NOVEL NEXT Chapter 43: Forming a Party, the Forest of Evil, and the Mighty Plant Brain
Alex and Steiner make their way to the small room where Vivi lies resting. As they enter, they see that Vivi is awake, his small figure sitting up on the bed.
Alex looks at Steiner with a questioning glance, and Steiner nods in return. Steiner then approaches Vivi and pleads with him, “For the sake of Princess Garnet and all of Alexandria, I humbly request your assistance, Master Vivi!”
Vivi, looking confused, responds, “Huh? My assistance? But… what can I do?”
“Master Vivi, surely you jest!” Steiner exclaims. “Your knowledge and skill with black magic were incredibly effective against that monster. Please, Master Vivi, help us. I, Adelbert Steiner, swear to protect you on this journey!”
At that moment, Zidane enters the room. “Vivi, remember what we were talking about! You’ll help me rescue the princess, right?”
Steiner glares at him. “What? You scoundrel, you dare to rescue the princess? It’s your band of thieves who got us into this mess! If the princess has come to any harm, I’ll strike you down!”
Zidane brushes him off, saying to Vivi, “Come on, Vivi, let’s go, alright?”
Vivi nods, “Okay… if you really need me, I’ll do my best to help.”
As Alex and Zidane prepare to leave the room, Steiner pulls Vivi aside, whispering, “Master Vivi, I have an idea. I call it… Magic Sword!”
The group heads toward the exit, but as they’re about to leave, Blank intercepts them. Alex nods to Steiner and Vivi, giving Zidane the opportunity to speak with Blank in private.
A few moments later, Zidane rejoins the group, holding a small bottle, the antidote for the deadly spores most likely infecting the princess.
They all glance back as they see Marcus waving to them from one of the airship’s windows, while Cinna appears, offering to sell them a few supplies for the journey ahead.
Alex takes a look at Cinna’s wares but is disappointed to find the same basic selection as in the Alexandria item shop: [Potion], [Antidote], and [Eye Drops], with no Phoenix Downs or Tents, items that should be available by now. Sighing, he thinks, "Maybe if we make it to Dali, I’ll get another chance to find better gear."
Before leaving, he tries his luck at selling some of his own items. "Hey, Cinna, interested in buying anything?" He offers his fur gear, saber, and even the newly obtained [Plant Essence].
To his surprise, Cinna agrees but names outrageously low prices: 2,500 gil for all three fur items, 4,000 gil for the saber, and 10,000 gil for the essence. Alex quickly realizes that Cinna’s offers are only a fraction, maybe a quarter to half, of each item’s value. "A [Broadsword], a white item, costs 5,000 gil," he calculates, "so a light green item like the saber should easily be worth around 10,000 gil." Knowing it would be a mistake to sell here, especially since gil is worthless if he can’t exchange it for items or Fantasy Coins, Alex pockets his goods. He does, however, take note of the essence’s high value, thinking, "Maybe this will get me a decent FC exchange rate in the Fantasy Realm."
The group then ventures deeper into the forest, encountering foes like goblins, fangs, and Dendrobiums, even passing a majestic river along the way. Alex manages to land the final blow on several enemies, earning another 550 gil. "If only we could stay and farm like in the game," he thinks, "this would be a fantastic source of gil!"
After a series of battles, they reach a peaceful clearing, free of monsters, with a magical healing spring at its center. They each take a sip, and Alex is astonished by the effects: not only are his HP and MP fully restored, but every ounce of exhaustion seems to lift from his body. "Incredible," he thinks. He takes an empty apple juice bottle from his inventory and fills it with water, but quickly notices that the system doesn’t recognize the item, and its effect seems to weaken by the second. "Too bad, was worth a try, I guess," he smiles.
After leaving the clearing and taking a cautious walk along the swamp path, the group finally approaches the sinister den looming in the distance, the lair of the forest’s ruler, a monstrous creature known as the Plant Brain. Throwing caution aside, they storm inside, rushing to rescue the kidnapped Princess Garnet.
The Plant Brain is a massive, rooted monster with thick, twisting roots resembling arms and a large central flower with thorn-like teeth forming an ominous, gaping mouth. Vivi spots Garnet off to the side, looking unharmed, and exclaims, "There she is!"
Steiner immediately starts arguing with Zidane. "Stand back, thief! Alexandria’s honor demands that I, her loyal knight, rescue her!"
Zidane shouts back, "Are you crazy? You think you can handle this thing on your own? Let’s go, Vivi."
Alex quickly interjects, "Let’s focus on taking this monster down fast and saving the princess!"
They step toward the creature, and a fierce battle erupts. Alex recalls the Plant Brain’s attacks: it can strike with massive root-like tentacles, cast thunder magic if left alone, and release a pollen cloud that causes ‘darkness.’ Thankfully, Alex came prepared with [Eye Drops] for exactly this scenario.
The Plant Brain launches its left tentacle toward Zidane in a vicious strike. But Alex, noticing the creature’s wind-up, steps forward and raises his [Shield of Pluto] just in time, absorbing the brunt of the blow. The impact reverberates, but the shield’s Stalwart ability reduces the force, reflecting part of it back. The massive root arm bounces off Alex’s shield and momentarily hits the creature itself, making it squirm in discomfort. Alex feels a surge of confidence.
You have dealt 6 damage to Plant Brain
Alex marvels at his shield's resilience. Even after enduring sparring sessions, the Prima Vista battle, fights with monsters along the way, and now blocking this powerful attack, it has only lost 2 Durability. With 79 out of 100 remaining, it's holding up impressively. "This shield could easily withstand days of combat," he thinks.
