The first skill on the list was:

  [Root Bomb (Epic)]: The Guardian Botanist crafts a specially designed combat seed. When thrown, the seed detonates midair, releasing living roots that surge outward and coil rapidly around the target. The roots tighten with crushing force, restraining the enemy before splintering apart and crumbling into dry fragments.

  As he read the description, Luke recognized immediately how deeply it tied into the core of what it meant to be a Guardian Botanist: wielding nature itself as a weapon.

  A combat skill. Potentially very useful. Though, if I’m throwing something at someone, it’s usually a knife. And that’s to kill. In a real fight, I wouldn’t throw anything that didn’t serve that purpose… unless I needed to capture someone.

  He paused, reconsidering.

  Or to slow an enemy down. That could be useful too.

  The next option appeared.

  [Magical Drying (Uncommon)]: The Guardian Botanist channels mana to gently remove moisture from freshly harvested herbs and flowers. The process occurs under controlled mana flow, fully preserving their alchemical properties, color, and scent. No active compounds are lost, as if time itself had dried the plant naturally, only in a matter of moments.

  This one was tied to the alchemical side of the profession, useful for potion preparation. Good. Just like with his class, he hadn’t lost the chance to gain more utility-based abilities.

  The next option followed.

  [Botanical Scent (Rare)]: The Guardian Botanist develops a refined sense of smell capable of perceiving subtle variations in a plant’s aroma. Through scent alone, he can identify its health, stage of growth, presence of pests, mana flow, and even faint emotional states in sentient magical species. Every fragrance tells a story of balance, vigor, or decay.

  Useful, but redundant. He already had Botanical Bond of Mother Freya. If he wanted to know the state of a plant, all he had to do was touch it.

  He moved on to the next.

  [Potion Catalyst Creation (Rare)]: By infusing mana into purified water, the Botanist produces an unstable yet essential alchemical catalyst. This translucent liquid serves as a base for simple potions, subtly amplifying the interaction between mystical ingredients.

  Luke mentally filed it away as pointless, or, in his case, redundant. The Blood of Mother Freya, when mixed with Dark Blood, created a far superior catalyst. If he needed one, he could simply use his own blood.

  Then he reached the final skill.

  [Stomach of Mother Freya (Ancient)]: The stomach is one of the most vital parts of the body, responsible for extracting the nourishment that sustains life, just as roots draw strength from the soil. Blessed by the power of Mother Freya, the Botanist’s stomach becomes capable of consuming plants to better understand their effects, as well as ingesting poisonous flora and extracting nutrients from them, increasing his resistance to toxins and strengthening his blood. In addition, ingesting poison becomes a new form of nourishment, allowing part of the toxin to be converted into HP.

  Luke froze. Eat poison?

  He reread it a second time. So I’ll be able to eat poisonous plants to strengthen my resistance to toxins?

  And, by pure coincidence, he just happened to be preparing to cross a forest made entirely of poisonous flora.

  “Damn system… and I’ve spent days brewing antidotes.”

  There was no reason to delay the expedition any longer. He’d go into the forest that very night.

  I’m guessing this skill is going to change my biology. One of those skills that hurts like hell while it rewrites your body.

  He clicked the option.

  “Well, here we go. Time for another painful little science trip.”

  [You have acquired the Profession Skill: Stomach of Mother Freya]

  Luke felt as if a knife were carving into his abdomen, like someone was prying him open and tugging his organs out one by one. Something inside him was being torn free. Then warmth spread through his core, the pain slowly fading as a strange sensation stirred in his stomach, like something taking root. After a few seconds, it stopped.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  ***

  The day went by as he gathered information before setting out. Charlie had arrived earlier and then left with Artemis, while Luke stayed behind in the tent. Every healing potion he made was another day of life he was giving Charlie.

  The tent flap shifted, opening just a little.

  “Master Luke, I’ve returned,” Charlie said softly from outside.

  “I have a few updates for you, Charlie,” he replied.

  With his new skill, they would be able to return to the forest later that same day.

  The fabric door lifted further. “I also have news, Master Luke…”

  Only part of Charlie’s face appeared at first.

  “M-Master Luke… I want to show you something,” she said, stepping inside.

  “I unlocked a new ski—” Luke stopped mid-sentence.

  His words died.

