My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 950 Marrowheart Tree

Deeper within the forest, I reduced my pace, allowing the pursuers to draw nearer. The initial one lunged from the side, its limb descending, but I had anticipated this, sidestepping the attack. My grip on the axe handle tightened as I pivoted, driving the weapon low into its thigh. The blade bit deeply, arresting its advance. Before it could react, I wrenched the axe free and brought it swiftly upward, smashing into its jaw. The impact snapped its head back, sending blood spraying, then a downward chop to its neck followed immediately.

It buckled to a single knee.

A final, arcing swing severed its neck, and its body toppled forward, headless as it impacted the ground.

The second creature was already upon me.

It charged headlong, its swing wide, but I darted between two trees, forcing it to swerve. Its shoulder scraped the bark, momentarily slowing it. I immediately re-entered its space and swung, embedding the axe deep into its chest. The blade tore through, erupting in blood as the beast staggered backward.

Taking two rapid steps back, I surged forward again and leaped, driving my foot into the embedded axe. This propelled it deeper into the creature’s torso with a resounding thud.

The ape-like monster swayed once before collapsing.

Crimson pooled around its still form. I approached, stooped, and extracted the axe in a single, fluid motion.

An accustomed warmth bloomed near my heart, rapidly intensifying. A system alert materialized.

[Overdrive Charge: 100%]

[Level Up]

[Level 12 → 13]

[Combat Points +60]

[Influence Points +0]

[Skill Acquired]

[Axe Mastery I (Passive)]

Accessing the shop, I promptly procured a Grade 1 Health Potion and an Endurance Potion, expending ten Combat Points on each. I consumed them instantly, feeling their restorative effects permeate my being. The residual damage from prior confrontations began to recede, the deeper aches subsiding as a steady influx of vitality replenished my muscles, alleviating the burgeoning fatigue.

"Now, let's review the objective," I murmured, bringing up the interface.

[You have entered Great Ape Territory]

[Great Ape was a Believer even before the System descended. The integration has granted it blessings from God Goldius.]

[Objective:]

→ Defeat Believer: Great Ape

→ Convert territory into Defier Safe Zone

[Warning:]

→ Target commands a small army of Great Apes

"So these apes are part of its forces..." I mused aloud, my gaze briefly flicking towards the fallen adversaries. They were formidable, both around level eleven, and if these constituted mere outer sentinels, their commander would be significantly more powerful.

Nevertheless, that simply meant greater opportunities for advancement.

Without delay, axe in hand, I pressed onward, venturing deeper into the increasingly dense woods, where the trees grew more tightly packed and the ground became treacherous with exposed roots.

Shortly thereafter, two more ape-like creatures crossed my path, both somewhat less formidable than the preceding ones.

[Monster Great Ape – Level 10]

They initiated their assault the instant they spotted me, but the engagement was brief. I evaded their initial attempts to grapple me. One precise axe swing decapitated the first, and before the second could properly retaliate, I spun and dispatched it in the same manner.

Both creatures fell within seconds.

I opted not to activate Overdrive. A decision had already been made. That potent ability would be reserved for the primary antagonist.

After several more minutes of steady progress, I detected a subtle alteration in the surroundings.

A clearing appeared.

At its heart stood a peculiar tree.

It was gnarled and thick, its bark dark and fissured with unusual markings, from which a pale, white viscous substance slowly oozed, dripping in thick strands. The liquid collected at the base, where rudimentary wooden bowls had been intentionally positioned, catching the slow drip.

I decelerated and sought concealment behind a tree. An inexplicable aura emanated from it.

The instant my focus settled upon the tree, a system notification materialized.

[Marrowheart Tree]

[Description: A rare organism that produces dense life-sap. Consumption increases Strength and Endurance.]

Another line of text immediately followed.

[Territory Note: This region contains 4 Marrowheart Trees.]

My eyes narrowed slightly as I processed this information.

"So, this is what they are guarding."

