ANGER
The injured Rita and Sheriff Molt were passed out on the ground. It seems that Amanda and Henry have just brought them here after they have served all the food for the fairies as well as Gus' newfound companions.
"Judging from their clothes, I believe they are Watchmen."
While Amanda collected Rita's Rapier, along with Molt's Sword and Buckler, Henry applied basic first aid, since he didn't want the intruders to die before he could interrogate them.
"Watchmen?"
"They can be also referred to as law enforcing agents, Master."
Henry quickly filled in the gap since his Master has little common sense of this world. From what Gus understood, their job isn't any different from a policeman back on Earth. Judging from the design of their badge, they belong to the Citadel of Fahnzel under King MoSanchez' rule.
"Rita! Sir Molt!"
Daniel immediately rushed to his comrades to check on their condition. After a careful examination, he concluded that Sherrif Molt sustained a cracked rib, while Rita has a dislocated shoulder. The injuries were not life-threatening since their breathing is stable but they were clearly in pain. Daniel realized that treating them is beyond his capabilities since his supplies were only meant for cuts and bruises. It was evident that his comrades are in need of medical assistance. Unfortunately, he also knew the area well enough to determine that there were no medical facilities nearby. Why would the Citadel bother building a hospital in the middle of nowhere especially at a desolated place such as YellowLeaf? In the Citadel's eyes, this place is nothing more than the king's sandbox.
"Let me treat their injuries, Daniel."
Gus stepped in and offered to help Daniel since he knew that he is the reason why they sustained such injuries in the first place. With Daniel's approval, Gus immediately used his skill VALUED PATRON, followed by PERPETUAL BODY on Rita and Holt until their injuries are fully healed. Daniel already witnessed Gus' ability first hand when he used the same method on the Fairy Queen. After everything that has happened, he isn't as surprised, or rather he is actually grateful to have an acquaintance with him. On the other hand, Gus couldn't help but notice that his healing ability has somehow improved. He could definitely feel a change in his abilities after he leveled up after completing the mission.
----
Queen Aoivah was still savoring her ice cream when she felt a familiar magic aura permeating the area.
"It's the Great Tree, your Majesty! It's definitely the Great Tree's Magic! The Tree is still Alive!"
Of course, Queen Aoivah wasn't the only one who was hypersensitive to Magic. Little Trina could definitely identify the mana she felt. Little by little, the Great Tree's Magic quickly filled the area to the point where it spread throughout the entire dungeon. It seems that the source came from the place they least expect it to be.
"Yes? Do you need anything from me?"
Gus has just finished healing the watchmen as he found himself surrounded by the fairy folk.
"What is it? Is there something with the dishes you didn't like?"
As a proud chef, he got worried as he rarely got complaints about his dishes.
Gus received no reply from the fairies that gathered around him. If their eyes had lasers, Gus would have been filled with holes right now.
"Strange. I felt the great tree's mana coming from you Mr. Gus,"
Queen Aoivah used every detection magic she could cast on Gus. Every spell she casts leads to one conclusion. The Great Tree lived on within Gus himself.
"Mist... Master, Are you aware that The Great Tree resides within you?"
Queen Aoivah trembled both in awe and confusion. Although she was relieved that the Great Tree survived the attack, she didn't expect the Spirit of the Great Tree to reside within Gus himself.
"System? Please explain what's going on,"
"Certainly Dear User! The new dungeon core has accepted you as its new Master thanks to your skill, TERRITORIAL IMPERATIVE! Therefore, the Great Tree's core which you devoured, now belongs to you!"
Gus immediately took a peek at his STATUS window to check his stats.
--------------------------
GUS LVL 24+3 = 27
-Gluttonous Living Armor
-Dungeon Master (YellowLeaf)
- *NEW* Treant Guardian
HP 48300 -- 48300
MP 2700 -- 4727
VIT 111 -- 127
STR 76 -- 87
INT 41 -- 85
DEX 89 --100
LUK 40 --45
PASSIVE SKILLS:
PAIN NULLIFICATION LVL 05 - Normal weapons can't hurt you anymore!
ARMOR FORTIFICATION LVL 04 - A hard swing of a sword doesn't hurt anymore! Iron upgraded into steel!
MORPH: Consumes MP, User can shape his body to his will.
PERPETUAL BODY LVL 05: you are immortal, and you can regenerate.
IMPART: Consumes MP, User can grow iron from its body and shape it to the user's will. If User interrupts the flow of mana, the malleable iron will separate and harden into pure steel.
VALUED PATRON: Anyone who wears the armor, will share the User's Passive Status. Active Skills Do Not Apply.
