NOVEL NEXT Chapter 47: Leveling
The morning sunlight filtered through the leaves above, casting soft beams of light across the clearing where the glowing tree stood. Caelum stirred from his spot within the burrow, the warm glow of the tree casting a peaceful hue over the area. He stretched his small, segmented body, feeling the soreness from the previous battle fade away as his strength gradually returned.
Aurelia was already awake, her antennae twitching as she poked her head out of the burrow to survey the surroundings. She glanced back at Caelum, her usual alertness tempered with a calm sense of ease. The peaceful night they had spent beneath the tree had done wonders for their recovery, but Caelum knew that rest alone wouldn’t be enough to survive in this world.
They needed to grow stronger.
“We should probably eat something,” Aurelia said through their telepathic link, a faint note of hunger creeping into her voice. “We’ve been through a lot, and we’re not going to level up just by sitting around.”
Caelum nodded in agreement, already feeling the familiar gnawing hunger that came with his larval form. They had been lucky to find this place, but luck alone wouldn’t carry them forward. They needed strength—and that meant leveling up.
They crawled out from the burrow, the fresh morning air invigorating their senses as they moved through the undergrowth. Around them, the forest buzzed with life—small insects flitted about, the sound of rustling leaves creating a steady rhythm in the background. It felt peaceful, but both of them knew better than to let their guard down.
As they moved through the clearing, they spotted a small cluster of leaves, fresh and green, hanging from a low branch. Caelum’s antennae twitched, and without hesitation, he and Aurelia approached the cluster, both feeling the familiar pull of hunger.
“This should do for now,” Caelum said, and they both dug in.
The taste of the leaves was refreshing, each bite bringing a surge of energy to their tired bodies. The act of eating, so simple and necessary, was almost therapeutic after the chaos of the last few days. The leaves were crisp, their bitterness tempered by the satisfying crunch they provided.
As they ate, Caelum could feel his body absorbing the nourishment, his energy levels gradually rising. It wasn’t just about filling their stomachs—every bite brought them closer to the next level, closer to the strength they needed to face the dangers of the world.
Once they had their fill, they continued through the clearing, their senses on alert for any small critters that might provide additional experience. It wasn’t long before they spotted something: a small, scuttling creature, no bigger than their larval forms, darting across the forest floor.
It was a beetle, its shiny carapace glinting in the sunlight as it searched for food. Caelum and Aurelia exchanged a glance, both knowing that the beetle would be an easy target—perfect for leveling up without too much risk.
“I’ll go left, you go right,” Caelum suggested, his voice steady through their telepathic link.
Aurelia nodded, and they both moved in tandem, flanking the beetle from either side. The beetle didn’t seem to notice them at first, its small legs skittering across the dirt as it went about its business.
But as they drew closer, the beetle suddenly froze, sensing the danger. It turned to flee, but Caelum was already on it, his small body lunging forward with surprising speed. He bit into the beetle’s side, his mandibles sinking into its hard shell. The beetle wriggled in protest, but Aurelia was quick to join in, her own bite finding purchase as they worked together to bring the small creature down.
It didn’t take long. The beetle’s struggles slowed, and after a few moments, it lay still. Caelum released his grip, his breath steady as he felt the familiar surge of experience washing over him.
Mystic Larva Level increased from 4 to 5
The notification rang through his mind, bringing with it a small but satisfying boost in strength. His body felt just a little more resilient, his movements a little sharper. It wasn’t much, but every level mattered in this world.
Aurelia finished her bite, wiping her mandibles clean as she, too, felt the surge of experience.
They exchanged a small nod of satisfaction, the first steps toward their growth already paying off. But it wasn’t over yet—there were more critters to hunt, more experience to gain.
They continued through the forest, their senses alert as they scanned for more targets. It wasn’t long before they spotted another potential prey: a small, hopping creature, no larger than a pebble, moving through the underbrush.
It was a cricket, its chirping echoing softly in the air as it searched for food among the leaves. Caelum and Aurelia crept closer, their movements quiet and precise as they prepared to strike.
“I’ll take the lead this time,” Aurelia said, her voice confident.
Caelum let her take the reins, watching as she moved with practiced precision. She darted forward, her mandibles sinking into the cricket’s side before it even had a chance to react. The cricket let out a soft chirp of surprise, its legs kicking in protest, but Aurelia held firm.
Caelum joined in, biting down on the cricket’s other side, and together they made quick work of the small creature. It was another easy victory, but every kill brought them closer to their goal.
Mystic Larva Level increased from 5 to 6
Caelum felt the familiar rush of energy as his level increased once more, his body growing stronger with each passing moment. His movements felt smoother, his senses sharper.
Aurelia, too, seemed pleased with her progress.
The day continued in much the same way. They scoured the forest for small prey, picking off insects and critters as they encountered them. Each kill was methodical, precise, and calculated. They didn’t take unnecessary risks—they knew their limits, and they worked within them. Every fight, no matter how small, brought them closer to the strength they needed.
By midday, they had both leveled up several times, their bodies stronger, their movements more confident.
Caelum’s Status:
Level: 6/25
HP: 40/40
MP: 65/65
Stamina: 25/40
Aurelia’s Status:
Level: 6/20
HP: 60/60
MP: 35/35
Stamina: 50/50
They returned to the glowing tree, their bodies tired but invigorated from the steady progress they had made. It wasn’t much, but every level mattered in this dangerous world.
“We’re getting stronger,” Aurelia said with a hint of satisfaction. “Slowly but surely.”
Caelum nodded in agreement, his body feeling more capable than ever. “Yeah. One small step at a time.”