  “H-how do I look?” she asked, shy, her gaze darting away whenever their eyes met.

  Luke went still. He had not been prepared for that at all. Charlie was beautiful, she always had been, but this…

  The blonde woman stood there wearing a maid outfit.

  “D-do I look pretty, Master Luke?” she asked, giving a graceful little twirl.

  “You… look very good dressed like that,” he said, trying to sound composed, though the impact hit him square in the chest.

  His heartbeat quickened.

  What is this? Do maid uniforms come with some kind of natural enchantment?

  She looked even more stunning than before.

  “Here, Master Luke. Your necklace,” Charlie said gently, placing it back around his neck while he was still frozen by the sight.

  The moment it settled against his skin, Artemis whispered in his mind. 'Thank me with food later, Luke. This was my idea. Well? Compliment her. Charlie is a lovely maid… and you and I both know about that little fetish of yours.'

  A fetish? I don’t have a fetish. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

  'Come on, Luke. We’re practically soul-siblings. Relax, I’m on your side. I’ve got a thing for sexy statues. You like maids. We are a proud duo of degenerates.'

  Don’t drag me down to your level of filth, he shot back. Maids are pure, delicate beings.

  'Oh, see? There it is. That’s the fetish.'

  It’s not a fetish. It’s simply… acknowledging reality.

  “Where did you get that outfit, Charlie?” Luke asked aloud.

  “There’s a shop in the village. I… bought more of these uniforms. I have several now. I wanted to know if I look… pretty,” she said, glancing down at the maid dress.

  He was completely stunned.

  “You look wonderful, Charlie. The outfit suits you. It makes you even more beautiful.”

  Her hands suddenly burst into small flickers of flame. “Oh, I’m sorry!” She waved them frantically, face turning bright red.

  “Th-thank you, Master Luke.” Her fingers intertwined, fidgeting together in a timid gesture. “I wanted to dress nicely… for you.”

  Luke narrowed his eyes slightly at the necklace as Artemis began to whistle innocently in the back of his mind. He was certain the talkative soul was doing this just to provoke him.

  He refocused on Charlie.

  “But why… did you decide to buy that outfit?”

  “Because having a uniform makes things easier,” she said with a gentle smile as she turned. “After all… you are my master.”

  It felt like a thousand arrows struck him at once.

  So maid outfits deal magic damage too…?

  ***

  They were already on the road to the Spore Forest. After their first stop, Luke drifted away from the group, pretending he needed to use the bathroom. In reality, he walked several kilometers from the camp.

  “Artemis, don’t influence Charlie into anything,” he said. “She’s still too pure for… society.”

  “Pure? Even after she’s killed people, monsters, and beasts?” she asked.

  “You know what I mean. She’s still mentally… untouched in a lot of ways. So stop filling her head with nonsense.”

  “We were talking about disguises and identities, and I gave her suggestions,” Artemis replied. “So tell me, Luke: would you rather introduce her as your wife or your maid?”

  He went silent.

  “Hear that?” Artemis continued. “That crushing silence of yours? You couldn’t pull off a fake married couple act with Charlie. You know why? Because there are feelings buried in there, my friend.”

  “Stop talking nonsense.”

  “I told you I’d push you, and I am. So tell me, how did you feel when you saw Charlie in that maid outfit?”

  “It’s just clothing. I don’t have to feel anything,” he muttered.

  “Come on, man. I know you. Don’t pretend. This is basically your Disneyland. I have access to your old browser history, remember? Maids, elves… I know all your tastes.”

  ***

  When they finally reached the edge of the Spore Forest, Luke knew exactly what he had to do.

  “All right. From here on out, I’m eating every poisonous plant I find.”

  He glanced sideways at Charlie, who stood beside him, in her maid clothes.

  “We’ll find the temple quickly. I promise, Master Luke.”

  Angie unfurled her stone wings behind her, silent and vigilant.

  I reach the temple, grab the treasure, hope it gives me a clue to the riddle, and then I hunt down the demon temple. It’s going to be a long week.

  Then, without warning, Charlie’s system interface opened in front of her.

  [The Blood Familiar is ready to be summoned.]

  Hey guys, quick heads-up: there’ll be a second bonus chapter later today, about 12 hours from now.

  https://discord.gg/znGSjCxhkR