They met the next day to collect the herbs needed by Grifor. Silas felt it was too early to be doing this, considering it was almost dawn when they returned from Hidden Alley House last night.
He yawned as he followed Finn, who claimed to know the shortest route to the forest.
"Aren't you a sleepyhead?" Finn asked, laughing.
Silas only shook his head, feeling too drained to answer any questions.
As they approached the western exit, traffic started to build up. The city guard, dressed in their gray uniforms, gave them a brief glance before nodding, signaling them to proceed. They entered a tunnel just wide enough for two people. The light at the end was blinding. Emerging from the tunnel, they were greeted by a cold wind that brushed away their tiredness. Silas closed his eyes and stretched his hands, feeling as if he was merging with the wind.
Finn tapped him on the shoulder. "That's where we're going," he said, pointing toward the forest.
"If this stuff is so rare, why don't people collect more of it? It might make them rich."
"That's what makes it rare. Alchemists rarely use it as an ingredient. Those herbs are considered unstable by most."
Silas nodded, but a question lingered in his mind—how did Finn know so much about these things? He would have dismissed it as common knowledge if Finn hadn't mentioned the herbs' instability.
They walked through a path that snaked through a field of tall reeds. When they finally arrived at the edge of the forest, Silas found himself eyeing the trees before him. He felt a sense of discomfort at its sight, with its tangled roots and hideous shapes. He heard a scratching sound and, for a moment, felt as though he was back in the forest in Gram.
'No, we already killed the Arachnid. And when the boss died, all its creations followed.'
"Now, why don't we start with Moonlight Tulips," Finn suggested.
"Okay," Silas replied, following Finn into the forest.
According to Finn, it was the easiest to find among the three and grew near streams and ponds.
'He's exceptionally talkative today,' Silas noted.
"It favors soil with more moisture," Finn explained as they followed a stream. After pushing aside branches blocking their path, Silas found himself in a clearing. He shielded his eyes from the light and was soon mesmerized by the sight of the flowers they were looking for. Moonlight Tulips had white petals dotted with different shades of blue.
As they picked the flowers, Silas decided to inspect them using the [System]. It turned out that Moonlight Tulips, if consumed, would increase one's [HP Regeneration Rate] by 6%. He sneaked the remaining ten pieces into his [Inventory]. They might be useful someday.
Finn stood and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "That's the Moonlight Tulips done. Now, let's look for Redcat Whiskers."
"Do you know where we could find them?"
"Hmm, since they're similar to orchids, I think we should look for them on dead trees. Orchids usually grow there."
"Do you like plants?" Silas asked.
Finn turned to him with a smile, the first genuine one Silas had seen from him. "I used to have a small garden bed at home. I tried growing them, but it seems I'm not cut out for it… but someday I'd like to grow some."
Silas returned the smile. "Maybe you could try with a different soil. I… know you could do it."
Finn froze for a moment before nodding and clearing his throat. "Thank you. Now, let's find our next herb."
They reached the foot of a small hill, and at its top, they saw a dead tree.
Finn's knowledge surprised Silas as he followed the boy, but as they walked, Silas saw a glint among the bushes. He ran to it and kneeled, finding a knife. He examined it closely, even smelling it.
"Why did you suddenly run?" Finn asked. Silas felt like eyes were watching him from the distant trees. He didn't want to give in to his paranoia, but he was certain his feeling was justified.
Silas noticed drops of blood on the grass. He bent down and rubbed it between his fingers. It was fresh.
"I think we should leave this forest now," he declared.
"What about the herbs?" Finn said. "There might be Redcat Whiskers on that fallen tree."
Silas was about to refute Finn, but the determination in the boy's eyes made him hesitate. 'I don't know why he's suddenly so desperate, but is his reason enough to risk our lives?'
"But at the slightest sign of danger, promise me you'll run."
Finn thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.
They climbed the hill. From the top, Silas could see everything below them.
"I found it," Finn shouted.
Redcat Whiskers was an orchid with thin flowers that almost resembled bending needles. Its bright red color was similar to blood. Scanning the flowers, the [System] revealed that they could increase his [Movement Speed] by 5.00%, half the speed that Danavar's Buff gave him. He decided to take 30 of these flowers into his [Inventory].
As they finished gathering the herbs, a burst of unsettling cries erupted. Flocks of birds flew away in panic, as if hunted by an unseen predator.
The two watched the birds. Silas could feel it in his skin—something was lurking in the forest with murderous intent.
"Let's find our last herb?"
Silas thought of saying no and dragging Finn out of the forest, but he knew that if he did, their pursuers would only increase in number. He sighed. 'I'll face them sooner or later. Maybe it's better to assess them myself so they can't surprise me later.'
They went back into the forest. It was eerily quiet except for the occasional wind above them. The light filtering through the canopy shifted on the ground, creating distorted shapes. They walked for another ten minutes before finally spotting their first Blue Mandrake. It was growing among small trees bearing wild berries. Silas asked if they were safe to eat, given their bright blue color.
Finn shook his head. "They look poisonous to me."
Despite Finn's assessment, Silas used the [System] to scan the berry in his hand. It was indeed poisonous and called [Blue Bomb Berry]. It had a 40% chance of inflicting paralysis if the smoke was inhaled. He looked at it suspiciously. So, these berries explode. 'Should I try throwing one to test it?' Silas kept 50 of them.
"I think we're done now," Finn declared.
They traced their way out of the forest. Despite the relief of completing the mission, Silas couldn't let his guard down. They circled around the hill to avoid the afternoon sun. Inside the forest, the wind blew, making the boughs of leaves brush against each other. In the midst of it, Silas heard the unnatural sound of breaking twigs. He turned sharply and looked around. From the huddled group of trees on his left, he thought he saw shadows lurking around them.