The transition to reality went much easier for Alex this time. He felt only a slight dizziness and weakness, which dissipated within seconds.
Alex raised his hands, palms forward. “I’m not your enemy, Shardy. Rather, a friend.”
The tree palpably shuddered and lowered its formidable branches. Alex heard a quiet rustle in his head, gradually drawing out in understandable words. Ho-o-ow did you kno-o-ow my real na-a-a-me?
Alex hesitated. He knew he couldn’t fool the magic tree. On the other hand, he had little information to go on. “Shardy, I don’t know how. Maybe the north winds whispered your name to me…”
Mallorn touched Alex’s hand with its branch.
Information became visible to him. It read:
.
Black Mallorn (Supreme Magic of Trees)
Gravity vines (rage 10 yards)
Influence (doesn’t work)
Focus of the ancient power (doesn’t work)
Black Mallorn’s Blessing (doesn’t work)
Black Mallorn’s retribution (randomly one creation)
Epochal transformation (once every thousand years)
.
“How can I help you, Shardy?” Alex hissed, not taking his hands off the smooth and oddly warm branch.
My roots are still short. There is little food… food… give me food, the tree rustled in his head.
Alex thought about this. Most likely they require fertilizers, humus, earthworms. But where can I get it? I hope this will do...
He retrieved a green compactor from his subspace storage, surprised at its weight. The tree reacted with lightning speed – a small tremor swept along its trunk, and its scarlet leaves fluttered. Without hesitation, Alex lowered the compactor to the ground next to the barrel and stepped back, watching with interest.
The root sprang from the ground, wrapped around the compactor, then disappeared. Ten seconds later, a strong explosion issued from under Alex’s feet somewhere at deep depth. It felt like an earthquake. To keep from toppling over, he intuitively grabbed onto the branches of Black Mallorn.
This feels like the end. Alex thought.
The calamity he anticipated did not occur. Flowers sprouted on the branches that Alex clung to. They exuded an indescribable smell.
A beautiful, inspiring message framed in an elegant herbal style hung before his eyes. Its highly artistic design didn’t interfere with the perception of information.
.
Attention, player Phoenix!
Black Mallorn applied Mythic Transformation at you. Decision time is 180 seconds.
Dark Druid (Supreme Magic of Life and Death)
Battle form (1, sabotage) Dark ghost — 2
Battle form (2, battle) ?????? — 2
Dark Mage — 2
***
Dark Demiurge — 1
Dark Herbalist — 1
Dark Healer — 1
Dark Alchemist — 1
* Addition: Superpower— Hidden Essence (doesn’t require levels)
* Addition: Dark Demiurge (spontaneous implementation — randomly)
* Addition: Clarifications:
1. All previous development is transferred to the category of ‘completely hidden’, (work — intuitive, amplification — autonomous mode, as needed)
2. Dark Druid is enhanced exclusively through personal work and accomplishments.
Accept Dark Mallorn’s Rewards / Reject Dark Mallorn’s Rewards?
.
“Incredible,” Alex whispered.
He spun on his heels and gave a thumbs-up to his alarmed squad members. He mentally addressed his mentor, Jokeiro, time is running out. Your advice is needed more than ever. Should this offer be accepted or rejected?
Mentor Jokeiro responded, Of course I’ll help, Phoenix. I just need to know your personal decision.
Alex pondered his recent visions, then, on instinct, moved his finger from the virtual ‘accept’ icon to the ‘reject’ one. The ‘reject’ button seemed to cause his teeth to ache.
Alex made the decision. I choose the Dark Druid.
Jokeiro replied, Attention, player Phoenix! The Black Druid is a superclass with a wide range of development. My benchmarking has shown that the Dark Mallorn award is epic.
Upon hearing the word ‘epic’, Alex pressed ‘accept’.
The countdown ended. Nothing supernatural happened.
For a moment he seemed to disintegrate into his component atoms, but did not even have time panic before things reverted back to normal.
Alex examined himself – he had all his arms and legs, as well as his head. His new characteristics overwhelmed him. He thought his main stats would disappear, but hoped Chimera would remain.
However, everything disappeared.
Everything.
All he saw was the name ‘Dark Druid Phoenix’ and the snowflake clan emblem, followed by the familiar three abilities and five skills.
Worried, Alex cast the Igloo spell, which worked normally and with lightning speed. The pleasant chill of the Igloo hideout helped him cope with the building panic.
Back in reality, Alex found the strength to bow to the Mallorn and retreat back to his squad. He asked his clanmates to arm him and immediately found Khort placed in his hands. Two Phoenix brands etched onto the stock of the legendary assault rifle shone as it filled with magical power.
Alex exhaled in relief. “Phew. Everything works.”
A good mood, like water bursting through a dam, churned through him. Almost without realizing it, Alex once again pressed his thumb to the weapon. When he removed his hand, he almost choked with admiration. Did I really do this?
The weapon bore another brand, attractive and seemingly sentient. It showed Black Mallorn bending under the strong wind, and the stripped red flying away. For a moment, Alex sensed this frenzied rush of wind and magic.
A message unfolded before his eyes. Alex’s heart raced.
My decision is correct! Correct! Correct!
Chapter 7. Invasion
Where is it? Alex wondered, staring at his feet. He definitely saw it. It wasn’t a phantom or a hallucination. It was ridiculous to search this mysterious book where it actually was not.
Stop! I should calm down and have a trip down memory lane. He had no doubt this book was significant.
The book had appeared — thick and mysterious, with a dark, shiny cover, as if thrown at him by an invisible hand. For some reason, he could not dodge it. This
