After descending the mountain, the landscape gradually shifted from rugged, snow-covered peaks to a dense, frost-covered forest. The trees were tall and thick, their branches heavy with snow. Jack's breath came out in puffs of mist as he trudged through the icy terrain, trying to shake off the lingering cold from the mountaintop.
MYTH:
There's a city not far from here, just beyond the forest. It's called Frosthaven, known for its skilled warriors and ancient libraries.
JACK:
Frosthaven... sounds like a good place to start.
Jack's heart raced with anticipation as he followed the path, but that anticipation quickly turned to unease when he heard rustling in the nearby bushes. Before he could react, three small figures emerged from the snow, their white, scaly skin blending almost perfectly with the frosty landscape.
JACK:
White goblins?
MYTH:
These are special and rare species of goblins called Snoblins. They live in the snow and are known for their ferocity. Don't be fooled by their color—they're powerful and extremely aggressive.
The Snoblins' eyes glinted with malice as they charged toward Jack, their sharp teeth bared. Panic surged through him, and without thinking, he turned and bolted in the opposite direction.
JACK:
What do I do? What do I do?
Jack's instincts took over, and he quickly scrambled up a nearby tree, his breath coming in ragged gasps. But the Snoblins weren't deterred; they began climbing after him, their claws digging into the bark with ease.
JACK:
Oh, great. They can climb too!
Jack's mind raced as he clung to the tree, the Snoblins rapidly closing in. He felt fear clawing at him, but he knew he couldn't run forever. He had to fight. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus.
JACK:
I will fight!
As the first Snoblin reached him, Jack's eyes narrowed. Years of playing football had honed his reflexes and strength, and now, he put those skills to use in the most unexpected way. With a swift, powerful kick, he struck the Snoblin in the head, sending it flying off the tree. The creature hit the ground with a sickening crunch, its neck snapped.
The second Snoblin was on him before he could celebrate. Jack frantically broke off a sharp, sturdy branch from the tree and thrust it into the Snoblin's eye. The creature screeched in agony, but as it thrashed, Jack lost his balance and tumbled out of the tree, landing hard on the snow below.
Pain shot through Jack's body as he hit the snow, but he had no time to recover. The third Snoblin, undeterred by the fate of its comrades, pounced on him. Acting on pure instinct, Jack grabbed a nearby stone and swung it with all his strength, bashing the Snoblin repeatedly until it too lay still.
Gasping for breath, Jack looked around. The first Snoblin was dead, its neck twisted at an unnatural angle. The second one had managed to dislodge the branch from its eye, but it was too weak to move, bleeding out into the snow. Only one Snoblin remained—the one Jack had just defeated.
Jack rose to his feet, his body aching from the fall and the fight. Blood dripped from several cuts on his arms and face, and his muscles throbbed with exhaustion. But he had survived. He had won.
As Jack caught his breath, Myth's voice broke through the silence.
MYTH:
Impressive work, Jack. You've defeated the Snoblins and earned three Mecha Stones—an incredibly rare and valuable resource.
Jack knelt down and picked up the three glowing stones that had appeared where the Snoblins fell. The stones pulsed with a soft, inner light, and Jack could feel their power thrumming through his fingertips.
JACK:
Mecha Stones, huh? What do I do with these?
MYTH:
Mecha Stones are very rare and costly. They can be used to enhance weapons, armor, or even yourself. Would you like to store them in my storage?
JACK:
You can store things?
MYTH:
Yes, I have storage capabilities where time is stopped. I can store food for years, and it will remain fresh. I can also store anything you touch and command to be stored by saying "Interact." To retrieve an item, simply think of it and say "Extract."
Jack considered Myth's offer for a moment. The idea of having a secure place to store valuable items was appealing, especially in a world as dangerous as this one.
JACK:
Alright then. Store them.
Jack nodded, holding the Mecha Stones tightly in his hand.
JACK:
Interact.
The stones vanished from his grasp, disappearing into Myth's storage. Jack marveled at the ease of the process. This world truly was full of strange and powerful magic.
The immediate danger behind them and the rare Mecha Stones securely stored, Jack and Myth proceeded towards the city. Jack's thoughts were already on finding a mentor and learning the skills he needed to unlock his powers and ultimately fulfill his quest. As they approached the city, he hoped that their next steps would bring him closer to achieving his goals and reuniting with Hana.