"Thank you... Alex, right? I owe you one!" Zidane shouts as he dashes forward, landing a clean strike with his dagger. At the same time, Steiner and Vivi unleash their new combination attack, "Fire Sword." Vivi’s Fire spell channels into Steiner’s blade, empowering his sword skills with searing flames. Steiner slashes the creature with the flaming sword, burning and cutting through the Plant Brain’s tough outer layer, dealing a devastating blow.
The monster lets out an ear-splitting screech and retaliates with its pollen ability. Alex raises his shield, but the spores spread through the air, clouding his vision. He quickly grabs his [Eye Drops], applying the liquid to clear his eyes, just in time to see another tentacle strike aiming for Vivi. Alex springs into action, intercepting the blow with his shield.
You have dealt 5 damage to Plant Brain
Alex smirks. "This is almost too easy. With me blocking and reflecting its attacks and Vivi and Steiner coordinating their combo moves, this thing’s going down faster than Concord getting removed from Steam."
Suddenly, the Plant Brain changes tactics, launching a simultaneous diagonal strike with both tentacles. Alex manages to deflect the left tentacle, protecting Zidane, but the right one lands a brutal blow on Steiner, sending him sprawling and clearly in pain.
"What the? That move isn’t in the original fight!" Alex panics slightly, thinking, "Is this the Fantasy Realm’s influence? Are enemies stronger here because of my presence?"
Alex knows it’s time to step things up. Putting away his sword and shield, he considers his next move. "Maybe the element of surprise will give us an edge," he thinks, preparing for a devastating attack.
Alex decides it’s time to use his mightiest weapon. He conjures two [Annihilation Grenade lvl 1], one in each hand. Eyeing the Plant Brain’s massive form, he calculates his throw carefully, aiming one grenade toward its monstrous face and the other at its right side to avoid Garnet, who lies unconscious to the left of the den.
The Plant Brain, caught off-guard, doesn’t react as the two grenades arc through the air, purple fuses burning brightly. Then—BOOM! The twin explosions rock the monster, flame and shrapnel flying everywhere.
You have dealt 21 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 22 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 1 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 1 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 1 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 1 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 1 damage to Plant Brain
…
You have dealt 1 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 1 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 37 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 34 damage to Plant Brain
You have ignited Plant Brain
"Yes!" Alex shouts. "Direct hit! The explosion only did about a third of its normal damage, and the shrapnel barely scratched it, but the fire damage is nearly double, and it ignited the beast!"
The group cheers as the Plant Brain thrashes, panicked by the flames licking at its body. Vivi takes advantage of the monster’s vulnerability, casting another powerful “Fire” spell directly at its face.
“That should finish it, right?” Alex thinks. But instead of succumbing, the Plant Brain lashes out with a new attack. Multiple roots burst up from the ground, piercing through armor and flesh. Alex feels a stab of pain as the roots pierce into his flesh despite his sturdy armor, and he sees his allies wincing in pain as blood starts to seep from their wounds.
You have taken 18 damage
Just as the group struggles to fend off the encircling roots, Blank appears out of nowhere, lunging at the Plant Brain’s face and landing a decisive strike that disrupts its root attack and stops it from preparing a mighty thunder spell.
“Now! Alex, cover me!” Steiner yells. “Vivi, one more Fire Sword!”
Alex dashes forward, shield up, while Steiner charges beside him, and Vivi readies another spell. The Plant Brain strikes with its right tentacle, but Alex deflects it with precision, angling the attack right into the monster’s own gaping maw. The creature reels, momentarily stunned.
You have dealt 6 x 3 = 18 damage to Plant Brain.
Steiner, invigorated, shouts with renewed determination, “Beautiful… I swear I will slay this beast by my honor as Captain of the Knights of Pluto!”
“Fire Sword!” Vivi cries, just as Steiner raises his blazing sword to deliver the final blow. But in a desperate counterattack, the Plant Brain gathers pollen for another toxic blast aimed directly at Steiner.
Reacting instantly, Alex whips out [Mr. 5’s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] with expert speed thanks to his Pistol Proficiency lvl 1 and fires a shot directly into the monster’s maw, disrupting the pollen attack just in time.
[Mr. 5’s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] effect activates: Explosive ammunition!
You have dealt 15 damage to Plant Brain
You have dealt 11 damage to Plant Brain
Steiner, with a fiery determination, slashes his enchanted blade deep into the plant monster’s head, nearly splitting the beast in two. The impact proves fatal, and the creature begins to collapse, its twisted form crumbling into nothingness.
“We did it!” Alex shouts, exhilarated. Zidane stands in awe at the massive foe they managed to bring down. This unlikely group, with Blank’s timely help, has defeated the enormous Plant Brain.
As Steiner rushes over to the unconscious Princess Garnet and gently lifts her, Alex follows closely, but his eyes are locked on the monster's remains as they disintegrate. Just before the last traces of the creature vanish, he spots a chest half-buried among the roots.
You received Large Chest (Green)
“Green again?” Alex mutters, stowing the chest in his inventory. “Guess my luck had to cool off at some point. But hey, at least it’s a large one!”
He glances over at Garnet, still unconscious in Steiner’s arms, and assesses her condition. “She looks alright, just knocked out. Let’s get out of here and use that antidote for the pollen.”
But before they can make their exit, the ground beneath the den begins to shift and writhe. Dozens of plant creatures resembling oversized spiders crawl out, chittering and skittering toward them.
“Leave, now!” Blank yells, snapping everyone to attention.
Without another word, the group breaks into a sprint, fleeing the oncoming swarm of Plant Spiders, their hearts pounding as they race out of the dark, twisted forest.