Idan leaned against a tree, catching his breath as he surveyed the dense forest around him. The encounter with the pair of Ironback Bears had left both him and Raya exhausted, their limbs heavy and breaths still ragged from the gruelling fight. The eerie silence that filled the forest after the battle was unsettling. It felt as though the trees themselves were holding their breath, watching.
Raya adjusted her quiver, her face drawn but determined. "Something's definitely wrong here. These bears shouldn't be this close to the village," she murmured, echoing both of their thoughts.
Idan nodded, feeling the weight of the quest in his bones. The bears had been challenging, but they were merely a symptom of something larger—a force deep within the forest pushing creatures out of their natural habitats. He knew it was reckless to continue in their current state, yet the pull of the unknown was stronger than his caution.
"Let's keep moving," he replied, his voice low. "If there's something further in, we need to find it before it finds us."
They moved carefully, each step cautious and calculated as they delved deeper into the woods. The air grew colder, the trees thicker and more twisted, their branches casting dark shadows that seemed to shift as they passed. Idan's Identify skill remained active, highlighting clusters of herbs and plants, though none of them matched anything he recognized from the village.
"Stay close," Raya whispered, her eyes sharp as she scanned the darkened path. "This place feels… wrong."
The trees seemed to part as they entered a new clearing, the ground littered with twisted roots and broken branches. A large, ancient tree stood at the center, its bark covered in dark, pulsing veins that shimmered faintly in the dim light. Idan's HUD blinked with a warning message.
[Warning: Miasma Detected]
"What's this?" Idan muttered, glancing at Raya. His Identify skill was struggling to analyze the strange aura surrounding the tree. The roots seemed alive, twitching slightly as though they sensed their presence.
Raya knelt, touching the ground and examining the roots. "This isn't natural. It's as though something corrupted the soil itself. No wonder the animals are fleeing."
As they approached the tree, a low, guttural sound emanated from the shadows beyond it, sending a chill down Idan's spine. He gripped his naginata, adjusting his stance. They weren't alone.
A figure emerged from the darkness—a wolf-like creature with fur that shimmered an unnatural green, its eyes glowing a sickly yellow. It bared its fangs, the growl rumbling in its chest as it circled them, clearly more than just another animal. There was an intelligence in its eyes, something almost malevolent.
[Identify: Miasma Hound]
Type: Corrupted Creature
Weakness: Fire, Light Magic
Abilities: Miasmic Bite (inflicts poison), Enhanced Agility
"Stay sharp," Idan warned, stepping back to position himself at the hound's flank. "This one's corrupted. Its bite can inflict poison."
Raya nodded, her bow drawn and ready. "I'll keep it distracted. You look for an opening."
The hound lunged, moving with unnatural speed. Idan barely had time to parry its strike, his naginata deflecting the blow as the creature circled him, its yellow eyes fixed on his every movement. He activated Cognitive Shield, the familiar clarity settling over him, sharpening his reflexes.
Raya fired an arrow, striking the hound's shoulder. It snarled, momentarily distracted, giving Idan the opening he needed. He thrust forward, aiming for the creature's side, but it twisted with incredible agility, dodging his attack and retaliating with a snap of its jaws that came uncomfortably close to his leg.
The hound lunged again, this time aiming at Raya. She sidestepped, releasing another arrow in close quarters, the projectile embedding itself in the creature's neck. The hound staggered, its growl morphing into a howl as it backed away, clearly wounded but far from defeated.
Idan's mind raced, assessing their options. Without fire or light magic, they were at a disadvantage. The creature's hide seemed resistant to physical attacks, and its poison-inflicting bite meant every strike carried a risk. They would need to wear it down slowly, keeping it at a distance and exploiting any momentary weaknesses.
He activated Identify once more, noting a faint shimmer around the hound's chest—an exposed point near its ribcage, vulnerable if he could strike with enough force.
"Raya, keep it distracted!" he called, his voice steady despite the tension building within him. "I'm going in for the weak spot."
Raya nodded, moving in a swift, fluid arc to draw the creature's attention. She released another arrow, narrowly missing the hound's eye as it snapped at her, its focus momentarily shifting away from Idan.
He seized the opportunity, dashing forward in a swift lunge. With a powerful thrust, he drove his naginata into the creature's exposed ribcage, feeling the blade sink deep. The hound let out a piercing yelp, its body convulsing as dark, miasmic energy seeped from the wound. Idan pulled back, watching as the hound staggered, its energy fading as the poison it held began to dissipate.
The creature collapsed, its glowing eyes dimming as it fell to the ground, lifeless. The forest seemed to exhale, the air lighter without the hound's dark presence.
Raya lowered her bow, her gaze fixed on the corrupted tree at the center of the clearing. "That… thing was guarding this tree. It must be the source of the corruption."
Idan approached the tree cautiously, the miasma around its roots writhing as if alive. His HUD blinked with another notification.
[New Quest Update: Purge the Corruption]
Objective: Destroy the source of the miasma.
Reward: Medic's Purifying Touch (Skill to cleanse poison and miasma effects)
"This is it," he said quietly. "We need to find a way to cleanse the tree. Otherwise, this corruption will keep spreading."
Raya hesitated, then reached into her inventory, pulling out a small vial filled with a clear liquid. "I picked up this purification potion from a vendor in town. It's weak, but it might be enough to neutralize the miasma."
Idan took the vial, examining it. "It's worth a shot." He uncorked the vial, pouring the liquid over the base of the tree. As the potion seeped into the roots, a faint glow emanated from the ground, and the miasma began to dissipate, the dark tendrils shrinking back.
The tree let out a low groan, the pulsing veins retreating as the corruption was cleansed. Idan stepped back, feeling a weight lift from the air as the forest seemed to breathe easier.
A notification flashed across his HUD.
[Quest Complete: Purge the Corruption]
Reward Unlocked: Medic's Purifying Touch
Idan felt a surge of energy as the skill was added to his abilities. Medic's Purifying Touch granted him the power to cleanse poison and miasma, a skill that could prove invaluable in future encounters with corrupted creatures.
As the last of the miasma faded, Raya turned to him, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Not bad, Medic. We're making a good team."
Idan returned the smile, feeling a newfound sense of purpose. This world was dangerous, but he was growing stronger with each challenge. With allies like Raya by his side, he knew he could face whatever lay ahead.
Together, they made their way back to the village, the knowledge of what they'd uncovered settling in their minds. The corruption was only a symptom—something deeper was brewing within Evo-Realm. And as they stepped into the light of the village square, Idan knew their journey had only just begun.