Trying to get through the thick bushes, Wyrtt noticed something odd in the leaves in front of him. He stopped for a moment as he carefully made his way toward the darkened area that looked like it was hidden by a curtain of vines and leaves.
He looked at the gate to what looked like a cave and said in a low voice, "Could be useful."
Wyrtt took a deep breath to get ready for what was inside before he went in. He carefully moved the plants out of the way and looked into the void. It was very different inside and outside. Inside, it was cool and damp.
He said, "Hello" slowly, and his voice could be heard softly in the cave. Even though there was no answer, Wyrtt was not shocked. He knew that animals often went into these kinds of caves to feel safe or to rest.
He became more aware as he walked across the rough, rocky ground. He lit a small torch and put it on the wall. The dim light from it made shadows dance along the walls. In his nose, he could smell old air and wet ground. This made him wonder how old the underground room was.
In a whisper, Wyrtt told himself, "I need to be careful." He walked very quietly so as not to scare any animals that might be in the cave.
Along the way, Wyrtt thought about his tribe and the life he had left behind. If they could see him now, what would they think? Would they agree with his choice to go in a different direction, or would they see it as betrayal?
He shook off the doubts that were starting to show up and said, "It does not matter." "This is what I chose. I am not allowed to return.
The cave got smaller, and the darkness got darker all around him. A chill went down Wyrtt's spine as he went deeper into the shadows, which seemed to swallow him whole. He knew he should go back, but his curiosity made him keep going.
"Please, no spiders," Wyrtt muttered under his breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he squeezed through a particularly tight passage.
Finally, the cave opened up into a larger chamber, its ceiling adorned with glistening stalactites. Wyrtt stared at the natural formations in awe, momentarily forgetting the darkness and danger that surrounded him.
He took a deep breath and ran his hand along the smooth rock face.
As he continued exploring the cave, Wyrtt couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. His instincts screamed at him to be on guard, that something was lurking just beyond the reach of his torchlight.
"Stay focused," he told himself, gripping the hilt of his dagger tightly. "Don't let your mind play tricks on you."
But as Wyrtt pressed further into the darkness, he couldn't help but feel that he was about to uncover a secret that had been hidden away for centuries, waiting for someone like him to stumble upon it. And though fear gnawed at the edges of his mind, the thrill of discovery spurred him onward.
Suddenly, Wyrtt's torchlight flickered across the cave floor, casting eerie shadows on the walls. His gaze followed the light and landed on a pair of gleaming eyes staring back at him. A chill crept down his spine as he realized that the creature was a venomous snake, its scales glistening in the dim light.
"By the gods," he whispered, his voice trembling despite his best efforts to remain calm. He steadied himself, focusing on the snake's markings and size.
"Red scale with black diamonds. That's a Bloodfang Viper," Wyrtt muttered, recalling the countless lessons he had received from his tribe's elders about the deadly creatures that inhabited the wilderness. "One bite could kill me within minutes."
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain focused. The viper was coiled, its head raised menacingly as it prepared to strike if provoked. Wyrtt knew that he had to make a decision quickly.
"Alright, think," he said to himself. "Running isn't an option. It's too fast. Climbing won't work either. It can follow."
Wyrtt considered his options, his mind racing as he weighed the risks of each potential course of action. "I could try to capture it," he mused, "but one wrong move and I'm dead."
"Maybe if I can distract it," he finally decided, his heart pounding in his chest as he formulated a plan. "Get it away from the path so I can slip past."
"Here goes nothing," Wyrtt whispered, reaching into his pouch and pulling out a small stone. With a flick of his wrist, he launched the stone across the cave, hoping to draw the viper's attention away from him.
As the stone clattered against the far wall, the snake's gleaming eyes followed the noise, its body tensing as it prepared to strike. Wyrtt seized the opportunity, darting past the viper and towards the exit.
"Made it," he gasped, his heart pounding as adrenaline coursed through his veins. "That was too close."
As Wyrtt continued deeper into the cave, he felt a newfound respect for the deadly creatures that shared the wilderness with him. He knew that he had just narrowly escaped death, and the experience had sharpened his senses and heightened his awareness of the dangers lurking in the shadows.
"Stay alert," he reminded himself, gripping his dagger tightly as he pressed on. "You never know what's waiting around the next corner."
"Wait," Wyrtt murmured, realization dawning on him. "I can't just leave it here. It could be useful." He glanced back at the venomous snake, its scales shimmering in the dim light of the cave.
"Fine," he sighed, steeling himself for what he was about to do. "Let's make this quick." Wyrtt gripped his dagger tightly and crouched down, ready to strike.
"Three... two... one..." With lightning speed, Wyrtt lunged forward, plunging his dagger into the viper's head. The snake writhed in pain before falling limp, its once-gleaming eyes now dull and lifeless.
"Got you," Wyrtt whispered, a mix of relief and sadness washing over him. He carefully pried the venomous fangs from the snake's mouth, storing them safely in a small pouch. "These could come in handy."
As Wyrtt stood up, he felt a peculiar sensation coursing through his body. His mind raced with new knowledge, and his muscles tingled with newfound strength. A warmth spread through his chest, indicating that he had reached Level 2.
"Finally!" Wyrtt exclaimed, feeling the surge of energy within him. "Time to put this to good use."