The walk through the forest was tense, but uneventful. Lyra moved through the woods with practiced ease, barely making a sound as she led the way. Eirik followed close behind, his senses on high alert for any more Ether Wolves or worse.
The trees gradually thinned, and soon, they emerged into a small clearing where a cluster of wooden buildings stood, half-hidden by the dense foliage. The village was quiet, with only a few people moving between the homes, their expressions wary and watchful.
"Not exactly a bustling place," Eirik muttered as they approached.
"It's safe, and that's what matters," Lyra replied. "The people here don't ask questions, and they know how to stay out of trouble."
As they entered the village, Eirik couldn't help but notice the curious glances thrown his way. He was an outsider, and it was clear the villagers weren't used to seeing strangers. Lyra, on the other hand, seemed to be well known—several people nodded in greeting as she passed.
They made their way to a small, worn-down inn near the edge of the village. Lyra pushed open the door, and the musty scent of old wood and cooking stew filled the air. A grizzled man stood behind the counter, polishing a mug.
"Two rooms," Lyra said, tossing a small pouch of coins onto the counter. The man grunted and handed over two keys without a word.
"Rest up," Lyra said as she handed Eirik one of the keys. "We'll leave at dawn. The cave we're heading to is dangerous, and we'll need to be at our best."
Eirik took the key, feeling a mixture of excitement and unease. He hadn't expected to be diving headfirst into danger so soon after being reborn, but if he was going to survive in Veridion, he needed those materials. And if Lyra was right, the cave held the key to unlocking his crafting potential.
As he made his way to his room, the system flashed again, catching his attention.
New Objective: Craft Lyra's Bow
Required Materials: Ironwood (x10), Mana Crystal (x2)
Reward: +50 Crafting EXP, +New Crafting Skill Unlocked
Eirik grinned. He had a long road ahead of him, but with each step, his power grew.
Tomorrow, the real crafting would begin.