As I read through the whole paper, my worries settled. These monsters hit around level 15, something I could handle. This job didn't have a level requirement. The wolf pelts remained in constant demand, making it an always active job. That suited me well.
Duane told me not to leave the city alone before level 20. The wolves lived in the forest north of the city, a 20-minute walk from the gate. Adventurers had created an outpost right outside the forest. They ensured that the risks of being alone in that area stayed manageable. Beginner adventurers used this job to grind levels without encountering significant dangers.
As with most wolves, they acted as pack animals. Approaching them required caution, even if their levels stayed within my ability to handle. The thrill of the hunt and the promise of new talents and levels pushed me forward.
Determined, I set out for the forest. I bought some basic provisions on the way. My familiarity with the route to the gate increased.
"Stay safe out there," one of the guards warned as I passed through the gate. I nodded, appreciating the concern.
The walk to the forest unfolded uneventfully. The road we took by carriage earlier forked with a path east, leading to the moonlight wolf forest. Birds sang in the trees, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
The outpost came into view, a small collection of wooden structures and tents nestled at the forest's edge.
Adventurers milled about, some preparing to head into the forest, others returning with their spoils.
I approached a seasoned adventurer who seemed to lead the group. "Excuse me, I'm here to hunt moonlight wolves. Any tips?"
He looked me up and down, assessing my gear and demeanor. "Stick to the southern part of the forest. The wolves there are fewer and less aggressive. Don't go too deep, and always be aware of your surroundings. The wolves might be manageable, but the forest holds other dangers."
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."
I ventured into the forest, my senses alert. The canopy overhead filtered the sunlight, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. I moved cautiously, my eyes scanning for any signs of movement. The silence almost felt oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant call of a bird.
I soon found the first signs of the wolves. Paw prints in the soft earth, scratches on tree trunks, and a faint, musky scent in the air. I followed the trail, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
The trail led me to a small clearing. There, I saw a group of 5 moonlight wolves. Their silver fur glistened, giving them an almost ethereal appearance. The eyes glowed with a blue light. They hadn't noticed me yet, their attention focused on something in the underbrush.
I crept closer, using the trees for cover. The sound of my breath slowed, my grip on my sword firm. As I reached within striking distance, I took a deep breath, activated my lightning, and lunged forward.
The wolves reacted with lightning speed, turning to face me with snarls. My sword struck the closest wolf's flank, drawing a yelp of pain before it collapsed. The other wolves did not hesitate, attacking me as one.
The wolves were agile, yet didn't stand a chance. My swordsmanship technique paired with the lighting overpowered the small group. To kill a wolf, a single true strike proved enough. Their bodies soft like tofu to my blade. I compared the wolves to rockscale litts. The litts' abilities were on par, yet the defense gave them an advantage. If the litts had the same soft bodies of wolves, even back then they wouldn't pose a challenge.
In what seemed like a few seconds, all the wolves lay lifeless on the cold ground.
[LEVEL UP]
[TALENT HARVEST]
- Your talent, Talent Harvester, has activated.
- You gain – Wolf's Grace.
[Wolf's Grace]
- Enhance the dexterity of the user.
- +25 Dexterity increase.
A flat dexterity increase! For my current stats, my dexterity almost doubled in one go. Unlike my strength talent, it might lose its usefulness in the future. That didn't bring me down. I lost nothing by gaining a talent.
[STATS]
- Name: Arild Dahl
- Level: 13
- Health: 270/270 (27/min)
- Mana: 440/440 (44/min)
————
- Strength: 44 (66)
- Dexterity: 57
- Vitality: 27
- Wisdom: 44
- Available stat points: 10
…
I stood over the fallen creature, my breath still steady. My hand reached for the bodies, looting them, gaining two items for each.
The mana crystals were high-grade f-ranks. Not surprising after comparing them to the litts I fought. Next were the pelts.
[Moonlight Wolf Pelt (E)]
- Pelt gathered from moonlight wolves.
- The fur shimmers in light.
The silver fur felt as soft and beautiful as I'd imagined, a testament to the creature's grace. It didn't seem to be an armor material, but more of a fashion item. As long as I get paid, I don't mind.
With the pelt stored in my inventory, I continued my hunt. Over the next three hours, I encountered several more wolves, each fight an opportunity to hone my swordsmanship. I stopped using the lighting in every fight, solely focusing on my sword.
The increased dexterity from my talent showed its worth. I surmised that dexterity referred to more than nimbleness. It affected my speed, including my acceleration. Every movement of my body infused with more grace. My sword strikes cleaner than ever before. With my lightning activated, my speed reached 30 meters a second. An enormous improvement from the 20 meters a second when I first entered this world.
The forest turned cold as darkness intruded. I had collected 186 pelts and felt a profound sense of accomplishment. My level had increased to 17. An incredible leap of strength in a day's work. As I thought, the moles didn't help in my training. I needed creatures at the same level to advance. It took over 80 kills to reach level 17 from 16. These wolves were now too low of a level to keep hunting.
I made my way back to the city, my inventory filled with wolf pelts and crystals. The moonlight wolves had given me more than just valuable pelts. They had given me a new talent, a new edge in my quest for strength.
As I approached the adventurer's guild to deliver the pelts and collect my reward, I couldn't help but think about the future.
If I keep gaining talents like this… I need to find different monsters!
The old receptionist greeted me with a nod of approval as I handed over the pelts. "Well done," he said. "You've proven yourself to be a capable adventurer."
"Thank you," I replied, accepting the pouch of coins he offered. Each pelt awarded me 3 silver. That was 558 silver! Converted to 5 gold and 58 silver. I'm rich!
"I look forward to taking on more missions!"
With the reward secured, I headed back to the Crusty Crow to share my success with Harvin and the others. The pub bustled with life, filled with the usual noise and laughter. Harvin spotted me and waved me over, a wide grin on his face.
"There he is! About time you joined us!"
I need to tell them I can't keep killing weak moles. I felt guilty as they've been so kind to me, but I had my own path to follow.