Chapter 72: Kodomas
The path north revealed itself gradually as a natural corridor between two rises of earth covered in thick grass. Trees bordered it on both sides, their branches reaching toward each other overhead but never meeting, and leaving an open sky visible above.
"We just need to enter without our Beast Spirits activated. If we are attacked, we can just sprint through the area, since it wouldn’t be good to fight multiple enemies while in that narrow passageway." Marie says, leading Reinhard and Joseph to nod their head.
In the next moment, the trio entered the passage unarmed.
The grass here grew shorter so that it wasn’t covering their boots, and Reinhard’s nose twitched at the sweet scent around.
Then Reinhard blinked before staring down in surprise at the small white figures moving through the grass ahead.
They had humanoid bodies that were smooth and round. Their heads swayed slightly as they moved, while their black eyes stood out starkly against their pure white forms. They were no taller than Reinhard’s boots as they continued marching unhurriedly.
"Marie..." Reinhard said, his voice trailing into an unspoken question. "These little figures are?"
Joseph was already crouching down to get closer to eye level with the beast. He watched them sway through the grass, their small bodies creating barely any disturbance as they moved. His expression held curiosity mixed with something gentler, it was the same wonder he’d shown toward the Forestsune.
Marie’s eyes were shining in excitement. Her grin spread wide across her face as she crouched beside Joseph. "These are Kodamas. They’re known as the Phantasm Beasts that purify the forest."
Reinhard blinked in surprise. "They help keep it clean, or is it something else?"
Marie’s smile softened as she pointed down and to the side. "Look at the four over there."
Reinhard and Joseph’s gazes followed her hand before they saw Four Kodamas approaching a bush. It’s then they notice it had some spots on its leaves with brown spots spreading across its surface. The bush looked withered and seemed to be struggling.
Reinhard watched as the Kodamas reached it and pressed their small white hands against the lowest branches. A green light swept outward from their touch like ripples on a lake. The dark spots began fading away and being replaced by a lighter, healthier green that started at the bottom of the bush.
The transformation spread slowly but steadily, color returning to leaves that moments before had looked nearly dead.
One Kodama turned around, facing the bush with its back to the plant. Then it began climbing backward, using the branches to hold itself. Another Kodama grabbed onto the first one’s legs and began climbing, then a third climbed the second, and the fourth climbed the third.
They formed a living ladder, swaying slightly but maintaining their balance through some unspoken coordination. The topmost Kodama reached the highest branches that still looked unhealthy with dark spots.
Its small hands pressed against a cluster of withered leaves.
Green light swept outward again, washing over the upper portions of the bush. The dark color faded away before it was replaced by a vibrant, healthy green color.
"The way they purify is more in line with making the nature around them richer and healthier," Marie explained softly while her eyes shine in admiration. "Apparently, the Kodamas constantly work to keep the forest strong and healthy."
Reinhard watched the small creatures carefully disassemble their ladder and each climb down with the same deliberate care they’d shown climbing up. "Because it’s their home."
Marie shook her head, her expression growing more thoughtful. "I thought that was the answer, but the books said it’s for the Phantasm Beasts of the forest."
Joseph turned to look at her directly with his brow furrowing. "The Phantasm Beasts? But why?"
"The Kodamas protect the Forest and all that is part of it," Marie said as she held her chin. "The Phantasm Beasts are an important aspect of the Forest. While we only see beasts killing each other, taking from the forest, or destroying parts of it. It’s believed every beast has a purpose that helps prolong the forest, and the Kodamas are simply a part of that odd chain."
Joseph raised a brow with something like amusement. "So are the Cheronos pest control?"
Marie hummed before tilting her head and shrugging. "Most likely."
They continued walking while moving carefully to the side of the path to not step on or interrupt the Kodamas.
It was a bit difficult as the Kodamas were everywhere now that Reinhard was looking for them. Some work individually on small plants while others form living ladders to reach higher vegetation. Their little white bodies swayed as they worked, and their black eyes focused intently on their tasks.
Reinhard stepped carefully around a group of three Kodamas working on a fallen log. Their hands pressed against bark that was transforming from grey rot to healthy brown. While Joseph slipped around two ladders of Kodama that were holding onto a tree. Marie maneuvered around the small creatures while pointing out various groups as they passed.
There were two Kodamas working together on a patch of wildflowers, their green light causing the blooms to visibly brighten. Five formed an elaborate ladder system to reach a tree branch that had clearly been damaged by wind or claws.
One Kodama sat alone beside a small sapling, its hands pressed gently against the thin trunk. The green light pulsed rhythmically, which led the sapling’s leaves to bloom and grow.
Reinhard felt his expression softening as he watched this peaceful scene. It’s an odd thing to see after encountering violence and danger earlier from the other Phantasm Beasts. These creatures had no interest in the or maybe simply, no awareness of their passing. They simply worked, focused on their task, which they helped each other complete.
Joseph’s face had relaxed into something approaching contentment as he appreciated what they were witnessing.
But as they neared the end of the passage, a screeching shattered the peaceful atmosphere.
Reinhard looked forward and saw Ten Cheronos were ahead, tearing into the small white bodies of the Kodamas. The creatures slashed with wind-claws, cutting down Kodamas and swallowing them whole.
White blood splashed across the grass and leaves.
Reinhard’s eyes narrowed while Joseph frowned, and both clenched their fists.
But then Reinhard blinked. "Where are the Greenmen? Shouldn’t they be attacking the Cheronos?"
Joseph’s eyes widened. "That’s true. Don’t tell me they leave the Cheronos alone?"
"It’s not that," Marie said calmly as she stared at the violence before her. "They don’t interfere because the Kodamas are protected by a very strong Phantasm Beast."
Reinhard and Joseph’s eyes widened before they swiftly looked ahead.
The implications crashed through Reinhard’s mind like a wave, and he asked. "Should we hide or move?"
Marie shook her head with a faint smile. "It will only attack those who touch the Kodamas."
Then the ground began to shake.
The trembling started subtly but built rapidly as vibrations ran up through Reinhard’s boots and into his bones. The Cheronos in front froze with their screeching, cutting off abruptly, and their yellow eyes went wide.
They tried to run.
But the grass beneath them moved as blades wrapped around their legs and bound them in place with impossible strength. The Cheronos shrieked, thrashing desperately, but the grass only tightened its grip.
The ground in front of them split open before a massive Kodama rose from the earth itself.
It was easily three times Reinhard’s height with its white body somehow maintaining that same smooth and simplified form despite its scale. But it had cracks on its face like fissures with two massive black eyes that displayed no emotion.
A massive hand rose from the ground beside it that seemed separate from its body, as if the earth itself was forming weapons. The hand was composed of dirt, roots, and stone, all compacted together.
It rose high above the trapped Cheronos.
Then it smashed down.
The impact was thunderous, with the Cheronos not even having time to screech. They simply ceased to exist, flattened into paste against the ground.
Blood and viscera spread outward in a dark circle.
The massive Kodama reached down with its own hands and dragged the crushed remains into the ground, pulling them down with unhurried movements.
Then it sank back down and disappeared into the earth as smoothly as it had emerged. The ground closed seamlessly, with grass sprouting instantly across the disturbed soil, covering any sign that the earth had been opened.
Within seconds, the area looked completely untouched as if nothing had happened at all.
The other Kodamas then continued their tasks without pause.
They showed no reaction to the violence, no awareness of the massive guardian that had just appeared and vanished. Their small hands pressed against leaves and bark with green light washing over them.
Reinhard stared blankly before Mimir appeared on his shoulder and said. "Kodama Guardian. Tier B, Second Class Beast Master."