The next morning, with the bowl's mysterious message still fresh in my mind, I set out for the Forest at the crack of dawn. The city of Quillgrad slowly faded behind me as I ventured into the dense, shadowy woodlands that bordered its outskirts. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and the rustling leaves whispered secrets I couldn't quite understand.
The Forest, for all its supposed mystique, appeared disappointingly empty. No mystical beings, no wise hermits, and certainly no fair maidens ready to be swept off their feet by a charming carpenter's apprentice. I wandered the trails, my frustration growing with each step.
Just as I was about to give up and head back to my humble hovel, something caught my eye—a hand bag lying conspicuously on the forest floor. Intrigued, I approached it, my curiosity piqued by its odd presence in the otherwise deserted wood.
The bag was filled with herbs, their aromatic scents mingling into a heady bouquet. Lavender, thyme, and others I couldn't quite identify, all bundled together as if freshly gathered. But what truly caught my attention were the teeth marks imprinted on the leather—a large dog's, by the look of it.
"Well, isn't this a curious little puzzle?" I muttered to myself, examining the bag more closely. The teeth marks suggested a struggle or perhaps a hasty escape. Either way, the bag's owner might not be far off, and they could be in trouble.
With a sense of purpose renewed by this unexpected find, I delved deeper into the forest, my eyes scanning the underbrush for any further clues. The trees grew denser, their gnarled branches intertwining above me, casting eerie shadows on the forest floor.
Every snap of a twig and rustle of leaves set my nerves on edge. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched, the hairs on the back of my neck standing at attention like soldiers awaiting orders.
"Alright, Forest," I muttered, clutching the bag tightly, "show me what you've got."
With the mysterious handbag clutched in one hand and a growing sense of trepidation bubbling up inside me, I ventured further into the dense heart of the forest. Every step seemed to echo in the stillness, the air thick with anticipation. Just as I was beginning to doubt the wisdom of following an enchanted bowl's advice, a curious sight stopped me in my tracks.
There, in a small clearing, was the largest wolf I had ever seen, its fur a dark, mottled grey that blended seamlessly with the shadows. It was trying to climb a dense tree, its powerful jaws clamped around a torn piece of black cloth—probably from a tunic. The sight was almost comical, like watching a drunken bear attempt ballet.
But the moment the wolf's piercing yellow eyes locked onto mine, any humor evaporated faster than ale at a summer festival. The beast dropped the cloth and let out a low, menacing growl that reverberated through the forest floor.
"Bugger me sideways," I muttered, feeling a cold sweat break out across my forehead. My heart pounded like a drum at a village fete as the wolf bounded towards me, teeth bared and saliva dripping from its maw.
In a blind panic, I fumbled with my toolbox, my fingers grasping for anything remotely useful. Just as the wolf was about to pounce, I found my chisel and, acting on pure instinct, hurled it at the beast with all my might.
By some miracle—or perhaps sheer dumb luck—the chisel flew straight and true, embedding itself deep in the wolf's skull with a sickening crunch. The beast let out a blood-curdling yelp, its eyes rolling back as it stumbled, legs giving way beneath it. Blood poured from the wound, soaking its fur and staining the forest floor. The wolf twitched violently, then collapsed in a lifeless heap at my feet, the chisel protruding grotesquely from its head like a macabre trophy.
I stood there, breathing heavily, my mind struggling to process what had just happened. "Well, that's one way to skin a wolf," I said to no one in particular, trying to steady my shaking hands.
After a moment, I approached the fallen beast cautiously, half-expecting it to spring back to life. But the wolf remained motionless, a pool of crimson spreading around its head. The piece of black cloth still dangled from its mouth, a silent testament to whatever struggle had led it here.
With a deep breath, I retrieved my chisel from the wolf's skull, wiping it clean on the grass. "Note to self," I muttered, "never underestimate the power of a well-thrown chisel."
As the adrenaline slowly ebbed from my veins, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, a carpenter's apprentice with an enchanted bowl, standing over the corpse of a monstrous wolf in the middle of a forest.
As I stood over the wolf's corpse, the forest suddenly seemed to hold its breath. A rustle above drew my eyes upwards to the dense branches of the tree. My jaw dropped a strikingly beautiful woman began to descend.
She moved with a grace that made me forget the whole deadly-wolf-encounter. Her platinum blonde curls cascaded around her shoulders like a silken waterfall, framing soft blue eyes that twinkled even in the dim forest light. Her porcelain complexion was adorned with delicate jewelry that glinted with every movement.
My eyes widened as I noticed her curvy figure, accentuated by a black tunic that had a rather significant piece torn away. This wardrobe malfunction revealed her ample tits, glistening with droplets of sweat. She seemed to realize this at the same moment I did, hugging herself to cover up as she approached me.
"Thank you," she breathed, her voice soft and melodious, tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "You saved my life."
I managed to snap my mouth shut and give her a reassuring smile. "No need to thank me, miss. Just happened to be in the right place at the right time." My attempt to sound non
chalant was probably undermined by the wide-eyed awe in my expression.
She smiled, a blush coloring her cheeks. "I'm Seraphina," she introduced herself, her voice steadying. "I'm an apothecary. I gather herbs for my remedies and potions. My shop is near the city's marketplace."
