With a light covering the bodies, it was transformed into a pile of nails, bones, and wings. They picked up the nails, bones, and wings. They went back to the village.

Chapter 8 - Spirit Dog

"Wait, we cannot leave yet. We need to cut the infected trees." - The warrior said

"Why? Can't they go back to normal after killing the ferocious lambanas?"- Dex asked

"The spirits within the trees are already corrupted. If we do not eliminate them, these trees will transform into monsters"

"We do not have the power to purify their spirits" - Alice said

"Only powerful gods can help their spirits. We are blessed by Bathala, but we are not his priest in this world. We can't execute all of his powers in this world" - Warrior said

"Maybe Lakan Amo can help purify their spirits, however, he can't do it, he needs all of his power to protect the village and the spiritual tree. And purifying spirits takes a lot of magic and faith" - Alice said

"Alright, alright. How can we destroy these trees" - Dex

"We cut them off then burn the tree and stump" - Warrior

Juan cut the trees with the tools from the garden shed. Dex set up the fire and they watched the tree logs and stumps burn.

"Alice, can I request to cut some ordinary trees to practice sculpting? I want to practice making my guide." - Juan suddenly asked.

"Yes, you can. But ask permission to the spirits of the trees" - Alice said

"Ok," said Juan.

Juan walked near the old trees in the park. He put his hand on the tree. He closed his eyes and said.

"Spirit of the trees, here my call. Can I ask for some branches to cut off and practice sculpting?"

Suddenly, the tree shook lightly as if approving to his request. He then proceeded to cut off some thick branches. And he said to the tree, "Thank you". He bowed and left the tree.

The lambanas looked at him dumbfounded. They did not know how a human can easily interact with the tree's spirit.

Dex just laughed at them and said "Juan let us go back to the village"

"Right, right" - Alice

Juan, Dex, and the lambanas walk through the park until they reached the lambana's village.

They saw Lakan Amo still in his human-size form in front of the big tree.

"Congratulations Juan, Dex, and Warriors of Lambanas for successful elimination of the corrupted. I pray for their spirits to be in peace." a short silence was given. "Thank you, Juan and Dex for your bravery. " - Lakan Amo said

The lambanas clapped their hands and show admiration to Dex and Juan especially those warriors that are with them.

"It is our duty to help our friend"- Juan said

"As I promised, you will both receive a branch of the spiritual tree in our village," Lakan Amo said as two thick branches of the spiritual tree flew into his hands.

"As an additional reward, I'll teach you another common magic, 'inspect'. This common magic is used to inspect things and some creatures. Higher beings cannot be inspected at your levels. It will only show its name" - Lakan Amo

"To use inspect, guide the magic energy in your body to your eyes then chant 'Inspect'"- Lakan Amo

Juan and Dex closed their eyes. They focused their mind on their bodies. They saw the colorful stream flowing inside. Remembering the words of Lakan, they guided the white-colored stream, the magic energy, into their eyes. Upon filling up eyes with magic energy, they opened it and chanted "Inspect" on the branches on Lakan's hands.

~Ting!~

New Skill

You have successfully learned the teaching of Lakan Amo

You learned Inspect Lv1

You can now identify items up to rare rarity rating

Items are graded to Common Spiritual Tree Branch - Rare A branch from the Spiritual tree at the Lambanas' Village. It can be used to craft magic items. Due to its high magical and faith energy, the guide spirits love to stay in it.

"Wow!" - Dex

"Thank you Lakan Amo" - Juan said

"You are welcome. Friends of Lambanas"

Juan looked at the sky and it was near night time. He said to Lakan and the Lambanas. He needs to go home and have a rest.

Juan and Dex give their farewell for the day to the Lambanas.

"Why are we going home and not exploring? We have a time compression inside the game, 1 hour outside is 24 hrs inside right?" Dex asked Juan

"Nighttime. Ghost time. We are inside a 'game'. But all of the characters are mythological. I do not want to fight Aswangs, or Vampires, or Ghost. I don't know how to fight them now" - Juan said

"Right!! I do not want to fight ghost!" - Even though Dex is a hunk he was scared of ghosts.

Dex and Juan rode their bikes and rushed to their house. They saw many players on the street wandering. Some of them were speaking to the spirits. There are many spirits around them. Some are human-like. Some are animal-shaped. Juan suddenly remembered something he read from a book

"Mortals and Spirits can interact during the fall of the sky and birth of the moon"

It must be during this time. He said to himself.

"Are those ghosts" - Dex asked while pointing to human-like spirits

"They are spirits of the dead. Try inspecting them they are friendly." - Juan answered

"Inspect" - Dex said

Human Spirit Lv1 They are the spirits of the dead that have not been reincarnated and choose to stay. They are friendly to those they see worthy.

"Let us hope we may not encounter a corrupted one"- Juan said

"Don't put up the flags! You'll jinx us" - Juan said

Juan just laughed it out. "Hahaha"

They reached their home peacefully, nothing extraordinary occurred.

"Thank you Bathala," said them both

However, they saw a small figure in the front yard of Juan's house.

"Arf, arf, arf, arf!" it barked at Juan while wagging its tail.

"Isn't it Zoe, your dog?" -Dex said

"But Zoe was dead months ago" - Juan said with teary eyes

"Arf, arf" -dog barked agreeing to Juan

"Hi Zoe" - Juan said with falling tears while bending his knees and approaching the dog."I miss you"

"Arf!" it licked Juan's face

The little dog was a short hair brown dog with a height of Juan knee-level. It has pointed ears and black snout.

"Why are you here?" Juan asked

The dog just barked at Juan.

Juan remembered he can have a guide spirit.

"Zoe do you want to be my guide spirit?" - Juan asked

"Arf, arf!" Zoe barked agreeing

~Ting!~

Spirit dog Zoe agreed to be your guide spirit. To accomplish this peat you need to carved its image into a spiritual item.

"Let us go inside my room, I'll carve your image"- Juan said

"I'll take a rest, Juan, call me out if we will explore the town again"

"Okay, Bye, See you" - Juan said to his friend

-To be continued-