'Mannn. I can't wait until I'm overpowered again. It felt amazing. But this world is way different than the old world. The creatures too. What region is this? The old world was divided in regions, each had their own unique setting, look, and creatures that impacted the region and its significance. But here are creatures I've never seen before.'
[Entity Detected: Skogsdjur]
Type: Mystic Fauna
Description: A creature that appears part deer, part tree. Its antlers branch out with thriving leaves, and the eyes glow a soft green.
Region Role: These creatures contribute to the ecological balance of Völundrheim by spreading seeds and magical spores that encourage plant growth even in this blighted land.
'So that's the region name. How the hell do you even pronounce that? Is that Nordic?'
Several Skogsdjur grazed near a flickering stream, their movements graceful and silent, weaving through the twisted undergrowth and fragmented landscapes birthed by divine conflicts.
His attention then shifted to something far more ominous—a group of towering figures marching in a calculated patrol, their appearance striking and fearsome.
[Entity Detected: Einherjar Brutalists]
Type: Hostile Humanoid
Description: Resurrected Viking warriors, armored in fused bones and dark metals, wielding enormous rune-carved axes. Their eyes smolder with a hellish fire, and vaporous energy leaks from their armor seams.
Region Role: Once noble warriors, now twisted by divine chaos, they serve as enforcers, keeping the peace in a cruel, unforgiving manner. Unpredictably aggressive to all perceived threats.
Klade's grip tightened on his weapon as he watched the Einherjar Brutalists march past. Their heavy boots crushed the cracked earth, and their raspy, discordant chant filled the air, a grim prayer to forgotten deities.
'So they're like the valiant knights of this region, must've been brought back by some kind of shaman or necromancer in zombie form or something. Trying to keep the peace even in an apocalyptic world run by demons and gods, yearning for tranquility and law to be back again, but the division fucked it all up. But if the system said they are an enemy, then they'll see me as one too, attacking on sight. In this case, it's like in the old world, there's mini bosses. Hell, there's mini bosses everywhere.'
Meanwhile, by the mystical bridge, a rare interaction unfolded.
[Entity Detected: Jarnvid Creatures]
Type: Mystic Hybrid
Description: Half-bird, half-snake entities. Feathered serpents glide and slither, their bodies shifting between flying and crawling. Their calls mimic the sounds of the dying world around them.
Region Role: Guardians of the Jarnvid bridges, they prevent the unworthy from crossing into the sacred realms or escaping their fated demise.
The Jarnvid Creatures hissed and twirled around the stone bridge, their movements a mesmerizing dance of feathers and scales, warding off a lone traveler who dared approach without the proper tributes.
Klade thought, 'Travelers huh? NPC's? Nah they couldn't be. They're real people. This region is filled to the brim with crazy stuff. Even creatures guarding bridges to certain areas. What are they trying to keep people away from? A royal family member maybe?'
Finally, Klade's eyes caught a surreal sight—a merging of innocence and ferocity.
[Entity Detected: Fenris Cubs]
Type: Mystic Fauna
Description: Small, wolf-like creatures with fur that shifts colors like the northern lights. Their eyes sparkle with a playful yet wild light.
Region Role: Born from the remnants of the mythical Fenris Wolf, these cubs roam Völundrheim in packs, hunting small mythic creatures and surviving amidst the chaos. Known for unexpected bursts of both playful innocence and deadly fury.
A pack of Fenris Cubs playfully chased each other around a collapsed rune stone, their vibrant fur a brilliant display against the somber backdrop. Their spirited yelps and growls added a lively, if unsettling, cadence to the atmosphere of Völundrheim.
Klade grinned, thinking of his familiar, Asura.
'Damn I miss that mutt. My best friend. Hope you're still alive. If so, I'm coming to get you. I'm just not strong enough yet. But don't worry.'
As Klade continued to traverse through the surreal landscape of Völundrheim, avoiding the dangers because he was not in the condition to fight, his curiosity drove him to further explore not just the creatures but also the rich flora that somehow thrived in this chaotic world. Activating a deeper scan mode of his system, Klade began to gather information about the various ethereal and robust plants dotting this harsh territory, with a keen interest in their potential uses for crafting aids or other benefits to aid him in his quests.
'There's the jackpot. Crafting material. With it, I can do a lot. I used to farm crafting material all the time to level up. Most people thought I was crazy, I was tactical with my approach to all mini bosses and main bosses of the old world. Most players focused on straight carnage and fighting without trying to craft things that could help them. Should I collect some plants here?'
[Plant Detected: Silvertwine Moss]
Type: Enchanted Flora
Description: A luminescent moss that glows silver under moonlight and emits a soft, calming fragrance.
