And the giant White Snake had vanished without a trace, as if the whole encounter had been nothing but a fleeting fantasy, leaving behind only the frost marks on the ground as proof that a brief winter had once visited this place.
Standing amidst the surrounding ice flowers, the Hero wore a smile, even waving a hand as if to bid someone farewell.
[Hero receives a gift from a passing-by White Snake LV66]
1. Blood: Add new form
2. Magic Power: Evolve existing form♛
3. Scale: Material for armor
4. Imprint: Aura intimidation and passage mark
5. Frostbite Poison: Enchantment Potion R6
6. Talent Magic: Spells that can be cast in snake form, surely humans can learn them with some effort?
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[Hero receives Magic Power gift from the Fantasy Species 'White Snake']
[Hero's Beast Spirit Embodiment: Tree Serpent evolves]
80+ Gain Spellcasting ability♛
90+ Advance to Intermediate Magic Creature R4
95+ Advance to High-level Demon R5
Note: Constitution +38
[Hero's Beast Spirit Embodiment advances to——]
1-3. White Snake (Overcomes addiction, Constitution +15, Agility +15, Perception +15, Charm +10)
4-9. Green Snake (Strength +10, Constitution +15, Agility +15, Perception +15)♛
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[Hero's Beast Spirit Form: Tree Serpent R1 advances to Green Snake R3]
[Acquires Talent Magic abilities]
1. Savage Rampage (Enhance Strength and size)
5. Icy Venom of the Frostwind
8. Anchor: Tree Skin Technique♛
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[Hero (Green Snake) awakens Talent Magic: Tree Skin Technique]
[Harness the power of nature, transform the outer skin into tough tree bark.
Consumes 8 Magic Power, Armor+5, gains camouflage in the forest]
A Magic Creature dwelling in forests, its Emerald Scales possess a luster akin to corundum, useful in concocting various Magic Potions,
such as the Tree Skin Potion to enhance armor, and the Traceless Elixir to blend in with the forest.
The Green Snake possesses immense Strength, a very resilient body, and can even fend off sword slashes after using spell-like abilities.
Though they lack poisonous qualities, their fangs are still a lethal threat.
Green Snakes typically kill prey by stealth and constricting attacks, and their charged tail whips can even shatter shields.
It's best not to engage them in close combat when hunting them, and always beware of the surrounding trees.
An Adventurer employed by an apothecary: "The best sword in our village was twisted into a pretzel by it!"
The frost flowers left on the ground had all melted into snow water; the White Snake had been gone for quite some time now.
The barely standing coachman was rubbing his waist while soothing the Chocobo, half of whose feathers had been lost, and the Guards were preparing for their noon rest.
Struck by sudden misfortune and having encountered such a powerful Magic Creature, the Chocobos were seriously frightened and couldn't go on without a rest.
The coachman kept muttering about having suffered a huge loss,
just feeding these two balding birds back to health would cost a pretty penny.
Yet he knew he had picked up a lifesaving bargain and didn't bring up charging extra for the coach ride.
"Um, how did you manage to do that...?"
While waiting for the Guards to get ready, the Little Girl approached the Hero like a curious kitten and began to inquire.
[Little Girl's hair color]
[Little Girl's eye color]
Her hair, pure black as the night sky, seemed to emit Star-like glimmers under the afternoon sun.
Her wine-red eyes, as if aged by time, carried a child's longing for discovery and novelty.
Clearly, the Guard's explanation had not satisfied her curiosity.
Despite having witnessed the White Snake's disappearance, doubt lingered in her eyes, unable to discern whether it was reality or illusion.
Even with her Identity, she had never had the chance to truly witness a Fantasy Species.
The Arcane Surges caused by Fantasy Species were catastrophic enough to breach cities and slay Kingdoms, rare occurrences even in the Kingdom's history.
How exactly had this young girl, not much older than herself, managed to persuade such a powerful Magic Creature to leave?
The insatiable curiosity made it impossible for the Little Girl to avert her gaze from the Hero.
"Just a coincidence, I guess?" The Hero replied with an awkward smile when facing the girl's question.
She certainly couldn't transform into Big Snake in front of the girl and declare that she and the White Snake were, in fact, distant relatives.
Seeing the Hero evade the question, the Little Girl retreated, unsatisfied.
Delving into someone's secrets was rude—she knew as much, but to suppress the urge felt as uncomfortable as a cat's scratchy paws.
"I just happened to learn a Spell that came in handy, that allowed me to communicate with her.
Although I'm not an official member of a guild yet, I am indeed an Adventurer, so it isn't strange for me to know some special Magic, right?"
The Hero explained as such but felt an increase in her unease with every mention that she could cast Spells.
A Magician's abilities were a form of Magic too... right?
"That makes sense... I apologize for the intrusion."
Yet the Little Girl glanced at the Hero's 'Magic Wand' with heightened skepticism.
The Hero could only offer a sheepish smile, looking for a way to change the subject.
"I'm on my way back to visit my grandfather's house in the countryside. What about you, why are you out here alone with Guards?"
[The Little Girl's purpose for traveling is——]
1. The runaway lady from Duke's family
2. Going home to celebrate her father's birthday♛
3. Heading to the Royal Capital Magic Academy
4. Heard about a beautiful flower in the countryside