The sun had almost set, casting long shadows between the trees. Eirik moved carefully through the forest, the Ether Dagger secured at his side, the glow from its blade casting faint light over the darkened path. The air was crisp and cool, and with every breath, he could feel the strange energy of this world surrounding him.
The sounds of the forest filled his ears, rustling leaves, distant growls, and the occasional snap of a branch. Eirik's senses were on high alert. This wasn't Ormath, and he wasn't sure what kind of creatures lurked in the growing darkness. The Ether Wolf had been his first challenge, but he had a sinking feeling that there were far worse things out there.
But he wasn't the same man who had fallen on the floor of his forge, defenseless. He had been reborn with a crafting system, and now, with every material he gathered, with every blueprint unlocked, he felt a sense of purpose, a way to survive in this unfamiliar world.
Still, the system didn't answer all his questions. Who, or what, had brought him here? And why had he been given this power to create? These were questions that lingered in the back of his mind, even as he pressed forward.
The forest thickened as he walked, the trees becoming taller and more gnarled. Strange glowing flowers dotted the landscape, casting an eerie, pale light. Eirik paused for a moment, crouching beside one of the glowing plants. He activated Analyze Material.
Glowing Moss: Can be used for low-level potions or as an alchemical component.
He reached out and carefully plucked a handful of the moss, placing it in his pouch. Alchemy was still locked in his system, but something told him he would need every material he could gather in the coming days. He couldn't afford to ignore any potential resources.
Suddenly, the system flashed.
New Objective: Locate Safe Shelter for the Night
Reward: +15 EXP
Eirik frowned, glancing up at the darkening sky. The forest was growing colder, and the sounds of nocturnal creatures had begun to stir in the distance. He had no idea how dangerous this world became at night, but the system's warning was enough to convince him that he didn't want to find out the hard way.
He quickened his pace, scanning the area for anything that resembled a shelter, something that could protect him from both the elements and any roaming creatures. His mind raced with ideas. If he could find some basic materials, perhaps he could craft a makeshift barrier or something to help defend a camp.
The trees parted slightly ahead, revealing a small clearing. In the middle of the clearing stood a massive tree with twisted roots that rose from the ground like ancient claws. Its trunk was wide, with a hollow opening at the base, just large enough for him to crawl inside.
"This'll have to do," Eirik muttered.
He moved toward the tree, his eyes sweeping the clearing for any signs of danger. So far, everything seemed quiet. As he reached the hollow, he crouched down and crawled inside, the scent of damp earth filling his nose. It wasn't much, but it would provide some shelter.
The system flashed again:
New Objective Completed: Locate Safe Shelter for the Night
+15 EXP
Eirik let out a sigh of relief, leaning back against the inside of the tree. For the first time since waking in Veridion, he allowed himself a moment to rest. The constant tension in his muscles began to ease, and his mind wandered back to the crafting system.
The Ether Dagger had been a good start, but if he wanted to survive this world, he needed more. The possibilities swirled in his mind, armor, tools, perhaps even structures. His system had given him the power to build, but he needed the right materials to unlock more complex blueprints.
He glanced at the Ether Wolf Hide and Ether Stone he had gathered earlier. These materials were still valuable, but they were just the beginning. He wondered what other rare items this world had to offer, things that would push his crafting to new heights.
But those thoughts would have to wait.
The night had fallen fully now, and the forest outside the hollow had grown eerily silent. Eirik closed his eyes, his hand resting on the hilt of the Ether Dagger. Tomorrow, he would venture deeper into Veridion. Tomorrow, he would start building his path forward.
---
Eirik was just drifting into a light sleep when a sudden noise jolted him awake. It was faint at first, like the rustle of leaves, but then it grew louder, closer. His heart began to race as he strained to listen.
Footsteps.
He slowly drew the Ether Dagger, his grip tightening on the hilt. The footsteps were soft but deliberate, moving toward the tree. Whoever, or whatever, was approaching wasn't in a hurry. Eirik held his breath, remaining perfectly still, his body tense.
The footsteps stopped right outside the hollow.
For a long moment, there was nothing but silence.
Then, a voice, a woman's voice, cut through the darkness.
"I know you're in there, blacksmith."
Eirik's blood ran cold. The voice was calm, steady, but there was something dangerous behind the words.
"Come out," the voice continued, "or I'll burn that tree to ash with you inside."
Eirik gritted his teeth, weighing his options. He didn't know who this woman was, but she had found him easily. If she could burn the tree down, as she claimed, then he didn't have much of a choice.
Slowly, he crawled out of the hollow, his Ether Dagger still in hand but lowered. As he stood, his eyes locked onto the woman standing in the clearing.
She was tall and lean, dressed in light armor that hugged her frame, with a bow slung across her back. Her dark hair was tied back, and her eyes, sharp and calculating, glinted in the pale light of the glowing moss.
"Well, you're not much to look at," she said with a smirk, her hand resting casually on the hilt of a small blade at her waist. "But you've got something interesting. I felt the magic from your little creation earlier."
Eirik's mind raced. "Who are you?"
The woman raised an eyebrow. "Name's Lyra Windstrike. And you're going to want to listen closely, blacksmith, because if you don't, this forest is the least of your problems."