Their conversation was interrupted by the approach of a burly man, his face weathered by years of labor in the mines. He wore the emblem of the Adventurers' Guild, and his stride was confident, his eyes sharp.
"Greetings," he said, nodding at Caelum and Elara. "You're here for the ore, I assume?"
Caelum nodded. "We are. And we've heard about the Rockwolves causing trouble in the area."
The man's expression turned grim. "Ah, yes, the Rockwolves. Nasty creatures, they are. Been a thorn in our side for too long. You planning on taking care of them?"
"That's the plan," Caelum confirmed, his voice steady.
The man seemed to appraise Caelum for a moment, his eyes lingering on the gun at his side. "You don't look like your average miner or blacksmith. You've got a look about you... a look of someone who's seen battle."
Caelum's expression remained unreadable, but a hint of a smirk appeared on his lips. "You could say that."
"Well, if you're heading into the mines, be careful. Those Rockwolves are more than just beasts. They're cunning, and they know the mines better than anyone," the man warned.
"We'll keep that in mind," Caelum replied, his tone appreciative of the advice.
The man nodded and turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and one more thing. If you're looking for rare ores, try the deeper levels. But be warned, it's a dangerous path. Not many dare to venture that far."
"Thanks for the tip," Caelum said, watching the man walk away.
Elara looked at Caelum, her expression thoughtful. "Caelum, do you really think we can handle the Rockwolves?"
Her apprehension was normal. In the mine, the small animals were limited, and there was almost no flora. Her abilities to converse with them wouldn't be useful. But Caelum had his map, and it would show enemies in real-time as red dots. He had an advantage no one else had. "We can," he simply said, as he walked forward into the mouth of the mine, the cavernous entrance swallowing them into its depths.
The inside of the mine was a stark contrast to the lush forest they had just left. The air was cooler, heavier, filled with the scent of earth and metal. The walls of the tunnel were rough and unyielding, lined with streaks of ore that glimmered faintly in the dim light. The path before them was lit by sporadic torches, casting long, dancing shadows along the walls.
As they ventured deeper, the sounds of the outside world faded away, replaced by the echoes of their footsteps and the distant clanking of pickaxes. The miners, immersed in their work, paid little attention to them, their focus solely on extracting the precious ores from the belly of the mountain.
Caelum's HUD map came to life, displaying the layout of the mine. He adjusted his grip on his gun. They were still in the safe zone, but danger could come any time.
Elara stayed close to Caelum, her eyes scanning the shadows warily. "These mines... they feel alive," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the echo of their footsteps.
"They are, in a way," Caelum replied, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. "Alive with danger and opportunity. Both are plentiful here."
As they moved deeper, the mine began to change. The air grew thicker, the temperature rising slightly. The walls narrowed, and the ceiling dipped lower, forcing them to duck their heads occasionally. The red dots on Caelum's HUD map started to blink, indicating they were approaching the monsters' territory.
"Stay alert," Caelum cautioned, his voice low. "We're leaving the safe zone."
Elara nodded, her hand moving to the dagger at her belt. "I'm ready," she said, determination lacing her voice.
Caelum and Elara continued their journey into the depths of the Northern Mines, the dimly lit tunnels echoing with the distant sound of pickaxes and miners' calls. The air was thick with the scent of earth and minerals, a stark contrast to the fresh, vibrant atmosphere of the Whispering Forest they had left behind.
"Sara mentioned that Lodestarite can be mined in territories controlled by Glimmerfang Drakes," Caelum said, his voice echoing slightly in the cavernous space. "First, we deal with the Rockwolves for the Guild quest, then we head deeper to find the Lodestarite."
Elara nodded, her trust in Caelum's judgment evident. "I'm with you. Just lead the way," she replied, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger.
As they progressed, the tunnels became narrower and the air warmer, the dim torchlight casting eerie shadows on the rough walls. Caelum's HUD map showed red dots starting to appear, indicating the presence of creatures ahead. He gripped his gun tighter, his senses heightened.
"We're entering Rockwolf territory," he whispered, his eyes scanning the darkness. "Stay close and be ready for anything."
Elara's expression was determined, yet there was a hint of apprehension in her eyes, nodded.
The tunnel opened up into a larger cavern, the ceiling high above them. Stalactites hung down like stone icicles, and the ground was uneven and rocky. The sound of dripping water echoed through the space, adding to the ominous atmosphere.
As Caelum and Elara delved deeper into the labyrinthine passageways of the Northern Mines, the atmosphere thickened with an impending sense of danger. The torchlight seemed to grow dimmer, casting longer shadows that danced eerily against the jagged walls. The clinking sound of miners' tools faded, replaced by a heavy silence that enveloped the duo like a shroud.
Caelum's HUD map revealed several red dots clustered ahead – the Rockwolves. He calculated their positions and movements, plotting a course that would allow them to engage with minimal risk. "We'll take a path to the left here," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "There are a couple of Rockwolves isolated from the pack. We can take them by surprise."
Elara nodded silently, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her dagger. She followed Caelum, her steps light and careful, her senses attuned to the slightest sound or movement in the shadowy depths of the mines.
As they crept forward, the first glimpse of their quarry materialized in the dim light. The Rockwolf was a formidable creature, its robust silhouette etched in sharp contrast against the rocky terrain of the mines.
The flickering torchlight cast an eerie glow on its dense, coarse fur. The Rockwolf's coat, a mosaic of grays, browns, and earthy tones, seemed to merge seamlessly with the jagged rocks surrounding it. Streaks of subtle white and dark gray accentuated its camouflage, making it nearly invisible as it prowled the rugged landscape.
Caelum observed the creature's head, an imposing and powerful feature of the Rockwolf. Its broad muzzle hinted at the strength contained within, while intelligent amber eyes gleamed with a sharp awareness. Shaggy eyebrows, perfectly adapted for deflecting debris and dust, added to the creature's mystique.
The Rockwolf's teeth were a testament to its dual nature as both predator and scavenger. Dagger-like canines, pristine and menacing, contrasted with its powerful molars, perfectly suited for crunching bones and tough vegetation. It was a creature capable of adapting its diet to the ever-changing seasons of the mountains.
As the Rockwolf moved gracefully through the rugged terrain, its limbs, muscular and powerful, propelled it with purpose. Its retractable claws, sharp as talons, effortlessly gripped onto rocky surfaces, offering both stability and stealth as it navigated the treacherous landscape.
Caelum couldn't help but admire the creature's long, bushy tail, swaying gracefully as it moved. It acted as a natural counterbalance, enabling the Rockwolf to traverse steep slopes with unmatched dexterity.
In the heart of the rocky mines, the Rockwolf was an embodiment of nature's ingenuity and resilience. Caelum watched in silent awe as the creature, an apex predator of the mountains, carried on with its solitary existence, a symbol of tenacity and survival amidst the unforgiving terrain.
Caelum paused, raising his bow and fitting an arrow to the string with practiced ease. He took a moment to aim, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the beast. The Rockwolf, unaware of their presence, continued to patrol the area, its ears twitching at the slightest sound.
The Rockwolf earned its name for a very good reason. Its fur had a texture resembling solid rock, providing not only camouflage but also excellent protection against various forms of attacks. Caelum quickly assessed the situation and realized that his current stats and the draw power of his bow were not sufficient to penetrate the wolf's formidable defenses.
His only chance lay in targeting the creature's vulnerable spots—areas such as its eyes, ears, mouth, anus, or the relatively softer belly. These were the weak points that could potentially allow him to overcome the Rockwolf's defenses and secure a successful attack.