Origin: Native to the twilight valleys of Völundrheim, evolved to thrive in low light conditions.
Purpose: Known for its healing properties, Silvertwine Moss can be used in crafting healing salves or soothing herbal teas that mitigate energy exhaustion.
Klade noted a patch of Silvertwine Moss growing along the shadows of a nearby overhang, its silver glow a beacon in the dim environment. He grabbed them easily as he moved along fast. His gear making his footsteps lighter and less loud.
[Plant Detected: Emberleaf]
Type: Flammable Flora
Description: This plant has crimson leaves that flicker as if aflame, yet they burn not—it's a visual mimicry that deters predators.
Origin: Sprouted from the ashy soils littered around the remnants of forgotten god-fires.
Purpose: Besides its role as a potent visual deterrent in nature, Emberleaf serves a crucial role in alchemy, particularly in the crafting of explosive mixtures and fire-resistant potions.
Clusters of Emberleaf shimmered among the ruins, their unique appearance captivating Klade's attention—they might be useful for crafting ammunition or protective gear.
[Plant Detected: Echo Thorn]
Type: Defensive Flora
Description: These thorns emit vibrational pulses when disturbed. The plant itself is vine-like, with barbed thorns that can grow up to several feet in length.
Origin: Found principally along the creature paths of Völundrheim as a natural protective measure.
Purpose: Echo Thorn can be used to create perimeter alarms or booby traps due to their sensitivity to movement and the intensity of their vibrational alarms.
Klade observed a coiling structure of Echo Thorn nearby, its slight vibrations a testament to its sensitivity.
Klade opened his inventory, his system window opening beside him, and everything transferred into it.
"Alright. I hope I got enough. Now I need a crafting table."
As Klade steadied himself, his senses overwhelmed by the vivid strangeness of his surroundings, an unexpected sight snapped his attention back to the immediate. In the blink of an eye, a man appeared before him, kneeling as if materialized from thin air, his appearance disheveled, his eyes glazed as if deep in inebriation. He has a blonde beard, messy dark blonde hair, and blue eyes, and he was practically naked, but had something to cover his sack and ass.
"A fine mess you've brought, haven't you?" slurred the man, a rogue grin dancing across his lips despite his swaying posture.
Startled, Klared jerked back, his hand instinctively reaching inside of his system for his bone weapon.
Klade said, "Who the hell are you?"
'I didn't even catch a glimpse of him. All I did was blink and this raspy old man was staring at me.'
Klade tilted his head, "Where's your clothes?"
"Huhhh? Clothes are for wimps."
"I've gone through too much already, I'm starting to think anyone I see wants to fight."
"You're a feisty one. How old are ya?"
"18."
The man rubbed his chin, "Ah yes. Nice and ripe."
Klade stepped back, covering himself, "YOU FUCKING CREEP."
"HAHA! I'm only kidding. Where did you come from?"
"Carnage."
"…Oh? No way you escaped. No ones ever escaped that hellish place."
"Well I did."
"I have a daughter your age. Yeah she's cool and all. She's waiting for me too."
"A dad calling his daughter cool…"
"Come with me, you look strong. If you were able to escape Carnage. I'm sure you can handle yourself."
"Sorry but, I don't wanna go anywhere with a random naked man. I dont swing like that. And you might set me up. I'm an enemy to the royal family."
"An enemy? You must be special then."
"Why are you out here?"
"You don't trust me, kid?"
"Nope. I don't trust anyone. I've been through too much already."
The man burped, "Yeah, I see. Those scars and wounds, I'm surprised you ass is still standing."
Before anything could escalate, a small, enthusiastic wolf cub, its fur a patchwork of dark and light, bounded towards them. The little creature barked joyously, its tail a wagging blur against the fantastical backdrop.
Klade saw and heard it, and his eyes got wide, running forward, smiling, "As..Asu…Asura….? Asura!"
Klade ran as fast as he could, the beings in the area turning their attention to him.
Klade didn't care, he had saw Asura. And Asura was wagging his tail, barking happily.
"Asura!!!" Klade shouted, joy and surprise mingling in his voice as he recognized the creature. Memories of camaraderie and battles fought alongside the wolf flooded his mind, and he spread his arms wide, expecting the wolf to leap into them.
However, fate held a different play; the wolf veered at the last moment, leaping instead towards the drunken man, who caught it with a laugh, hugging it tightly as if they were old friends reunited. Klade, his arms still hanging in the awkward embrace of air, froze, his expression a comical mix of disbelief and confusion.
"Seems you got the wrong man, friend," chuckled the drunkard, scratching Asura behind the ears while the wolf nuzzled happily against him.
Klade froze, his body like stone, his eye twitched, "Huh?"