Phanessa's exhaustion vanished in an instant, replaced by a surge of fear and adrenaline. She could tell immediately that she was no match for this pride of magical lions, especially in her current state. She instinctively took a step back, her mind racing as she tried to think of a way out. She could feel the heat radiating from the lions, their auras crackling with energy, and she knew that a confrontation would be fatal.
[System Alert!]
Pride of Ember Lions Detected!
Type: Magical Beast
Threat Level: A
Description: Ember Lions are a rare and powerful species of magical beast, known for their fiery auras and unmatched hunting prowess. They are highly territorial and will attack anything they perceive as a threat. Exercise extreme caution.
"Fuck," Phanessa cursed under her breath, her mind racing. She was in no condition to fight, and the lions showed no signs of backing down. Their growls grew more insistent, and the leader's eyes narrowed as he took another step toward her.
Without a second thought, Phanessa turned on her heel and bolted, sprinting down the glowing path as fast as her legs could carry her. The forest blurred around her as she ran, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She could hear the lions behind her, their growls and the sound of their paws thundering against the ground growing closer with every passing second.
The path twisted and turned, but Phanessa didn't dare slow down. Her heart pounded in her chest, her muscles screaming in protest as she pushed herself to keep going. The forest seemed to close in around her, the trees looming overhead, but she couldn't afford to think about anything except getting away.
As she ran, she could feel the heat of the lions' auras growing closer, the flicker of flames just at the edge of her vision. She dodged around a massive tree, nearly slipping on the damp leaves underfoot, and forced herself to keep moving. Her lungs burned with the effort, but she knew that if she stopped, it would be the end.
The path ahead began to narrow, the trees closing in, and Phanessa realized with a sinking feeling that she was running out of space. The lions were still behind her, their growls echoing through the forest, relentless in their pursuit.
In a last desperate effort, Phanessa spotted a dense thicket of bushes to her right, just off the path. Without hesitating, she veered toward it, plunging into the undergrowth and hoping the dense foliage would slow the lions down or even make them lose track of her.
She crashed through the bushes, thorns scratching at her skin and clothes as she pushed her way through. The forest was darker here, the glowing light of the leaves dimmed by the thick canopy above. She kept moving, her breaths ragged, until she finally collapsed behind a large tree, its roots forming a small hollow that she quickly crawled into.
She pressed herself against the tree trunk, her heart pounding in her ears, her body trembling with exhaustion and fear. She could still hear the lions in the distance, their growls reverberating through the forest, but they were moving away, perhaps confused by her sudden disappearance.
Phanessa didn't dare move, her body tense as she listened for any sign that the lions had found her trail again. Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity, but gradually, the sounds of the lions faded, leaving only the soft rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the forest.
She let out a shaky breath, her body relaxing slightly as she realized she had escaped—for now. But she knew she couldn't stay here for long. The second floor of the Tutorial Tower was proving to be even more dangerous than she had anticipated, and she needed to find a safe place to rest and recover.
Phanessa slowly pushed herself to her feet, every muscle protesting as she emerged from the hollow. She glanced around, making sure the lions were truly gone, before cautiously stepping back onto the path. She was exhausted, hungry, and now, even more on edge, but she couldn't afford to stop.
With a deep breath, Phanessa began to move again, this time at a slower, more cautious pace. The glowing path wound ahead of her, disappearing into the darkness of the forest. She didn't know what awaited her further along, but one thing was certain—she would need to be more careful if she wanted to survive the challenges of the second floor.
After what felt like an eternity of cautious, deliberate movement through the dense, glowing forest, Phanessa's exhaustion began to weigh heavily on her. Every muscle in her body ached, her hunger gnawed at her insides, and the adrenaline that had carried her through the encounter with the Ember Lions had long since faded. She desperately needed rest and food, but the forest offered little in the way of comfort or security.