I shifted my attention outward, observing three apes patrolling the perimeter of the tree, deliberately stationed as sentinels. Their attention was fixed outward, towards the forest. [Monster Great Ape – Level 15]

[Monster Great Ape – Level 15]

[Monster Great Ape – Level 15]

Engaged in a standoff, the three figures were positioned around the ancient tree, each surveying a different quadrant of the surrounding woods. This formation, while seemingly watchful, left the central area vulnerable in a manner that felt deliberate. I assumed a lower posture, moving stealthily along the perimeter of the clearing. Utilizing the dense foliage and the uneven terrain for concealment, I transitioned between patches of cover, my approach masked until I was within striking distance of the nearest sentinel.

It remained motionless.

Until I initiated the assault.

With decisive movement, I surged forward, channeling my full might into the axe's arc. The blade met its neck, cleaving through with minimal resistance before completing its trajectory. The severed head detached cleanly, falling as the body, momentarily defying gravity, then collapsed.

The instant the first assailant fell, the others reacted. Heads swiveled in unison, bodies pivoting to rush me from opposing sides.

I elected not to wait for them to converge.

Instead, I shifted my focus to the one on my left, advancing to engage it before the second could effectively close the distance. This maneuver compressed the engagement space, forcing a one-on-one confrontation. As I closed in, it lunged, raising its arms in a reactive block. However, I timed my jump precisely as it committed, raising the axe overhead for a powerful descending strike.

It attempted to parry the blow, bringing its forearms up defensively.

The axe’s momentum was unhindered. Both limbs were severed in a single, swift motion, the blade slicing through before it could adjust its defense. Upon landing, I executed a forward roll, transitioning fluidly over its faltering form. Rising behind it, I drove the axe across its neck, finishing the severance as its body crumpled beside the first.

A subtle 'level up' chime resonated within my consciousness, but I paid it no mind.

A forceful impact struck my back, driving me stumbling forward.

The sudden jolt propelled me to the ground. I immediately rolled, regaining my footing as I spun to face the final opponent. Just in time, I saw another projectile hurtling through the air. I sidestepped, narrowly evading the missile as it impacted a tree behind me with a resounding crash. Without hesitation, I closed the remaining distance, preventing it from launching another attack.

It reacted swiftly, discarding the rock and stepping forward with a robust swing. I slipped beneath its reach, my axe already in motion, carving adiagonal path across its torso. The blade bit deeply, eliciting a pained twist from the creature.

It attempted to seize me, its hand reaching out tentatively. I evaded its grasp, moving past its side. As I shifted, I swung the axe again, the second strike connecting with its midsection, driving it off balance.

Recovery was not an option.

The third strike landed with immediate force, angled upward this time. The axe sliced into its neck, completing the decapitation as the body succumbed to gravity, collapsing heavily.

Silence descended upon the clearing.

I stood firm for a moment, allowing my body to regain its equilibrium before turning my attention back to the central tree. Its pale sap continued its steady descent, dripping from the wounded bark. At its base, three wooden bowls lay partially filled with the viscous, slow-moving liquid.

Approaching, I lifted one of the bowls, tilting it and consuming its contents in a single gulp. There was no discernible taste. I anticipated a system notification, but none appeared.

Setting the empty vessel aside, I retrieved the second bowl. I repeated the action without pause. This time, as the last drop was swallowed, a subtle internal shift occurred, immediately followed by a system alert.

[Strength +2]

[Endurance +2]

A smile touched my lips. Gaining attribute points passively was highly advantageous, and knowing that three more such locations existed filled me with quiet satisfaction.

The change was not dramatic, but it was tangible. I exhaled slowly, acknowledging the augmentation before reaching for the third bowl. After consuming its contents, no further response was registered; the system remained quiescent.

Thus, there was a finite limit.

I returned the vacant bowl to its original position. Stepping back slightly, I observed the sap continuing its slow, rhythmic drip from the tree. The bowls began to refill, as if untouched.

I settled onto the ground nearby, keeping my axe within easy reach. Leaning back slightly, my gaze fixed upon the tree, I began to wait. Time would pass, and the bowls would gradually replenish themselves once more.