The System Awakens: Rise of the Champion - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Speed Running The Trials – 2

—–

[Name: Mutated Blight Roots]

[Level: 113]

[Description: Once ordinary trees, these beings transformed into sentient creatures after absorbing vast amounts of wood essence. They are silent and non-territorial, choosing not to attack unless provoked or if their belongings are stolen.]

—–

Damian touched the tree monster, which looked nothing more than a normal giant banyan tree.

However, using his [Eyes of Clarity], Damian could see the Verdant Green source core hidden within their massive wooden bodies, brimming with energy.

On the outside, though, they appeared completely ordinary.

Even as Damian placed his hand on its wooden surface, the monster didn’t seem to react.

“So, they only attack when provoked, huh?” Damian muttered.

He didn’t linger.

He knew the moment he attempted to take the [Wood Essence Stone], all the monsters would swarm him to prevent it.

By heading straight for the stone instead of fighting each creature individually, he was actually saving time.

Once he obtained the [Wood Essence Stone], all the monsters would attack him simultaneously, and he could deal with them all at once.

Ignoring the towering creatures, Damian walked forward, drawn toward an incredible surge of energy within the realm.

He wasn’t in any rush, so he calmly made his way toward it.

After about an hour and a half, he finally reached his destination.

The [Wood Essence Stone] glowed with a vibrant, verdant green hue.

It was similar in size to the [Fire Essence Stone] he had found in the [Infernal Mount], but this one was practically oozing energy.

A dense cloud of energy had formed around it, making the surrounding area thick with fog.

It rested inside a massive, decaying tree stump, as if it had grown from the very core of the ancient wood.

Even from several meters away, Damian could sense the subtle movements of the monsters within the trial realm.

It was as though they could feel the intruder’s intent.

But Damian didn’t care.

He walked forward without hesitation.

The moment he entered the stone’s vicinity, the monsters were fully triggered, charging at him from all directions.

The eerie rustling of leaves and the violent collision of branches filled the air.

The ground trembled as massive entities dragged themselves forward.

Whispering sounds drifted through the mist like a foul stench.

Damian could see the towering trees around him stirring, as if the entire dense forest had come alive, closing in on him from every direction.

The closer he got to the [Wood Essence Stone], the faster and more aggressive the tree-like monsters became.

Within seconds, Damian reached the inner perimeter of the stone.

The monsters, now in a full frenzy, charged at him from all sides.

They were colossal, standing at least forty-five feet tall.

Their bodies were composed entirely of pure, living wood, brimming with vitality.

They took on humanoid forms, crafted from intertwining branches and leaves.

Roots twisted into legs that granted them mobility, though they lacked faces.

Still, Damian could hear deep, guttural rumbling emanating from within them.

Just as they were about to seize him, the entire area’s temperature suddenly began to rise.

Damian’s eyes blazed like molten flames, shifting to a fiery orange hue.

The clothes he wore vanished as they were stored into the system inventory, revealing his body radiating with a flame-like aura.

His once-black hair ignited into a brilliant orange, crackling with energy, and he slowly began to levitate, defying gravity.

[Flame Avatar: Subskill Activated]

[Subskill: Flame Avatar]

[A subskill attainable only by those who possess the constitution [Eternal Earth Fire Physique]].

Effect:

-Upon activation, you transform into a flame spirit. Your entire body becomes the embodiment of eternal flames. Blood turns to fire, and flames cloak your flesh as your clothing.

-In this form, you can unleash maximum flame output from any part of your body.

-All pain is completely nullified.

-Wounds regenerate 100% faster.

-Speed increases by 30% and will further scale with the amount of fire you expend.]

Suddenly, Damian’s entire body erupted into a sea of flames, waves of fire surging outward in all directions.

A massive ring of intense flames expanded endlessly, scorching everything in its path.

Torrents of fire devoured the swarming monsters surrounding him, consuming them in a relentless inferno.

The flames poured out like an endless stream from a colossal flamethrower, continuing for several minutes.

Notifications echoed in Damian’s mind as the world around him burned.

[You have leveled Up] x 9

When the flames finally subsided, hundreds of verdant green source cores lay scattered among the charred remains of monsters.

The once-dense forest had been reduced to a wasteland of ash and dust.

The fiery aura surrounding Damian gradually faded, revealing his skin, pupils, and hair shimmering in beautiful shades of flame.

An intense, flame-like aura still lingered around him.

Moments later, the effects of the subskill [Embodiment of Flames] from his constitution [Eternal Earth Fire Physique] fully dissipated, returning his appearance to normal.

Damian reached down and lifted a vibrant, verdant green stone.

[You have obtained the [Wood Essence Stone]]

[You have completed the 8th Trial]

[Rewards:]

+45,000 Gold

+1 Wood Essence Stone]

The massive [Wood Essence Stone] in his hands disappeared, replaced by a football-sized version.

Damian snorted in displeasure and stored it in his system inventory.

His gaze then shifted to the hundreds of Wood Essence Cores scattered across the scorched battlefield.

Activating his unique innate ability, a powerful vortex of energy swirled from his hands, absorbing all the Wood Essence Cores.

[You have absorbed an enormous amount of unstable Pure Wood Essence.]

[If you do not dispel it soon, it will implode within you.]

