With their base set up and traps in place, the group divided into pairs to scout the surrounding forest. Ren and Olivia headed north while Skorn and Talos ventured south, both teams agreeing to regroup at the cliff base before nightfall.
As Ren and Olivia moved through the dense forest, the quiet was broken only by the occasional chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves underfoot. Ren walked slightly ahead, his eyes scanning for any movement. Olivia followed close behind, humming softly as she looked around with curious eyes.
"You know, it's kind of weird teaming up with you guys," Ren began, breaking the silence.
Olivia tilted her head, curious. "Why? Do we not meet your standards of adventuring excellence?"
Ren smirked. "Oh, no, you're all great. Skorn's our muscle, Talos is... uh, academically inclined, and you—" He paused dramatically.
Olivia blinked. "And me?"
Ren turned to face her, walking backward as he grinned. "You're like the team's mom. You heal, you nag—"
"I do not nag!" she protested, crossing her arms.
"You told Skorn to drink more water like three times yesterday," Ren countered.
"That was advice for his health," Olivia said, her tone firm. "Hydration is important!"
Ren laughed. "See? Mom energy."
Olivia narrowed her eyes but smiled slightly. "If I'm the 'mom,' then what does that make you?"
Ren thought for a moment before shrugging. "Comic relief, probably. You know, the guy who keeps everyone entertained while we stumble our way through danger."
Olivia shook her head, her smile growing. "You're strange, Ren. But... I think you keep things interesting."
"And you keep us alive," Ren replied, giving her a genuine smile. "So, I'd say we make a decent team."
As they continued their trek, the forest seemed to grow quieter,
Ren and Olivia slowed their pace as they reached a small clearing. Before them lay a pond, its surface shimmering under the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Tall, ancient trees surrounded it, their roots curling gracefully into the clear water. The scene was so serene that it almost didn't feel real.
"Wow," Olivia whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "It's like something out of a storybook."
Ren crossed his arms and studied the pond. "Yeah, a fairytale until a big, slobbering beast shows up to ruin the mood."
Olivia gave him a sidelong glance. "You could appreciate the beauty for a moment, you know. Not everything is a trap."
Ren smirked. "Oh, it's definitely a trap. But that's what makes it useful. Think about it—this place is perfect for a stakeout. Sooner or later, some thirsty beast is going to wander in."
She nodded thoughtfully, scanning the surroundings. "You're probably right. The water's too clean to go unnoticed."
Ren dropped his bag and sat on a nearby rock, pulling out a small cloth to wipe his forehead. "Alright, we wait here. If a beast shows up, we get points. If not, we still get to enjoy this magical postcard setting. Win-win."
Olivia sat beside him, looking around. "You think the others are having as much luck as us?"
Ren shrugged. "If by 'luck' you mean Talos reading while Skorn pretends to listen, then yeah. They're probably thriving."
She laughed softly, the sound blending with the gentle ripples of the pond.
"By the way," Ren added, leaning back on his hands, "if something does show up, I'm counting on you to have my back. Those healing skills of yours might come in handy."
Olivia straightened, her expression determined. "I'll do my part. And if it's a water-based beast, I might even give you a break and take the lead."
Ren grinned. "Now that's what I like to hear—confidence. Alright, we'll give it an hour. Let's see,"
As they waited, the tranquil atmosphere settled around them, both of them keeping watch while the pond continued to sparkle like a hidden treasure in the heart of the forest.
-----
Skorn and Talos had taken the southern route, moving through a denser part of the forest. The towering trees cast long shadows, and the air was thick with the scent of earth and leaves. Talos had his ever-present book open, mumbling to himself as he walked, while Skorn trudged ahead, scanning for signs of movement.
"You know," Skorn began, glancing back at Talos, "for someone who's supposed to be watching for threats, you're awfully committed to ignoring everything except that book."
Talos looked up, adjusting his glasses. "This book is relevant. It contains data on forest ecosystems and the types of beasts that might inhabit areas like these. Preparation is key to success."
