Many hours later, after they have effortlessly encountered some low-level obstacles, they arrived at Halner Forest, where the cold lake is surrounded with pine trees. Alinel’s stops her steam bike next to a small hill with few snow-covered bare trees which stand three meters away from the edge of the lake’s water current. At that spot, they can see a clear scenery of a big, beautiful lake and cloudy mountains, with birds and a titanic whale-like dragon known as a Cloud Dragon, which doesn’t look hostile, fly majestically across the sky.
“Here we are.” Alinel informed.
“After traversing dangerous paths and encountered couple of wild monsters, the ride is really tiresome.” complained Wyle.
They step down from the steam bike, packing out their stuffs from the trailer to set up a camp on top of the small hill. Alinel later uses her summon magic once more to call off her steam bike back into the portal and magically changes her uniform with her dress she once wore.
“Oh. There is a Cloud Dragon here too.” Veist amazed.
“Looking at that dragon already gave me a chill.” worried Wyle.
“Hmm. I wonder what it taste like.”
“Really, Veist? The last time I saw you eating were grubs. Even though you’re not a pelnan, you have weird taste.”
“I'm an omnivore, by the way. You should try some too.”
“N-No thanks. I-”
Wyle's stomach starts rumbling. He gets embarrassed as Veist stares at him mockingly.
“Don’t look at me like that.” he embarrassed.
“No need to be embarrassed.” Said Veist while he’s igniting a bonfire with primitive tools. “We skipped lunch since we left the city. I’ll prepare the dinner.”
“Uhm, thanks anyway. While we still have time, I’ll go set up some traps.”
“Do you need help?” Alinel asked.
“Thanks, but I'll be fine. This won't take long. Later.”
Wyle then left to prepare his traps until dinner is prepared.
“In that case, I’ll go get some water at that lake.” Alinel said.
“I appreciate your help, milady.”
Alinel picks up a bucket and walk down to the lake to get water. As she fills it up, she stares at the lake for a moment with a sad looking face, remembering her bitter past. In her vision, an enormous shooting star strikes into the lake. It causes an impact that is powerful than a hydrogen bomb. She is then got called by Veist, asking what she wants for lunch.
“Milady?”
“Huh?” Alinel snapped. “Oh. Yes, my dearest?”
“Is there something you want for dinner?”
“Ah. I’ll have chicken cutlet.”
“Coming right up.”
Veist is aware that she was thinking on something that made her face down, but he doesn’t want to bother like the way Alinel did to him. He then gets back to cooking.
At night time, Wyle already got back to the camp, having dinner together with Alinel and Veist. After they are finished eating, they clean up the dishes and sit close to the bonfire with satiety.
“Thanks for the meal.” Wyle satisfied.
“That was delicious.” Alinel appreciated.
“I’m glad you enjoy it.” replied Veist.
Veist gives them a reminder that today is the last day of winter. Thus they aware that the giant tree monster will wake up tomorrow.
“Today is the last day of winter. So let’s be ready for tomorrow’s hunt.” Veist reminded them impatiently.
“You seemed impatient.” said Alinel.
“We haven't done any hunting quest for a while, milady. And by the way, Wyle, is everything set?”
“Yup.” Wyle replied. He unfold his map to indicate where the traps are. “The first thing we need to do is to weaken its regeneration ability. Once it makes it appearance, lure it to these spot then strike its vitals quickly when you get the chance. If not, it will escape into the underground again.”
“So we have to kill it fast. That would be a piece of cake. Are you sure this tree monster is strong?” Alinel wondered.
“Sorry, I couldn’t find any book with detailed information. This is a rare monster so it’s a bit hard to find. I only learn about it from humors.”
“I don’t think it matters much.” said Veist. “As long it is lured to the traps, we’ll deal with it in a minute.”
“Perhaps you’re right. In that case, I’ll be counting on you two again.”
“Just leave this to us.” Alinel excited.
“Alright. Let’s get some sleep. We can’t miss out.”
They then go sleep to their open tent.
On the next day, Alinel wakes up inside the open tent. She sees Veist who is still sleeping next to her, but Wyle is not in sight. As she walks outside, she sees Wyle washing his face at the lake. Alinel joins in to wash her face too.
“Good morning, Wyle.” said Alinel.
“Good morning, Alinel.” Wyle replied.
“Today’s the beginning of spring.”
“Yep. The giant tree monster will pop out anytime now.”
“By the way, Whyl, I remember that it can’t be detected while it’s hibernating underground. But is there any way to trace it?”
“Hmm.” Wyle thought. “I didn’t think about that, but now you mentioned it. Based from rumors, I’ve heard if you found some trees which are different from most trees, there is a chance those are the tree monster’s body parts which grew from its back. Some people also said that its trees are used to breathe on the surface. Other than that, it usually like to sleep close to a river or a lake so that it can drink water by using its roots.”
“I see. Back in the city, you mentioned about herbs. Can you tell me more about those?”
“Oh, those. Many people mentioned that this tree monster produces purple herbs, a good quality medical herbs which can cure almost any disease. The tree monster take a good care of them to keep them fresh. They rarely decay or dry out, even during autumn and winter.”
“Interesting. Trees which are different from others, it breathes with its trees, sleeping while collecting water, and grow purple herbs. Uh-oh.” Alinel concerned as she observes the location of their camp.
“What’s the matter?”
“I think we know where the tree monster is now.”
Wyle is looking around, but there is no tree monster in sight.
“What!? Where!? I don’t see it.”
“Not yet, but look at where our camp is located.”
“Huh!?”
Without notice, their camp is built under the trees which the branches once covered with snow. They are different from the rest of other trees, which are pine trees. The trees are also close to the edge of the lake. And lastly, few purple herbs are blooming as the snow starts melting. At that moment, they realize that the tree monster is sleeping under their camp.
“AAAAAAAHHH!!!” Wyle screamed.
“That's not a hill. We are camping on the tree monster’s back.” Realized Alinel.
“Quick! We must wake up Veist befo-”
Suddenly, a tremor occurs.
“The ground is shaking!”
“Veist!” Alinel shouted. “Please wake up!”
Veist can’t hear her call because he is still sleepy. The sound of the shaking ground is getting louder.
“He can’t hear us!”
Suddenly, next to the encamped hill, a giant wooden limb rises from underground. It scratches the the ground of the hill until it grabs the tent, including Veist who is trapped inside and is unable to escape. Then, along with the damaged tent, he is being thrown far away until he is out of sight.
“VEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIST!!!” Wyle panicked while tearing his hair.
More wooden limbs emerges to the surface. They hold onto the ground to pull out the rest of its body. After a long, cold slumber, a tower-sized crawling tree monster awakened onto the surface, yawning and scratching its back without accidentally peeling its trees out which are rooted on.
“It’s the giant tree monster! Stay back!” Alinel urged.
The tree monster stares at them. It feels provoked and readies to attack them.
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