Chapter 47: Rewards

Ryan approached the Fallen Guardian’s body and opened his system interface to check the rewards.

As expected from one of the most difficult hidden bosses on the second floor, the rewards were far better than those dropped by the Serendipity Witch Doctor.

Several system notifications appeared one after another.

[Congratulations! You have defeated the Fallen Guardian of the Tree of Life.]

[Difficulty: Hidden Boss]

[Boss Rank: Ancient]

[Rewards Calculated...]

[You have received the following rewards:]

[Ancient Tree of Life Fragment ×1]

[Corrupted World Tree Core ×1]

[Guardian’s Nature Crystal ×3]

[Ancient Elf Bloodline Crystal ×1]

[Legendary Skill Book ×2]

[Ancient Skill Book ×1]

[Random Ancient-Grade Equipment Chest ×1]

[Hidden Dungeon Reward Chest ×1]

Ryan’s eyes paused on the last few rewards.

"Two Legendary skill books and an Ancient skill book? Not bad."

"And aren’t Ancient Skill Books above the Legendary rank, Sweet" He smiled as he mumbled " Seems, like I should use Perfect Loot on her in futre"

The Fallen Guardian was much more difficult than the Witch Doctor, but the rewards clearly reflected that difference. The Ancient-grade equipment chest and the hidden dungeon reward chest were especially appealing.

He first checked the materials.

[Ancient Tree of Life Fragment]

Rank: Ancient

Description: A fragment of the fallen Tree of Life that retains a portion of its original power. It can be used to craft high-grade equipment with lowest grade being Legendary, create special potions, or strengthen items associated with nature and life.

[Corrupted World Tree Core]

Rank: Ancient

Description: A core formed from the remaining energy of a fallen World Tree. It contains powerful life energy mixed with corruption. With proper purification, it can become a valuable material for crafting, alchemy, and special rituals.

[Guardian’s Nature Crystal]

Rank: Legendary

Quantity: 3

Description: Crystals containing traces of the Fallen Guardian’s authority over plants and nature. They can be used to create nature-related equipment, enhance plant-based abilities, or serve as valuable materials for alchemy.

[Ancient Elf Bloodline Crystal]

Rank: Ancient

Description: A crystal containing a portion of an ancient elf bloodline. Absorbing it will grant the complete bloodline of the Ancient Elf Bloodline.

Note:- Obataining the bloodline won’t change the race but without Race change one cannot acquire all the Bloodline abilities of the Ancient Elf race. ]

Ryan nodded as he read through the descriptions.

Every one of these materials was valuable, but the Ancient Elf Bloodline Crystal caught his attention the most.

A bloodline of Ancient rank was undoubtedly the best loot he got so far.

"Hmm, Should I use it?" he wondered and decided to look at it later, he can’t just make such heavy decision so hastily.

As for the Corrupted World Tree Core, Ryan already had an idea of what to do with it.

He possessed Dark Purification and several other abilities that could help him deal with corrupted energy. Combined with the knowledge he had obtained from the Witch Doctor through Perfect Loot, he should be able to investigate whether the core could be purified and put to better use.

He stored the materials and turned his attention to the skill books.

The first Legendary skill book revealed itself to be a defensive ability.

[Skill Book: Guardian’s Root Armor]

Rank: Legendary

Type: Defensive Skill

Description: Summons layers of reinforced roots around the user’s body, forming armor that absorbs damage and reduces the impact of physical attacks. The armor can draw energy from nearby plants to repair itself.

Ryan considered it for a moment before placing it in his inventory.

It was a useful skill, especially for someone who might face powerful enemies in close combat. However, he already possessed several defensive abilities, so he would decide later whether to learn it himself or use it for another purpose.

The second Legendary skill book was more interesting.

[Skill Book: Nature’s Life Drain]

Rank: Legendary

Type: Nature Skill

Description: Allows the user to absorb a portion of the life force of damaged enemies through nature energy. The absorbed energy can restore the user’s vitality or strengthen certain nature-based abilities. Its effectiveness depends on the target’s resistance and the user’s affinity.

