He walked further up the forest path and spotted a berry bush. He approached it and crouched a bit to pluck some out to taste.
[Iris Berries: Special type of berry only grown in temperate climates and mana-filled air. Purple, gritty but sweet taste. Slightly acidic. Safe to eat.]
He found the detailing a bit much but what he was after was its edibility so he indifferently tossed a few into his mouth.
"Hmmm," Max smiled as the juicy berry collapsed within his mouth with a pleasing outburst of delicious fruity delight.
After gobbling up some delicious berries, he ran the bush broke and piled up all the berries into his inventory.
[Object deposited: Iris berries(106)]
He walked further up the forest path and spotted a mountain base.
The scenery seemed like it had just suffered from a rock slide.
Grained rocked lazily laid on the path under the heavy even sun.
The rocks seemed quite unique. They instantly caught Max's attention on first sight.
He walked up a bit and picked up one of the pebbles.
They seemed to be veins of larva weavings over its surface.
[Toluene onyx: Formed from condensation of white larva. Grained and smooth rocks with soot affinity. Incredibly dangerous.]
He heard a ruffle in the bush ahead. It seemed like some prey had just passed by.
He walked a little further to get a better look at the creature.
Unconsciously, he stepped on some onyx in his path and some of them began to scintillate.
He was intrigued.
So picked up one for closer observation.
This as well sparked the one formally in his hand to do the same.
They did so with increasing frequency and it wasn't until the final second that he realized he was in danger.
Instinctively, he jolted away in a rash thrust away from the massive explosion that left the mountain base in agony.
He was able to dodge quick enough to avoid being blown up but not as flawless as to have not sustained injuries.
He scathed himself with bruised from his jolt and also suffered a massive scar at the edge of his arm.
He clenched the scar tight while trying to sooth out the pain when he heard hasty footsteps approaching.
He turned slightly to see who was running his way.
It was Melfina, with a worried expression etched on her face.
She hurriedly crouched asking him what had just happened even though the scene spoke for itself.
She quickly notice his bruises and burns.
So she grabbed his arm, trying to heal him with a faint glow pulsating from her palms.
Max starred in absolute awe unaware of her grabbing his arm. 'Magic!'
He decided to peer into her status using his other skill.
Name: Melfina
–Class: Goddess of Reality – Last of the Gods.
–Bloodline: Xyrics (pure)
–Type: Universal magic
–Soul: 8
–Constitution: 10
–Element: Fire
–Ability: Reality Dome
–Points: 10
He compared hers with his to point out some of the inadequacies he had.
The only near similarities were the soul and constitution but the rest of it were worlds apart.
The scars weren't healing.
It was just as he speculated.
Anti-magic. A skill that gives you the ability to resist and destroy all magical abilities but also renders you inert to any type of magic, beneficial or not.
That was also part of the reason he wasn't moved by the system's warning about the onyx being dangerous.
He thought it meant dangerous as in poisonous. That is releasing magical fumes that could throtle him, he never guessed it meant explosive.
Clattering sounds could be heard from a distance along with neighing sounds from the opposite end of the forest.
The sounds seemed to be getting louder thus closer.
Melfina shadowed her arm over him in a defensive but yet alluring pose with brighther radiance escaping from her hand.
The source of the sound soon reavaled itself as it unveiled from behind the dense forest trees.
It was a merchant in a rusty old wagon with an opaque veil over his cargo.
The merchant halted a few centimeters before them, curious to know what two kids were doing in an enchanted forest all alone.
Max inwardly smiled when he saw the carriage.
He supposed that he would be heading to the nearest city nearby and hoped he would offer them a ride.
However, he had peak knowledge about the greedy hands of most merchants. Always demanding for mouth watering for every little favour, even from very close relatives.
He needed to be really smart and play his cards right to nudge him into helping them.
The two slowly got off the ground with Max still clenching unto his arm.
He walked past Melfina who decided on staying put, away from the merchant as she took an instant disliking to him.
As he walked past her, he could feel waves of energy lividly escaping her body.
He had to put the situation under control to avoid having to deal with a forest fire later.
"Good morning sir," he politely said as he gestured a slow bow to display a bit of respect, hoping to find favour from the merchant.
"Morning lad. If I might ask, what exactly are you and this fine lady doing here in this forest all alone?"
The unexpected concern struck Max for a moment before he gave a reply.
"We're a bit lost and need a ride to the nearest city."
"Oh you mean Aurorix. I am on my way there right now."
"Wow, that's great. Mind if we hitch a ride with you?"
"No problem. Just ensure you've got a bit of complementaries for me afterwards," he chuckled after speaking those not-so-vague words.
'Complementaries!'
Max knew exactly what he meant but still insited on playing dumb.
"You know, a little something for your little messiah."
"Ohh. Emm. I don't have any money on.."
"That's okay," he cut him midsentence.
"You can do something else for me. Perhaps, somechores for a month or offer someother service of which I doubt you know how to perform. Or maybe,.. I don't know, perhaps give the pretty lady over to me for a while and you've got a deal," he said with a lustful smirk crossed over his face, his index finger pointing in Melfina's direction.
She heard all he yapped about and that greatly fueled her lividity and energy escape.