Chapter 43: Forming a Party, the Forest of Evil, and the Mighty Plant Brain_Fantasy Realm

Alex and Steiner make their way to the small room where Vivi lies resting. As they enter, they see that Vivi is awake, his small figure sitting up on the bed.

 Alex looks at Steiner with a questioning nce, and Steiner nods in return. Steiner then approaches Vivi and pleads with him, “For the sake of Princess Ga and all of Alexandria, I humbly request your assistance, Master Vivi!”

 Vivi, looking confused, responds, “Huh? My assistance? But… what can I do?”

 “Master Vivi, surely you jest!” Steiner exims. “Your knowledge and skill with ck magic were incredibly effective against that monster. Please, Master Vivi, help us. I, Adelbert Steiner, swear to protect you on this journey!”

 At that moment, Zidane enters the room. “Vivi, remember what we were talking about! You’ll help me rescue the princess, right?”

 Steiner res at him. “What? You scoundrel, you dare to rescue the princess? It’s your band of thieves who got us into this mess! If the princess hase to any harm, I’ll strike you down!”

 Zidane brushes him off, saying to Vivi, “Come on, Vivi, let’s go, alright?”

 Vivi nods, “Okay… if you really need me, I’ll do my best to help.”

 As Alex and Zidane prepare to leave the room, Steiner pulls Vivi aside, whispering, “Master Vivi, I have an idea. I call it… Magic Sword!”

 The group heads toward the exit, but as they’re about to leave, nk intercepts them. Alex nods to Steiner and Vivi, giving Zidane the opportunity to speak with nk in private.

 A few momentster, Zidane rejoins the group, holding a small bottle, the antidote for the deadly spores most likely infecting the princess.

 They all nce back as they see Marcus waving to them from one of the airship’s windows, while Cinna appears, offering to sell them a few supplies for the journey ahead.

 Alex takes a look at Cinna’s wares but is disappointed to find the same basic selection as in the Alexandria item shop: [Potion], [Antidote], and [Eye Drops], with no Phoenix Downs or Tents, items that should be avable by now. Sighing, he thinks, "Maybe if we make it to Dali, I’ll get another chance to find better gear."

 Before leaving, he tries his luck at selling some of his own items. "Hey, Cinna, interested in buying anything?" He offers his fur gear, saber, and even the newly obtained [nt Essence].

 To his surprise, Cinna agrees but names outrageously low prices: 2,500 gil for all three fur items, 4,000 gil for the saber, and 10,000 gil for the essence. Alex quickly realizes that Cinna’s offers are only a fraction, maybe a quarter to half, of each item’s value. "A [Broadsword], a white item, costs 5,000 gil," he calctes, "so a light green item like the saber should easily be worth around 10,000 gil." Knowing it would be a mistake to sell here, especially since gil is worthless if he can’t exchange it for items or Fantasy Coins, Alex pockets his goods. He does, however, take note of the essence’s high value, thinking, "Maybe this will get me a decent FC exchange rate in the Fantasy Realm."

 The group then ventures deeper into the forest, encountering foes like goblins, fangs, and Dendrobiums, even passing a majestic river along the way. Alex manages tond the final blow on several enemies, earning another 550 gil. "If only we could stay and farm like in the game," he thinks, "this would be a fantastic source of gil!"

 After a series of battles, they reach a peaceful clearing, free of monsters, with a magical healing spring at its center. They each take a sip, and Alex is astonished by the effects: not only are his HP and MP fully restored, but every ounce of exhaustion seems to lift from his body. "Incredible," he thinks. He takes an empty apple juice bottle from his inventory and fills it with water, but quickly notices that the system doesn’t recognize the item, and its effect seems to weaken by the second. "Too bad, was worth a try, I guess," he smiles.

 After leaving the clearing and taking a cautious walk along the swamp path, the group finally approaches the sinister den looming in the distance, their of the forest’s ruler, a monstrous creature known as the nt Brain. Throwing caution aside, they storm inside, rushing to rescue the kidnapped Princess Ga.

 The nt Brain is a massive, rooted monster with thick, twisting roots resembling arms and arge central flower with thorn-like teeth forming an ominous, gaping mouth. Vivi spots Ga off to the side, looking unharmed, and exims, "There she is!"

 Steiner immediately starts arguing with Zidane. "Stand back, thief! Alexandria’s honor demands that I, her loyal knight, rescue her!"

 Zidane shouts back, "Are you crazy? You think you can handle this thing on your own? Let’s go, Vivi."

 Alex quickly interjects, "Let’s focus on taking this monster down fast and saving the princess!"

 They step toward the creature, and a fierce battle erupts. Alex recalls the nt Brain’s attacks: it can strike with massive root-like tentacles, cast thunder magic if left alone, and release a pollen cloud that causes ‘darkness.’ Thankfully, Alex came prepared with [Eye Drops] for exactly this scenario.

 The nt Brainunches its left tentacle toward Zidane in a vicious strike. But Alex, noticing the creature’s wind-up, steps forward and raises his [Shield of Pluto] just in time, absorbing the brunt of the blow. The impact reverberates, but the shield’s Stalwart ability reduces the force, reflecting part of it back. The massive root arm bounces off Alex’s shield and momentarily hits the creature itself, making it squirm in difort. Alex feels a surge of confidence.

 You have dealt 6 damage to nt Brain

 Alex marvels at his shield''s resilience. Even after enduring sparring sessions, the Prima Vista battle, fights with monsters along the way, and now blocking this powerful attack, it has only lost 2 Durability. With 79 out of 100 remaining, it''s holding up impressively. "This shield could easily withstand days ofbat," he thinks.

