Becoming a Monster

Chapter 221: Chapter 221: The True Mastermind

It was subtle, but it was there nevertheless. A stem grew out from its lowest branch, a stem that pulsated with an ominous energy. The stem elongated gradually, its surface glowing faintly with a soft sheen. It twisted and pulsed unnaturally, as though alive, feeding off the spider’s mana and life essence that continued to be absorbed into the tree.

Noah’s brow furrowed as he focused his Nexus Eye on the phenomenon, his interest in the fruit-like extension increasing with every passing second. The energy within the stem was unlike anything he had seen before. It was much more potent than any mana core he has ever seen, the energy within it was even greater than the amount being released by the core that Ailetta had previously absorbed. Inside of it was a dense mixture of raw life force, further empowered and shaped by a mana as chaotic as his own.

Soon, the object taking shape from the stem finally shifted and condensed to fully create a translucent fruit whose shape and initial appearance looked more like a ghastly heart. The surface was various shades of black while amber-like veins etched across it, pulsating at different intervals than the fruit itself.

The fruit-like object continued to pulsate, growing larger with each second, the glow of its ember veins intensifying as the spider’s cries grew weak.

Noah couldn’t decide if he should allow the tree to continue unabated, allowing the tree to fully be able to ripen the fruit so he could have it for himself. From what he could gather, the fruit must have also been the reason for the spider’s dominance in the forest. It was most likely part of the ’deal’ between it and the tree. The fruit’s potential couldn’t be ignored, even without fully understanding its nature, he believed that it was a priceless treasure.

For a brief moment, the temptation gnawed at him. But as he correlated the spider’s power to the growing fruit, the image of the tethered veins connecting the spider and the tree’s roots came to mind.

It surely wasn’t a mere coincidence. As Noah thought more about the connection, he began to realize that tree was much more insidious than he gave it credit for. Digging deeper in his thoughts, he tried to understand the true nature of not only the tree and its fruit, but also the relationship of those who were to eat the fruit, and the purpose of creating the fruit in the first place.

”If the fruit grants power to those who eat it, then it’s almost certain that it exacts a price, their freedom,” Noah mused. Two key observations solidified his theory. First, if the spider truly intended to guard the tree, it would have been far more effective in preventing intruders from reaching it in the first place. Why, then, had it allowed them to approach? Why choose to fight in the immediate vicinity of the very object it was meant to protect

”It’s because it couldn’t...” Noah muttered to himself. The spider wasn’t staying by the tree’s side by choice; it wasn’t able to leave its side. But mere protection for power didn’t feel like a deal that benefited the tree, at least benefited it in a way that suited its nefarious nature. That’s when he remembered the presence watching him in the forest earlier. How the tree wasn’t afraid about his arrival, nor did it sought to prevent him from killing off the creatures that inhabited its home. In fact, it seemed eager for him to kill off more and more creatures for it to consume.

And that’s where everything clicked. The spider became reliant on the power it was given; the fruit was probably no different than a drug that supplied that power. And for the tree to continue to supply that drug, the spider had to offer it something in return; energy. Why did the other creatures not come to the spider’s aid? It was probably because the spider killed their species to supply the tree with their energy, the same way it sacrificed its own children.

”But then why has no one stood up to the spider? Clearly, the different species of the forest had enough ’manpower’ to overthrow the spiders if they came together. Why would they continue to let their own be mercessily killed for its own gain? Why wouldn’t they try to gain the tree’s fruit for themsel-”

Noah’s thoughts froze. ”That sneaky bastard....” Noah’s Nexus Eye roamed towards the distant trees, hovering over the elongated mass of energy.

”The tree is using them all...” The pieces of the puzzle were now falling into place. The spider’s dominance was never a result of mutual respect or fear; it was the byproduct of a manipulative ecosystem where betrayal was the currency and survival came at the cost of others, and all of it was being manipulated by the tree.

As this revelation solidified in his mind, Noah’s gaze shifted to Ailetta’s attack, no longer did he think about allowing the tree to have its way. The massive serpent fanned out its hood before it struck, its disjointed jaw unhinging further to accommodate its enormous prey. Its fangs and razor-sharp teeth sank deep into the spider’s battered, armored hide, crushing through its defenses as it fully enclosed around the spider’s face, its mouth, eyes, and head engulfed in one swift, relentless strike.

The spider’s muffled cries were cut short as the serpent’s four elongated fangs pierced through its head, penetrating deep into the main part of its brain. And as the serpent’s mouth enclosed around it, the continuation of its shell being crushed apart sounded as the serpent was determined to fully bite through its head entirely.

With its central brain pierced, the spider lashed out in a final, desperate frenzy. Its massive legs slammed into the ground with massive force, sending tremors rippling through the remains of the battlefield. The sharp, jagged edges of its limbs carved deep trenches into the earth, some of the tree’s roots were being uplifted as a result.

The serpent delivered one final, crushing bite, its massive jaw snapping shut with a final, brutal crunch. The moment the spider died, Noah relaxed, believing that he had stalled the tree long enough to perform his next set of plans. However, the moment of the spider’s death, the roots hidden beneath the ground completely shot up, each root latched towards the spider’s corpse, tethering themselves to its body, digging into the veins that still faintly glowed with the residual energy.

The battlefield fell silent, save for Ailetta’s massive beating wings, and the creaking groan of the tree’s roots as they erupted from the ground with violent speed. Noah’s momentary relief shattered as he watched the tree still obtaining what it wanted. The fruit once again began to go through its intense palpitations. Its trunk shimmered faintly, as though greedily consuming the energy.

”Of course that wouldn’t stop it.” Noah bit his lip in mild frustration, knowing what was about to happen next.

”Are you sure we shouldn’t destroy it now?” Noah looked up, seeing the serpent merged with Ailetta, dangerously eyeing the tree, its tongue flickering excitedly for its next orders.

”.....No...” Noah paused in thought before shaking his head. With that said, he began to walk forward, approaching the tree while his thoughts remained elsewhere.

”Just make sure to keep the stalker away from the tree.”

Ailetta’s head tilted in confusion, ”the stalker?” Her eyes reflecting her thoughts processing who the stalker he mentioned could be since he said it as if she should’ve been aware of it.

Noah’s pace remained steady as he approached the tree, even as the roots floated around him, he remained impassive towards the potential danger, aware that the tree wouldn’t do anything to cause him harm directly. ”Yeah, the snake from before.”

”Oh!” Ailetta gasped, her eyes widened in realization. But then her expression morphed into a frown. ”Why would it wait till no- Oh! The tree!” Ailetta grasped the snake’s intention almost immediately.

Noah’s footsteps faltered as he was surprised with how fast she was able to connect the dots. But then again, her way of thinking was much more unorthodox than his. He wasn’t that far away from the tree now, and the energy within the fruit was much more prevalent than before. However now, the aura wasn’t just able to be seen through his Nexus eye. A vibrant light amber leaked around the fruit, an energy that emitted a tantalizing scent that was both alluring and empowering. Just a whiff along those who smelled it was the illusion of the potential power they would gain.

A loud, gurgling, yet struggling roar came from the ground. Dummy was the first to be incited by the smell. If not for his incapacitated state, even Fenrir’s authority would have been ignored.

Fenrir’s reaction followed next, his reaction wasn’t as strong, but his salivating figure that even took the time to no longer continue his feeding, showed just how powerful the aroma was. The smell was able to strike deep within the instinctual core of every creature. And it was then that the snake in waiting finally made its move.