48: Original Consciousness

My fingertips gently traced the air, stirring up ripples like water waves.

As I outlined an invisible circle in the air, a ripple beyond the five senses spread from my brow, and a subtle power radiated outwards from me, instantly covering the entire forest.

Under the influence of this power, I began to perceive everything around me, especially those unusual existences.

Although I couldn't precisely pinpoint the exact location or number of those creatures, I knew I had the ability to clearly sense whether they existed—

Whether they were aberrations hidden deep within the dense forest or Celestial Creatures from the divine realm;

Whether they were dragons lurking in the shadows or cunning and unpredictable Fey Creatures;

Whether they were wicked fiends or irritable Elemental Creatures;

Even the deathly aura of Undead Creatures could not escape my detection.

An unspeakable joy and excitement surged within me.

This was a new power bestowed upon me by the Mother of Nature, a reward for my long-standing harmonious coexistence with nature and my reverence for life.

As the detection effect continued, I became more deeply integrated into nature, my mind closely connected with the power of nature, as if I had become a part of the forest.

At this moment, I truly experienced the joy and power that came from resonating with nature.

"Ryan... Ryan!" A voice came from the distant reality dimension, "My Lord, are you alright?"

My ears seemed to have just emerged from the water, their voices shifting from blurry to clear.

"Ryan, you seem to have become even stronger?" Randall keenly noticed my change, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"Just a small improvement." I smiled and nodded, "I am fine. You all may continue."

After they turned and returned to their respective positions, I looked at the system information in my mind, carefully studying the summarized overview of the "Original Consciousness" skill.

[Original Consciousness]

The caster can expend one hunter spell slot and use an action to focus your consciousness on the area you are in, sensing whether the following types of creatures exist within 1 mile (extended to 6 miles when in a forest):

Aberrations, Celestial Creatures, Dragons, Fey Creatures, Fiends, Elemental Creatures, and Undead Creatures.

For every spell slot level increased, the duration of the detection effect increases by 1 minute.

Additionally, this feature does not reveal the location or quantity of the creatures.

...

Although the system information was quite general, I had more detailed feelings myself—

I felt as if I had a more acute perception of the natural world, able to detect subtle changes that ordinary people could not;

I seemed to have a deeper understanding of the forest; I felt unusually familiar with various terrains and environments in the natural world, even those I had never seen in reality, and I knew how to move and travel freely within them;

And in that state, I could react quickly to danger based solely on intuition.

I also realized an important point: Aberrations, Celestial Creatures, Dragons, Fey Creatures, Fiends, Elemental Creatures, and Undead Creatures, these legendary creatures, truly exist in this world.

Encountering even one of these creatures would be too much for our current team to handle; however, this new skill could serve as an escape skill for foreseeing danger.

I walked around the temporary camp, carefully observing the surrounding environment, and after confirming there were no potential dangers, I had the Dragon King and Black Little Leopard maintain vigilance, while I went to Randall's side.

By the dim campfire, I sat opposite Randall. The area around the camp was silent, with only the occasional bird song from afar breaking the stillness.

When I asked Randall about those legendary magical creatures—Aberrations, Celestial Creatures, Dragons, Fey Creatures, Fiends, Elemental Creatures, and Undead Creatures.

Randall, this former Holy Knight who wielded justice as his sword and faith as his shield, his eyes gleamed with unwavering conviction for truth and intolerance for evil.

"Ryan, these creatures you asked about," Randall slowly began, "they each represent different powers and existences. Let me start with aberrations.

Aberrations are creatures of strange forms and extraordinary abilities.

They often possess wisdom and power beyond ordinary people; some are benevolent, some are malevolent, but without exception, they are all undeniable presences in the natural world.

They may hide in deep mountains and old forests, or wander in the Underdark, waiting for those brave enough to explore the unknown."

John and George also gathered around, and I sat there quietly, my heart filled with endless imagination about these magical creatures.

"Celestial Creatures," Randall's tone held a hint of reverence, "they are pure existences from the divine realms, possessing brilliant light and immortal life.

Angels are the most well-known representatives among them; they take it upon themselves to guard justice and spread the will of the gods, serving as symbols of light and hope.

However, not all Celestial Creatures are so gentle; some enforce stricter laws with their powerful might."

"There really are angels!" John exclaimed, "I always thought it was a story my parents made up to get me to sleep when I was little."

"Dragons," Randall's eyes sparkled, "these ancient creatures are the embodiment of power and wisdom; they possess long lives and almost infinite possibilities.

But their alignment and personality vary by type.

Chromatic dragons like red dragons, white dragons, and green dragons are often considered representatives of evil alignments.

Red dragons are known for their greed and wrath; they love treasure and fire, often using flames to burn away anything that obstructs their desires;

White dragons symbolize coldness and solitude; they reside in frozen mountains and show no mercy to intruders;

Green dragons are renowned for their cunning and cruelty; they are skilled in stealth and deception, and are the most elusive hunters in the forest."

"What about the Lord's little white dragon?" George interjected, "It seems very friendly to us, not like a bad dragon at all."

"The Dragon King is the Lord's familiar," Randall said, "It's not like those other dragons. Moreover, not all dragons are bathed in the shadow of evil." Randall's tone revealed a shift, "Metallic dragons like brass dragons and bronze dragons are usually considered guardians of good or neutral alignments.

Brass dragons have warm hearts and bright golden scales; they love knowledge and peace, often appearing in human society as sages;

Bronze dragons are known for their resilience and fairness; they are the balancers of the natural world, guarding the harmony and order of the earth.

These metallic dragons, though equally powerful, are more willing to use their power to protect rather than conquer."

"I heard that dragons are bigger than houses!" George said, blinking his bright eyes.

"I heard some dragons are bigger than the entire town of Gorebest!" John gestured exaggeratedly with both hands.

"What about Fey Creatures?" I asked.