Time moves differently for those who slowly drift through life. Yet none is more wholly aware of the many years that have passed you by since settling in this quaint little homestead than you.

Your cozy and slow existence stagnates into a set of mindless routines that would drive anyone insane. But what truly propagates this suffocating sense of monotony lies in what has become of your skills tab.

Unlocked Skills Progress Talents Reading 100/100 Auto-Reader Speaking 100/100 Universal Tongue Listening 100/100 Echolocation Observing 100/100 God's Eye Smelling 100/100 Pathfinder Walking 100/100 Footloose Running 100/100 Supersonic Speed Jumping 100/100 Untouchable Hand-to-Hand 100/100 Martial Artist Short Blade 100/100 Critical Strike Blunt Resistance 100/100 Force Absorption Poison Resistance 100/100 Poison Immunity Cold Resistance 100/100 Constant Warmth Heat Resistance 100/100 Constant Cool Water Resistance 100/100 Water Breathing Cooking 100/100 Master Chef Cleaning 100/100 Neat Freak Foraging 100/100 Outdoorsman Farming 100/100 Green Thumb Fishing 100/100 King Angler Taming 100/100 Beastmaster Crafting 100/100 Gifted Artisan Fire Magic 100/100 Flame Mastery

You've maxed out every skill currently at your disposal and achieved every talent by simply living. It's like a rainbow of progress.

As you are bound by your farm and you have no more concrete goals in life, this is more woe than a boon. And you spend what little free time you have left over rereading that book Darius gave you decades ago.

You've memorized every page and can recite every word in this literary masterpiece. It always fills you with the hope that someday, you will find and visit this kingdom and live amongst people just like you—even if just for a day.

Your friend, though his appearance remains unchanged, has grown in other ways. You inspect him and admire his fluffy tufts of fur.

???

Mystfox [♂]

Level: 112

HP: 1250000/1250000

This is all thanks to your talent Beastmaster, which makes it so he gains the same amount of experience as you do.

The animal feels your eyes on him and stares back at you, as confused as ever.

"What?" you scratch your cheek. "I was just thinking to myself how much you've grown since we first met."

He does not understand your sudden sentimentality and is frankly creeped out by it. You catch on to his judgemental gaze and furrow your brow.

"You got something to say?" you ask him with an inquisitive glare.

He averts his stare and trots off without a second look. Both of you frequently have exchanges like this. To the outsider looking in, this is a souring relationship. In reality, you two have never been closer.

At any rate, it was an afternoon like any other. You've finished watering the plants and you're sitting on your stool reading through that book again.

It was at that peaceful moment, that you noticed movement in the trees with the aid of your Echolocation talent.

Talent: Echolocation

Description: You can pick up and hone in on noises within a 5-mile radius. Your superior hearing skills also allow you to visualize the world through sound only.

Your friend is also privy to the rustling in the shrubbery and you two step outside to investigate the source.

The farm has significantly grown since its initial creation. What was once a small patch of carrot crops, has transformed into a lush garden populated with every fruit and vegetable imaginable. From apple trees to cornstalks, this once-empty meadow is now teeming with plant life.

The presence of this luxuriant farm has come to attract unwanted visitors, however. Monster raids were and still are not too uncommon, and it is because of these frequent attacks you were able to max out your combat skills.

You close your eyes and focus on the suspicious sounds, expecting it to be a stray pack of slimes.

Surprisingly though, your echolocation comes back with an image of humanoid beings. Four to be exact. They possess the same pointy ears you have.

They furtively peek at you from behind the grapevines. You spot weapons in their hands and unfriendly expressions on their faces.

"You can't be serious..." you let out an irritated groan. "Mystfox, hold down the fort while I'm gone. It'll only take a minute."

The animal gives an affirmative bark.

And with your other talent, Supersonic Speed, you zip down the hill, past the crops, and up the tree behind them at a breakneck pace. Your movement is so fast, that they only see your afterimages.

