Lyra smiled, gripping the hilt of her sword with both hands. The Razorclaw Bear was a massive, territorial beast known for its brute strength and its iron-like claws, which could rip through armor as if it were paper. Taking on one alone was suicide for most, but Lyra didn't feel like "most" anymore. With the strength surging through her, she felt more than capable.
She moved silently through the underbrush, tracking the sound until she spotted the bear. It was even larger than she remembered—ten feet tall, covered in thick, dark fur, and its claws glinted like polished steel as it dragged them across the bark of a tree.
Lyra's heart raced, her muscles tensing as she prepared for the fight. Let's see what you've got.
With a deep breath, she stepped out from behind the cover of the trees, her sword drawn. The bear's head snapped toward her, its glowing eyes narrowing in challenge. It let out a deafening roar, the ground vibrating beneath its massive paws as it lumbered toward her with terrifying speed.
Lyra stood her ground, feeling the surge of power in her arms and legs, the Ramen's effects still coursing through her veins. There was no fear in her heart—only excitement. As the bear charged, she planted her feet firmly, her sword raised, ready to meet the beast head-on.
The bear reared up on its hind legs, towering above her, its razor-sharp claws slashing down with terrifying force. Normally, she would have dodged—used her agility to get out of the way. But today, she felt something different. She felt strong.
Instead of dodging, Lyra gritted her teeth, raised her sword, and blocked the bear's massive claw with a powerful upward swing. Her blade met the creature's iron-like claws with a clash that echoed through the forest, sparks flying from the impact. The force of the blow should have knocked her back—should have broken her stance. But she held firm, her muscles straining with raw power, absorbing the blow.
The bear let out a growl of surprise, its glowing eyes widening as Lyra pushed back against its strength, shoving its massive paw aside. The surge of strength was overwhelming—her entire body felt alive with energy, her sword steady and unyielding in her grip.
With a roar of her own, Lyra swung her blade with all the power she had, slashing across the bear's side. Her sword cut deep, carving through the beast's thick hide in a way she never would have been able to before. The bear howled in pain, staggering back, its eyes blazing with fury.
But Lyra didn't stop. She could feel the power surging through her muscles, urging her forward. She stepped in again, blocking another wild swipe from the bear's claws. The force of the impact vibrated through her arms, but her strength held. She countered with a vicious strike, slashing across the bear's shoulder, sending a spray of blood onto the forest floor.
This strength... it's incredible.
Each time the bear attacked, she met its blows head-on, blocking with her sword, feeling no fear, no hesitation. She could feel the Ramen's power amplifying her movements, giving her the raw physical strength to stand toe-to-toe with one of the deadliest creatures in the forest. Every swing of her sword felt faster, more precise. Every block, more powerful.
But then... she felt it. A slight weakness creeping into her limbs. At first, it was barely noticeable, just a small tremble in her arms. But as the fight dragged on, the strength she had felt moments ago began to fade, the raw energy she had relied on slowly slipping away.
What's happening? Lyra thought, her breath coming faster now. The bear, though wounded, wasn't slowing down. It charged at her again, and this time, when she raised her sword to block, the impact sent a shock of pain through her arms.
The strength is fading.
She grit her teeth, realizing that the Ramen's effects were temporary—powerful, yes, but fleeting. The overwhelming strength she had felt was beginning to wear off, and the bear, sensing her hesitation, roared and swung its claws toward her once more.
Lyra blocked the attack, but the force of it knocked her back a few steps, her sword trembling in her grip. Damn it. She was still stronger than usual, but the power surge was waning, and fast.
She needed to finish this. Now.
Summoning the last reserves of strength the Ramen had given her, Lyra roared and charged at the bear. She blocked its next attack, gritting her teeth through the strain, and with a final, powerful swing, she drove her sword deep into the bear's side, burying the blade to the hilt.
The Razorclaw Bear let out a final, pained roar before collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash, its massive body going limp.
Lyra stood over the fallen Razorclaw Bear, her breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps. Her sword was still embedded deep in the creature's side, the blade slick with its blood. For a moment, the only sound in the forest was the echo of the bear's final, pained roar. But the adrenaline that had fueled her through the fight was quickly fading, replaced by the creeping exhaustion that had been held back by the Ramen's unnatural strength.
She leaned against the hilt of her sword, catching her breath, her arms trembling from the strain. The power surge she had felt just minutes ago—when she had easily blocked the bear's massive claws and cut through its hide—was gone. She was strong, yes, but not that strong. Not anymore.
Damn… she thought, shaking her head. I pushed too hard.
She could still feel the lingering effects of the Ramen, but they were fading fast. Her muscles, which had felt supernaturally strong moments before, now burned with fatigue. Every breath felt heavier, and her heart pounded in her chest as if trying to make up for the exertion she had put it through.
Lyra gritted her teeth and yanked her sword from the Razorclaw Bear's corpse with a grunt. The weight of the blade, which had felt almost weightless during the fight, now seemed heavier than ever. She sheathed it with a huff and stepped back, her legs shaky but still functional.
But as she stared down at the massive creature, she couldn't help but think about how close that fight had been. If she hadn't had the Ramen—if she had faced the Razorclaw Bear with her normal strength—it would have torn her apart in the first few seconds. She had held her ground, blocked its claws, and struck with enough power to wound it. But that power had been fleeting.
The strength was incredible… but too short-lived, she thought, her lips curling into a smirk despite her exhaustion. Still, it worked.
Her thoughts drifted back to Evan's shop—the strange little shopkeeper who had nervously sold her a bowl of soup for two silver coins. Does he even know what he's selling?
Lyra chuckled to herself, shaking her head. Whether Evan knew or not, there was no doubt in her mind that The Modern Haven was far more valuable than it appeared. That Ramen hadn't just filled her stomach—it had given her the strength to defeat one of the most dangerous creatures in the forest, something she would have never attempted alone otherwise.
But now she had to face the reality that the boost was temporary. The fight had taken its toll, and as the last traces of strength drained from her body, she realized how dependent she had been on the Ramen's effects. Without it, she would have to be far more cautious.
Lyra took one last look at the Razorclaw Bear before turning back toward the forest path. She could feel her body slowing down, her movements more deliberate as fatigue crept into her bones. But the rush of battle had left her feeling more alive than ever.
Time to get back to town, she thought, her legs moving sluggishly beneath her.
As she walked through the twisting paths of the Elder Thicket, she couldn't help but wonder about that shop. There was no question she would go back, but the Ramen wasn't just about taste or novelty—it was a tool, a weapon in its own right. And like any weapon, it had its limits.
I'll need to time it better next time, she thought, smiling to herself. Maybe not wait until I'm about to collapse before taking it.
The forest slowly gave way to the Outer Grove, and the familiar sounds of smaller creatures and adventurers returned as the path became lighter. Lyra pressed forward, her body aching from the fight, but her mind focused on what she had learned. The Ramen wasn't a crutch—it was an advantage. One she'd need to use wisely.
As the trees thinned, she could see the town's market district just ahead. The shopkeepers were already starting to pack up for the evening, their wares tucked away in carts or covered with cloths. The lights of the taverns flickered invitingly, and she could hear the distant laughter of fellow adventurers celebrating their latest victories.
Lyra's thoughts returned to the shop. She would definitely go back. Not just for the food, but for the power it held. And she had a feeling she wasn't the only one who would start noticing the effects of Evan's products soon.
She reached the edge of the town and glanced back toward the forest, feeling a small pang of satisfaction. The bear was dead, and she was still standing. That was enough for today.
But tomorrow?
Tomorrow, she'd see what else The Modern Haven had in store.