Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 53: Chapter 49: Contact

Read chapter 53 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Chapter 49: Contact Chapter 49: Contact Traveling within the forest was starting to feel more comfortable for Alex. His stronger body, coupled with his aether sight, let him run at faster speeds without losing awareness of his surroundings. He learned that his magical sight wasn’t just about seeing aether. He felt he could see more clearly than before. Further out, with more detail at every distance. Motion didn’t blur his vision as much as it used to, and his eyes could easily keep up with his acceleration when running around dodging the foliage. He was sure that his vitality and mental stats played a part in that, but he felt the strange ability listed in his status screen was doing at least half the work. Alex must have been ten miles into the forest by now. The canopy still just as thick, choking the sunlight to the point of a soft greenish glow permeated everything. The low light was one of the reasons that he hadn’t noticed them immediately. The distinctive aura around their forms was all that gave him warning, as the energy completely blended with the surrounding tree, only the vague shape of an animal stood out to his mind. Alex forced himself to a sudden stop as the deer-shaped creature moved slowly towards him. It had a deer shape, but was not a normal animal. Its body was seemingly made of compact moss instead of flesh. Twisting vines and wood covered parts of it. Lichen-caked ivory antlers rose from its head, its body somehow rigid. He was confused since plant matter shouldn’t be as stiff as what this creature obviously was. He didn’t have much time to study it further as another animal-shaped moss entity strode out from a nearby tree and began walking towards him as well. This one in the shape of a wolf instead. “ I’d just assume these are not friendly and prepare for a fight if I were you. Which, with our bonded connection, I sort of am? So hurry up and get ready.” “ \What the hell are thes—” The wolf-shaped one charged at him. It lunged, fast, too fast for something made of wet plant matter. He twisted to the side, feeling the whoosh of air as it missed, bark claws slashing through empty space. He dropped low and swept his spear around, slamming it into the creature’s side. The blow connected with a dull thunk , splintering some moss and bark, but the thing barely flinched. It turned, slow and silent. “Oh come on,” Alex growled. “That should’ve at least made you yelp.” “ You’re fighting a compost heap, not a dog. ” The larger creature, the deer, lowered its antlered head and charged him as well. Alex didn’t think. He pulled his free hand up and focused. A short chant and a twist of aether later, energy shot from his palm. A condensed wave of aether moved forward and smashed into the charging creature’s chest. The deer-like thing staggered as vines tore and bark splintered from the impact. Yet it kept standing, jaws parting in silence. He spun back to the wolf, just in time to see it leaping again. “Fuck!” he shouted, thrusting his hand out instinctively. A thin shimmer of aether from his [Shield] spell burst into place just as the creature’s claws hit him. The impact shoved him back, feet skidding across wet moss, but the barrier held, if only barely. The wolf’s weight crashed into Alex and then tumbled off, careening into the underbrush. “ Please tell me you’re learning from this, ” Obby said. “ Because this is starting to look like interpretive dance with angry yard clippings. ” Alex shoved to his feet. The shield flickered once, then popped like a soap bubble. “Alright,” he muttered, panting. “No more playing nice.” He rushed the injured deer while it still staggered. Spear out, he leapt and drove the point up under what he hoped was its chin. The tip struck a knot of twisted bark and sank in deep. The creature jerked violently, legs convulsing. Then it collapsed, bark and moss falling at its legs. Alex ignored and mentally swiped away the notification he received from killing the creature. He turned. The wol