Sera - A Dungeon Revival LitRPG

Sera leaned her back against the ancient bark of the Spirit Tree, its rough texture cool against her skin. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, centering herself amidst the ambient energy that pulsed through the tree like a steady heartbeat.

She had been feeding the Spirit Tree a constant stream of tributes. But Sera still remembered how the value of new tributes had been diminished greatly since the last rank-up, though she still wasn't aware how much exactly. Not only that, if I recall correctly, it will now also take more Core Experience to get a rank-up.

Sera exhaled slowly, focusing on the sensation of the tree’s roots as they began to move. They burrowed into her back, threading through her being like a network of living tendrils. The cool, smooth texture of the roots contrasted with the rough bark, and Sera could feel the faint pulse of energy as they connected with her core. It was then that the notification flickered before her eyes.

Core experience updated to 50,000.

As Sera noted how despite the experience that had been accumulated, it was nowhere near enough to propel the dungeon from rank 5 to 6. I'll need to increase the flow of tributes or acquire more potent ones in the future.

Sera slowly pushed herself off the Spirit Tree, the roots reluctantly withdrew from her body, sliding out with a soft, almost reluctant hiss. She took a step forward then cast a final glance before walking away to the forest as her back healed. Time to survey the dungeon.

She paused by a cluster of Moonblossoms, their pale, luminous petals glowing faintly in the low light. Sera reached out, brushing lightly against the nearest blossom, feeling the cool, silky texture of the petals. These ones are growing nicely.

Continuing her path, she approached a patch of Shadow Ferns, their fronds a deep, almost black shade of green. These plants were essential to the forest, their presence creating pockets of darkness where smaller creatures could hide. These have multiplied quite a bit since my last inspection, still acceptable.

But as she moved deeper into the forest, something caught her eye. A flash of bold color amidst the sea of green and shadow.

Sera turned her head slightly, her gaze narrowing as she focused on the source of the anomaly. There, standing alone amidst the undergrowth, was a single Amaryllis flower. Its bold crimson petals were open wide, as if basking in the filtered light that streamed through the canopy above.

Sera approached the flower cautiously. The Amaryllis was not native to this part of the dungeon, and she was certain she hadn’t placed it here. I don't remember this flower being here.

The elder dryad knelt beside it, reaching out to touch one of the petals. It felt soft and warm against her fingertips, a stark contrast to the cool roughness of the tree bark she had leaned against moments ago.

With a gentle tug, Sera plucked the flower from the earth. The moment she did, a ripple seemed to pass through the forest. The ground beneath her feet shifted slightly, and she glanced around, noticing that more Amaryllis flowers were now emerging from the earth. They sprouted rapidly, unfurling their brilliant petals in a cascade of red that spread out before her in a widening circle.

Sera rose to her feet, her eyes following the trail of flowers as it wound through the trees, leading deeper into the forest. Interesting, I'll go investigate.

Her curiosity deepened as the flowers continued to bloom with each step she took. The path of flowers led her to a small clearing where the ground dipped slightly, forming a natural hollow. In the center of this hollow, the flowers clustered together to form a dense, circular pattern.

As Sera drew closer, she noticed that the flowers had arranged themselves in a perfect circle and formed a portal that shimmered at the center of this floral arrangement. Its surface undulated like liquid glass, reflecting the surrounding forest in distorted waves.

Sera's wariness warred with fascination as she circled the portal, tracing the patterns woven into its surface. The magic hummed with an almost musical resonance, carefully placed to create a harmonious whole.

This has to be Amaryllis's work. Or at the very least, I hope it is.

The elder dryad took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. With one last glance at the forest, Sera stepped closer to the portal, its light intensifying as she approached. She reached out, brushing the surface of the portal, feeling the warmth and energy that radiated from it, as if the portal itself was alive, waiting for her to step through.

Without further hesitation, she took the final step and jumped into the portal. The world around her dissolved in an instant, the familiar sights of the forest melting away into a kaleidoscope of light and color.

***

Sera emerged from the portal into the familiar yet unsettling landscape of the Long Death. This time, however, the swamp was transformed. The murky waters that usually sloshed beneath her feet were now a solid sheet of ice, shimmering under a blanket of freshly fallen snow. The gnarled trees that twisted grotesquely toward the sky were frozen solid, branches heavy with layers of frost and snow. The air was thick with a biting cold that made her breath fog in front of her, yet the stench of decay that usually permeated this place was now replaced by the crisp, sharp scent of winter.

Sera stepped onto the frozen surface of the swamp with her bare feet. With each step, the ice beneath her feet spread out in delicate patterns, cracking and reforming instantly, reinforcing the surface against the dark waters below. I should still be careful.

As she ventured deeper into the swamp, she saw how the once animate, grotesque forms of the swamp's abominations were now frozen in mid-movement, encased in thick layers of ice. One creature stood hunched over, its elongated limbs reaching out as if to grasp something unseen. Its skin, stretched taut over a bony frame, was covered in a frosty sheen, the ice distorting its wide, unsettling grin into something even more grotesque. Another abomination lay sprawled on the ground, its antlered head twisted at an unnatural angle, eyes locked in a frozen expression of rage and pain.

These creatures were now rendered powerless, preserved like twisted statues. Sera’s steps echoed in the silence as she passed them, her breath visible in the cold air. Good riddance.

Finally, she caught sight of a figure ahead. In the center of the swamp, where the ice was thickest, stood Amaryllis. The winter dryad she sat calmly at a table made entirely of ice, sipping from a cup also crafted from the frozen water. Opposite her was another chair, equally ornate, seemingly waiting for Sera to take her place.

Sera raised an eyebrow as she closed the distance between them, taking in the surreal scene. “Tea?” In this place?”

