Chapter 5: Improvement
Kai Lorr's breathing steadied as the remnants of the two corpses he had devoured dissolved within him, their essence merging with his own. A surge of power coursed through his veins, a sensation so overwhelming that it forced him to drop to his knees in the dark clearing. He closed his eyes, willing himself to remain calm as the energy of Luminia—the world's life force—filled him. He could feel the essence of the two men, their cultivated strength now his, enhancing his own abilities.
Forcing himself into a meditative state, Kai allowed the energy to stabilize within him. The power he absorbed needed to be controlled, and rushing the process could lead to disastrous consequences. As the minutes passed, the intense surge gradually mellowed, settling into a steady flow. When he finally opened his eyes, a calm yet potent energy radiated from him. He had broken through to the Elemental Mastery Realm.
His first reaction wasn't excitement or joy but a calm acceptance. He knew the difficulty of reaching this realm—something that could take others months, years, or even an entire lifetime without success. Yet, here he was, having attained it after a single decisive act. The significance of this wasn't lost on him, but neither did he allow himself to be consumed by it. He was aware of the power he now held, but it was a tool, nothing more.
As he stood, Kai noticed something else—a new familiarity with the daggers left behind by the men he had devoured. It was as if their skills had imprinted on him, his hands already accustomed to the weight and balance of the blades. He bent down and retrieved the daggers, examining them with a discerning eye. They were well-crafted, sturdy, and sharp—suitable weapons for a Questseeker.
His next course of action was clear. He needed to return to Tuatha and report to the Questseekers Union, not only to claim his reward but to continue gathering information and resources. The journey back was uneventful, the forest around him still, as if the very world was holding its breath in his presence. By the time he reached the town, dawn was beginning to break, the first light of day casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets.
The Questseekers Union was quiet at this hour, the usual bustle of adventurers and mercenaries absent. Only a few early risers moved about, and Kai preferred it that way—less attention, fewer questions. He approached the counter, where Alina, the Union clerk, stood. She was slender, with an air of mystery about her that made her seem untouchable. Her cold eyes regarded him with professional detachment as he stepped forward.
"I'm here to report a completed mission," Kai said, his tone measured and composed.
Alina's gaze didn't waver as she motioned for him to present his proof. Kai reached into his pack and pulled out the fleethorn horns, placing them on the counter. Alina examined them briefly before nodding in approval. "Well done," she said, her voice as cold and impassive as her demeanor. "Your reward will be processed."
Kai remained silent, watching as Alina calculated the payment. He was aware of her reputation—efficient, professional, and entirely uninterested in the lives of those who came to the Union. She handled each transaction with the same detached manner, as if the people in front of her were merely numbers on a ledger.
After a moment, Alina handed Kai a small pouch of coins. "Thirty silver," she said. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes," Kai replied, his voice steady. "I need food and a place to stay for the night."
Alina's cold gaze met his for a moment, then she nodded slightly. "There's an inn nearby—The Silver Horn. It's modest but clean. They serve meals as well."
Kai accepted the information with a slight nod, pocketing the coins. He turned to leave, but Alina's voice stopped him.
"There's a new mission posted," she said, her tone unchanged. "If you're interested."
Kai turned back, his expression neutral. "Details?"
"A creature has been sighted on the outskirts of town," Alina replied, her voice as calm and detached as ever. "Victims described it as a large, furry beast, almost human-sized. The mission is to investigate and, if possible, subjugate the creature. The Union has little information, so caution is advised."
Kai considered her words carefully. An unknown creature, with little data available—there was risk involved, but also potential rewards. The practical part of him weighed the pros and cons swiftly. Knowledge, experience, and possible additional rewards could be worth the risk. Besides, his newfound power would give him an edge.
"I'll take it," he said finally.
Alina nodded and handed him a small scroll with the mission details. "Report back when you've completed it," she said simply, turning her attention back to the ledger on her desk, as if their conversation had never happened.
Kai left the Union and made his way to The Silver Horn, the inn Alina had mentioned. The place was indeed modest, but as promised, it was clean. The innkeeper, an older man with a friendly yet weary expression, greeted him and provided a room without much fuss. After a simple meal, Kai retired to his room, where he sat on the bed, his mind already turning over the events of the day.
His thoughts drifted to the power he had gained—the strength of the Elemental Mastery Realm, the dagger skills he had inherited from the men he had devoured. The memory of the battle in the forest, the woman he had encountered, and the token from Aberthol Academy all surfaced in his mind. There were too many variables, too many unknowns.
He wasn't naïve. This world was dangerous, and every action had consequences. He didn't trust easily and had no intention of letting his guard down. The secret of his slime ability—its potential to devour and absorb—was his greatest asset, but also his greatest risk. He would need to be cautious, to ensure that no one discovered what he was truly capable of.
As the night wore on, Kai allowed himself to rest, his mind still turning over the possibilities that lay ahead. The next morning, he rose early, his thoughts clear and focused. He made his way back to the Questseekers Union, where he accepted the new mission from Alina without any further discussion.
The journey to the outskirts of Tuatha was uneventful, the forest around him still and quiet. The sun was high in the sky by the time Kai reached the area where the creature had been sighted. The trees here were denser, the underbrush thicker, and the air carried a sense of foreboding. He moved cautiously, his senses alert for any sign of danger.
The Union had provided little information, but that was to be expected. This was a reconnaissance mission, after all—an investigation to gather more details about the creature. But Kai was prepared for anything. The power of the Elemental Mastery Realm thrummed within him, his new skills with the daggers a reassuring presence at his sides.
As he ventured deeper into the forest, the shadows lengthened, and the air grew colder. There was a tension in the atmosphere, a sense of something watching from the darkness. Kai's hand instinctively went to the hilt of one of his daggers, his movements careful and deliberate.
He knew better than to underestimate whatever was out here. The fact that the Questseekers Union had little data on the creature meant it was either new to the area or something that had managed to avoid detection until now. Either way, it posed a potential threat, and Kai had no intention of being caught off guard.
The mission was simple: investigate, identify, and, if possible, eliminate the threat. Kai was determined to see it through. The forest around him was silent, the only sound the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze. He moved forward, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of the creature.
The chapter ended with Kai moving cautiously through the forest, aware that each step brought him closer to whatever was lurking in the shadows.