Gaia's Land

Night has come as darkness veiled the world. Geof didn't know how but there was no moon and stars in this world. There was only infinite darkness in the sky.

The only thing that brought light to the night was the glowing specks of dust slowly drifting in the air.

It was beautiful and spectacular, like the northern lights on Earth. It somehow elevated the tension in his mind.

Geof took a deep breath and check the notification he received earlier after he killed the two red monkeys.

[Killed a Body Realm Stage 3 Tawo! Obtained Soul Fragments x3!]

[Killed a Body Realm Stage 3 Tawo! Obtained Soul Fragments x3!]

[SF: 6]

Tawo...

They were the creatures in this dimension. Any birthed Tawo has the privileged to cultivate whether they're in a form of an insect or animal.

In this dimension a special energy called mana existed, by gathering the mana onto the body, cultivation would transpire.

Cultivation was divided into 9 Realms: Body Realm, Core Realm, Master, Grandmaster, King, Emperor, Ancestor, Deity, and God. And Each realm has 3 stages.

With each advancement, cultivators gained unimaginable strength and lifespan.

Therefore, Geof could encounter someone way beyond his Cultivation and lose his puppet anytime.

But Geof wasn't concerned as he revealed a stupid smile, "I have Soul Fragments!" he cheered.

Thereafter, Geof quickly visited the virtual screen's <Shop>.

Listed below were goods worth up to 4 soul fragments.

[Water Bottle x1] [SF: 2]

[Bread x5] [SF: 3]

[Meat 1kg] [SF: 3]

[Return Scroll] [SF: 4]

[Modifiable Clothing x1] [SF: 6]

[Ordinary Dagger] [SF: 6]

Geof scrolled through the shop and saw countless merchandise, commonly ranging from daily necessities to weapons and magic items.

And of course, the quality wouldn't be that great with low prices, even the bread barely looked appetizing, still, Geof would have to acknowledge that they were indeed necessary.

The [Return Scroll] for example, was the only way for him to return back to his house. And the water and foods were all vital to fill his hunger.

So it was essential for him to obtain more soul fragments, not just for livelihood but to gain more strength.

[Ding! Water Bottle x1 has been purchased. -2 SF]

[Ding! Return Scroll x1 has been purchased -4 SF]

[SF: 0]

After purchasing, the 2 merchandise were automatically deposited in the system's <Inventory>.

Geof raised his arm as he wished for the water bottle, the space then distorted as a 250ml water bottle appeared.

"Puaah!" Geof smiled as he felt contented from quenching his thirst.

The werewolf was literally a corpse, but because it was a beast-type puppet, it required sufficient nutrition just like a living person to maintain its body.

"There are no active Tawos," Geof uttered with a sigh.

Maybe because it was near the red monkey's border, only a dozen Tawo were roaming its vicinity.

After concluding that there was no danger, Geof laid down and immediately went to sleep.

He didn't have to worry about Tawos disturbing his sleep as he was 10 meters above the ground, and the Tawos nearby were wingless, they would cause noises enough to awaken Geof before reaching him.

5 hours later, at midnight...

Boom!

A loud explosion suddenly occurred as blinding light occupied the sky above Geof.

Geof was confused and alarmed by the sudden interruption of his sleep.

"What!"

Geof almost jumped from surprise after using [Detection].

Above him was a hovering ball of bright light the size of a basketball.

What's worst was tremors could be felt, a large number of Tawos were moving towards him from all directions. He had nowhere to go!

Geof's brain buzzed as he contemplated about using the return scroll, but it would require hours of preparation.

He currently doesn't have that luxury.

The Tawos were closing in and Geof was in danger, however, something was telling him that there was a twist about the sudden commotion.

The Tawos, however, didn't give Geof time to think, with low growls, tens of thousands have quickly surrounded the place near the ball of light.

The sight of Tawos with different appearances congregated in one place left Geof breathless. Some of them even gave off a dangerous feeling, while the larger ones gave Geof a crushing pressure.

Unexpectedly, not a single one took a glimpse of Geof who was wholly exposed. Their eyes were instead focused on the ball of light.

'There's definitely something going on here!'

Geof observed the Tawos carefully as he slowly climbed down the tree.

Geof landed on the ground. Still, no hostile reaction toward him.

Taking advantage of their indifference, Geof continued to steadily withdraw to the farthest from the crowd.

'I could play it safe while benefit at the same time!' Geof's eyes lit up as he saw the group of red monkeys in the distance.

Based on how territorial the monkeys are, they would've definitely wrecked their way with the other Tawos. Yet, they were just patiently waiting with eager faces like everyone in the area.

Tong!

Tong!

Ting! Tong!

Ting!

Suddenly, A loud chime from the ball of light jolted Geof out of his inquisitiveness.

It sounded melodious with a certain distinct pattern, it was as if it was conveying a word in its own language.

"Thee the power of Gaia shall bless one's self with thy effort."

"The Gaia's Land shall commence!"

"Blessing: Mystic Organ"

!!!

Geof looked at the ball of light with horror. It was speaking and Geof understood!

"Mystic Organ?" Geof contemplated as his gaze fell at the Tawos and found them in complete ecstasy.

Thereafter, they kneeled at the ball of light with reverence. Geof was confused but followed their actions with interest.

It was at this moment that the ball of light emitted a harmonious sound as bright light erupted.

After that, Geof unexpectedly found himself alone in a white expanse with foreign knowledge.

"So basically, everyone in that area was sent into 'Gaia's Land' to receive a blessing," Geof raised his eyebrows as he reviewed the foreign knowledge in his brain.

"And the trial this time is to obtain the so-called mystic organ by pure effort." Geof numerated, "The blessing is the guidance of Gaia's Land, so it depends entirely on the person's aptitude and effort."

While Geof was contemplating, a 2 meter stone golem slowly took form before him.

The stone golem was intimidating and fearless as it galloped towards Geof without a word.

The stone golem then raised both of its arms as it gave Geof a bash.

Boom!

Before the sturdy hand could even reach him, Geof moved in an unnatural manner as though he was a mirage.

"That's not how you greet your guest," Geof broke out from the golem's range.

After he said that, something dropped to the ground heavily.

Thud!

The stone golem was gone as quickly as it came after its head was immediately severed from Geof's claws.

[Sharp Claws (Passive)]

[Increased claws sharpness by 30%]

Geof flicked his protruding claws. The claws made a clear sound as it buzzed as though it was a long sword.

Since he had arrived in the high dimension, Geof had become ruthless like someone he could never have imagined.

When he was inside the werewolf's body, Geof could freely perform anything he wants. He was but wasn't the werewolf.

He felt like an inundated man who was given an unidentifiable mask and a killing machine. He was no longer constrained by anyone and anything as the werewolf wasn't physically him.

It was an unexplainable feeling.

But Geof liked it.

Maybe the biggest advantage of puppetry was the freedom from identity.