After a few moments of assessing his condition, Adam redirected his focus towards the towering Elder Treant. The time for hesitation had passed; it was now or never to deliver the final blow and bring an end to the relentless fight. The prospect of facing more of the Treant's minions was something Adam dreaded, and he knew he had to seize this opportunity to prevent further reinforcements. Besides, the Treant appeared weakened, its once majestic branches now withered or severed by Adam's earlier onslaught.
With renewed determination, Adam pressed forward, his footsteps resolute and purposeful. However, as he closed in on the Treant, the ancient guardian stirred once more. The roots that lay dormant suddenly sprang to life, coiling and twisting with ominous intent. Adam instinctively assumed a defensive stance, ready to fend off any attack that might be hurled at him. Yet, to his surprise, the roots bypassed him, snaking their way deep into the ground.
Turning around to understand the reason behind this unexpected turn of events, Adam's eyes widened in realization. The surviving roots had plunged themselves near the other plants in the garden, positioning themselves strategically.
A sense of foreboding gripped Adam as he witnessed the effects of the Treant's parasitic actions. The once vibrant plant life, which had thrived in the garden, began to wither before his eyes. Leaves shriveled and turned brittle, petals drooped, and colors faded. It was a sinister display of the Treant's insidious power.
With grim face, he shifted his gaze back to the Treant itself. There, amidst the desolation, he noticed a troubling sight—some of the Treant's withered branches were undergoing a transformation. Green shoots emerged sprouting vibrant leaves that shimmered with life. Instead of This sight only deepened Adam's concern.
As he observed the revitalization of the Treant's branches, a sense of urgency washed over him. It dawned on him that the Treant was drawing sustenance from the surrounding flora, draining the garden's life force to restore its vitality.
The Treant's ability to restore its withered limbs meant it had access to more life force. The thought of facing an even stronger and more resilient summons unnerved him.
With unwavering determination, Adam tightened his grip on his sword. He pressed forward, intent on severing as many of the Treant's branches as possible. As he glanced at the branches he had previously cut off, he noticed that they showed no signs of regrowth. It seemed that regenerating those branches required a significant amount of the Treant's energy, confirming his earlier speculation.
As Adam approached the Treant, its branches lashed out in an attempt to strike him. However, he skillfully evaded the attacks, seizing each opportunity to slice through more of the Treant's formidable appendages. His relentless assault continued as he drew nearer to the massive trunk.
Suddenly, the Treant unleashed a powerful strike with one of its newly revitalized branches, slashing Adam's chest and leaving a deep, jagged gash. The force of the attack pushed him back several steps, but the pain and wound only fueled his anger and ignited the power of his bloodline. Despite the growing dizziness caused by the blood loss from his various injuries, Adam knew he couldn't afford to retreat or rest. Time was of the essence, and he had to press on.
Adam pressed forward, clashing with the Treant as he neared the trunk. With each swing of his sword, he severed multiple main branches, weakening the ancient guardian further. While advancing, he encountered one of the Treant's primary roots partially protruding from the ground. Recognizing the opportunity, he swiftly severed the connection between the root and the elder Treant. In response, the Treant intensified its attacks, pulling back its remaining roots to combine its assault with the barrage of branches, attempting to halt Adam's progress toward the vulnerable trunk.
Observing the Treant's escalated attacks and the retreat of its roots as he approached the trunk, Adam realized that the trunk itself might be the Treant's greatest weakness. Determined to exploit this newfound knowledge, he pressed onward, enduring additional injuries along the way. As he moved within less than a meter from the trunk, an unsettling and hideous face became visible upon its surface. The urge to plunge his sword into the face and drive it through the trunk surged within him.
However, just as Adam prepared to execute his decisive strike, the Treant's branches coiled tightly around his waist and wrists, immobilizing him in a pose resembling someone about to strike. His sword was held high, and he found himself trapped. Unable to carry out his original plan, he quickly improvised. Releasing his grip on the blade, he used the bottom of his boots to kick the handle with all his strength, propelling it toward the Treant's face.
The sword impaled the Treant right in its grotesque visage, causing it to emit a piercing shriek and tremble violently. Soon after, the Treant ceased all movement, and a notification flashed before Adam, confirming his victory. However, he was confronted with a new predicament — the Treant's branches remained frozen in the exact positions they had been when they immobilized him, leaving him trapped in the same pose.
[You have slain (Verdant Sprout - Level 14 (x60)) – You have gained bonus experience points for slaying a creature above your level.]
[You have slain (Verdant Sprout - Level 15 (x4)) – You have gained bonus experience points for slaying a creature above your level.]
[You have slain (Verdant Colossi - Level 16 (x4)) – You have gained bonus experience points for slaying a creature above your level.]
[Congratulations! Your class (warrior) has reached level 14. All stat point has been allocated + 1 free point]
[Congratulations! Your class (warrior) has reached level 15. All stat point has been allocated + 1 free point]
[You have slain (Elder Treant- Level 18 (Dungeon Boss)) – You have gained bonus experience points for slaying a creature above your level.]
[Congratulations! Your class (warrior) has reached level 16. All stat point has been allocated + 1 free point]
[Congratulations! Your race (human) has reached level 3. +1 state points to all attributes]
End of Volume 1