"This is quite satisfactory," Glen remarked with an unwavering smile, his eyes intently admiring the statue in his hands.


    "Moreover, within the pond lie treasures left behind by humans or other races who met their demise in this forest during the last century. Anticipating a potential use for them, the Forest Will gathered all these treasures in the pond. You may now descend and take as much as you can."


    Upon hearing this, Glen''s eyes sparkled anew. He handed the statue to Gotaya for the time being and then plunged into the pond without hesitation.


    The water in the pond was delightfully cool, bestowing a sensation of profound refreshment upon his body. Unable to resist, he took a small sip, only to find that it was sweet.


    I wonder what exactly this water is? I''ll inquire later... Glen continued to descend.


    Moments later, he caught sight of a glistening radiance. Presumably, those were the so - called treasures.


    As he drew nearer, the gold and silver coins strewn across the pond''s bottom, the resplendent ornaments, and the captivating gemstones and pearls nearly left him spellbound.


    No longer hesitating, he set about gathering them with fervor.


    His enhanced physique enabled him to hold his breath for an extended duration.


    The elven maiden by the pond suddenly witnessed objects glinting with metallic luster hurtling out of the pond like a shower of rain, landing precisely at her feet.


    Subsequently, a continuous stream of small items followed suit.


    As an elf who had grown up in the primeval forest, she held no interest in such things. However, since Glen seemed to cherish them, she assisted in collecting the glittering items on the ground.


    After a few hours, just as the elven maiden marvelled at Glen''s remarkable lung capacity, he finally breached the water''s surface, taking a deep, revitalizing breath.


    Glen emerged from the water, his arms filled with a substantial bundle of treasures. His neck, arms, waist, and pockets were all adorned with shimmering objects.


    "Such a rapacious human..." Gotaya murmured softly, only to let out a yelp as a small golden cup struck her forehead.


    "You elves think yourselves so superior, so aloof. Why not forgo sustenance then..." Glen swam to the shore in a rather comical manner, propelling himself solely with his feet, and retorted irritably.


    The elven maiden could only blush and lower her head, too abashed to utter another word.


    Glen unceremoniously dumped the items from his person onto the ground, shook his head, and the Blazing Fang automatically dispelled the water from his garments.


    Gazing upon his bountiful haul, Glen was overcome with bliss, his only quandary being how to allocate these treasures.


    I shall formulate a plan upon my return... he thought cheerfully, his eyes scanning the surroundings for something to pack the treasures in.


    He could swiftly fashion a makeshift basket from branches and vines, a practical skill often employed during his sojourns in the wild.


    However, before Glen could take action, a colossal leaf landed before him, accompanied by several vines that appeared remarkably resilient.


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    Glen looked skyward, only to be greeted by a dense canopy of foliage, with no other discernible presence.


    "Utilize this. The Forest Will hastened its growth," Gotaya explained from the side.


    "How considerate!" Glen exclaimed sincerely, promptly proceeding to pack all the treasures on the ground with alacrity.


    "By the way, what precisely is this pond water? It has a rather pleasant taste."


    "The Forest Will claims it is a type of elemental essence liquid, possessing numerous applications."


    "It is quite sweet indeed..."


    Subsequently, the two made their way back to the town with Glen humming a melodious tune.


    Upon reaching his residence, they beheld a towering woman seated in front of Glen''s courtyard.


    It was Bloodaxe. At present, the muscular warrior''s visage was etched with weariness, her eyes framed by pronounced dark circles. Her head bobbed intermittently, as if on the verge of succumbing to slumber at any moment.


    Noticing the approaching footsteps, she turned her head. Upon seeing Glen, she immediately summoned her resolve, rose to her feet, and exclaimed loudly,


    "Finally, I''ve laid eyes on you, Mr. Glen. I''ve brought the items you requested."


    She advanced and came to a halt before Glen and the elven maiden.


    Glen deposited the large bundle he was carrying onto the ground and, pointing at Bloodaxe''s visage, inquired, "What has befallen you? You resemble those men who have been thoroughly depleted."


    Bloodaxe''s eyes widened in indignation. "I am a woman!"


    "I am aware. It was merely an analogy. Pray, what exactly transpired?"


    Bloodaxe wore an expression of extreme reluctance to broach the subject. "Good heavens! Do not mention it! I encountered a deranged missionary who incessantly expounded upon the greatness of their deity. Never in my life have I loathed a god to such an extent. Irrespective of which deity it may be, I shall never espouse their faith!"


    Subsequently, she cast a glance around. "However, upon my arrival here, she ceased to appear. It seems the intimidating atmosphere here has deterred her from entering."


    "How did she attempt to proselytize to you? Pray, do share," Glen inquired, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    Bloodaxe began without hesitation. "Her opening salvo was invariably, ''Do you yearn for salvation?'' And then..."


    "Very well, I believe I have surmised as much." Glen immediately deduced that it was the God of Truth. He had not anticipated that, despite the previous setback, the entity remained so active.


    It appears that the town of Bayek holds an almost irresistible allure for this deity. It is rather hasty... he mused inwardly.


    "Have you, too, been harassed by her? You are indeed fortunate. That missionary dared not enter this place."


    Bloodaxe, as if discovering a kindred spirit, promptly launched into a litany of complaints.


    Glen listened with patience for a while, and upon finding an opportune moment, he immediately queried,


    "Did you perceive anything amiss during her proselytization?"


    During his previous encounter with the missionary, he had been assailed by a force akin to enchantment. In Glen''s estimation, an ordinary individual should find it arduous to resist such an influence.


    "Amiss? " Bloodaxe pondered for a moment and then rapidly shook her head. "Nothing out of the ordinary. Merely an overwhelming sense of annoyance."


    This left Glen even more perplexed.


    Either the individual proselytizing to Bloodaxe was an ordinary mortal devoid of the power of a divine - will avatar, or Bloodaxe herself was extraordinary, capable of resisting such enchantment.


    Contemplating this, Glen instinctively cast a glance at the towering woman before him.


    The latter scratched her head, oblivious to Glen''s thoughts, yet courteously refrained from disturbing him.


    "It is advisable to maintain a safe distance from such unknown missionaries. You should depart from this place with all due haste."


    Glen proffered three gold coins to Bloodaxe, who, upon accepting them, presented the pre - prepared goods to Glen.


    "Sir, I have appraised these items. They are valued at approximately two gold coins and twenty silver coins. You have overpaid, and I have no change to return to you..."


    "Do not concern yourself with the change. Consider the excess as a gratuity," Glen waved his hand dismissively.


    This was precisely what Bloodaxe had been awaiting. Her countenance immediately brightened, and she nearly succumbed to the urge to embrace Glen and bestow a kiss upon him. "Thank you! Should you require anything in the future, do not hesitate to summon me! I shall respond without delay!"


    "Assuredly, I will."


    The two engaged in a brief conversation. Just as Bloodaxe was about to retrieve her luggage and take her leave, she suddenly recollected an item on her person and promptly retrieved it.


    A red, crystalline object was presented before Glen. Bloodaxe declared, "I discovered this within the body of a magic beast during a hunt. Uncertain of its nature, I might as well present it to you."


    Glen accepted the item, musing that it might well be a magic - beast stone.