ACTIVE SKILLS:
II. BARTER LVL -10
A.) GROCERY STORE:
B.) KITCHENWORLD STORE:
C.) *NEW* Please Select an Establishment from the System's list.
III. COOKING LVL 07:
IV.TERRITORY LVL 02:
5x5 Meter spacial storage
A.) TERRITORIAL IMPERATIVE
- Yellowleaf Dungeon Level 01
DUNGEON MASTER LVL 01:
MORPHOLOGY:
--Please deposit Host subject/s
--
--
HORTICULTURE:
-- Wild Boar LVL 01
-- False Cockatrice LVL 01
-- Jackalope "Horned Rabbit" LVL 01
------------
CURRENT POINTS: 8 points
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"Treant Guardian Title?!"
Gus noticed the big Jump his VIT, DEF, and INT stats have increased. Gus thought it might have been because of his New Treant title which makes a lot of sense.
"Attention User! As a result of acquiring the "Treant Guardian" title, new abilities have been unlocked!"
"Is there finally an offensive skill like Razor Leaf? Earthquake? Fissure?"
"User please, you are not a Pocket monster! And as I have stated, I cannot grant you any offensive skills whatsoever."
"How can this happen?! Is there no end to your greediness, humans?! Not only did you destroy our home, you even took the Great Tree for yourselves!"
It seems Little Trina's hate for humans was deeper than what Gus has originally thought. Although he was emanating a monster's aura since he really was one, It doesn't change the aura of his companions who reverted back to their original human bodies. When Queen Aoivah was about to reprimand Little Trina for her bad manners, Gus raised his hand and told the Queen that he would try to smooth things out with her for a little bit.
At the center of all hatred, there will always be blame, and this is particularly true for hatred turned outward. When someone feels like they've been seriously wronged or victimized, their discontent or worse, anger itself will carry the potential seeds of hatred itself.
Gus remembered the time when he was fresh blood in the kitchen. All the good efforts and accomplishments you have done will mean nothing while a single mistake will terrify you for the rest of your shift. He remembered the time when he was scolded for boiling the soup stock for a long period of time.
"Boil then simmer, Boil then simmer! How many times do I have to tell you this one simple thing? If you overboil the stock, the blood inside the bones would scatter everywhere and emulsify itself with the stock! It will definitely make the taste flat and make the soup look cloudy! Throw that shit in the garbage and do it all over again!"
Yes, this geezer was mean to the core, but it's because he was mean that I was able to learn a valuable lesson that night. A lesson I would never forget. Only if I cast aside my anger, then I might've realized it sooner. Think about it, you are in an environment surrounded by extreme temperatures, sharp objects, and heavy equipment that might potentially place you in a hospital. The head chef was not just concerned about the perfection of the dish you will serve to the guest, but he was also teaching everyone a lesson, that a small mistake can easily land your co-worker to the hospital.
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a sharp knife at its blade with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who bleeds."
Those were the words he left when smoothed things out with me. No matter how cruel the head chef was in the kitchen, he always made peace with them after work. Not only was he a good mentor, but he was also a good leader. He was feared but mostly respected.
"Little Trina, I may not be qualified to make amends for what the Humans have done to you in the past, but one thing I do know is that we have all the time in the world to make things right with you. I still believe there is forgiveness in your heart. I pray for the day when you could finally understand that not all Humans are bad."
Only after opening her heart a little bit when
she realized the good things Gus and his party have done for them. Up till now, She couldn't believe that there exists a person who would risk their life for a complete stranger. And of all things, it is humans who saved them in their time of need.
Even though Gus couldn't completely convince her opinions on humans, Queen Aoivah could tell that Gus has managed to somehow melt Little Trina's Ice cold heart.
"Hmph! Then take responsibility!"
Gus was confused with Little Trina's answer.
"I will accept you as a frien... person that I don't hate if you take responsibility! You took the Great Tree which was our home, so It's only right that you give us something back in return! Hmph!"
"Little Trina! Is this how you repay our Savior?!"
Queen Aoivah held back her urge to slap Trina's head from the back. but alas, she could only reprimand her to maintain her dignity as a respected Queen in front of her kin.
Even though Gus knew he had no obligation to compensate their ruined home after saving their lives, he still felt bad for being partly responsible to the destruction of their town.
Gus tried to think of all the possible ways he could compensate their loss. Should he give them enough money to be able to start up a new life?
No and no! Rejected! Fairies have no use for human currencies, and doing so will be just expose them to humans with evil intentions.
"User! This System has a suggestion!"