Chapter no.9 Life in the Devil's Forest

Read advance chapters of all my works or want to support me .

https://www.p.a.t.r.e.on.com/Adamo_Amet

....

Join us on discord :

https://discord.gg/DXv2nkTB

••••••••••••••••••

As evening draped its veil over the Devil's Forest, Zhu found himself engrossed in his latest project, seated at a table with several bars of metal he had transmuted earlier. Selecting one, he effortlessly transformed it into a hammer, but this was no ordinary tool. The hammer boasted an elongated head, tapering to a pointed tip at the front, akin to a traditional claw hammer.

What set it apart was the weird heel like pointed claw at the back, complete with a jagged tooth.

This unusual feature lent the hammer a menacing, almost aggressive air.

Further enhancing its uniqueness, the handle spiraled down in a corkscrew fashion, ending in a cylindrical grip. Zhu tested its balance, giving it a twist.

"Perfect," he thought, satisfied with his craftsmanship.

"Jarvis, form the circuit for the magic detector," Zhu commanded, his voice echoing slightly in the house.

In response, intricate circuit lines began to materialize over the second metal bar.

Zhu started to work on it, using his hammer and evocation magic to heat the metal, making it malleable enough for the circuit to be etched onto its surface.

The process was methodical, with Zhu striking the metal with precision, the flames bending to his will, merging with the bar.

In Zhu's approach to creating magic items, he had always found the traditional methods of using transmutation and enchantment magic to be inferior.

They lacked the finesse and permanence he achieved through his unique blacksmithing method. There was something about forging an item by hand, infusing it with magic through heat and force, that made the enchantments stronger and more resilient.

Pausing his work, Zhu observed the emerging antenna shape, a crucial component for the magic detector.

"Jarvis, is the binding formula ready?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, sir," Jarvis replied, his voice resonating in Zhu's mind as a flood of magic circles and formulas filled his consciousness.

Zhu raised his hand, casting "Bind!" The mana stone/the demon spirit crystal he had extracted from the poison frog, began its fusion process with the newly formed antenna.

The crystal glowed with an inner light, pulsating as it slowly merged with the antenna.

The air around them crackled with energy, the fusion process a delicate dance of magic and matter. The crystal seemed to liquefy, wrapping itself around the antenna, its essence seeping into the metal. Gradually, the glow subsided, and the fusion was complete.

Zhu admired the magic detector he had just crafted, its design both elegant and complex.

The device resembled a scepter, with a long, slender handle that broadened into a larger, ornate end for detection. At this end sat a prominent gem or lens, likely the core of its magic-detecting capabilities. Surrounding the lens were layered metal fins or wings, imparting an almost regal or angelic look to the device. The handle was intricately detailed, adorned with what appeared to be buttons.

Holding the device aloft, Zhu watched as it emitted an array of light rays and energy, indicating its active state.

"What's the range on this thing without the amplification circuit?" Zhu asked.

"One kilometer. Enough to not get you a restraining order," Jarvis replied, his tone laced with humor.

"Haha, very funny," Zhu responded sarcastically, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

He raised his hand, focusing his thoughts. Around him, the air seemed to respond; water vapor in the atmosphere condensed around his hand, and the magic detector's lights flickered back and forth in response.

"Good, it works," Zhu said, a sense of satisfaction in his voice.

The device's reaction confirmed that the world's mana (soul force) functioned similarly enough to what he was accustomed to.

As Zhu's stomach growled loudly, a wry comment came through from Jarvis. "Sounds like someone's playing the world's smallest violin in there."

Zhu rolled his eyes, unable to suppress a chuckle.

Stepping outside, he snapped his fingers, conjuring a fire with a flicker of magic. He placed the frog legs on a makeshift grill, seasoning them with transmutated rock salt. As the aroma of cooking food filled the air, he gazed up at the starry sky, lost in thought.

Zhu, flipping the frog legs over the fire, pondered aloud, "I really need to start scouting for people. But who knows if the locals here are friend or foe. Can't exactly waltz around unprepared."

Jarvis, with a dash of sarcasm, suggested, "Why not go undercover? You could be the 'Mysterious Wizard from Afar.' Works every time in fairy tales."

Zhu rolled his eyes, turning the frog legs over the fire. "Great, and when they ask me something and I just stand there clueless, then what? Pretend it's wizardly wisdom?"

"Exactly," Jarvis quipped. "Just nod sagely. They'll think you're profound, or at least deeply mysterious."

Zhu scoffed.

"I'll think about it but I don't even know where the nearest town is."

"How about the classic 'mute magician' disguise?" Jarvis playfully proposed.

"And why would I do that?" Zhu asked, eyebrow raised.

"You don't speak their language, do you?" Jarvis quipped. "Pretending to be mute saves you the hassle of awkward conversations."

Zhu let out a dry laugh, turning the frog legs again. "You're full of brilliant ideas today, aren't you?"

