The forest felt alive today, its dense trees swaying lightly in the wind, the shadows deeper and more pronounced. My instincts, honed over weeks of survival, kept me on edge. Though I had a basic idea of where the village was, thanks to the faint memories of the girl I had transmigrated into, it was still my first time making this journey. I had no idea what to expect.
Shadow, my Shadow Sparrow, rested quietly in my spiritual space, still recovering from earlier exertions. For now, I was on my own.
Suddenly, the sound of a struggle caught my attention—low growls and the sharp snap of teeth echoed through the trees. I paused, holding my breath as I carefully crept toward the source. Peeking from behind a thick tree trunk, I found the scene unfolding before me: a middle-aged hunter battling a low-ranked beast with the help of his pet.
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[Appraisal: Wild Boar, Rank: Peak-Iron]
[Traits: Thick Hide, Stubborn Charge]
[Skills: Charge, Ground Pound]
The Wild Boar was large and formidable-looking, but even with its sheer size, it was no match for the hunter's beast—a Silver Fang Wolf.
---
[Appraisal: Silver Fang Wolf, Rank: Mid-Silver]
[Traits: Ferocious Bite, Enhanced Reflexes]
[Skills: Iron Jaw, Pounce, Razor Wind]
The difference in their ranks was immediately obvious. The Silver Fang Wolf darted around the boar with incredible speed, dodging its lumbering charge with ease. Every attack from the wolf was precise and devastating. The Wild Boar attempted to land a blow with its thick tusks, but the wolf was too quick, sinking its teeth into the boar's neck in one swift movement.
The fight was over before I could blink. The wolf's superior rank and skills were overwhelming. It was clear—power at a higher rank was nothing to scoff at. I silently observed from the shadows, marveling at the ease with which the hunter and his pet handled the battle.
Just as I was about to slip away, the hunter's voice rang out. "You can come out now. I know you've been watching."
I froze, heart skipping a beat. There was no use in hiding anymore, so I slowly stepped into the clearing, doing my best to appear calm.
The hunter wiped his blade clean and gave me a curious look. He was tall, with rugged features and a confident air about him. His Silver Fang Wolf sat obediently at his side, its sharp eyes never leaving me.
"What's a kid like you doing alone in this dangerous forest?" His tone wasn't harsh, but there was a certain edge to his voice.
"I live nearby," I said, choosing my words carefully. "I'm on my way to the village."
The hunter raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "The village, huh? It's not safe out here, especially for someone traveling alone. What's your business in the village?"
"I need to sell some things and find someone who can process herbs," I answered plainly, trying to keep the conversation brief.
The hunter nodded, looking thoughtful. "Selling, huh? What kind of things are you looking to sell?"
I hesitated for a second before replying, "Just some materials. Carcasses, hides, and horns."
He glanced at me with a flicker of interest but didn't press further. "Well, I'm heading to the village myself. How about you come along with me? Safer that way."
It seemed like a reasonable offer, and I wasn't about to turn down a free escort to the village. I nodded. "Alright. Thanks."
As we walked, he introduced himself. "Name's Garon. I'm a hunter around these parts, usually out here tracking beasts. And this here's Fang," he gestured to his Silver Fang Wolf, who gave a low growl in acknowledgment.
"Kira," I replied simply, not offering any more information. Garon didn't seem to mind my silence, and we fell into an easy rhythm as we continued toward the village.
"So, you live alone in the forest?" Garon asked after a moment, his tone casual but curious. "That's unusual, especially for someone your age."
"I manage," I said, glancing at him briefly. "It's not easy, but it's quieter than living in the village."
Garon chuckled. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that. But these woods can be dangerous. You might want to consider moving somewhere safer."
I didn't respond, just kept walking. He wasn't wrong, but safety wasn't my top priority right now. I had my system, and soon enough, I'd have the strength I needed.
As we entered the village, the bustling activity immediately caught my attention. People moved about, tending to their beasts, trading goods, and managing their stalls. It was a small village, but lively.
Before we could go much further, an elderly woman approached us. She was frail-looking but had a sharpness in her eyes that made me wary. Her gaze lingered on me for a moment before she spoke.
"You there," she said, her voice soft yet firm. "Are you a spiritual tamer?"
I stiffened but kept my face neutral. "I am."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was evaluating me. "I sense faint spiritual energy from you. You must be newly awakened."
I didn't confirm or deny her statement, just nodded politely.
The old woman hummed thoughtfully, then turned to Garon. "Good catch today, Garon," she said, motioning to the beast he had hunted. He gave a modest nod in response.
After their brief exchange, I took the opportunity to ask, "Excuse me, could you point me in the direction of someone who processes herbs? I also need to sell some materials."
The woman raised an eyebrow. "What kind of materials are we talking about?"
"Hides, horns, and some carcasses," I replied, avoiding any specific mention of the Silver-ranked creatures.
She nodded slowly, her expression shifting to one of mild interest. "You'll want to go to Varn's stall near the eastern side of the market. He handles that sort of thing. As for processing herbs, there's an herbalist nearby who can help with that."
"Thank you," I said, grateful for the information.
With that, Garon and I parted ways. He gave me a nod, clearly expecting to see me around again. "Take care, kid. And be careful in the forest next time."
"I will," I said, watching as he and his wolf disappeared into the crowd.
Now that I had the information I needed, I could finally begin to build up my resources. Shadow stirred within my spiritual space, reminding me that there was much more to accomplish. But first, it was time to start trading.