Skorn rolled his eyes. "Preparation? We're in the middle of the field, genius. We need eyes, not... footnotes."
Talos ignored the jab, his beak-like nose twitching as he turned a page. "If you must know, there's a high chance we'll encounter swift quadrupedal beasts around here. Their tracks will likely show near softer soil or damp patches."
Skorn knelt and picked up a handful of dirt, letting it fall between his clawed fingers. "So, you're saying we should be looking at the ground instead of, oh, I don't know, everything else?"
Talos smirked, finally closing the book. "I'd say look everywhere. But let's not pretend you're much better. You're just here to flex your terraforming magic."
Skorn puffed out his chest, grinning. "And I do it well, thank you very much. At least I'm not reading bedtime stories while walking into trees."
"I haven't walked into a tree once," Talos retorted sharply, just as a low-hanging branch smacked him in the face.
Skorn burst out laughing, clutching his stomach as Talos pushed the branch aside with an annoyed huff. "Ah, that's perfect. Should've written that in your book: 'Beware of trees—they're sneaky.'"
"Very amusing," Talos said flatly, rubbing his forehead. "Maybe if you laughed less and paid attention more, we'd already have found something worth our time."
Skorn grinned wider. "Oh, I'm paying attention. I'm watching you give this forest a free comedy show."
As their banter continued, Skorn suddenly stopped and held out an arm. "Wait. Do you hear that?"
Talos fell silent, tilting his head. In the distance, faint rustling came from a cluster of bushes. Skorn crouched low, his reptilian eyes narrowing as he pointed toward the noise.
"Looks like your bedtime stories might come in handy after all, bookworm. Ready for some action?"
Talos sighed, tucking his book away. "Fine. But if it's just a rabbit, I'm going to laugh at you this time."
Skorn and Talos crouched behind a large tree trunk, peering through the dense foliage as a long, slithering beast glided through the bushes ahead. Its sleek, scaled body shimmered in the dappled sunlight, hues of green and gold rippling like liquid metal.
Skorn furrowed his brow. "That's a big snake," he muttered, gripping the hilt of his blade. "I don't like snakes."
Talos adjusted his glasses, his eyes narrowing as he observed the creature's movements. "That's not just any snake. Look closely at those scales. Notice the texture and pattern?"
Skorn squinted, unimpressed. "Yeah, they're shiny. So what?"
Talos gave him a withering look. "Shiny scales aren't just for show. That's an Orempisun, a B-rank beast. Not a true serpent, but it exhibits serpent-like characteristics. Highly territorial, aggressive when provoked, and—"
"—And probably delicious roasted with a bit of salt," Skorn interrupted, cracking his knuckles. "Come on, Talos, it's not a history class. How dangerous is it, really?"
Talos sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Dangerous enough that if you don't take it seriously, it'll wrap you up like a birthday present and crush you. Its bite can also inject a venom that causes paralysis. You'd be out of the fight in seconds."
Skorn glanced back at the creature, which had paused near a patch of moss, flicking its forked tongue. "Paralysis, huh? That sounds... inconvenient."
"Yes, inconvenient," Talos said dryly. "And let's not forget it can blend into its surroundings. It's already hard to spot, and the forest gives it plenty of cover."
Skorn's grin widened. "So, we've got a sneaky, venomous beast that's hard to kill. Sounds like a good warm-up. What's the plan, oh wise one?"
Talos smirked slightly, already pulling out a small vial of glowing green liquid from his satchel. "Simple. I'll use this toxin to bait it out of hiding, and you, with your loud and smashy approach, can keep it distracted long enough for me to aim for the weak spot—just behind the jaw, near the base of the skull."
Skorn let out a chuckle. "Sounds like you just volunteered me for the fun part."
"Consider it your forte," Talos replied, already uncorking the vial.
As the two prepared to confront the Orempisun, the beast's head turned slightly in their direction, its golden eyes gleaming with an eerie intelligence.
Skorn grinned, gripping the hilt of his sword tighter. "Alright, snake-wannabe. Let's see if you can handle this!"