As Orion materialized in the small world, his vision momentarily blurred before clearing to reveal a landscape markedly different from the one he had just left. The air felt fresher, filled with the scent of unknown flora, and the sky above was a vibrant shade of azure, untainted by the pollution of the city. He looked around, taking in the new environment, when several system notifications appeared before him.
[ Entering Trial of Mortals ]
[ World Power Limits: Level 19 ]
Orion processed this information, understanding the implications. The 'Power Limits' meant that even if an explorer accumulated sufficient experience to advance beyond level 19 within this small world, their progression would be halted. They wouldn't be able to reach level 20 or beyond while inside the 'Trial of Mortals'. This mechanism effectively froze their experience gain, ensuring that no one inside the small world would exceed the level cap. It was a sensible restriction, possibly designed to maintain the balance and intended challenge of the environment.
[ System Notification: New Quest Accepted! ]
[ Quest: Limits ]
[ Location: Trial of Mortals Small World ]
[ Objective: Reach Power Limits of the Small World ]
[ Difficulty: C-Rank ]
[ Reward: 10 Free Stat Points, Free Skill Point ]
The quest's objective, to 'Reach Power Limits of the Small World', sparked a moment of contemplation in Orion. He wondered about the specifics of this objective. Was merely reaching level 19 sufficient to complete the quest, or did it require him to also hit the experience cap for that level within this small world?
There also was another quest
[ System Notification: New Quest Accepted! ]
[ Quest: Core of World ]
[ Location: Trial of Mortals Small World ]
[ Objective: Find Core of Small World ]
[ Difficulty: A-Rank ]
[ Reward: Calculated on completion ]
He had never encountered the concept of a 'Core of World' before, and the lack of specific information about it left him intrigued yet uncertain. The A-Rank difficulty indicated that this quest was far from straightforward and would likely involve complex challenges, possibly on par with the high-stakes quests tied to his role as a Keeper.
With the notifications checked, Orion took the next step in their journey. He summoned Auf, his reliable companion, whose abilities would be invaluable in the uncharted terrain of the small world.
As Auf materialized, Mira's eyes widened in surprise and fascination. It was evident she hadn't seen Auf since his evolution. The creature before her was a far cry from the typical image of a dire wolf – with its imposing stature and the distinctive horn, it exuded a powerful aura.
Yet, to Orion's surprise, Mira's reaction was one of sheer delight. "Oh, he's cute!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with a mix of awe and affection.
Orion couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. It was the first time he had heard someone describe Auf, a creature as formidable as a horned dire wolf, as 'cute'. It was a testament to Mira's gentle nature and her ability to find warmth and charm in even the most intimidating of creatures.
Auf, seemingly unperturbed by the description, simply tilted its head, regarding Mira with a calm, almost curious gaze.
"Thanks, Mira. He's been a great ally," Orion responded, patting Auf's side. "He's evolved quite a bit since you last saw him."
Mira approached Auf cautiously, extending a hand. "It's nice to meet you again, Auf. You've become even more impressive."
Auf responded with a soft huff, accepting Mira's gesture.
Following the brief but heartening interaction with Auf, Orion scanned their immediate surroundings. He noticed that most of the groups that had arrived around the same time had already dispersed, each embarking on their own paths into the small world. The absence of any map or detailed information about the layout of this realm left them with little to go on.
Adjusting to their surroundings on the open plains near the portal entrance, Orion took a moment to survey the landscape. The plains stretched vast and wide, but on the horizon, he spotted the dense outline of a forest. With no specific direction or objective provided, Orion decided that the forest could potentially offer more cover and resources than the open plains.
Turning to Mira, he suggested, "Let's head towards that forest. It might provide us with some shelter and resources, and we're more likely to find clues or paths within."
Mira followed his gaze to the forest in the distance. "Sounds like a plan. Forests can be rich in resources, and who knows what we might discover there."
With Auf leading the way, they began their trek across the plains towards the forest. The grass underfoot swayed gently in the breeze, and the openness of the area gave them a clear view of their surroundings. However, Orion knew that such openness could also mean exposure to potential threats, so he remained on guard.
As they approached the forest, the landscape gradually changed. The open plains gave way to denser vegetation, and the sounds of the forest began to envelop them — a chorus of birds, the rustle of leaves, and the distant rustling of unknown creatures.
Entering the forest, the trio felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The air was cooler, the light dappled by the dense canopy above. Orion's senses were heightened as he led the way, with Mira and Auf closely following. The forest held an air of mystery, and each step seemed to draw them further into the heart of the small world.
As Orion, Mira, and Auf ventured deeper into the forest, their eyes scanned the environment for anything of interest or value. It wasn't long before Mira, with her keen eye for botanicals, spotted a cluster of vibrant flowers nestled under a canopy of dense foliage.
"Look at these," Mira called out softly, crouching beside the flowers. "They're Moonshade Blossoms. Not incredibly rare, but they do have medicinal properties and some value."
Orion joined her, examining the delicate petals of the flowers. "Good find. Let's collect some. They might come in handy, or we can trade them later."
After carefully harvesting the Moonshade Blossoms, they continued their exploration. The forest was alive with the sounds and movements of wildlife, a vivid reminder that they were not alone in this realm.
Not long into their journey, a sudden rustle from the underbrush caught their attention. A lone forest beast, resembling a large, muscular deer with unusually sharp antlers and a thick hide, emerged into their path. It seemed wary but not immediately aggressive.
Orion signaled for quiet. "Let's use this opportunity to gauge our team coordination and test the strength of the local wildlife," he whispered to Mira.
Mira nodded, readying herself for the encounter. Orion stepped forward, drawing the creature's attention. The beast, sensing a challenge, lowered its antlers and charged.
The fight that ensued was a test of their skills and teamwork. Orion engaged the beast head-on, his movements precise and calculated, while Mira provided support, ready with healing abilities. Auf, with his heightened agility, darted around the beast, creating distractions and openings for Orion to exploit.
The forest beast, though formidable, was no match for their coordinated efforts. After a few intense seconds, they successfully subdued the creature. Orion delivered a final, merciful strike, bringing the encounter to an end.
[ Experience Gained: 500 ]
As they caught their breath, Orion and Mira exchanged a satisfied glance. The encounter had proven their effectiveness as a team and provided valuable insight into the strength of the small world's inhabitants.
Orion assessed the outcome of their skirmish with the forest beast, his mind analyzing their performance and the creature's capabilities. "That deer, based on its strength and resilience, was likely around level 14-15," he deduced.
Mira, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow, looked at Orion curiously. "How does that stack up for us in this world?"
"Given the power limit of this world is level 19, I'd say creatures like this are probably average here, ranging between levels 15 and 20," Orion replied, considering their next move. "If that's the case, even a small pack shouldn't pose too much of a challenge for us, especially considering our current strength."
Mira nodded, reassured by Orion's analysis. "And with you being at level 16, we have an edge. I've seen how you can outmatch even those who are much higher in level."
After the encounter with the forest deer, Orion glanced at the downed creature. While normally he would take the time to dismantle the corpse for useful materials, he felt a need to maintain their momentum in exploring the small world.
With efficiency in mind, Orion decided to utilize one of his spare storage rings. The ring, with its 5 cubic meters of capacity, easily accommodated the creature, a testament to the valuable resources the Dark Elves had unintentionally provided him.
"Let's keep moving," Orion said to Mira, putting away the storage ring. "We can always come back to it later if we need to."