Monsters. What are they and where do they come from? Well, it depends on what type of monster you're talking about. But since you probably picked this book because it's a monster encyclopedia, we'll assume you're not talking about the figurative monster and talking about the literal monster. For the first question, we researchers and philosophers have a general idea about what they are. Monsters are any sort of entity both organic and inorganic that have a monster core. Where monsters come from however is a complete mystery. Not surprising to me considering we hardly know where we ourselves come from. If we don't even know where our own species come from how could we ever hope to know where others come from? Especially something as mysterious as the monster species.

Now on to the next question. What exactly is a monster core? I could spin the foolish idea of the religious belief with it being a seed of evil or the gift of the gods/God for us to earn by slaying monsters, but I am not one of those gullible fools. And I for one am not afraid to call them out on it and tell you, dear reader, the truth. We. Don't. Know.

That's right. One of the biggest fundamental things used for differentiating monsters from regular animals we have no clue about. Well, that's not exactly true. We know it has the ability to store mana. But that's about it. Very mysterious is it not? The secrets of both monster core and monsters themselves are ever-elusive despite the centuries man and other species have tried to discover them.

Welcome to the monster encyclopedia where I, Xander freerider, will guide you on the path of learning what you need to know about monsters. At least as much as I can through ink and paper.

-Excerpt of the introduction page of the monster encyclopedia written by Xander freerider

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Alright, it be time for the great expedition! Well not that great of an expedition really. I am only going to travel for a short distance after all. I've chosen to start my journey during the day when the sun was out to ensure that the boost from my photosynthesis skill can play a part. It is a very valuable skill that I can't disregard after all.

I began wandering in a random direction without a general idea of what I was looking for. I don't have good wilderness knowledge to depend on and even if I did me being a flower and all would change how that knowledge would be applied to me. I was just hoping that I'd recognize it when I see it. The forest as always was bustling with life. No matter which way I looked I was able to find some signs of life. A glance to the left offers me a tusked deer. A look to the right offers me a jackalope rabbit thingy. A look above provides me the sight of a…. What the absolute fuck is that thing!?

Just above me, only a couple dozen meters were what looked like some giant winged lizard. I only had a moment to glance at it before it flew past, but its scales were a drab brown and had two wings extending from where its arms would be. It still had legs that looked rather short on it not even being a third of the length its wings were. The most terrifying thing though was that it must have been easily fifteen feet long from snout to the tip of its long tail. How the heck was there such a huge thing flying around!? Screw it I want to go back to my nice simple tunnels! I didn't have to deal with wyvern dragon thingies there!

For once I'm happy I'm small. I probably wouldn't even be worth considering eating for something as monstrous as that, but I wonder what tier that thing was. The armored rat I killed was a tier-2 which means something like that flying oversized lizard must be a tier-3 or 4 right? No matter. I just need to keep an eye on the sky from now on.

While I walked, I decided to take a closer look at the forest as a whole. Maybe describe it to Alfred despite him being an automated system. As I have stated previously the forest seemed to be comprised of mostly what looked to be oak trees but there were what seemed to be birch trees and pine trees. At least I believe those are what they called. Man, why Isn't there some sort of guidebook to the forest available in the system? In fact, why isn't there a system store?

But I digress. Heh. Digress. I sound like a fancy scholar saying that word. Professor. Rose! I like. Wait the forest! Now then the ground. The ground had a nice comfy layer of grasses. Maybe it's normal but the grass was rather soft. It seemed unusual to me but at the same time a nice aspect of the place. If I could sleep normally, I'd seriously consider stopping to lay down and take a nap. Alas, I am doomed to never rest like a human ever again. There were also bushes with small red berries growing on them. Another thing I possibly won't experience again. Eating fruit pie. Man, now I want a cherry pie…

Ah, that looks like an interesting place. In the midst of my inner scholarly monologue on the forest, I happened to wander upon some sort of grove. I think its a grove? Anyways if it was one it was a strange one at that. There were various tree species all gathered in a circle. A perfect circle no less! The odds of simple trees growing in that shape I'm guessing are astronomically low. But I was reincarnated as a walking monster flower that can eat people. So, I can't really talk when it comes to things like this. In the center of the circle of trees was another circle. This one being formed by a ring of mushrooms. What's up with this spot and stuff growing in circles? That's not normal at all.

