Chapter 11 (1/2)

Back at the base, Randidly once more checked on the plants. The second generation plants mixed with the crystals had fully grown and now had fruit, but he set that to the side for now. It did mean that Farming and Plant Breeding both increased a level.

With his 8 PP, Randidly tossed the rest of it into the Pathfinder class. At 10, he earned +1 all M. Supp, which was helpful for his spells. Then he turned to the fruit. He began with the bananas, because he basically knew what to expect. The red bananas were bigger, and had a strange spicy savoriness that was a quite welcome switch from the regular sweetness.

The straight blue crystal bananas were tingy, and were strangely spongy, almost like a cake. But they certainly seemed like they kept longer without going bad.

It was the mixed crystal bananas that were really peculiar. When he touched most of the bananas hanging from the slender tree, most of them turned to ash. Except for one, that seemed to pulse with light. At the same time, it was strangely dripping juices, vibrant and alive. And quite sticky. Slightly nervous, Randidly took that one and took a small nibble.

Instantly, warm waves of heat washed through his body. He smiled and flexed his hand. He felt… powerful. Acting purely on instinct, Randidly produced the knife and made it dance across his fingers, slashing left and right.

Almost immediately, he gained a level of Equip, which just made him smile wider, and soon he was leaping back and forth, cutting invisible enemies to pieces. Very quickly, Randidly was filled with a strange confidence that he was wrong about hand to hand fighting. Although he wasn’t experienced, that didn’t necessarily mean that he couldn’t defeat a lousy monkey.

He was quick, he was strong, he was smart, he could spot the monkey’s weaknesses…

An increase in the level of his Physical Fitness made his confidence swell. He definitely felt stronger and more resilient, and it wasn’t just the stats. It was the lifestyle, it was the diet. His body was changing, He was changing.

Then Dagger Mastery gained a level, and he was so sure, in that moment. He could do this.

Hell if he wasn’t babysitting this dumbass Shal-

Then all at once, the confidence departed, a empty coolness suffusing his body.Randidly shivered. What… What was that…?

Trembling, he breathed in, and then breathed out. The previous few minutes were a heady blur.

Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the whole situation was the confidence that buoyed him after he took the small nibble. And the fact he had gained 3 skill levels in about 5 minutes. Although it might have been a coincidence, it didn’t feel like one.

Being careful not to breath any stray fumes from the banana, Randidly peered closely at the banana, trying to figure out why it had such a profound effect on him.

Congratulations! You have learned the active skill Analyze Lvl 1.

Analyze: Closely examine materials and rare items. Works primarily to determine the crafting potential of base materials. Can also give some insight into completed projects.

Congratulations! Analyze Lvl 1 has risen to Analyze Lvl 2.

Lesser Origin Banana: Made from a tree that grows rich in both yin and yang energies, only one Origin Banana blooms per tree. The concentrated energy within it has great potential to increase the efficacy of most effects.

...It even could increase the efficiency of training? But more than that… it doesn’t explain that monstrous confidence that appeared so quickly…

Still, another skill and skill level were useful, and Randidly tucked the banana away for safekeeping. Meanwhile, he walked over to the middle of the nut trees, having high hopes for another origin food.

Unfortunately, his luck was not that good. When he pulled off a nut, and unpleasant scent wafted up from it.

Warped Halnut: Strange energies have warped this Halnut. Can be refined into a poison with unpredictable effects.

Unpredictable wasn’t exactly what Randidly was looking for, so he turned to the blue Halnuts. Popping one off of the tree, he cracked one open and gazed inside. Although it was oddly cool, it was otherwise quite normal. It was also more oily, the flesh on the inside shifting when he pressed it. Analyzed hit, the level going up once again.

Cool Halnut: A variant of the Halnut with a unique taste. It’s core is useful for crafting.

Randidly nibbled on the edge. To his surprise, it tasted oddly mintly. He took a bigger bite, enjoying the strange, peanut butter like consistency, combined with the minty flavor. He took another bite, his teeth smashing against what could only be the core.

A thread of cold energy got into his mouth numbing him, and Randidly spat out the whole thing.

After the numb sensation went away, Randidly carefully cleared away the flesh, revealing a small blue bead.