BXBX NOVEL Chapter 26: Thorny
The vine shuddered and pulsed with a radiant light. Then a familiar holographic interface appeared, flashing with new information:
[Physique: 3]
[Spirit: 1 (0.8^)]
Ram\'s heart raced as he read the interface. "A Wood Spirit..." he whispered. The transformation that followed was nothing short of miraculous.
The vine glowed with an intense light, its vines shifting and coiling as it absorbed the surrounding Reiki.
Leaves and thorns melded into a more refined shape, and the plant began to take on a humanoid form.
A face emerged from the foliage, its eyes glowing with soft, green light, and delicate limbs formed from intertwining vines and leaves.
As the light subsided, Ram found himself face-to-face with a newly born Wood Spirit.
It was very small, slightly larger than the size of his fist, with human-like characteristics, a beautiful face, and a perfect figure.
The Wood Spirit had long, flowing hair that transitioned from pink to red, resembling petals or leaves.
Her green skin featured pink and white markings reminiscent of petal patterns. Elongated, vine-like limbs extended from her body, and tendrils sprouted from her head.
The Wood Spirit looked up at Ram with bright, intelligent eyes, and he could feel the profound connection they shared.
She floated gracefully, her tendrils and vines moving with a fluidity that seemed almost magical.
He gently extended his hand towards her, feeling the warmth and vitality emanating from her tiny form.
As he made contact, a surge of understanding passed between them. The Wood Spirit communicated wordlessly, her thoughts blending with his own.
Ram sensed her curiosity about the world around her, her innate connection to nature, and her determination to protect and grow alongside him.
[ Name: Thorn Spire Vine]
[ Level: Black Iron (Tier-1)]
[ Quality: Ordinary]
[ Physique: 3]
[ Spirit: 1]
[ Description: An ordinary plant vine that has undergone a remarkable transformation under the influence of unique vitality. Its deep green leaves shimmer in the light, and its small but sharp thorns glisten with an unmistakable resilience.]
[Skill:
[Thorny Armor]: It possesses an enhanced layer of thorny defense made up of sharp thorns, making it difficult for predators to damage or consume it.]
[Talent:
[Vine Grapple]: Able to extend and retract vines to grasp onto objects or foes, aiding in mobility or immobilizing enemies.]
As he examined the updated interface, he noticed several new attributes and abilities that had emerged with the transformation: First the Race was changed to Wood Spirit, and then a new attribute called quality appeared.
The Quality of different creatures, ranging from "ordinary" to "lord," (Ordinary -> Elite -> Rare -> General -> Lord) was a familiar concept to Ram.
Even with the same level of evolution, the change in quality represents a significant gap in terms of the strength and capabilities of different individuals of the same group. Here\'s a more detailed description of the qualities:
Ordinary: This was the lowest tier, and creatures of ordinary quality were generally the weakest. They lacked exceptional abilities or potential.
Elite: Elite quality marked a significant improvement in an entity\'s capabilities. Such creatures possessed higher attributes or skills that set them apart from the ordinary. They often served as stronger minions or subordinates.
Rare: Rare quality represented an even higher level of strength and uniqueness. Rare creatures were not only powerful but also possessed distinctive abilities or characteristics that made them stand out.
General: General quality was an indication of substantial strength. Creatures of this quality were formidable and could often lead groups or factions. Their abilities were not to be underestimated.
Lord: Lord quality was the pinnacle, representing the most powerful and exceptional entities.
Lords were often leaders of entire species or factions, and they had a wide range of abilities and powers that made them nearly unbeatable.
As Ram contemplated, he couldn\'t help but wonder if there were even higher qualities beyond "lord" that he had yet to discover.
He heard some rumors before, but he did not know of any such monsters at this point.
But his focus shifted to the + sigh which is dim on the side of Rare Quality with interest he explored it, but nothing changed.
Ram gazed at the holographic interface, particularly focusing on the "+" sign indicating potential for future improvements.
His mind raced with possibilities for enhancing the quality of the Thorn Spire Vine.
He understood intuitively that unlocking this new function would require fulfilling certain conditions, possibly involving further spiritual power infusion, nurturing the Wood Spirit\'s growth, or discovering new aspects of their bond.
Ram\'s heart raced as he read through the interface again, his eyes catching on another significant change: the Thorn Spire Vine had unlocked a new talent.
Just like humans had a chance to awaken talents, once a spiritual plant turns into a wood spirit it has a chance to unlock hidden talents.
He realized the implications of the Vine Grapple talent. It provided a versatile tool for both offense and defense, enhancing their strategic options in navigating challenges and combat.
Ram stretched his hand forward, gently rubbing the Wood Spirit\'s head with his fingers.
It responded with a soft, comforting glow, her eyes reflecting warmth and trust.
"From now on, you will be called Thorny," Ram said, his voice filled with affection. The Wood Spirit, though unable to speak, radiated a palpable excitement at her new name.
Thorny floated around him, her tendrils and vines extending and retracting with ease as she tested her new form.
Her bright eyes gleamed with intelligence and curiosity, reflecting her joy.
Despite her immaturity, akin to a newborn child, Thorny displayed an intelligence comparable to that of a 5- to 6-year-old human child.
She understood Ram\'s words, reacted to her surroundings with keen awareness, and showed a sense of playfulness that endeared her to him even more.
Ram marveled at the fact that Thorny\'s strength surpassed that of average Tier 1 professionals, despite her small and seemingly delicate form.
Her potential was immense, and he couldn\'t wait to see how she would grow and develop alongside him.
He spent the next few hours with Thorny, guiding her through simple exercises to test and refine her abilities.
They practiced extending and retracting her vines with precision, experimenting with the reach and strength of her Vine Grapple talent.
Despite her youthful exuberance, Thorny demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for learning and adapting.
Throughout their practice session, Ram encouraged Thorny with words of praise and gentle guidance.
He observed small parts of her skin that were covered by green leaves shimmered under the sunlight filtering through the canopy above, as her pink and white markings resembled delicate flower petals.