Kingdom Building: Civilization Starts with Divinity-Chapter 50: Forest Layout

"I’m dying! I can’t go anymore! It’s too much!" Alchemy shouted between breaths as she fell to the ground.

|<HP: 189/1440>|

|<SP: 101/842>|

"Gahaha! Do you feel that? That means you’re ready to surpass your limits!" Gravana laughed.

Their little "sparring" session had gone for hours. Alchemy was ready to tap out, but Gravana kept pushing her.

"Now, you must understand what I meant, right?"

’Has the sky always been so pretty?’ She asked herself in her borderline delirious state.

Unlike her battles, her adrenaline wasn’t pushing forward.

"Yeah. I think so. But I couldn’t land a single hit on you, though."

"Of course, you couldn’t! Even those tree-loving bastards from the inner forest would have trouble defeating me, much less a little Goddess!"

Alchemy was mildly bitter about the outcome. She fully expected it, but Gravana wasn’t joking when he said he’d move slower than her. He was moving at nearly half her pace, but she still couldn’t graze him, much less land a solid hit.

"Take a break. Your endurance isn’t too bad, so training that can be put on hold."

"Woo!" Alchemy celebrated by throwing her arms into the air.

"We’ll work on helping your body utilize all that information your eyes grant for the next several mornings. We’ll add more once I know you can sufficiently react to your opponents."

’He plans to add more?! I actually am going to die, oh my god.’ Alchemy screamed inwardly.

"Right, you mentioned the Inner Forest. Why do you refer to it as something different from the outer forest?" Alchemy shot up from the ground and asked.

"I expected it somewhat, but you really don’t know? Did you make the forest your domain without knowing anything about it?" Gravana asked.

"I’m not even from this world, so no. Something, something, Divine Realm. I only know my immediate surroundings."

Gravana rubbed his chin in thought.

"Guess I’ll explain it to you. Be grateful, Disciple!" He joked, sitting himself down.

"This forest is called the [Forest of Ghosts and Ash] and is split into five sectors. I’m unsure how it works, but each forest sector has an utterly different terrain. While the 1st sector, the one we’re in, is a proper forest, the 2nd sector is more of a sprawling mountain range. Naturally, the other three are different as well.

Something about a massive-scale natural magical phenomenon: you’d be better off asking that old monkey about the specifics. While he lacks the muscle to be called a real man, he definitely has the brains."

Alchemy let out a low hum as Gravana spoke.

"Wait, so the forest itself is sort of like a ring that encompasses four smaller rings?"

"It’s more of a crescent, but effectively, yes. About 3 hours north of my den lies a massive ocean with no end."

"Then why do you refer to the entire thing as forest? Isn’t that a little contrived?"

Gravana nodded in agreement.

"It’s because of those tree-loving bastards who "keep order" in the forest. Although they say it like they’re doing good, they rule over us like we’re their toys... Not that I think about it, they’re not so different from you Gods who watch over humans!"

"For the love of me, don’t lump me in with Gods that associate with humans. I’d rather drop dead." Alchemy scoffed.

"Gahaha! That’s true! You care about your people extensively. Although, there is one divine being who’s quite similar to you in that regard. Again, you’re better off asking that monkey about matters outside the forest."

Alchemy nodded along for now. Rio should be coming to her territory the next day anyway. She could ask him about them then.

"Tree lovers, huh? Are they Dryads? Or some other kind of Nature Spirits?"

"Right on the nail. Are you familiar with Dryads?"

"Vaguely."

In A.O.A, Dryads, magical spirits generally really, but especially Dryads, were one of the more irritating factions to deal with. Magical Spirits could indefinitely revive themselves so long as whatever they were made of existed inside their civilization.

The only type of spirit worse than Dryads were the Naiads, water nymphs.

"Inside the Innermost part of the forest exists... Something, hell, if I know what it is, but it lures animals to the forest and mutates them into monsters. Some, like us, gain sentience and decide to claim some area in the first two layers of the forest. The further into the forest you go, the stronger the monsters. The less intelligent they become on average as well."

"A [Mutation Array]?" Alchemy muttered to herself, "These Dryads, how powerful are they? And more importantly, are they secretive about what is in the center of the forest?"

"Oh? Are you familiar with what might be causing these mutations?"

"I might. Add on to my previous question. How long has this been happening?"

"Unfortunately, I have no idea on that front. But I can tell you that the Dryads are immensely powerful. If you wish to survive in the forest, I’d recommend never messing with them."

’System. Is this a prank?’

The system didn’t respond.

’Tyrannical Dryads that even Gravana is wary of guarding a potential super boss spawn point. If I had to guess, they’re probably around level 100 at the lowest. Since he said, they couldn’t take him down easily, probably 150 at the absolute highest. How interesting.’ Alchemy smiled.

She had already planned to take over the entire forest eventually. If she managed to usurp some tyrants in the process, then she’d get to brag to all of her friends who probably got dragged into this world as well.

Not to mention, she had a [Idol] perfect for defeating opponents stronger than her, didn’t she?

Assuming she had the SP to properly use it, of course.

"Well, I’ll keep that in mind. If nothing else, I’d like to meet them eventually. Perhaps I’ll be able to get their blessing."

"That’s good. Now, I believe you’ve had enough of a break! It’s time to continue!"

"E-eh? It’s only been half an hour, though!"

"A half-hour is plenty! Don’t tell me that a divine and radiant Goddess can’t even handle this much?!"

’BUT I’M NOT A DIVINE AND RADIANT GODDESS! I’M A GAMER GIRL, FOR CHRIST SAKE!’ Alchemy cried in despair.