Several days have elapsed since my last hunting expedition, and the time has come for another venture into the wild. I've established a routine of embarking on these hunts every three days.
The main objective is to amass a significant amount of currency – a necessity for obtaining advanced combat techniques, magical artifacts, potions, and various essential supplies.
With thorough preparations now complete, I stand ready for this upcoming journey. I've acquired an upmarkd training suit of superior quality, ensuring that all my equipment is primed and properly arranged.
Satisfied with my arrangements, I stride confidently towards the door of my dwelling.
"Ready, Johnsy?" I call out, and almost instantaneously, my trusted companion lands gracefully on my shoulder.
Her presence provides both comfort and a sense of camaraderie, a reassuring fellowship as we set out together.
The sun has already made its ascent in the early morning sky as I step out. Today, I've opted to depart even earlier, granting myself an entire day's worth of opportunities. Unlike my previous hurried exit, I intend to fully seize the moments this time around.
Awaiting me is the whales, ready to transport me to the bustling Magoli market. As I settle into its comfortable interior, the vehicle swiftly whisks me away to my destination.
The market greets me with its familiar vibrant atmosphere, teeming with activity even at this early hour. The air is charged with anticipation, hinting at the possibilities that await me within its bustling confines.
Exiting the whales, I didn't linger amidst the bustling activity of the market. Swiftly, I summoned the sturdy armored vehicle that would carry me to the outskirts of Eran Lake.
This time, I had my sights set on a different section of the lake, a region I aimed to become intimately acquainted with – not for immediate purposes, but for a future plan that would unfold once I reached the esteemed Professional stage of my journey.
The allure of the nighttime drew my attention. It was during these dark hours that the world came alive with heightened devil activity, presenting a prime opportunity for adventurers to make substantial progress.
However, it was a double-edged sword, as the night also brought with it heightened danger. The prospect of encountering formidable devils or even facing the onslaught of armies was an ever-present risk.
As the whales smoothly departed, I watched its retreat with a thoughtful gaze before projecting a detailed map of the expansive area before me.
My eyes meticulously traced the contours of the terrain, evaluating potential routes with utmost care. The map indicated zones marked with a significant concentration of devils, and I weighed the advantages and perils of each option.
The last time I embarked on a hunt, the chosen area boasted a sparse devil population, simplifying my task.
But this time, I had intentionally selected an area with a higher density of creatures, albeit not quite reaching the levels of the most treacherous devil-laden territories.
With a route in mind, I took my first steps into the terrain, my heart set on encountering a Professional-mark devil. Reality, however, proved to be a stern teacher.
Despite a full hour of traversing the depths of the forest, my efforts yielded no sightings of the prized Professional-mark beasts. The woods remained quiet, the anticipated challenge nowhere in sight. Yet, I pressed on, resolute and undeterred by the slow pace of my progress.
Disheartened by the lack of progress, I continued to roam through the forest, my footsteps carrying a hint of frustration. It was during this somewhat dispirited wandering that a curious sight captured my attention – a vibrant yellow vine, intricately coiled around the trunk of a tree.
At first glance, it seemed like any other ordinary vine, easily overlooked in the midst of the forest's verdant tapes. Yet, an inexplicable impulse compelled me to inspect it more closely, to unravel the mystery it held.
As my focus sharpened, it became evident that this was no typical vine. Its robustness and the way it elegantly ensnared tree stumps and branches bespoke a uniqueness that demanded acknowledgment. A gasp of realization escaped my lips as I beheld the creature before me.
"By all that's astonishing," I breathed in astonishment, gazing at the fully grown yellow vine snake.
The yellow vine snake, akin to the Grey Spark sparrows, belonged to the esteemed Class 2 strain of devils, capped by a maximum evolution level of Professional Mark. Yet, the resemblance was where the parallels ended.
These creatures, yellow vine snakes, fell under the category of planted type devils, a classification that rendered them an exquisite rarity. Each facet of a plant type devil held immense value, especially its core and heart, integral components in the art of potion-making.
The essence, sap, and core of the yellow vine snake were particularly prized, serving as pivotal elements in the creation of potent healing potions. Moreover, the core of such a creature held significance in the crafting of magical artifacts tailored for those proficient in the healing arts.
As such, the allure of plant type devils as coveted treasures was well-founded. Yet, a formidable challenge lingered in the shadows.
The astonishing resilience of these creatures made their demise an arduous feat. Their very vitality was the reason every fragment of their existence was deemed invaluable.
Failure to vanquish a yellow vine snake in a solitary blow meant an almost insurmountable task of extinguishing its life.