I walked over into the circle of trees and started to inspect the area. It seemed that there weren't animals who dared to come into this area. Not even the birds I've seen perched on the branches of the trees that made up the circle. And other than the exception of the fungus ring everything inside the trees ring was only grass and that grass was short. Not cut short like with how people mow their laws. More like they never grew past a certain point. Yet another oddity from this spot. The grass is supposed to be a plant that grows really quickly but for it to stop growing at just an inch or so tall is strange. I'm starting to get the heebbie jeebbies being in here.

Why am I suddenly getting all superstitious on myself!? Sure, I've been reincarnated and all that strange jazz but there was no being that declared themselves GOD! Only a disembodied voice that declared themselves a system.

{You're a strange one, aren't you?}

Why yes, I am- Wait! Who said that!? I demanded swinging my head around in all directions trying to spot who spoke.

{I did. Behind you.} The voice responded with traces of amusement in her voice.

When I looked behind myself, however, I found no person standing there. Only an old oak tree. Wait…. A tree? I vaguely recalled that I had a skill called universal plant communication. Does that mean that the tree was talking to me…?

{Yup. The old oak tree is talking to you. Although I'd prefer the name, Amelia.}

What the absolute hecking heckidy heckers! Are you reading my mind!? I could have sworn that I wasn't using my plant communication skill!

{You're unconsciously using it every time you speak. It's rather funny to watch.}

Hey, don't you make fun of me! I'm the most badass wittiest and dangerous rose alive! Respect is what I am due!

{A cave rose dangerous? While I admit you are far more intelligent than I thought a cave rose could be capable of your species are nowhere near dangerous. And of the few to have become dangerous they are far more fearsome than you. So, I suggest you drop the tough guy act.}

….

Ok, you have a point there. So umm how do I control this plant communication skill?

{Just focus a bit on not broadcasting your thoughts. Right now, it's only sending vague pheromones but with my higher communication, I can distinguish what your saying. My sisters, on the other hand, aren't able to. So, if you'd actually send out your pheromones with some intent so they can understand what's being said that would be nice.}

Wow ok. Wait let me get my thoughts straight. I'm talking to a tree and all the other trees are probably her sisters… Ok, let's get control over my skill! My body went still as I focused on my skill. Surprisingly enough I found it easy to seize control over now that I was actually consciously trying to. It's like a light switch and I was turning it on now.

{Ummm. How's this?}

{It speaks!}

You weren't lying sister. This cave rose can actually speak.}

{Maybe we should keep it as a pet? You rarely see a species as dumb as this one actually be capable of speech.}

As soon as I spoke a torrent of pheromones slammed into me as they were translated into speech I could understand. And I did not like what I heard.

{I wonder if we'd be able to get a special title for killing it?}

{Now now it's a rarity. You don't waste such things like that sister.}

{…. I HAVE A NAME DAMN IT! I'M NOT SOME EXOTIC ANIMAL FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT YOU BUNCH OF FIREWOOD!}

A chorus of gasps was the response my outburst got. I noticed that quite a few of the tree's branches were trembling. Whether from rage or fear I'm pretty sure it was rage. They did speak casually about killing which meant they were most likely stronger than me. Not a good idea to piss of stronger monsters but hey I got angry ok? You can forgive me disembodied Alfred? Right?

{A mere cave rose dares to insult us! Just for that, I should burn you into a crisp flower!}

Ouch. It looks like I did make them angry. One of the pine trees branches were shaking up a flurry as the voice spoke. I'm guessing that's the one that was talking.

{Compose yourselves, everyone. It's a guest so we as the owners of this home should be polite, not rude. Now then little rose. What would you like to ask us?}

The feminine voice that first spoke to me stuck up for me when all the other trees were fuming with anger. It looks like I may just live through this after all…. Wait. These trees are the first err things I've talked to since I died. I'm not sure whether to be happy I finally have someone who can talk to me or pity myself for being happy about talking to trees…

Next thing you know I'll become a tree-hugging hippie! Not that I can hug without arms. Maybe my roots? Focus Joe! You finally found someone to answer your questions! Take advantage of it. Knowledge is power!