-a-rhythm is my tree and my home. You don't owe me anything."

"A while ago, I heard your father say that short reckonings make long friends," Kazuki insisted. "I'll repay you."

"It's a good saying, but I don't forget that your hoplites defend Oasis constantly, and you're the one who taught me which end of the spear is dangerous," Priam smiled. "If I ever feel like you owe me something, I'll let you know, but currently, it's the other way around."

Kazuki thought for a moment before returning Priam's smile. "Fair enough, it seems right."

For the hoplite, the conversation was over. Priam had long understood that this race didn't waste time in idle talk—a habit he wholeheartedly approved of.

Without wasting time, he validated the purchase again.

Necro Purification Ritual II (10 000 points) - A ritual purifying the ambient aether from the curse of the Necromoon. Covers 1 000 square meters. ACQUIRED

Necro Purification Ritual III (25 000 points) - A ritual purifying the ambient aether from the curse of the Necromoon. Covers 2 500 square meters. ACQUIRED

Necro Purification Ritual IV (50 000 points) - A ritual purifying the ambient aether from the curse of the Necromoon. Covers 5 000 square meters. ACQUIRED

As the System geared up for another descent, Priam hesitated. Oasis' boundaries were delineated by a forty-meter-radius dome. While this space was currently sufficient—five thousand square meters could comfortably accommodate about twenty people—Priam's vision extended beyond mere defense of a few trees.

His aim was to fortify their defenses and establish a haven of tranquility for himself and his loved ones. To achieve this, Log-a-rhythm needed to ascend as the guardian of a thriving forest. Without further ado, Priam resolved to invest in the future.

Protective Barrier V (100 000 points) - A protective barrier capable of covering 10 000 square meters and stopping attacks from a weak Tier 0 Elysian Marquess. ACQUIREDNecro Purification Ritual V (100 000 points) - A ritual purifying the ambient aether from the curse of the Necromoon. Covers 10 000 square meters. ACQUIREDGuardian of the Forest IV (50 000 points) - A ritual elevating the status of a Guardian of the Forest. Strengthens the symbiotic relationship between the two parties. Increases the Guardian's domain size to 5 000 square meters. ACQUIREDGuardian of the Forest V (100 000 points) - A ritual elevating the status of a Guardian of the Forest. Strengthens the symbiotic relationship between the two parties. Increases the Guardian's domain size to 10 000 square meters. ACQUIRED

Sun points: 762 083 (-435 000)

A primordial lightning bolt cleaved through the cloudless sky, striking the purification rune emblazoned upon the protective dome. The sigils proliferated, swiftly blanketing the entire available surface.

Simultaneously, the hemisphere expanded, its radius extending from forty to sixty meters. Oasis's expanse doubled, now covering a hectare—approximately ten thousand square meters—equivalent to about one and a half football fields. The growing barrier repelled any corrupted entities it encountered, crushing some against the trunk of nearby trees. Resistance was futile; the shield could now withstand assaults from a weak Tier 0 Elysian Marquess.

Among the three rivals, only Priam, with his draconic Breath, stood a chance of destabilizing the protection. Any lesser attack could be disregarded.

The monumental dome quivered once more as the defense and purification runes stabilized. Thousands of broken lines and sinuous arabesques crisscrossed the barrier, absorbing ambient aether. The former utilized this energy to filter the Necromoon's light and block the Necro Concept, while the latter reinforced the protection, repelling assailants.

Oasis had transformed into a pristine haven amidst a cursed world. Upon seeing this, Priam felt his hearts quicken. There was something cathartic about watching his territory expand and strengthen. He was proud of what he and his loved ones had built.

In a matter of seconds, the pernicious influence of the Necromoon was pushed back, and Priam drew a deep breath. The few insects still alive began to resume their work as the plants celebrated. Corruption was insidious in that it could be forgotten over time. Yet, Priam remained convinced of its tangible physical, mental, and spiritual effects. The sight of the sickly forest beyond Oasis, with its ailing trees, served as a stark reminder.

A second bolt of lightning descended from the heavens, energizing Log-a-rhythm. The rampart trembled as the roots of every tree in Oasis interconnected, forming a singular symbiotic network. A shiver ran through the plants as they resonated, sharing their experiences, pains, energies, and Potentials.

At the heart of this web, Log-a-rhythm released a surge of life aether in the form of sap, amplifying the vitality of nearby trees and nurturing those newly assimilated within Oasis.

Priam smiled as he felt a burgeoning awareness emanating from his tree, conveying a sense of joy before imparting a revelation to its master. Eyes widening, Priam burst into laughter.