 "Thank you... Alex, right? I owe you one!" Zidane shouts as he dashes forward,nding a clean strike with his dagger. At the same time, Steiner and Vivi unleash their newbination attack, "Fire Sword." Vivi’s Fire spell channels into Steiner’s de, empowering his sword skills with searing mes. Steiner shes the creature with the ming sword, burning and cutting through the nt Brain’s tough outeryer, dealing a devastating blow.

 The monster lets out an ear-splitting screech and retaliates with its pollen ability. Alex raises his shield, but the spores spread through the air, clouding his vision. He quickly grabs his [Eye Drops], applying the liquid to clear his eyes, just in time to see another tentacle strike aiming for Vivi. Alex springs into action, intercepting the blow with his shield.

 You have dealt 5 damage to nt Brain

 Alex smirks. "This is almost too easy. With me blocking and reflecting its attacks and Vivi and Steiner coordinating theirbo moves, this thing’s going down faster than Concord getting removed from Steam."

 Suddenly, the nt Brain changes tactics,unching a simultaneous diagonal strike with both tentacles. Alex manages to deflect the left tentacle, protecting Zidane, but the right onends a brutal blow on Steiner, sending him sprawling and clearly in pain.

 "What the? That move isn’t in the original fight!" Alex panics slightly, thinking, "Is this the Fantasy Realm’s influence? Are enemies stronger here because of my presence?"

 Alex knows it’s time to step things up. Putting away his sword and shield, he considers his next move. "Maybe the element of surprise will give us an edge," he thinks, preparing for a devastating attack.

 Alex decides it’s time to use his mightiest weapon. He conjures two [Annihtion Grenade lvl 1], one in each hand. Eyeing the nt Brain’s massive form, he calctes his throw carefully, aiming one grenade toward its monstrous face and the other at its right side to avoid Ga, who lies unconscious to the left of the den.

 The nt Brain, caught off-guard, doesn’t react as the two grenades arc through the air, purple fuses burning brightly. Then—BOOM! The twin explosions rock the monster, me and shrapnel flying everywhere.

 You have dealt 21 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 22 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 1 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 1 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 1 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 1 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 1 damage to nt Brain

 …@@novelbin@@

 You have dealt 1 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 1 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 37 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 34 damage to nt Brain

 You have ignited nt Brain

 "Yes!" Alex shouts. "Direct hit! The explosion only did about a third of its normal damage, and the shrapnel barely scratched it, but the fire damage is nearly double, and it ignited the beast!"

 The group cheers as the nt Brain thrashes, panicked by the mes licking at its body. Vivi takes advantage of the monster’s vulnerability, casting another powerful “Fire” spell directly at its face.

 “That should finish it, right?” Alex thinks. But instead of sumbing, the nt Brainshes out with a new attack. Multiple roots burst up from the ground, piercing through armor and flesh. Alex feels a stab of pain as the roots pierce into his flesh despite his sturdy armor, and he sees his allies wincing in pain as blood starts to seep from their wounds.

 You have taken 18 damage

 Just as the group struggles to fend off the encircling roots, nk appears out of nowhere, lunging at the nt Brain’s face andnding a decisive strike that disrupts its root attack and stops it from preparing a mighty thunder spell.

 “Now! Alex, cover me!” Steiner yells. “Vivi, one more Fire Sword!”

 Alex dashes forward, shield up, while Steiner charges beside him, and Vivi readies another spell. The nt Brain strikes with its right tentacle, but Alex deflects it with precision, angling the attack right into the monster’s own gaping maw. The creature reels, momentarily stunned.

 You have dealt 6 x 3 = 18 damage to nt Brain.

 Steiner, invigorated, shouts with renewed determination, “Beautiful… I swear I will y this beast by my honor as Captain of the Knights of Pluto!”

 “Fire Sword!” Vivi cries, just as Steiner raises his zing sword to deliver the final blow. But in a desperate counterattack, the nt Brain gathers pollen for another toxic st aimed directly at Steiner.

 Reacting instantly, Alex whips out [Mr. 5’s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] with expert speed thanks to his Pistol Proficiency lvl 1 and fires a shot directly into the monster’s maw, disrupting the pollen attack just in time.

 [Mr. 5’s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] effect activates: Explosive ammunition!

 You have dealt 15 damage to nt Brain

 You have dealt 11 damage to nt Brain

 Steiner, with a fiery determination, shes his enchanted de deep into the nt monster’s head, nearly splitting the beast in two. The impact proves fatal, and the creature begins to copse, its twisted form crumbling into nothingness.

 “We did it!” Alex shouts, exhrated. Zidane stands in awe at the massive foe they managed to bring down. This unlikely group, with nk’s timely help, has defeated the enormous nt Brain.

 As Steiner rushes over to the unconscious Princess Ga and gently lifts her, Alex follows closely, but his eyes are locked on the monster''s remains as they disintegrate. Just before thest traces of the creature vanish, he spots a chest half-buried among the roots.

 You received Large Chest (Green)

 “Green again?” Alex mutters, stowing the chest in his inventory. “Guess my luck had to cool off at some point. But hey, at least it’s arge one!”

 He nces over at Ga, still unconscious in Steiner’s arms, and assesses her condition. “She looks alright, just knocked out. Let’s get out of here and use that antidote for the pollen.”

 But before they can make their exit, the ground beneath the den begins to shift and writhe. Dozens of nt creatures resembling oversized spiders crawl out, chittering and skittering toward them.

 “Leave, now!” nk yells, snapping everyone to attention.

 Without another word, the group breaks into a sprint, fleeing the oing swarm of nt Spiders, their hearts pounding as they race out of the dark, twisted forest.

21Novel

Chapter 43: Forming a Party, the Forest of Evil, and the Mighty Plant Brain