In the face of this newfound revelation, a surge of determination welled within me. The odds were daunting, but the potential rewards were undeniable.
My journey had led me to an unforeseen crossroads, a choice that held the promise of riches but demanded an unwavering resolve.
With a steadying breath, I steeled myself for the challenge that lay ahead – to confront and conquer this formidable creature, the yellow vine snake, in a single, decisive strike.
The pursuit of a plant-type devil proved to be an arduous endeavor, one that drained both my life and stamina reserves. After a brief assessment of the situation, I arrived at a difficult decision – attempting to engage this creature in combat was a venture that demanded more resources than I was currently willing to expend.
Doubts about my ability to secure a successful kill further solidified my choice.
With a sense of resignation, I turned away from the imposing yellow vine snake, electing to postpone any action until later in the day. The plan was to return when the sun was higher in the sky, hoping that the creature would remain in its present location.
My recent efforts had yielded only modest results; I had lifeged to dispatch a mere two level 2 private stage devils. Unfortunately, their nature was less than ideal, with only their hearts holding any real value while the rest of their carcasses were of little worth.
As a wave of disappointment threatened to wash over me, a faint yet distinct grinding sound caught my attention. The noise, while mysterious in origin, bore a connection to the rocky terrain around me.
Intrigued and cautious, I approached the source of the sound, my senses alert to any potential threat. What I stumbled upon was a sight unexpected – a sizable Searing Hog, engrossed in the act of sharpening its small tusks against the rocky surfaces.
The creature's name was fitting. The Searing Hog derived its moniker from the fiery heat that infused its tusks during an attack, transforming them into red-hot weapons capable of melting iron with a mere touch.
Its tough hide presented a challenge, but the rewards of a successful hunt were enticing – a valuable skin, formidable tusks, and a bounty of meat that could fetch a handsome sum of fifteen to twenty thousand credits.
Standing at this precipice of potential, I recognized the gamble that lay before me. The Searing Hog was a formidable adversary, but the rewards for victory were not to be taken lightly.
The choice was mine to make – to embark on a battle that could yield great fortune or retreat in the face of uncertainty. In this moment of decision, the forest held its breath, as if echoing the weight of my deliberation.
The Searing Hog, its senses keenly attuned to my presence, reacted with an immediate alertness. Its menacing tusks took on a fiery hue, a visible sign of impending aggression.
The creature lunged forward, its considerable bulk defying expectations as it closed the distance between us in a mere heartbeat. Reacting swiftly, I sidestepped its charge with practiced ease, my movements a testament to my honed combat skills.
Seizing the opening, I delivered a calculated strike to its face, testing its defensive capabilities. A thin line of crimson painted my sword and my own skin, hinting at the vulnerability I had exploited.
An assessment was quickly formed – I possessed the means to defeat this adversary within the span of half an hour, utilizing the third movement of my meticulously practiced exercise.
A resounding cry erupted from the Searing Hog as my blade found its mark, the creature voicing its displeasure at my audacious assault.
Waste no time, I transitioned seamlessly into the familiar rhythm of the third movement, the symphony of my strikes an embodiment of precision and power.
As the encounter unfolded, I inhaled sharply through clenched teeth, a deliberate response to the searing pain that accompanied each exchange. The creature countered my blows, its massive tusks acting as both offense and defense.
Yet, this was a mere delay in the inevitable; its fate had been sealed the moment our clash commenced.
My relentless onslaught continued, the creature's struggles to counterattack intermittently successful but largely in vain.
With each strike, its formidable body bore the marks of my assault, injuries painting a vivid tableau of the battle's progression. Anger welled within its eyes, igniting a fervor that was swiftly subdued by my unyielding barrage.
In a final bid for escape, the creature attempted to flee the relentless dance of combat. But swifter still was my determination, a testament to my mastery of the field.
Blood loss began to take its toll on the once-fierce beast, its movements growing sluggish as the ground beneath it became a canvas of crimson.
A moment of astonishing defiance ensued as the Searing Hog counteracted my attack, the impact of our collision resonating in the air. Yet, its shock was palpable, its focus disrupted by its waning strength.
Recognizing the opportune instant, I executed a calculated maneuver, my blade aimed unerringly at its eye – a maneuver previously foiled by its evasive prowess. This time, confidence fueled my actions, and my blade met its mark.
A sound akin to "Puchi!" echoed, followed by a resounding "Thud!" as the Searing Hog succumbed to the culmination of our battle.
Its once-fierce gaze now dimmed, and the forest seemed to exhale as a hush settled over the scene. Victory was mine, a triumphant testament to skill, strategy, and unyielding determination.