Chapter 10: Stone Plant Monster
Before the Sound of the Boom
The sun hung lazily in the sky, bathing the village in warm golden light. Children laughed in the fields, chasing each other around as farmers returned from their morning labor.
Among them, Maya was enjoying a rare moment of peace with her three closest friends. Though still young, Maya's reputation had spread throughout the entire village—she was strong, far stronger than her age should allow. While most children struggled to hunt a rabbit or a stray wild boar, Maya could already spar against C-level monsters and sometimes even accompany her grandfather to hunt B-level monsters.
It was no wonder, then, that she was the center of attention whenever she played.
Friend No. 1, a boy brimming with reckless energy, suddenly slapped his knee. "Hey, how about we hunt monsters in the mountain forest?"
Friend No. 2's eyes sparkled. "Yes! That's a great idea. We've been stuck hunting rabbits and fish all week—it's boring!"
Friend No. 3 immediately shook his head, his voice trembling with unease. "No, we shouldn't. The forest is dangerous. My father told me never to go beyond the boundary. Monsters live there!"
Friend No. 1 rolled his eyes and grinned mockingly. "What? Are you afraid? Don't worry, we have Maya with us. Nothing can go wrong."
Friend No. 2 nodded eagerly. "Exactly! With Maya here, even if a C-rank monster shows up, she can protect us."
Friend No. 3 bit his lip, hesitating. He looked at Maya, as if hoping she would refuse. But Maya only tilted her head, smiling softly.
"It should be fine," she said calmly. "I've gone hunting A-level monsters with Grandpa in that mountain before. As long as we don't go too deep, there's nothing to fear."
Those words settled it.
Friend No. 3 groaned and raised his hands in defeat. "Fine… if you all insist. But if something goes wrong, don't say I didn't warn you!"
"Deal!" Friend No. 1 shouted, already rushing toward the mountain path.
And so, the group of four sprinted toward the forest, hearts filled with excitement and naivety.
The mountain was not far, barely a kilometer away from the village. The towering trees at its base whispered in the wind. For the villagers, this place was both a source of food and a symbol of danger because of this mountain. Many villagers had jobs there.
Their village was very small, with a population of less than 1,000 people, and had no official name.
The village was made by retired adventurers because the mountain was nearby, so they did not have to work hard for a livelihood. Many villagers had pensions like Arthur, and it was near a road that went directly to the capital.
The children knew that the strongest monsters living here were usually no higher than C-rank. Maya, who had already beaten mid-level C monsters before, felt confident. Even the high-level C monsters tended to avoid her thanks to her skill.
When they finally reached the outer forest, Maya decided to show off a little. She raised her palm, focusing her energy.
A faint ripple in the air burst outward, shaking the grass and causing several rabbits to flee in panic.
"Whoa!" Friend No. 1 shouted, his eyes glowing with admiration. "Maya, you're incredible!"
Friend No. 3 could only nod in excitement. "You really are something else."
"Look over there!" Friend No. 2 suddenly pointed. "A monster!"
The children gathered as Maya stepped forward and said, "Don't come close, first I have to see its status."
A translucent blue window appeared before her eyes.
[Status Window: Stone Plant]
[Race: Stone Plant]
[Level: F]
[Threat Level: Worm]
[HP: 5]
[Energy: 5]
[Strength: 1]
[Constitution: 1]
[Stamina: 1]
[Charisma: 1]
[Intelligence: 1]
[Skills: None]
Description: A small plant made of stone, weak and fragile.
Maya frowned. "A… stone plant?"
The creature looked like a tiny flower, its petals carved from rock, its stem jagged and stiff. She had never seen such a thing before.
"It looks harmless," Friend No. 1 said, walking closer.
"Don't touch it yet," Maya warned. She stepped forward, her aura flaring slightly as she prepared to strike.
But before she could, the ground shook.
BOOM!
The air trembled as a deep rumble tore through the forest. The children gasped, eyes darting around.
A glowing portal opened in the middle of the forest, swirling like liquid fire. From within, five larger creatures emerged, each resembling the stone flower but far more menacing. Their bodies radiated pressure, their eyes glowed faintly with killing intent.
One by one, their status windows appeared before Maya.
[Status Window: Stone Plant Guardian]
[Race: Stone Plant]
[Level: S]
[Threat Level: High Monster]
[HP: 50000]
[Energy: 50000]
[Strength: 50000]
[Constitution: 30000]
[Stamina: 100000]
[Charisma: 100]
[Intelligence: 100]
[Skills: Guardian]
[Spells: Stonewall Shield, Earthquake Step]
Description: A plant made of stone that evolved into a Guardian, tasked with protecting normal stone plants.
[Status Window: Stone Plant Assassin]
[Race: Stone Plant]
[Level: S]
[Threat Level: High Monster]
[HP: 50000]
[Energy: 50000]
[Strength: 50000]
[Constitution: 30000]
[Stamina: 100000]
[Charisma: 100]
[Intelligence: 100]
[Skills: Assassin]
[Spells: Shadow Bind, Venomous Thorns]
Description: A plant made of stone that evolved into an Assassin, specializing in stealth and sudden strikes.
[Status Window: Stone Plant Sniper]
[Race: Stone Plant]
[Level: S]
[Threat Level: High Monster]
[HP: 50000]
[Energy: 50000]
[Strength: 50000]
[Constitution: 30000]
[Stamina: 100000]
[Charisma: 100]
[Intelligence: 100]
[Skills: Sniper]
[Spells: Piercing Stone Bolt, Longshot Precision]
Description: A plant made of stone that evolved into a Sniper, capable of long-range precision attacks.
[Status Window: Stone Plant Knight]
[Race: Stone Plant]
[Level: S]
[Threat Level: High Monster]
[HP: 50000]
[Energy: 50000]
[Strength: 50000]
[Constitution: 30000]
[Stamina: 100000]
[Charisma: 100]
[Intelligence: 100]
[Skills: Knight]
[Spells: Dark Atmosphere, Blade Vine Slash]
Description: A plant made of stone that evolved into a Knight, armored and ruthless.
[Status Window: Stone Plant Archer]
[Race: Stone Plant]
[Level: S]
[Threat Level: High Monster]
[HP: 50000]
[Energy: 50000]
[Strength: 50000]
[Constitution: 30000]
[Stamina: 100000]
[Charisma: 100]
[Intelligence: 100]
[Skills: Archer]
[Spells: Rapidfire Pebble Shot, Explosive Seed Arrow]
Description: A plant made of stone that evolved into an Archer, striking swiftly from afar.
Maya's blood turned cold.
Each one of them was S-rank.
Her heart pounded as she realized the true danger: her cute skill, the one that usually kept monsters away, wouldn't work here. These monsters had intelligence too low to feel cuteness.
"Run!" Maya shouted, her voice sharper than steel. "Go back to the village and warn everyone! Now!"
Her friends froze for a heartbeat, but the urgency in her tone broke them free. They turned and ran, legs pumping furiously.
Maya took a deep breath, summoning her mana to unleash a spell. But before she could finish, the small stone plant she had ignored earlier suddenly leapt forward, its jagged petals striking her leg.
"Ahhh!" Maya screamed as pain lanced through her. Warm blood spilled onto the ground.
Her knees buckled, and she fell, clutching her wound.
The five S-rank monsters surrounded her, their glowing eyes filled with killing intent.
And the forest fell silent, save for the desperate cries of a girl who had thought herself strong.
"Help me…"