Nameless heard a whisper. [Very good, disciple. Although the ceremony didn't give you power as i expected instead you have gained the dryad's trust, use it well, learn all the skills and knowledge that you can from her so that you can survive in this world, and once you have drain her of all she knows, leave her until she is of further use in the future,but be wise disciple make sure she doesn't suspect that you're using her,remember this lesson disciple use whoever you can in order to further your growth.]

The man stared at the dryad. She believes me. She thinks I'm her friend. It's a good opportunity to ask her to teach me all her skills and knowledge. Because knowledge is power! And I'm going to obtain this mighty power!

He smiled. And then I will dispose of you, beautiful lady. You are just a stepping stone on my way, as well as many others.

“You know so much. Can you teach me, please?”

“Teach you? I live for a long time. What do you want to know, mortal?” she tilted her head.

“Everything! I like to study! It fascinates me! I crave for all knowledge that you know! Please, teach me!” Nameless said passionately. “I will be a good disciple! I promise!”

The dryad looked at him suspiciously.

Suddenly he heard a new whisper. [i gift you one of my personal artifacts [Mask of the Endless] when you wear this, it will allow you to morph your face and voice in anyway you can imagine.]

Then Nameless felt that something materialized in his pocket. Huh? Is this a gift from the voices?

The man took a simple wooden mask from his pocket and stared at it. Does this mask truly can change my face and voice in a way I wish?

The human was stunned. It was the first time when the voices gave him something useful. With this mask I can deceive whoever I want! All knowledge of this world will be mine! I can't give this mask to anyone! This mask is too precious!

“What is this?” the dryad eyed the mask.

“Ah... It's... nothing special,” The human laughed - at least he tried to do it – and hurried to put the mask back in his pocket. “A funny gift... from a friend.”

“Do you know that we – the dryads – can read minds?”

The man panicked. What?! She can read my mind?!

He stared in her eyes. Does it mean she knows what this mask can do?! And she knows about my other thoughts?!

The dryad smiled. “It was a joke. I and my sisters can't read minds, but you panicked, mortal. Why?”

“I didn't panic! I just was... surprised! It was unexpected to hear this!”

“Ah, I see...By the way, do you still want that I teach you?”

Nameless nodded several times in a hurry. It was his goal to obtain all her knowledge and skills!

“Yes-yes! Please, teach me everything you know!”

“Okay.” she said. “I'll teach you.”

Yes-yes! I've done this!

“You told me – when we walked here – that one of those great spirits said you to perform a ritualistic rain-dance on the large stone.”

Nameless nodded. He recalled his running in the jungle and a snake's bite. A stupid spirit!

“Actually, his... let's call it “request”. His request could bring you some benefits. For instance, your affinity to the nature could increase tremendously. Do you know what it could give you?”

“Um... No?”

“You could gain ability to command lianas, animals, or other plants.”

“Truly?” The man was excited now. “I truly could command them if I had performed that dance?”

The dryad nodded. “It's very special and powerful ritual. If you want, you can perform this dance here and now. I'll tell you how to do everything properly.”

He nodded. “Yes! Please, tell me!”

“Go upon the hill,” she said.

~~~~~~

Currently Nameless danced on the hill.

“Glory of the jungle! Glory of the jungle!” he sang, wearing “a crown” that was made from the flowers.

The man was excited. I'm obtaining great power now!

“You are doing good!” the dryad commented, staying nearby. “Dance more energetically!”

“Yes, teacher! Glory of the jungle! Glory of the jungle!”

Glory of the jungle! Glory of the jungle! Glory of the jungle! Glory of the jungle...! What the fuck I'm doing?!

Nameless ceased dancing and looked around. The human realized that he stood on the hill nearby the city. He saw as groups of people moved to the city and some of them pointed at him. I can hear their laugh.

“Goddammit!” the man looked at the dryad. He was angry now. “Do you think this is funny?!”

“Well... Yes.” She giggled. “Now I understand why those great spirits give you funny commands.”

The dryad cleared her throat.

“Sorry, I know that I did wrong, but it tempted me too much,” the green lady smiled and approached Nameless. “Take this as my “apologize”.”

She offered him an amulet.

“What is this?”

“This is a great spirit blocking amulet*.”

Spirit blocking?!

“It can block whispers of the great spirits?!” he was excited.

“No, just a whisper of one of them.”

“But it's better than nothing! Thank you!”

At least one of those bastards can be blocked by this amulet!

The dryad put a string around his neck. “Now it will protect you, mortal. I need to go. This is your path. Farewell.”

“Thank you... I hope we will meet again.”

She smiled and turned around before walking to the jungle. Soon the woman vanished in the lash foliage.

~~~~~~

Nameless walked down the road now, coming closer to the city. A smaller camp is gone.

The man could see as people – all were young men who wore white clothes and carried swords on their backs - were packing their belongings in the big camp.

Suddenly Nameless heard whispers.

[Speak with those young men! They have cool swords! Perhaps, someone gift you his blade?]

[Find where the people from the smaller camp went! Perhaps, you will find some interesting or even terrible things!]

[Go to the city! I need to see what's there!]

[Go to the inn! Listen what the folk talk about there! You can even speak with people in the inn!]