The Rise Of A Tribal Deadbeat - Chapter 46

“My help?” Zok was a bit confused, “I’m no expert, but even then I can feel you are much stronger than I am…”

“That might be true now, but in future, you will- No, I don’t have the right to tell you about your future. Not as you are right now…” The spirit quickly covered her mouth before she could spill any more beans.

Zok could spot a tinge of sadness on her face when she thought about his future. Firstly, he knew the shaman could ‘predict’ someone’s future, but in his opinion, it was just a bunch of mumbo jumbo they used to please the others. After all, how could someone who can’t even predict what will happen next in their own life, predict the course of someone else’s life? Just that thought itself was completely absurd.

And secondly, it was unlikely for someone as strong as the being in front of him would lie about his future. Also… it might explain why the shamans were so desperate to kill them as soon as he started showing some ‘talent’. It could be that the shamans could actually see his future and saw something that made them want to kill him as soon as possible. It wasn’t much, but slowly Zok could feel things making some sense.

Taheton’s betrayal, the Depraved one, then Shira and now this spirit, everything must have a link between themselves. As much as Zok wanted to know more about this future of his, he knew forcing a being that was much stronger than he was, wasn’t the right way to go about things.

‘It’s better to gain her trust before doing something rash and it’s not like I can force the truth out of her with my current powers either way.’ Zok gradually loosened his grip around the spear and let his guard down as the spirit continued.

“To answer your question, yes. I am much stronger than you. But there are limits even to my strength.” The spirit smiled wanly as her pearl white body slowly got wrapped around with leaves and branches.

Zok hadn’t noticed it yet, but the spirit was standing in front of him completely naked. It was just that her skin was glowing so brightly, he wasn’t able to see anything other than a rough shape of her body along with her beautiful hair. As the leaves and vines started covering her up, the whiteness in her skin slowly turned into a pale violet tone, the same colour as the earring she had in one ear.

She had a beautiful oval face with a cleft chin that only magnified her beauty. One thing Zok noticed immediately was her pale yellow eyes coupled with a small nose and puffy green lips. Her knee-length white hair was flowing behind her as if they had become one with the air. Her limbs were left untouched by her leafy attire and left a little to Zok’s imagination.

“I have been cursed and hence cannot leave this cave, until that curse has been lifted.” Sofina continued, “But while I’m here, the person who trapped me here wants to rule over the wilderness that I swore to protect from being defiled.”

“I might have an idea who that is…” Zok scoffed, “Was it the shamans who trapped you here?”

Sofina silently nodded, “She said she came in peace. But all she wanted was my treasure. I was innocent and trusted her smile and then she trapped me here. Without my influence, the creatures gradually changed and became… violent.”

Zok was beginning to once again question whether he could even defeat the shamans. If they could defeat a creature as strong as this one, then they could easily take care of him as well. For the first time, he was glad that the shamanka did not take a direct approach in eliminating him or else he wouldn’t stand a chance.

“They did not do it using their strength, great tamer.” Sofina replied as if she had read his mind, “They did so with their wits. They pleased me, gained my trust over a long period of time and when I was completely unaware, they stabbed me in the back.”

“So she fooled you and took your authority to look over the wilderness?” Zok asked as his familiars slowly approached him.

“No mortal can control the wilderness. But my absence did enable the god she preached, to do what she wants with it to a certain extent.”

“Do you know what god does she preach or how many gods are there?” Zok was slowly getting more and more involved in the conversation.

“You may not believe me, but there are too many to even count.”

“I see…” Zok said before turning away, “As much as I sympathise with you, I’m in no condition to help you out. I am not strong enough to take down the shamans-”

“I don’t need you to do that. My request has nothing to do with my current state or vengeance.” Sofina mumbled, “I only have one request… please try to calm the chaos in the wilderness, while I try to break this curse. These beasts deserve peace, just as much as other Occunians do.”

Just then Zok received a notification from the system that he had received a new quest.

[Special Chain Quest (1): Protect the Beastly Glades from the evil hands of the shamans and turn it into a safe haven for you and everyone else.]

[Requested by: Sofina <Treant Spirit>, Vassal of the One who loves all creatures.]

[Rewards: Depends on the grade received upon completion of the quest.]

[Will you accept the quest? Yes/No]

[This quest has an acceptance reward that can be inherited just by accepting the quest.]

‘Although the details of the quest are a bit hazy, it wouldn’t harm me to get a free reward.’ Zok thought to himself before accepting the quest.

[The Depraved One encourages your decision.]

“I will do it.” As Zok uttered those words he was surrounded by white light and as the light disappeared there was yet another notification flashing in front of him.

[You have unclaimed rewards: Title x1]

‘A title again? I hope it’s better than the one I have now. Claim.’

[You have received the title: <Sofina’s Ally>]

[Sofina’s Ally (Level 1): Control cost of taming beasts is reduced by 10%. Cost of Learning new skills is reduced by 20%]

[Notice: The effect of up to 5 titles is stackable. Any more titles than that and you will have to choose which titles you want to use. You can change them upon your will.]

“It’s just a small gift from my side, brave one..” Sofina smiled as Zok’s jaw dropped on the floor, “I’ll pray for you to achieve great things in future.”