"I'm Darren," I replied, trying to keep my eyes on her face and not her... predicament. "New to Quillgrad. Just trying to find my way."
"Well, Darren, you're off to a heroic start," she said with a teasing smile, shifting her arms slightly to adjust her cover, inadvertently drawing more of my attention to her predicament.
"So, uh, what were you doing up in the tree?" I asked, attempting to focus on something other than her impressive anatomy.
Seraphina sighed, glancing back at the tree. "I was gathering herbs when that beast surprised me. It tore my tunic and nearly caught me before I could climb out of reach."
"Seems like it was having a bad day," I quipped, glancing at the dead wolf. "Lucky for both of us, my aim with a chisel isn't half bad."
She chuckled, a musical sound that made the forest seem less foreboding. "Lucky indeed. I should repay you for your bravery. Perhaps with some potions or remedies? I have a feeling you'll need them in Quillgrad."
"I won't say no to that," I said, feeling more at ease. "A hero's welcome with potions sounds like a good deal."
Seraphina smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Then come by my shop. I'll make sure you're well-equipped for your adventures."
Just as we were about to head back to the city, a strange tingling sensation shot through my left arm. I glanced down and my heart skipped a beat. There, on my inner forearm, was a freshly inked tattoo of a crow, its dark wings spreading as if ready to take flight.
"Well, that's new," I muttered, staring at the intricate design.
Seraphina's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "Oh, you've just become a Monster Hunter!"
"A what now?" I asked, bewildered. "What's a Monster Hunter, and why the bloody hell do I have a crow tattoo?"
Seraphina smiled, her initial shock giving way to a look of understanding. "Whenever someone kills a mystical beast, they become a Monster Hunter. The tattoo signifies your new status. The wolf you killed wasn't ordinary—it was a dire wolf. Quite a feat for your first day in Quillgrad."
I blinked, trying to process this new information. "So, I kill a beast, and now I have a tattoo? And what's this about status?"
"There are seven ranks, each represented by a different bird symbol," Seraphina explained. "The crow is the first rank. As you kill more mystical beasts, your rank increases and the tattoo changes to the symbol of the new rank. The state pays Monster Hunters according to their ranks."
"Blimey," I said, staring at the crow on my arm. "I just came here looking for a fresh start, not to become some sort of beast-slaying hero."
Seraphina chuckled. "Fate has a funny way of guiding us, Darren. With your new status, you'll find doors opening that you never imagined. And, of course, there's the pay. Monster Hunters are well-compensated for their efforts."
I couldn't help but grin. "Well, if it means I get to be a hero and earn some coin, I suppose I can't complain."
She gave me an encouraging smile. "And with your first kill being a dire wolf, you're already off to an impressive start."
I flexed my arm, watching the crow's wings seem to flutter with the movement. "So, what's next for a newly minted Monster Hunter?"
"First," Seraphina said, leading the way back towards the city, "you need to visit the Guild Hall to officially register. After that, you can take on hunts and start climbing the ranks. And don't forget to visit my shop. You'll need plenty of potions and remedies for your new line of work."
As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. Quillgrad was turning out to be far more adventurous than I'd anticipated.
Soon the dense forest gradually gave way to open fields, lush and green under the afternoon sun. Seraphina led me down a winding path lined with vibrant wildflowers and aromatic herbs, their scents mingling in the warm breeze.
As we walked, the dense forest gradually gave way to open fields, lush and green under the afternoon sun. Seraphina led me down a winding path lined with vibrant wildflowers and aromatic herbs, their scents mingling in the warm breeze.
"Almost there," she said, glancing over her shoulder with a smile.
Soon, we reached Seraphina's home, a modest yet charming cottage nestled amidst verdant fields and well-tended herb gardens. The stone walls were covered in creeping ivy, and flowers bloomed in a riot of colours around the door and windows. It was a picturesque sight, a serene contrast to the bustling city of Quillgrad.
"Home sweet home," Seraphina said, her voice filled with affection as she unlocked the door.
"You've got a beautiful place," I said, genuinely impressed. "Far cry from the chaos of the city."
She laughed softly. "It has its charms. The peace and quiet are perfect for my work, and the gardens provide all the herbs I need."
As she stepped inside, she turned to face me. "Thank you again, Darren. For saving me. You really are quite the hero."
I felt a warm blush creep up my neck. "Just doing what anyone else would, really. But I'm glad I could help."
Seraphina gave me a radiant smile, one that made my heart skip a beat. "Well, if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come by. Potions, remedies, or just a cup of tea. My door is always open to you."
"Thanks, Seraphina. I'll definitely take you up on that," I replied, feeling a mix of gratitude and admiration for this remarkable woman.
With a final wave, I turned and made my way back down the path, heading towards the distant spires and rooftops of Quillgrad. The city loomed ahead, a sprawling maze of stone and mortar, filled with potential and adventure.
As I walked, I couldn't help but glance down at the crow tattoo on my arm, its inky blackness a stark reminder of my newfound role. A Monster Hunter, in a city teeming with the unknown. The thought filled me with a sense of purpose and excitement.
Reaching the city gates, I squared my shoulders and took a deep breath. "Right then, Quillgrad," I muttered to myself, a grin spreading across my face. "Let's see what you've got in store for me."