The Martial Unity

"The data you brought back was most interesting. We identified what we were dealing with in a moment before urgently summoning you back." Officer Zhrekes explained. "The tree responsible for the anomalies is actually not of a species that normally engages in such biological developments."

"What?" Rui frowned. "The species of the tree doesn't grow and develop this way?"

Officer Zherkes nodded. "Correct."

"Then... Are there some specific circumstances under which the tree develops and grows this way?" Rui asked.

This was the first possibility that came to mind. However, he had no idea what circumstances those were.

"Also correct." Officer Zherkes nodded. "In fact, this species isn't the only species that engages in such growth and development. There are many species that engage in similar growth developments under a specific set of circumstances."

"What are these circumstances?" Rui asked curiously.

"Many tree species in the Beast Domain have a high root development capacity." He continued. "Their roots have the capability to grow to an extremely deep depth. The net root volume ends up providing an immense amount of sustenance to the tree in question. However, every once in a while, these roots run into something more than just ordinary soil, water, and nutrients."

"Most species do not possess roots powerful enough to drain the esoteric ores and turn them into sustenance for

it himself. Largely because this required an understanding

would likely gain access to a large amount of energy?" Rui scratched his head. His

Agent Zhrekes nodded before continuing. "And what happens when the tree gains access to extreme energy sources that it can viably provide energy to? What happens is that the tree is able to grow and develop to a much greater degree than it normally can under normal circumstances. The excess energy is channeled into the expansion of the tree. However,

remarked. "Is that why the tree was that ridiculously wide in regards to the

deeper towards the esoteric ore reservoirs to siphon more of the high-energy matter. Based on the data you have provided, it's quite

digested the information officer

not allow lifeforms that are too dangerous to it to approach it. Which is why it attacked you when you displayed a Squire-level aura with the Mind Mask technique. Only Martial Apprentices that are, of course, below the Squire Realm are able to enter the forest unobstructed." Officer Zherkes

opportunity you mentioned earlier..." Rui continued. "You're referring to the esoteric ore

high toxicity. The tree allows creatures weak enough to be a threat to itself to be lured in by the fruit's allure so that they consume it, only to die and be absorbed by the

are valuable themselves,

in ways that we often do not understand nor can replicate. They're often used in

we need to do is swoop in and take the fruits and mind the

case, he could certainly understand the Martial Union's

as simple as that." Agent Zherkes nodded. "But alas, reality is rarely that ideal. Do you know the geography of the Serevian Plateau and its placement in human civilization? Specifically, the nations closest to