This fight didn't call for a multifaceted system; it was a crude, liberated battle. I chose to harness the frenzy ability I had obtained from our past mission. It was a high-risk, high-reward expertise that unleashed my maximum capacity by forfeiting judiciousness.
However, how was I able to activate it? Did I have to release my displeasure?
I couldn't sort it out, so I ended my contemplations and raised my shield.
A strong impact shook my left hand.
The wolf had swung its huge front paw, pointed directly at my shield. It wasn't comparable to the Forest Sovereign, but it had considerable strength.
Quickly regaining my position, I moved aside. The wolf's claws dug into the ground, just inches away.
The wolf quickly fought back with a swipe of its claws.
Its claws brushed the tip of my nose.
Joined by the breeze, a drop of blood streamed from my nose.
Fast.
The breaks between its assaults were minimal. Dealing with it using my blade was challenging. One wrong maneuver and my right arm would be cut off. Despite my shield, it would have been a formidable rival to confront.
Gradually, I withdrew, easily repelling each assault with my shield.
*Thwack!*
A bolt flew flawlessly, penetrating the wolf's side.
*Growl!*
The wolf turned, exposing its teeth at Jenna.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, I pushed my blade into the wolf's exposed back. The wolf quickly twirled around, swiping its paws.
Its claws tore through the direction of my strike. Although my leather armguard was ruined, I managed to plunge my sword into its side, right next to the bolt's entry point.
*Ping!*
Another bolt found its mark, puncturing through the wolf's rump.
Quickly seizing the opportunity, I struck the side of the wolf's head with my shield as it lunged toward Jenna.
*Thud!*
One more bolt struck home.
Jenna was behind me, I was in front.
The Level Tracker met its destruction, caught between our assault of swords and bolts.
After some time, the wolf's tongue lolled out of its mouth as it collapsed.
A small sphere rolled from its parted jaws.
"[Substandard Water Natural Stone][Grade D-][A stone imbued with the essence of the level. Used for making various items and aiding specific hero advancements.]"
Luck was our ally indeed.
We got the essential stone in a single encounter.
The fact that only one wolf appeared makes it fortunate. Usually, Level Trackers roamed in packs of at least two. This one seemed to have strayed from the group, seeking isolation to quench its thirst.
Although I didn't get the chance to use the Free for All Ability this time, opportunities would arise from now on.
"Jenna, skin this animal."
"Why will you use it?"
"I have plans for it later."
"And when is later exactly?"
Jenna protested but began to skin the wolf using her blade.
In the meantime, I plucked a vibrant red bloom growing by the riverside.
"Now, let's see mixture ingredients."
"Lifebloom, Level Water, Pop Mushroom, and Fool's Gold."
The first two could be found here. Snap Mushrooms in the woods, and Fool's Gold in the mine. The purpose of Fool's Gold remained unclear, but it seemed that its true function exceeded all logical limitations.
As Jenna worked on cleaning, I diligently gathered Lifeblooms.
Initially, herb gathering would have been difficult without the Botanist's expertise, but with item names popping up seemingly for me, it wasn't too challenging to collect them.
Level Water was simply the stream flowing through the level.
I took out a pre-prepared water container and filled it with the clear stream water.
"And the paws and teeth?"
"I've already separated them."
"Perfect."
"Cut, cut."
Jenna's agile fingers skillfully performed the task behind me.
"It's so serene here."
"Before you talk about peace, clear the blood off your mind."
"Why? It's evidence that we've exerted the energy."
The slightly blue fur of the wolf was now peeled off, revealing its true structure.
Jenna began meticulously trimming the sharp claws.
"It would be great if we could continuously partake in this tranquility—hunting and gathering spices, liberated from the constant presence of the Expert. Can you even imagine? Having enough to eat, a place to rest. Without the Expert, it's like a natural paradise!"
"I'm an Expert as well, you know."
I swallowed my response. In a way, it wasn't entirely wrong to think of it as paradise without the constant oversight of the Expert. We had found allies to travel with, and the opening of the Weekly Prisons brought us various ingredients. Perhaps a small village had formed in our midst.
"I keep wondering if the folks in Niflheimr have similar thoughts."
"The desire for the Expert to be absent."
"Indeed, even I held some frustration with our recent Expert."
"If given the chance, I would gladly step into their role. I believe I could manage the sitting area more efficiently than our current situation if by some stroke of luck I could take charge."
"Don't you want to participate in combat?"
"I asked Jenna."
"Your meaning could be a little more obvious."
"Combat isn't limited to fighting on the forefronts. You can hunt, and you're not entirely without skills. You don't have to worry about being overshadowed."
"Could it be said that you are trying to give me a much-needed boost?"
"If conditions improve from what they are now, there's nothing to lose."
"In terms of survival, it was frequently more advantageous to assume a non-combat role rather than being on the forefronts in the main party. If I had focused on survival, I would have learned how to move into that position.
"Much like the skilled carpenter skillfully cutting branches in the carpentry look close to this time."
"Let's head back. There's no time left."
"Jenna quickly cleaned her blood-stained hands and rose to her feet."
"With our treasures in hand, we advanced to the layered entrance."
"Just when we thought the journey was near completion, sudden figures emerged before the layered entrance."
"Running toward the layered entrance, I shouted to Jenna."
"Duck!"
*Snarl, crash!*
"Before us lay the bodies of five Highland Trackers, as large as their fallen comrade. The layered gateway was reachable. We wasted no time and rushed towards it."
"Take this!"
"Jenna threw the thick wolf hides into the layered gateway."
"[Jenna () has collected Highland Tracker Leather.]"
"[Jenna () has collected Sharp Fangs.]"
"[Han () has acquired Lifebloom.]"
"With the materials gathered in one go, we jumped into the depths of the layered gateway."
"[Mission Complete!]"
"[The Legend returns to the waiting room.]"
"[Items Obtained]"
"[Lifebloom]"
"As we returned to the courtyard, we quickly cleaned ourselves up."
"The materials we had just taken into the layered gateway would automatically be packaged and stored on the shelves in the warehouse."
"I thought we were finished! How are we expected to gather materials when we're surrounded that way?"
"They usually don't gather near layered entrances."
"Even if we encounter them, we could simply retreat into the entrance. Although we would
lose our access pass, it was still better than the principal prisons where there was never an escape once inside."
"In the future, we would form parties for the Weekly Prison with one combat member assigned as an escort for every four explorers. It was the standard composition for a Weekly Prison party."
"I briefly clarified the concept of the Weekly Prison for Jenna."
"I couldn't personally guide her through everything. I informed her about what she needed and how to reach the 2-star level."
"Jenna had an intuitive understanding of concepts like levels and grades. With each level increase, her physical abilities would soar, and she couldn't help but notice the difference."
"It's really strange. The location changes every day, and we can go only once."
"For the Expert, it's a daily occurrence. But for our purposes, it's not. Once we enter the area, we must first locate and defeat those enemies, come what may. We pass on the minor materials to the others."
"Understood."
"The more natural stones and unique materials we obtained, the better."
"After advancement, we could use them to create special items or imbue equipment with unique powers."
"For now, I think this is as far as we can go."
"Advancement was an essential step, but there was no immediate urgency. Apart from the level restriction being lifted, there weren't many significant benefits to it. Even if we couldn't level up, we could still gain experience. And as we kept exploring the Weekly Prison, materials would naturally accumulate."
"And thus, I headed towards the training grounds."
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