Scene: The First Canopy — Stonebark Expanse
Time: 6:20 PM | Weather: Cool winds, faint golden light
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After crossing the red bridge and drying himself off with a controlled swirl of wind, Oliver stepped into a region marked only by a tall wooden post and glowing glyphs carved along its bark-like structure:
> 🪵 [You've Entered: The First Canopy — Stonebark Expanse]
🌲 Note: This forest contains regenerative trees.
🪓 Chopping trees may result in immediate regrowth or pushback via nature-based resistance. Minimal deforestation permitted.
🍃 "Respect the canopy, and it shall provide."
The light around him had a faint golden tint, and the air smelled cleaner—alive, almost. Trees towered above him, bark tough and dark with silver veins, and the leaves shimmered faintly in the wind.
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🌿 Systematic Notification: Biome Traits – Stonebark Expanse
Tree regrowth speed: High (within seconds)
Environmental reaction: Mild passive healing while resting near tree roots
Fruit yield: Moderate — apples, wildberries, rare goldenleaf citrus
Threat level: Low for white-ranked Travelers
Recommended activity: Foraging, Vita training, low-level monster scouting
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Oliver flicked open the Systematic Map, zooming in slightly. A pulsing yellow dot showed his current position. Nearby icons revealed potential resource nodes, but they were vague—marked only by fruit symbols.
He set a target and whispered:
> "Let's find apples."
With his stone sword sheathed at his side, Oliver began navigating the tall grass and root-covered paths. After about ten minutes of walking and carefully stepping over scattered roots, he spotted it—
A tree, not quite like the others, smaller in size but dense with leafy branches... and from its arms hung round red fruits, glowing faintly in the light.
> 🍎 Apple Tree Located
5–7 apples available
Harvest difficulty: Easy
Possible fruit respawn within 1–2 hours
Oliver approached, reaching up and plucking a few. One for now, others for storage.
He took a bite.
Sweet. Crisp. Hydrating.
> 🧃 [Minor Recovery Applied: +5 stamina]
🗃️ [Inventory Updated: x4 Apples]
He smiled to himself—finally something going right.
> He'd train more, gather more, and venture further.
Stonebark Expanse was only the beginning.
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Scene: Apple Tree Fest — Stonebark Expanse, June 6:40 PM
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The forest was lit in hues of gold and green. All around Oliver, the woods had become a quiet orchard.
Dozens of apple trees stretched across the terrain—clustered in generous spacing, their branches sagging from the weight of ripe, red fruit. Some even glimmered faintly with ambient Vita energy. It was unnatural in timing—June typically meant the beginning of fruit season in many parts of Elarion, but this was excessive.
> 🌳 Systematic Note
Region: Stonebark Expanse
Phenomenon: [Seasonal Irregularity — Fruit Bloom Anomaly]
🍎 Apple trees bloom in weekly cycles, not seasonal.
🌦️ A unique blend of water, wind, and minor earth Vita saturates the soil, causing accelerated fruiting.
⚠️ "Too much of a good thing can ruin the taste."
Oliver, stacking apples with practiced motion, smiled as the [Inventory Notification] pinged softly:
> 🧺 [Apple × 50+ Acquired]
🧃 [Stamina Recovery Source: Ready]
📦 [Portable Stock for trade: Prepared]
But then — rustling. A subtle break in harmony.
Oliver narrowed his eyes, the [Investigation] tab flickering.
> 🪵 Alert: Wooden Imps Approaching — 3 Units
[Aggression Triggered: Traveler left protected Fruit Range Zone]
Oliver turned quickly, gripping the stone sword. Two of the imps were the usual kind — crude, clunky, and easily dispatched.
> Thwack — Crack — Slash
Both dropped instantly, dissolving into splinters and releasing minor Vita sparks.
The third was different.
Its bark was darker, slightly reinforced with moss-wrapped limbs and stone fragments fused into its wood. It was taller, too, and made a creaking war-cry that echoed faintly through the trees.
> ⚔️ [Wooden Imp Variant] — Mossed Timberling
HP: Moderate
Durability: +25%
Reaction Speed: Normal
Drops: Rare sapling OR wood shard
Oliver struck once. Then twice. The third swing finally cracked through the timberling's bark—splitting it into chunks.
> 🪓 [+4 Points Earned]
🎁 [Drop: Thick Bark Piece]
📘 [Monster Log Updated]
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Breathing out, Oliver reactivated [Investigation].
A faint greenish trail projected across his Systematic vision—leading a more direct route through the winding woods, weaving between high-cluster trees and avoiding potential mob zones.
> 📍 New Path Secured
Objective: Locate Nearby Water Source OR New Biome Edge
Estimated Time: 17–22 minutes (walking pace)
Oliver began his march, the apple trees behind him and the deeper mysteries of Stonebark Expanse ahead.
He'd need more than apples soon.
And more than a stone sword.
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