A familiar sensation gripped Damian, the same suffocating pressure he felt when absorbing the [Fire Essence] at the [Infernal Mount].

It was as if his insides were being crushed and seared.

Drawing on his prior experience, Damian guided the surging [Wood Essence] through his energy circuits—his blood veins, vessels, and organs.

Resistance flared as he began the circulation, though it wasn’t as overwhelming as it had been with the [Fire Essence].

Yet, another issue arose.

“The Fire Essence is burning down the Wood Essence.”

Frustration twisted Damian’s expression.

The Wood Essence was rapidly being consumed, feeding and amplifying his Fire Essence instead.

[Your Fire Essence increased: +3]

[Your Fire Essence increased: +1]

[Your Fire Essence increased: +4]

…

..

.

His mind raced, searching for a solution as the Fire Essence continued devouring the Wood Essence.

He couldn’t afford to waste this power.

Just as despair began to settle in, Damian felt a sudden shift, as if a restriction deep within his soul had been lifted.

Instantly, the raging Fire Essence halted its assault on the Wood Essence after consuming about one-third of it.

[You have awakened the talent [Limitless Harmony].]

The Fire and Wood Essences began to harmonize, merging peacefully within him.

His energy circuits began to reform, allowing the four forces within him: [Mana], [Qi], [Fire Essence], and now [Wood Essence] to circulate in perfect balance.

[Your talent [World Tree’s Blessing] is taking effect.]

[You have gained complete affinity with the energy known as Wood Essence.]

The remaining Wood Essence gathered where his Mana Core and Fire Essence Core resided, condensing into a new, distinct core.

[You have formed the [Wood Essence Core].]

The last of the Wood Essence was absorbed into the newly formed core, rapidly expanding his Wood Essence reserves.

[Your Wood Essence increased: +3]

[Your Wood Essence increased: +6]

[Your Wood Essence increased: +7]

[Your Wood Essence increased: +5]

…

..

.

[Due to the side effect of increasing your Wood Essence, your vitality is rising.]

[Your Vitality increased: +28]

[Your Perception Increased: +20]

[Due to the creation of the Wood Essence Core and the Wood Essence coursing through your body, your constitution has been altered.]

[You have awakened a constitution: ‘Eternal Sacred Heart Physique.’]

[Effects:

-Grants the [Wood Essence Core], allowing you to store and manipulate Wood Essence.

-Keeps your body abnormally warm at all times.

-Increases health and fatigue regeneration by 100%.

-Allows you to generate Wood Energy to heal others and enhance their recovery.

-Increases Your healing capabilities by 100%.

-Increases Your perception capabilities.

-Passively increases vitality as your Wood Essence grows.

-Boosts your affinity with nature by 100%.

-Unlocks an ability called [Verdant Avatar]]

Damian opened his eyes, brimming with energy.

His pupils had turned a vibrant verdant green before slowly returning to their usual blue hue.

He took a few minutes to soak in the sensation of his new constitution and the wood essence coursing through his body.

Once the initial rush subsided, he turned his attention to the description of the new talent he had awakened.

[Unique Talent: Limitless Harmony]

[A talent that cannot be replicated, passed down, or inherited. It is unique to the sole awakener in the entire universe.]

[Effect: Grants the ability to Synchronize, Stabilize, Balance, Equilibrate, and Harmonize any type of energy or constitution, whether they are opposing or similar in nature.]

“Urgh… Another ridiculous talent?”

Damian couldn’t help but sigh.

[Do you wish to take on the trial of the 9th floor of the Tower of Evolution?]

“Yes.”

In an instant, Damian found himself standing in an unfamiliar place.

[9th Trial Condition: Kill Monsters]

[Monsters Killed: 0/50]

Without hesitation, Damian unleashed his [Flame Tempest] spells and channeled his Fire Essence relentlessly, burning through waves of monsters like a madman.

.

— Three Hours Later —

.

[You have leveled up] x5

[Monsters Killed: 50/50]

[You have completed the 9th Trial]

[Rewards:

+15 Free Stat Points

+50,000 Gold

+1 Card to Obtain a Martial Weapon]

[Do you wish to take on the trial of the 10th floor of the Tower of Evolution?]

“Yes.”

[10th Trial Condition: Kill the Red-Striped Mutated Tigers]

[Red-Striped Mutated Tigers Killed: 0/10]

.

— Fifteen Minutes Later —

.

[You have leveled up] x3

[Red-Striped Mutated Tigers Killed: 10/10]

[You have completed the 10th Trial]

[Rewards:]

+10 Free Stat Points

+55,000 Gold

+1 Card to Obtain a Class-Related Technique

[Do you wish to take on the trial of the 11th floor of the Tower of Evolution?]

“Yes.”

[11th Trial Condition: Kill the Wild Trolls]

[Wild Trolls Killed: 0/10]

This time, Damian seized the opportunity to test his spear skills.

He fought ferociously, cutting down the trolls with precise strikes and overwhelming force.

.

— Fifteen Minutes Later —

.

[You have leveled up] x3

[Wild Trolls Killed: 10/10]

[You have completed the 11th Trial]

[Rewards:

+60,000 Gold

+10 Free Stat Points

+1 Card to Obtain a Class-Related Technique]