Chapter 8 Happy Spirit Pendant

I took a long breath. I crossed my legs and folded my hands across my chest. All my muscles felt weak as I remembered what had happened to me. Moments ago, I had been forced to swallow something the mother bird had given me.

I had refused and looked away, but the mother bird's gaze made me swallow what she gave me. Her look seemed to say, 'If you don't eat this, I will eat you. Could it be that the brood birds saw me as one of her children?

Fortunately, what the brood birds gave me was a sour tasting fruit and not a disgusting, wriggling animal.

I let out another long sigh. I was trapped in this bird's nest with nowhere to go. I looked down, and this place was no higher than where I had landed earlier. I couldn't see what was below either, because the white smoke was blocking my eyes again.

"Newt, where are you?" I whispered, looking for Newt. But I got no answer again. It looks like he really did run away.

[Master, Master...!]

I pricked up my ears, as if a voice were echoing in my head.

"Newt, is that you?"

[Master, what happened?]

I frowned at Newt's question. Why is he asking me at all?

"Where have you been?"

[I don't know, Master. The system suddenly shut down and I lost my connection with you."]

I was silent for a while. Was there something that caused the system to malfunction? And...

"Where exactly am I, Newt? I haven't found anything to hunt, can I get out of here without hunting 50 creatures?"

[You are in the Bbird's Nest at the top of the Amerta Tree. The Smoky Hollow Gate will only open if you complete the quest].

"Amerta Tree? This is the first time I've heard of that tree." I take a long breath. "So I'm stuck here if I just stand still and do nothing?"

I let out a harsh breath as I got up from my position. But just as I was about to stand up, one of the birdlets latched onto me, almost causing me to fall over.

The birdlet seemed to be stroking me with its head.

"Kwak... kwak...!" Its voice was so loud in my ears.

[BIRD LEVEL 1]

Unlike the brood birds, I could see its level. Feeling a little anxious, I raised my hand. I moved my hand to the left, where the birdlet was. The birdlet was taller and bigger than me, so it had to bend its legs to bring its head in line with mine.

My heart was pounding as my hand touched its cheek full of soft feathers. I glanced at the mother, afraid she would get angry if I touched her baby. But the brood birds didn't seem to notice me, as she was busy with the other chicks.

The birdlet flinched and became even more pampered when I stroked its head. Why was it behaving so much like a girl? Was it possible that the birdlet was actually female?

In the midst of this confusing situation, I somehow felt very peaceful just by stroking the birdlet's feathers. I unconsciously closed my eyes and leaned against its.

I felt as if I were at home, sleeping on a soft, thick mattress. The feeling of security and comfort made me not want to leave this place.

"Newt, I don't want to leave."

The words suddenly came out of my mouth. I felt so good here that I wanted to stay. I won't meet any more hypocritical people. I don't have to think about anything.

I'm the only one here, so I don't have to compete with anyone. I will never be betrayed again. I'm sure the birds will have more fun than the humans.

[Master ....]

"I love you." This feeling was growing fast and crazy. Even this affection seemed to be greater than all the others. I hugged the little bird and felt its soft feathers. Immediately, a feeling of joy came over me, as if I had never felt sadness in my life.

[Master!]

I opened my eyes as I heard a screaming voice in my head. I stared at the bird for a while and finally let go of my hug.

"What happened? Why am I hugging this bird?"

I looked around in confusion. What had just happened? Why had I done something I wasn't aware of?

[You have just come under the influence of the bird. They have a natural ability to create a sense of comfort and tranquilly that makes you reluctant to be away from them. They can also control the emotions of those close to them].

It turned out that way. No wonder I didn't want to leave this place.

I turned my head towards the birdlet that had been caressing me earlier when I heard its screech. Its eyes looked sad as it looked at me, as if it were sad. I could even see its eyes glazing over.

Why did my heart feel sad when I saw it?

The birdlet came closer to me. Then it opened its mouth. My forehead wrinkled as I saw a small light in its mouth. The light slowly approached me. When it was right in front of my face, it stopped.

I was silent for a long time until I turned my head towards the birdlet in front of me. It nodded with sparkling eyes, as if to say I could take it. I hesitantly picked up the light—a purple stone the size of a walnut.

[HAPPY SPIRIT PENDANT LEVEL 1]

Happy Spirit Pendant?" I spelled out the words that appeared on the stone. Can I feel happiness all the time with this stone? "What is this stone for, Newt?"

[The Happy Spirit Pendant is a stone guarded by Bbird and given to someone they trust. You need to be level 10 to use it. If you use this stone, you will be lucky for 24 hours. Anything you do will only result in good luck.]

[OBSERVATION SKILL LEVEL 2]

Before Newt could explain, an explanation appeared in front of my eyes. At the same time, my Observation skill increased.

[It seems to like you, Master]

Hearing Newt's words, I turned my head towards the birdlet. Did it trust me enough to give me that stone?

I saw the chick nod as if answering my question. Just as I felt overwhelmed by the sight of its eyes, my body was suddenly lifted.

The brood bird grabbed me again with her claws. She then flew a few metres above the nest. I saw the birdlets look up and stare at me.

"Kwak... kwak...!" I had the feeling that the mother was talking to her birdlets. Then she flew away, taking me with her. Again, I could only surrender to where the mother was taking me.

Suddenly, she stopped for a while.

I screamed as the mother bird opened her claws and dropped me.

"Shit! Why would she help me if she was going to drop me?"