Changing the subject, Zhu grew more serious.

"I can't afford another fight without potions. We need to prioritize crafting and preparation."

"Sounds like a plan," Jarvis agreed, "but about that camouflaged magic formula you asked for..."

Zhu cut in expectantly, "Is it ready?"

"Not even close," Jarvis deadpanned.

Zhu rolled his eyes. "Great, just what I needed. An unfinished formula and a wise-cracking AI."

Jarvis retorted, "Hey, at least I'm not charging you for the comedy."

Zhu couldn't help but chuckle.

"You'd be out of business in no time."

.....

As the morning sun peeked through the trees of the Devil's Forest, Zhu stepped out of his makeshift home with a scowl. Mornings were not his favorite time of the day. "If I had my way, midnight would be my morning," he grumbled under his breath.

"Jarvis, I swear if you crack a joke right now, I'll find a way to switch you off," Zhu warned, his tone half-serious.

Jarvis replied with a hint of mock hurt, "You're no fun in the mornings, Zhu."

Ignoring Jarvis's complaint, Zhu got straight to business. "Use Divination magic and locate all the plants and herbs around here that can be used for alchemy."

"Fine, Mr. Grumpy," Jarvis responded, the sound of data processing audible. "Analysis beginning... Now, there's a herb called Nightthistle, it's got sedative properties, found near the bush to your left. Oh, and up in that tree, there's some Moonleaf, great for treating wounds. To the right, under those rocks, you'll find some Sunroot, known for its energizing effect. By the stream, there's Waterbloom, useful for purifying toxins. And don't forget the Firecap mushrooms behind that log; they can be used for enhancing mental clarity."

Zhu sighed, acknowledging the information. He then employed his conjuration magic, creating several clones of himself. Each clone dashed off in different directions, efficiently gathering the specified herbs.

Back in his makeshift laboratory, Zhu set to work on crafting healing potions. The process was meticulous and required a blend of magical chemistry and precise manipulation of ingredients. He started by crushing the Moonleaf, releasing its potent healing essence. He carefully measured and combined it with the liquid extracted from Waterbloom, ensuring the mixture's purity.

Next, Zhu focused on the Sunroot, using a spell to refine its raw energy into a more manageable form. He then delicately infused this into the mixture, watching as the potion began to glow with a soft, golden light.

For the Firecap mushrooms, Zhu employed a different technique. He subjected them to a low-heat fire spell, enhancing their mental clarity properties without damaging their delicate structure. The final step involved grounding the Nightthistle into a fine powder and carefully blending it into the potion, adding its sedative qualities.

Throughout the process, Zhu's clones worked in perfect harmony, each performing specific tasks under Zhu's keen supervision. The result was a batch of high-quality healing potions, each shimmering with potent magical energy.

Zhu held up a completed potion, inspecting its color and consistency. "Not bad," he muttered, a hint of pride in his voice.

Jarvis chimed in, "You know, for someone who hates mornings, you're quite productive."

Zhu couldn't help but crack a smile. "Let's just say I'm motivated by the thought of getting back to bed sooner."

Zhu surveyed the array of freshly crafted potions with a sense of satisfaction, but his mind was already racing towards the next challenge.

"Let's find some more monsters to kill and use," he declared, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation.

Jarvis quipped, "Ah, the eco-friendly approach to monster management."

Ignoring Jarvis's sarcasm, Zhu clapped his hands together, channeling his Divination magic. His senses extended outward, scanning the surrounding area for traces of demon beasts. A map formed in his mind, dotted with the locations of nearby creatures.

With a determined grin, Zhu grabbed his gun, its runes glowing faintly. "Time to go hunting," he said, stepping out into the twilight of the Devil's Forest.

.....

[ A Few Days Later ]

Evening time had come and Zhu's house was surrounded by the corpses of dozens of demon beasts, each one carefully slain and ready for processing. Zhu sat on his porch, sipping tea he had brewed from some of the local herbs, his thoughts on the day's successful hunt.

Suddenly, the magic detector emitted a series of rapid beeps.

"Jarvis, update," Zhu asked, setting his cup down.

"A human, female, is approaching your location from the northwest, about 2 miles out. She's being followed by a pack of monsters," Jarvis reported, his voice tinged with urgency.

Zhu's expression hardened.

"Activate the traps to terminate the pack," he commanded.

"And the girl?" Jarvis inquired.

"Trap her too," Zhu decided, his tone resolute. "But use minimum lethal force for now."

.....

[ Author Note: Hey readers, so it looks like we've got a mystery on our hands! The woman heading towards Zhu's place is definitely going to be someone from the "Tales of Demons and Gods" universe. No original characters here, just good ol' familiar faces. But who could she be? That's the big question!

Drop your guesses in the comments below. Let's see who can hit the nail on the head! ]