Amaryllis’s eyes flicked to Sera with a hint of cold amusement as she set down her teacup “You would do well to focus on more pressing concerns instead.”

Sera sighed, a plume of mist rising in the frigid air, and reluctantly settled into the chair opposite Amaryllis. The cold seeped through her clothing, but she did her best to ignore it. “Fine, but can you at least explain why the swamp looks so different this time?"

Amaryllis leaned back in her chair, a condescending smile tugging at her lips. "In part, it's thanks to you. As you grow stronger, my influence over the Long Death also increases."

"Then can I at least get a thank you?"

"Don't push your luck."

Sera allowed a chuckle to escape her lips But her expression turned serious as she regarded Amaryllis. “So, can you open a portal to the Long Death at will now?”

The winter dryad, who had resumed her leisurely sip from the ice-crafted teacup, shook her head slowly. “Even my abilities have limits. The portal you stepped through? I can perhaps manage such a feat once every few months at most. It requires significant preparation and energy.”

“Then you must have something important to say if you’re expending this much effort.” Sera said.

Amaryllis sighed, a delicate plume of mist rising from her lips. She placed the cup down before looking at Sera. “In truth, I’m here to warn you. Because one of my past mistakes is coming back to haunt you.”

“Pardon?"

“Several millennia ago, when I was still walking the surface of the world, I encountered an exiled angel named Haziel. She was living among humans, no doubt in some vain attempt to find solace or redemption.”

“Admittedly, in my folly, I decided to amuse myself. I killed everyone she held dear, then, instead of granting her the mercy of death, I chose to seal her away indefinitely. It was done out of sheer whimsy, for no other reason than to satisfy my own pride.”

Sera’s lips pressed into a thin line. “And now, I have to pay for your mistakes.”

Amaryllis didn’t flinch at the accusation, her expression remaining composed, almost indifferent. “Yes, it appears that way.”

Sera’s frustration simmered beneath the surface, but she forced herself to remain calm. “How is it that you even know where this angel is now?”

Amaryllis’s gaze flicked to the frozen swamp around them briefly. “I don’t know where Haziel is, not exactly. But I felt her. Recently, she awakened, and the power she unleashed resonated even here. It was impossible to ignore. And if she is truly awake, it is likely she will seek vengeance against you."

"Please, I have done nothing against this angel. There shouldn't be a problem as long as I don't use any of your abilities in front of her."

"Perhaps, but I have a feeling your paths will clash regardless. And before you say anything, yes, I am aware that it sounds laughable to expend so much effort to call you here just because of a hunch, but my instincts have never lied to me before."

“Thank you for the warning, but ’ll deal with this Haziel myself if she comes for me.” Sera said.

Amaryllis’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Do not be so quick to assume you are capable of such a feat. In your current state, you wouldn’t stand a chance against the angel."

Sera straightened in her chair, pride bristling at the implication. “And what would you have me do, then? Cower in fear, waiting for her to strike?”

“No, I plan on training you instead.”

“What’s the point of that? I already know how to use the powers I have. And I can’t access more power until the Spirit Tree grows further. Training won’t change that.”

“True, and I understand your limitations, but this isn’t about simply harnessing more power. It’s about strategy, understanding your opponent, and knowing how to exploit her weaknesses."

Sera’s gaze softened slightly as she considered Amaryllis’s words. Despite her initial skepticism, she knew there was truth in what the winter dryad was saying.

With a nod, Sera accepted Amaryllis’s offer. “Alright. Let’s get started.”

Amaryllis’s lips curved into a satisfied smile, and she stood, the icy chair beneath her dissolving into a fine mist. “Follow me."

Sera rose from her seat, feeling the cold seep through her clothing as she followed Amaryllis deeper into the swamp. Eventually, the winter dryad paused in the center of a clearing.

Amaryllis extended her hand, fingers splayed. The ground beneath them responded instantly, the frozen earth cracking and shifting as tendrils of ice snaked their way upward, twisting and spiraling as it coalesced into a rough, humanoid form. Slowly, with each passing moment, the shape grew more defined, the crude block of ice giving way to smooth curves and delicate contours.

The figure that emerged was tall and statuesque. Ethereal wings, crafted from the thinnest layers of ice, unfurled from the figure’s back, each feather etched with intricate detail. The face, chiseled with precision, bore an otherworldly beauty: high cheekbones, a delicate jawline, and eyes that seemed to gaze into the distance with a serene expression.

Amaryllis stepped back before turning to Sera. “Don’t worry. She won’t move. This clone of Haziel is merely for demonstration.”

Sera studied the ice figure and noted the details: the curve of the wings, the sharpness of the jawline, the cold intensity in the eyes. There was an aura of power about the statue, even in its stillness. Quite the intimidating one.

Amaryllis circled the statue. “Haziel’s abilities are formidable. She commands red lightning, capable of incinerating anything in its path. Her wings grant her unmatched speed and agility, and her resilience is beyond anything you’ve encountered. She’ll likely use her power to overwhelm you, to force you into a defensive position where she can exploit your weaknesses.”

Sera nodded, absorbing the information. “And what do you suggest?”

“Protect your head,” Amaryllis said bluntly, her tone leaving no room for argument. “It’s the weak point of all elder dryads. A single well-placed strike could end you.”

Sera scoffed, rolling her eyes slightly. “I’m aware of that. I’m not some fledgling just learning to walk.”

Amaryllis’s expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes, perhaps amusement, perhaps something more serious. “I don’t doubt your knowledge. But in battle, it’s often the simplest truths that are the most important."

"Interesting advice coming from you." Sera said with a chuckle.

"Listen, you're not me. But, I do need you to live. Hear my words and etch them into your memory, because Haziel can definitely end your life should you two clash."