With steady determination, Colm set out to leave the cavern, vividly recalling how much he detested squeezing into it. Standing before the impossibly narrow crevice, he let out a sigh, steeling himself for the unpleasant task ahead. Gripping his spear tightly in one hand, he began inching his way through the tight passage.

The crevice was just as unforgiving as he remembered, with jagged rocks scraping against him and prickly vines adding to the discomfort. Each step reminded him of its claustrophobic narrowness. As he approached the familiar turn, the journey remained uneventful, and he let out a quiet sigh of relief. Almost there, he thought, a faint sense of freedom stirring within him.

He quickened his inchworm pace, eager to escape the confines of the cavern and, soon after, the Grove itself. Visions of biting into Celestial Blooms and gulping down clear water danced in his mind, spurring him forward. Hunger and thirst gnawed at him, their weight almost tangible as he pressed on.

After what felt like an eternity of scraping through the cramped tunnel, his thoughts fixed on the promise of nourishment and fresh air, he finally emerged at the other end of the crevice. The sight of the Grove Stalker's corpse greeted him, its presence a stark reminder of the trials he had overcome. Relief washed over him—he was free at last, leaving behind the deception and strain of the trial.

The moment Colm emerged from the crevice, the ground beneath him shook violently, as though the forest itself raged at what had transpired. The tremor knocked him off his feet, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Around him, trees groaned and cracked, their towering forms crashing to the earth as the Grove trembled with fury. Colm's eyes darted back toward the crevice he had just squeezed through, only to see it crumble and collapse, rocks sealing the entrance in a deafening roar of destruction.

Confused and unnerved, Colm remained where he had fallen, bracing himself against the tremors as the forest seemed to protest all around him. Minutes dragged by before the violent upheaval subsided, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake.

Just as his heart steadied, a new notification flashed before his eyes.

The Will of the Grove has awakened. While the Grove respects your strength and resilience, it does not yield to a master lightly. Prove yourself—endure and triumph to claim dominion over the Grove.

"That doesn't sound ominous at all," Colm muttered, glancing warily around. He stood up and quickly re-summoned his phantoms to his side, their steady presence offering some reassurance. Taking a moment to gather his bearings, he couldn't ignore the gnawing hunger and thirst clawing at him.

I need food and water, he thought, running a hand through his hair. I need to be rested and prepared before facing whatever this Will of the Grove has in store.

Resolving to focus on survival first, he set his priorities. Find a nearby stream, drink my fill, and hope I can spot some Celestial Blooms along the way.

Walking along a somewhat familiar route, Colm couldn't help but notice how drastically the landscape had changed since the notifications. Toppled trees lay with their roots jutting out like broken bones, and deep cracks riddled the ground, forcing Colm to redirect and take an unfamiliar path.

He moved cautiously, every step deliberate, his senses heightened by unease. The notification lingered in his mind, its cryptic message weighing heavily on him. Endure and triumph, he thought. That doesn't sound promising.

After a few minutes of trudging through the obstacle course the Grove now presented, Colm came across a patch of Celestial Blooms. Without hesitation, he began scarfing them down. The minty taste, which he'd grown tired of after eating nothing but blooms since his arrival, felt like a feast after days of starvation. He ate until he was full and carefully stored a handful for the journey ahead.

Continuing his cautious trek, his phantoms flanking him, Colm eventually stumbled upon a familiar stream. Relief flooded him, and he let out a long sigh as he approached the water. With no signs of danger in sight, his weariness took over, as he sensed nothing amiss. Pushing all caution aside, he dropped to his knees and plunged his hands into the cool stream, drinking deeply. Days without food and water had left his mind hazy and his body weak, and in that moment, his need for water overrode all else.

After drinking deeply from the stream, Colm sat up, finally feeling like himself again. A little more rest, and he'd be ready to face the challenges of the Grove. Rising to his feet, he began scanning for a spot to camp to rest when a sudden splash from the stream made him whirl around.

Before he could react further, something grabbed him and yanked him under the water. Panic surged as he struggled against the unseen force. Through the blur of the stream, he caught sight of his phantoms jumping in after him, their spectral forms cutting through the water with purpose.

Lance arrived first, the phantom's spectral spear glowing faintly in the clear water. With a powerful thrust, it struck at the creature holding Colm, its blade slicing through with enough force to send a shockwave rippling through the water. A loud, reverberating screech echoed in the depths, and Colm felt the grip on him release.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Kicking hard, he broke through the surface, gasping for air and coughing as he clung to the edge of the stream. As he caught his breath, a notification flashed before his eyes.

Veilthorn Strangler (Level 35) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Continuing coughing and gasping for air, Colm swam desperately toward the edge of the stream. Just as he reached it, something yanked him back under again. This time, however, the struggle was brief. Carver was already on the creature, striking with a decisive blow. A loud hiss reverberated through the water as a notification flashed before Colm's eyes.

