This mark was just a simple scratch, only half-finished before being smeared with soil. The sap of this plant, known as the Mist Lantern Tree, contained mild toxins that could induce strange hallucinations. The adventurer had obviously noticed this fact after making half the cut and had no choice but to seal it with soil. However, from this half-finished mark, it appeared she had turned westward, deeper into the Misty Forest.
Yet she hadn't chosen the commonly used path that led directly to the unexplored regions of the Misty Forest. Could she have found some kind of shortcut?
Not counting ordinary beasts, but only considering magical beasts of higher danger levels, there were no fewer than ten such species in the Misty Forest. Randomly exploring unfamiliar areas was practically equivalent to seeking death. Klein grew worried and followed along this direction.
This was no longer the border region. Many unfamiliar tree species appeared in the surroundings. The person had been careful not to cut any more tree bark, and the next marker was something held down by a stone.
Klein lifted the stone, and his eyes immediately began to shine. Copper coins! Five copper coins! Arranged in a simple arrow shape, the coins lay firmly in the soil, their copper-yellow gleam causing Klein's lips to curve into a crescent moon smile.
Anyone generous enough to use copper coins as markers must be a wealthy and generous adventurer! No, wait - there might be more than one. Nobody would come to such a treacherous place alone.
Klein immediately followed the direction of the arrow, not forgetting to collect the five copper coins into the cloth pouch hanging at his waist.
"I'm an excellent guide, you know. I can effortlessly lead you anywhere outside the central region of the Misty Forest, and my fees are quite reasonable, just... just..." Damn, how much should I ask for? While crafting his opening lines for when he caught up with these people, he swatted away annoying flying insects as he ran quickly through the forest.
With his keen dynamic vision, Klein quickly found the next stone, beneath which lay another five copper coins, with the arrow's direction showing only a slight angular change.
The young elf, his fighting spirit thoroughly ignited by ten copper pieces, completely forgot that he didn't even have a sharpened stick with him, and boldly pressed forward toward the next five coins.
15, 20, 25... Oh heavens, blessed be Lord Raniel, at this rate collecting enough for a silver coin wasn't just a pipe dream! Klein excitedly ran to turn over the stone, smoothly collecting the five copper coins into his cloth pouch.
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly noticed that after the arrow's repeated turns, the direction had twisted almost at a right angle from the previous straight line. Why make such a large detour?
He patted his now-heavy cloth pouch, considering whether to proceed to the next location.
"GROOOOWL—!" A deep roar suddenly echoed through the mist-shrouded forest.
Klein's long ears twitched violently, nearly standing up like a rabbit's on either side of his head.
While the allure of money that could make Fay happy was indeed powerful, the intimidation from the owner of that roar was even more overwhelming.
The Mist Ape - a magical beast unique to the Misty Forest. Living on the forest's edge, Klein had never closely observed this terrifying monster. If that old copy of "Sacred Realm Beast Compendium" hadn't been lying, this creature possessed powerful limbs, a volatile temper, and a not-so-stupid brain, making it an excellent symbiotic partner for another magical beast, the Winged Fiend. Although the Mist Ape ranked almost dead last among magical beasts in terms of basic magical power, its fog-blending fur possessed such powerful resistance that it could drive novice mages to tear their hair out, throw their staves, and rip their robes in frustration.
"GROOOOWL—!" The monster roared again. Damn, was it in heat? It was now Blue-May, seemingly the peak of this creature's mating season. Klein nervously swallowed, thinking that being discovered by a Mist Ape in heat was definitely not a good thing. During mating season, the males of these monsters would enter an indiscriminate attack mode. He had no desire to become a victim mauled to death by a Mist Ape - that would be far too embarrassing a way to die.
He anxiously glanced in the direction of the arrow, hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to secure his current earnings and happily head back to continue his training.
Ah... wealthy adventurers, I guess we just weren't meant to be.