Just as she was beginning to wonder if she would ever find a safe place to stop, Phanessa spotted a faint, warm light filtering through the trees ahead. Curious, but still wary, she moved cautiously toward the source of the light. As she pushed through the last of the underbrush, the trees opened up into a small clearing, and there, nestled among the towering forest giants, was a quaint, warmly lit cottage.
The sight was almost surreal—a cozy, wooden cottage with a sloped roof covered in soft, mossy greenery, lanterns hanging from the eaves casting a soft, golden glow. A stone path, lined with small, flickering candles, led up to the front door, inviting her closer. The cottage seemed to radiate a sense of warmth and safety, standing in stark contrast to the eerie, glowing forest around it.
Phanessa hesitated for a moment, her instincts urging caution. But the exhaustion in her bones and the gnawing hunger in her stomach made the decision for her. She needed rest, and this cottage seemed like a safe haven in an otherwise hostile environment. "Damn that Crystal mutt, getting a last laugh before dying. This depuff is too damn brutal."
Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the stone path and walked up to the door. She paused, her hand hovering over the wooden latch, listening for any signs of life inside. But the cottage was silent, save for the soft crackle of the lanterns and the distant rustle of leaves in the forest.
Gathering her courage, Phanessa pushed open the door and stepped inside. The interior of the cottage was just as inviting as the outside—a cozy room with a crackling fireplace, plush armchairs, and a table set with simple, yet inviting, food and drink. The warm glow of the fire filled the space, casting flickering shadows across the wooden walls.
As she closed the door behind her, a system notification appeared in her field of vision.
[System Notification]
Rest Zone Discovered
Description: You have entered a Rest Zone, a safe area within the Tutorial Tower where you can recover your strength, replenish your health, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Effects:
Health and Stamina Regeneration: Your health and stamina will regenerate at an accelerated rate while you remain in the Rest Zone.
Safe Haven: The Rest Zone is protected from external threats. No enemies can enter while you are inside.
Provision Stock: Basic provisions are provided to ensure you are well-nourished before continuing your journey.
Note: The Rest Zone will remain active for 24 hours, after which it will disappear.
"Oh thank Earth's golden sun." Relief washed over Phanessa as she read the notification. The Rest Zone was exactly what she needed—a safe place to recover, with the added bonus of food and drink. The thought of being able to relax, even if just for a little while, was almost overwhelming.
She moved to the table, eyeing the simple meal that had been laid out. There was a loaf of fresh bread, a bowl of hearty stew, and a pitcher of water. It wasn't much, but to Phanessa, it looked like a feast. She eagerly sat down, tearing into the bread and spooning the warm stew into her mouth. The food was delicious, each bite filling her with warmth and energy.
As she ate, Phanessa could feel the tension and fatigue slowly melting away. The warmth of the fire, the softness of the armchair, and the quiet peace of the cottage were exactly what she needed to recover from the ordeal of the first floor and the harrowing chase through the forest.
After finishing her meal, she leaned back in the chair, letting out a contented sigh. The exhaustion was still there, but it was tempered now by the comforting knowledge that she was safe, at least for the time being.
She glanced around the cottage, noticing a small bed tucked into the corner of the room, its soft blankets looking incredibly inviting. With a full stomach and the knowledge that she was in a protected space, Phanessa knew she would be able to sleep soundly, something she hadn't done since entering the Tutorial Tower.
Rising from the chair, she made her way over to the bed, pulling back the blankets and slipping underneath them. The mattress was soft and supportive, the blankets warm and cozy, and within moments of laying her head on the pillow, Phanessa felt her eyelids growing heavy.
As she drifted off to sleep, the last thing she saw was the soft glow of the lanterns casting a warm, golden light across the room, and the comforting crackle of the fire lulling her into a deep, restorative slumber. For now, she was safe, and when she woke, she would be ready to face whatever challenges awaited her on the second floor of the Tutorial Tower. Her last thoughts before falling asleep were, 'I wonder what the girls and my Ophion are doing right now.'