With these latest enhancements, Log-a-rhythm glimpsed the potential for a qualitative shift. A Tribulation would descend if it continued to grow, expand its realm, and unlock features. It was both dreadful and wondrous. Dreadful because the last Tribulation had ravaged the tree, and a new one would attract the attention of all nearby monsters. Wondrous because it signified that Log-a-rhythm was on the right path to ascend the Zenith Way.

As the leaves and needles of newly integrated trees began to take on a verdant hue, Kazuki turned to Priam.

"Do you have any points remaining?"

"Just over half a million Sun points," Priam grinned. "I'm pretty thrifty, but when I spend, I don't hold back."

"It's an investment for the future. I should take a page from your book and buy more bio-traps."

"First, let's relocate the existing ones to the new frontier," Hyshana interjected.

"Can we do that?" Priam asked, surprised.

"It's easy with Sun points, but here, we'll roll up our sleeves. Most hoplites have a strength exceeding three hundred; it's time they put it to use. By the way, with the new available surface, I propose creating an orchard between the rampart and the defenses."

"That'll provide fruits and vegetables for Blueberry," Priam nodded. "Even if a breach occurs—which I doubt with the new defense—corrupted won't specifically target the trees… I’m in favor."

"If we have fruits or seeds, wouldn't it be better to give them to Log-a-rhythm? It can grow any fruit," Kazuki suggested.

"Nothing stops us from asking it to grow fruits, but it has a limited number of branches. An orchard would increase our available fruit yield and allow us to sell any surplus at Auctions or to the local tribes."

"Smart."

"We could even test different trees to see if some produce more Potential," Priam mused. "Currently, Guardian of the Forest V allows all Oasis trees to contribute their Potential to Log-a-rhythm; it'd be foolish not to capitalize on that."

Hyshana furrowed her brow. "If Log-a-rhythm can receive their Potential... Why not expand our boundaries?"

"Due to lack of Sun points?" Priam found the question surprising but knew Hyshana wouldn't speak without reason.

The warrior shook her head. "Each new upgrade of a ritual multiplies its influence zone. Protective Barrier IV covered half a hectare, while Protective Barrier V covers a full hectare. So, ten Sun points equate to a square meter," Hyshana calculated before furrowing her brow. "But is that really the case? Following the same logic, Protective Barrier I should have protected a maximum of one hundred square meters."

The first barrier had been erected before the Necro event began, thanks to a synergy between Log-a-rhythm and Priam's Title, [Land Owner]. It had held back the necrowolf for a few moments, but not Dishnu. Suddenly, Priam furrowed his brow.

"Protective Barrier I covered more than a hundred square meters."

The barrier had shielded all of Oasis when the base was almost one thousand square meters. Hyshana nodded.

"Indeed. I'm almost certain that barriers and rituals can be extended by reducing their power."

Priam closed his eyes and connected with Log-a-rhythm. The tree confirmed Hyshana's hypothesis: it was possible to increase the dome's size by reducing rune density on its surface.

"You're right," Priam acknowledged. "Expanding Oasis's size to overload Log-a-rhythm with Potential… Not buying Protective Barrier VI would save a quarter of a million Sun points. Not bad."

"The future barrier won't stop a Marquess anymore, but do we really need such a powerful barrier?"

"... Not necessarily," Priam admitted. "But if I expand Log-a-rhythm's domain, I must also enhance the purification ritual. Without it, the farthest trees will continue to be corrupted by the Necromoon and distribute the curse within our network—dividing our Potential output."

"Guardian of the Forest VI and Necro Purification Ritual VI... It's a half-million Sun Points expenditure for both upgrades," Kazuki grimaced.

"Too expensive for now, but a good idea for the near future," Priam agreed.

"Unless you spend Log-a-rhythm's Potential."

"I believe there are better investments," Priam smiled, opening his tree's status.

Status:

PHYSICAL:Strength 620 Constitution 979Agility 608 Vitality 916 Perception 760

MENTAL:Vivacity (D) 516Dexterity 622 Memory 652 (+11)Willpower 1 051Charisma 631

META:Meta-affinity 654 (+16)Meta-focus 385Meta-endurance 432 Meta-perception 300 (+9)Meta-chance 230Meta-authority 111 (+6)Potential: 14 159 (+13)Tier 0Sun points: 762 155 (-422 215)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.

[Tribulation]: Five Tribulations pending.Future Tribulations delayed until:Time: 160 days 11 hours 16 minutes 15 seconds.

Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 600 / 6 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200