Veilthorn Strangler (Level 32) Defeated. Experience Gained.

Scrambling once more, Colm clawed his way to the edge and hauled himself onto the bank, retreating from the water's edge with a shiver of unease. After catching his breath, he crept cautiously back toward the stream, his curiosity outweighing his fear. Peering into the water, he glimpsed faint movement—a flicker of something that looked deceptively like a harmless tree root, swaying gently in the current and he quickly cast Analyze.

Veilthorn Strangler (Level 36)

Colm observed the creature with interest, muttering, "This wasn't here before." It didn't take long to realize the Grove's rules had shifted since completing the trial, and he needed to stay on guard. Grateful for the earlier rest he'd managed—albeit unwillingly—after passing out, Colm felt as ready as he could be now that he'd eaten and had some water. Still, he wished for better sleep, but the Grove's shifting dangers left him no choice but to remain vigilant.

Backing away from the water's edge, Colm retreated toward the treeline, plotting his next move. He recalled the earlier notification once again Endure and triumph to claim dominion over the Grove. The words lingered ominously in his mind, a warning of more challenges to come.

As if jinxing himself, a nearby howl pierced the air, followed by the sound of branches snapping and rustling. The noise grew louder—multiple footfalls closing in fast. Colm swerved toward a nearby tree, positioning himself with his phantoms flanking him on either side, readying for the oncoming threat.

Within moments, an unknown threat emerged—not just one creature, but dozens. They resembled wolves, their bodies covered in bark and vines, their glowing eyes burning with unnatural intensity. Colm inwardly cursed his luck and quickly cast Analyze, scanning only a few before the pack moved.

Thornfang Wolf (Level 38)

Thornfang Wolf (Level 30)

Thornfang Wolf (Level 32)

Thornfang Wolf (Level 37)

Dismissing the descriptions, he mentally commanded his phantoms to charge. Instantly Carver and Lance surged forward while Colm tightened his grip on his spear, ready to intercept anything that slipped through.

The phantoms moved with a calm, ominous precision. Carver's blade flashed as he cut through the creatures, and Lance struck with unerring precision, his spear piercing wolf after wolf. It was almost effortless; the creatures falling before them as though they were insignificant obstacles.

Colm stood straighter, only then realizing how tense he'd been. This is too easy, he thought, compared to the trials. These wolves were roughly his level, yet they posed no real challenge. Even the Veilthorn Strangler from a moment ago had gone down in a single blow. It's almost as if the levels are arbitrary—rarely the deciding factor, he mused, his thoughts turning over this strange disparity.

After a few minutes, the Thornfang Wolves lay defeated, all dispatched by his phantoms, before Colm even joined the fray. Glancing at his notifications, he took in the results.

Thornfang Wolf (Level 39) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Thornfang Wolf (Level 38) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Thornfang Wolf (Level 35) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Analyze (Level 3) has increased to Analyze (Level 4)

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

Colm smirked, not one to complain about an easy fight—especially since it had earned him a level. He hadn't gained a level this easily since battling the Fungal Goblins earlier in the Grove. Wasting no time, he quickly allocated the stat points, prioritizing intelligence. His phantoms were his greatest asset, and he intended to keep leaning into that strength.

His eyes lingered on the notification about Analyze. A rank-up in the skill was a rare occurrence. "Guess those new creatures pushed it over the threshold," he muttered, pleased at the unexpected bonus. An upgraded Analyze would certainly come in handy as the Grove's challenges continued to unfold.

As his phantoms returned to his side, a rustle from the tree above caught Colm's attention. Without hesitation, he slashed upward with his spear, impaling a serpent-like creature that blended seamlessly with the bark, its stealthy approach foiled. As he took in the sight, Lance surged into action, moving from branch to branch and swarming through the surrounding trees. The Phantom Spearman quickly dispatched other serpents that had been stalking Colm, their camouflage no match for Lance's precision with the awareness of the creature now known.

Keeping Carver close for protection, Colm allowed Lance to handle the remaining threats. "How the hell did I make it this far unscathed?" he muttered. "Did the Grove give me a chance to breathe after the trial, only to throw everything at me now?"

Minutes later, Lance returned to his side, his task complete. Colm took a moment to appreciate the impressive range of his Phantom Spearman's ability, estimating it to be roughly 200 feet now with how far Lance can go. "Maybe it scales with ability level and my intelligence stat?" he mused, the thought trailing off as he turned his attention to the notifications that had appeared in his vision.

Barklurker (Level 36) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Barklurker (Level 35) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Barklurker (Level 39) Defeated. Experience Gained. Bonus experience granted for defeating a higher level enemy.

Level Up! +5 Stat Points Available.

Grinning at the level up, Colm quickly allocated his points to intelligence, thinking this was turning into a treasure trove of progress. With a smirk, he glanced at his phantoms and quipped, "Training montage time."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.