Talent: Supersonic Speed

Description: You move 5 times the speed of sound. Your body is well-adjusted to this speed, and you do not suffer any effects from prolonged use of this talent.

"Hey, uh," you swing your feet while sitting atop the branch above them, "you have some business with me?"

They are understandably spooked, and their first instinct is to throw their spears at you.

"The Garden Beast is here! Kill it! Kill it!" they all yell. And the whole team breaks down and panics.

Your decades of fighting experience prove it a wasted effort. And with your Untouchable skill, you avoid all the weapons and store them in the tree leaves, far from the elves' reaches.

Talent: Untouchable

Description: Your reflexes are unmatched and you are as hard to catch as a housefly. You fully control this agility and you are always aware of where you will land.

You then hop down and confront them. They cower in fear as you approach them with an annoyed countenance.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't go hurling your weapons at me without reason..." you reprimand them.

The leader of the group steps forward, an older-looking gentleman with a long gray beard. He motions his team to step back and faces you with nothing but courage. The ground is dappled with warm sunlight, and the shade offers you a calm environment to discuss things.

"Y-you can talk, Garden Beast?" he locks his eyes on you.

"Garden... Beast..? You mean me?"

"What else are you but the monster that lives in this meadow, Garden Beast?"

You scratch your head and lean against the tree.

"I mean," you relaxedly stare up into the clouds as though trying to piece together the story, "do I look like a Garden Beast to you?"

"We are wary of your deception, Spawn of Gaia. You may take the form of our people, but that does not make you one of us. Shapeshifting phantoms are plentiful in the Great Forests."

"Spawn of Gaia huh..? Is Gaia a god or something..?"

"Yes, the merciful Gaia is she who has created all that comes from the forest. We dutifully serve her in life and death!"

You've read about this in Darius' book before. Elven tribes would pray to a deity that rules over the endless woods. They are a recluse people and seldom speak to outsiders.

But they do speak to monsters...

"And? What do you want with the Garden Beast?"

The man steps forth and points at you, "We wish to claim these lands for our people!"

"Uh. This is my home, dude."

"It matters not. We will take it by force if we must!"

"Without weapons?"

They quickly remember the predicament they're in and their faces turn paler than the moon.

You sigh and lean in to find out the guy's name.

Leronil

Wood Elf [♂]

Level: 43

HP: 30000/30000

"Leronil... Level 43 Wood Elf," you read it out loud.

The man stumbles back, utterly shocked to hear his name from the lips of a forest beast. "H-how do you know my name..?"

The reaction never gets old and you stifle your laughter. This greatly upsets him and his group of scouts.

"I know all of your names. You're Leronil, the stern girl to your left is Celia, the boy behind you is Fidri, and the girl clinging on to him is Anya."

This fans the flames of agitation within them, and they stand rooted to the ground, unsure of what to do next.

"In case you weren't aware," you top it off with an impressive boast, "I could take on all of you."

And fire forms in the palm of your hand, as though to threaten the already-helpless scouts. Suddenly, the girl hiding behind the group, Anya, begins to wail loudly. You are caught off guard by this response and feel a lump in your throat.

"Crap did I go too far..?" you quietly think to yourself.

"Anya, you're a proud member of the scouting team, s-stop crying..!" the boy Fidri says, flustered.

"Y-yeah Anya, it's not all lost yet! We still have the poisons remember?!" Celia's stony expression shifts as she comforts her friend.

"T-that's right! It slipped my mind! We still have the most potent poisons our clan has to offer!" Leronil loudly reveals.

The leader hastily uncorks a flask of green liquid hanging off his belt and splashes its contents onto you. It would be an effective attack if you weren't totally immune to poison damage.

Talent: Poison Immunity

Description: You are completely immune to toxins and poisons.

It ends up feeling like you were doused in water. Your ragged cloak droops pathetically as you rethink bullying this band of miscreants.

"This is a far cry from my encounter with Darius..." you can't help but surmise.

The group continues to console their crying member, as you stand by and watch. And you're left under the impression that not all elves are uncivilized barbarians like the book would have you believe.