Ascension of the Sylvan Cosmos - Volume 1

Chapter 138. New Residents!

Reaching the Golden Sap Forest from Fortuna City didn't take long. However, as they walked, everyone felt as if their shoes were filled with pins and needles. The woman at the front was huffing and puffing, constantly muttering something.

Usually, these seasoned Explorers who had gone through several life-and-death situations would not be fazed. Still, when the person complaining was a Second Cycle woman, they all feared that if she snapped, someone would die.

"That Tempestria girl, what does she mean that they can't come with me? What am I going to do?" The woman at the front, a mothkin with an exotic yet beautiful look, pouted. "Ah! I am going to spank that girl using all four of my arms!"

Mariane looked behind and saw the group of 20 following her closely and silently. "Hey, why did you decide to do this? I guess you all know where we are going and for what, right?"

One man at the front said. "Lady Verdantia comes from a powerful family. While it is risky, the returns, if we are successful, will set me and even my grandchildren up for success. I think it is worth the risk. If I fail, then I'll die, not much different from the Explorer job."

Mariane blinked and nodded. "I see. I can respect that. What about the rest?"

Different answers came, some more selfish than others, but overall, they could be summarized as them taking a risk for a bright future or die trying.

Mariane hummed and looked forward. After walking into the forest for a few moments, she noticed the increase in energy in the surroundings, making her smile. "This forest is quite nice, very pure air."

She had never visited the Golden Sap Forest before because it was too low level for her. But contrary to her thoughts, it was quite a nice place.

After a few hours, they advanced a few kilometers with no beast attacks. One of them was confused. "Isn't this strange?"

A woman at the side sighed. "Hey, we are a group of 20 with quite high levels; I am sure that the beasts that saw us ran away. Even if this place's entry-level has recently been updated in the logs, the flora and fauna inside should take a while to reach the threat level the Explorer Association assigned it."

"Wait." A man stopped everyone and looked around with a frown. "I can feel someone is looking at us."

Mariane looked around and commented. "Continue walking. Don't attack whatever appears unless it is coming aggressively toward us."

Her tone was not serious, being relatively light and easy-going. Even then, nobody dared say no.

After walking forward a few more minutes, a voice reached them. "Wait."

Mariane looked toward the direction the sound came from with a smile. "Hai~, I am Mariane and come in peace~."

From the trees, Marianne saw a small 45-centimeter-tall Rose Fairy appearing. However, she had a natural grandeur that other members of the same species failed to have. 'Oh? A rare evolution of a Rose Fairy? Hmm, according to Tempestria, she should be Flor, right? But... Wasn't this little one Level 14?'

***

Name: Flor

Level: 18

Aether Mana Shards: 68,969/68,969

Phoer Body Shards 28,318/28,318

Anima Energy Shards: 37,698/37,698

***

Mariane blinked twice. 'That's not Level 14. Moreover, I can feel that those are her basic stats... What about her buffed state? I can't see it, somehow~. Interesting.'