"This is a treasure," Ethan said to himself with satisfaction, flipping through the pages of the book.
"Knowledge about these creatures might be the key to survival... or even mastering them."
In the midst of this small euphoria, Valdraxx's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Aren't you going to eat this human? If left alone, it will only raise suspicion for those who find him. You know, the blood left behind can cause a lot of problems."
Ethan stopped reading and looked at the corpse lying on the ground. The man's hands were still covered in blood, and his neck was torn from the dagger's cut.
"I prefer eating animals to humans," Ethan replied calmly, as if explaining something ordinary. "He also doesn't have enough Mana or Hyak. It's pointless for me to eat this useless body."
Valdraxx chuckled softly, but allowed Ethan to make his own decision.
"Very well, then. But don't forget, the smell of blood will attract predators. The gray wolves lurking around here may come soon."
Ethan realized this too. He knew that the gray wolves mentioned by Valdraxx were fierce creatures that would devour the man's body without leaving a trace.
In a few hours, perhaps even in a few minutes, the body would vanish, and only the blood absorbed by the earth would bear silent witness to the event. That would be enough to eliminate any suspicion that might arise.
After ensuring he left no obvious traces, Ethan decided to continue his journey. He adjusted the large bag on his shoulder and began walking back toward the forest, following the rough map he had found in one of the notebooks.
The map showed a route to a small town not far from his current location. That town would be his first destination.
The sunlight began to dim, slowly replaced by the orange hues of the evening sky.
The air started to feel cold, and the once-peaceful sounds of nature transformed into the cries of night birds and distant wolf howls.
"Don't let your guard down, Ethan. Many creatures in this forest cannot be seen with the naked eye, and some of them are hungry," Valdraxx warned, his voice now more assertive.
Ethan listened attentively, his senses heightened. He knew well that danger could come not only from wild creatures but also from other humans who might suspect his presence.
If he was to survive in this harsh world, infiltrating the town was an important step. There, he could seek information about powers or factions that might pose a threat to his grand plans.
Several hours later, Ethan finally arrived at the border of the town he was aiming for.
The town was not large, but it was bustling with life.
The torchlight along the main street illuminated the simple stone buildings, with people bustling about. Traders appeared to be closing their shops, while city guards patrolled around the walls with torches in hand.
The city gate was guarded by two soldiers standing tall, checking every person coming and going. Ethan paused for a moment, catching his breath and considering his next steps.
His notebook, clothing, and false identity as a zoologist would be his ticket to passing through this checkpoint.
With confident steps, Ethan walked up to the gate. The two guards scrutinized him closely, one of them even glancing at the large bag on his back.
"Good evening, friend," one of the guards greeted him, his voice heavy and full of suspicion.
"What do you have there?"
Ethan, already prepared with his answer, displayed the notebook containing sketches of the creatures of Arkhana.
"I'm a researcher from the north. I'm on a zoological expedition to study the creatures in the surrounding forest. In this bag are my research tools. I'm here to find lodging and perhaps meet some experts who can provide additional information."
The guard took a quick look at the notes in Ethan's hands, then glanced at his companion.
They whispered to each other for a moment before finally nodding.
"Come in, and not far from this road, there's a small guild that also offers lodging. But be careful, this town is not as safe as it seems, even for a researcher. Many people have gone missing lately," said the guard before allowing Ethan to enter.
"Thank you, I'll be cautious," Ethan replied, stepping into the town.