Ryan’s eyes lit up slightly.

A skill that could restore vitality while weakening enemies was certainly useful. It might also work well with his summons, particularly during prolonged battles.

Unfortunately, he didn’t have a strong nature affinity at present. He could still learn the skill, but its effectiveness might be limited until he developed a suitable way to use it.

He put the book away and checked the final skill book.

[Skill Book: Tree of Life Authority]

Rank: Ancient

Type: Special Skill

Description: Grants the user a limited connection to the authority of the Tree of Life. The user can manipulate plant life, strengthen nature-based abilities, and accelerate the recovery of living targets by drawing upon available life energy.

[Requirement: Nature Affinity]

Ryan raised an eyebrow.

"An Ancient-grade skill."

This was clearly the most valuable skill among the three books. However, the requirement meant he couldn’t necessarily use it immediately.

He had no intention of wasting a rare skill book simply because he was eager to learn it. He stored it safely and decided to examine his options later.

Next, he opened the Ancient-Grade Equipment Chest.

[Would you like to open the Random Ancient-Grade Equipment Chest?]

Ryan selected [Yes].

The chest transformed into a flash of light, and a piece of equipment appeared before him.

[Congratulations! You have obtained: Nature’s Heart Ring.]

[Nature’s Heart Ring]

Rank: Ancient

Type: Accessory

Attributes:

Intelligence +800

Constitution +800

Maximum Mana +60%

Life Recovery +30%

Special Effect — Nature’s Protection: When the wearer is exposed to fatal strike, the ring automatically forms a protective barrier that absorbs a portion of incoming damage. The barrier’s strength depends on the surrounding environment and the wearer’s inteligence.

Ryan examined the ring carefully.

Its attributes were excellent, particularly the increase to maximum mana and life recovery. The protective barrier was also useful, although its effectiveness would depend on the environment.

He was already wearing several pieces of powerful equipment, but accessories were always worth considering because they could provide valuable bonuses without requiring him to replace his entire set.

After checking his current equipment, Ryan decided to keep the ring for now. He could compare its benefits with his existing accessories later.

Finally, he opened the Hidden Dungeon Reward Chest.

Unlike the previous chest, this one did not immediately reveal its contents. Instead, a golden notification appeared.

[Hidden Dungeon Reward Chest detected.]

[Because you have defeated the Fallen Guardian of the Tree of Life, you have unlocked the special reward.]

[Opening...]

A soft golden light spread from the chest.

[Congratulations! You have obtained: Seed of the Ancient Tree.]

Ryan looked at the small seed that appeared in his inventory.

It was no larger than his thumb, but faint green light flowed beneath its dark outer shell.

[Seed of the Ancient Tree]

Rank: Ancient

Type: Special Growth Material

Description: A rare seed containing a trace of the life force of an ancient tree. It can be planted in a suitable environment to begin a long process of growth. Its final form depends on the quality of the soil, available energy, and the conditions under which it develops.

Special Note: The seed’s growth potential is exceptionally high.

Ryan studied the description twice.

"A seed with Ancient-rank potential..."

This reward was different from ordinary equipment or materials. If he could provide the right environment and enough energy, it might eventually grow into something extremely valuable.

He immediately thought of Lady Mysteria’s Garden.

The spatial ring contained a garden and a pond, along with various plants, seeds, and gardening tools. It might be a suitable place to investigate the seed’s growth requirements, although he wouldn’t plant something this valuable before understanding it properly.

For now, he stored the seed alongside his other rewards.

With that, he had finished checking the boss’s drops.

Ryan looked back at the Fallen Guardian’s remains. The green energy that had once spread throughout the battlefield had almost completely disappeared. Without her influence, the corrupted roots had become still, and the area around the fallen Tree of Life seemed quieter than before.