53 (1/2)
”Agimat? This thing doesn't exactly look like what a normal Agimat would look like.” Luna pondered. Then he remembered that while an Agimat usually come in the form of a necklace-like item, it's also depicted as an enchanted stone that came from the sky, or what people would say is a ”pangil ng kidlat” or ”the lightning's fang.”
Noticing the ”fruits” on the tree, these turquoise gems must be it. Running his fingers on the three embedded gems, they actually felt warm to the touch. Suddenly, the wood actually turned into Gold. Surprised, yet fascinated, Luna removed his hands, and it turned back into wood again as new information entered his mind.
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<Agimat of Mutant Beast's Beginner Wood and Wind Mastery>
Contains knowledge of up to Rank 3 in the Wood and Wind elements.
The catalyst for the <Agimat> is made from Piedras Platas,* a tree where the Ibong Adarna* loved to sing it's songs. Embedded in it are gems formed from the Adarna's excrement, which before drying up and turning into a priceless gem, was actually capable of turning anything it lands on into stone.
One can only access the Rank 3 knowledge once it belongs to a <Nation>. Prior to that, only Rank 2 can be accessed. The <Agimat> can only then be used by citizens of that <Nation>.
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”Great. It's literally a legendary piece of shit. Can only access Rank 2 knowledge, huh? Maxene is currently at Rank 3, Elder Jax, if you were at Rank 2, then your wood element couldn't have been rendered completely useless. Why was it?” With the Agimat in his hand, he looked at Elder Jax inquisitively.
”Ah, yes, this is quite embarrassing but, we've only comprehended up to the uppermost limit of Rank 1.” Elder Jax scratched his head a bit.
”I see. That explains why you had a degree of control on the Wood element instead of just a set skill.”
This made perfect sense. They still haven't reached the threshold of Rank 2, which explains why Maxene's Rank 3 comprehension completely negated theirs. The <Agimat> could give them a map, but they still had to make sense of it to get to the ”treasure” which is comprehending the <Anito of Wood>.
At first, Luna thought thatthe <Anito System> was just a type of add-on one could put on their equipment. Now it makes more sense that it was similar to how the spell books were. It brought with it a minimal understanding of what it represented, whether it be an element of some other object.
For example <Bathala's Primordial Flame> currently they saw that it contained a Rank 4 comprehension of the <Anito of Fire>. That doesn't mean that Luna would automatically have a Rank 4 comprehension, what it meant was that he had a reference towards learning it and that the weapon would be endowed with fire that had the strength of a Rank 4 Flame.
After attempting to stash it in his inventory, he found that it was impossible. Luna knew that when he took the <Agimat> with him outside, it would definitely rile up the mutant beasts. It was like playing ”Capture the Flag” mode, all the mutant beasts would know where he is.
”Elder Jax, recall all of the Tarsiers. Have them go inside the spatial gate, Maxene will guide you.”
”Yes, Lord Luna.”
***
In Ferdinand's base, on top of the walls, soldiers with binoculars were constantly monitoring Tarsier activity surrounding their base.
”What's going on with the Tarsiers?” asked one man.
”What do you mean?”
”They just started leaving all at the same time. Should we report it?”
”Don't mind it. They probably just got tired of observing us. It's about damn time. I was starting to get permanent circular marks around my eyes from using those binoculars.”
***
Sura walked into the cave,”Luna, the Tarsiers have been evacuated. We're ready to leave at any time.”
”Alright.” Then he gave Sura a peculiar look. ”You know you could have just messaged me, right?”
”I know. I just try to get as much alone time as I can with you, since you're always busy and all.” Sura added as she held Luna's hand, as she showed a fake ”innocent” expression she would never have shown in front of anybody.
***
Inside Angry Bakunawa's inner world.