The night was thick with tension. The clearing, now littered with the bodies of the defeated wolves, reeked of blood and sweat. Ian slumped against a tree, every muscle in his body screaming in protest. His hand still clutched the rusted dagger, though his grip was weak and trembling.
Lyra moved with calm efficiency, inspecting the bodies of the wolves. She crouched over one of the larger ones, her blade flashing as she carefully cut away its claws. Ian grimaced at the sound, but his curiosity got the better of him.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Lyra glanced back at him, her expression unreadable. "Harvesting. These claws fetch a good price in the right markets. They're also useful for crafting."
"Crafting what?"
Lyra smirked. "You'll see. If you survive long enough, that is."
---
Ian watched her work in silence, the events of the night replaying in his mind. The wolves had been faster, stronger, and deadlier than anything he'd faced before. If it hadn't been for Lyra—and the system—he would've been dead.
The system screen flickered to life, drawing his attention.
New Quest: Prepare for the Next Encounter.
Objective: Upgrade Weapon or Armor.
Reward: 20 XP, Improved Durability.
Ian frowned, glancing at the rusted dagger in his hand. It had served him well enough, but it was clear the weapon wouldn't last much longer. He looked back at Lyra, who was now examining a piece of the wolf's hide.
"How do I upgrade this?" he asked, holding up the dagger.
Lyra raised an eyebrow, a flicker of amusement crossing her face. "That relic? You don't. You replace it."
"With what?"
She stood, tossing the wolf hide over her shoulder. "Come with me. I'll show you."
---
The forest was still and quiet as they moved, the moonlight casting long shadows across the ground. Ian followed Lyra closely, his senses on high alert. Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs made his heart race.
"Where are we going?" he asked after a while.
"There's a stream nearby," Lyra said without turning around. "Streams attract prey. And predators."
Ian hesitated. "That doesn't sound like a good idea."
Lyra shot him a glance over her shoulder. "It's the only idea if you want a better weapon. Besides, you'll need to learn how to hunt eventually."
"Hunt?" Ian stopped in his tracks. "I'm not exactly a hunter, Lyra."
She stopped, her green eyes locking onto his. "You weren't a fighter either, but you killed that wolf, didn't you?"
Ian opened his mouth to argue but closed it again. She had a point.
---
The sound of rushing water grew louder as they approached the stream. Lyra motioned for Ian to stay quiet, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade. They crouched behind a cluster of bushes, peering out at the clearing ahead.
The stream glistened in the moonlight, its surface rippling gently. A large, deer-like creature stood at the water's edge, its sleek coat shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
"What is that?" Ian whispered.
"A moonstag," Lyra replied. "Its antlers are valuable, and its hide is nearly impenetrable. Perfect for crafting armor."
Ian's heart sank. "You want me to take that down? With this?" He held up the rusted dagger.
Lyra smirked. "No, I'll do it. But you're going to help."
"Help how?"
She didn't answer. Instead, she handed him a small pouch filled with a fine, glittering powder.
"What's this?" Ian asked.
"Stardust," Lyra said. "Scatter it in the air when I give the signal. It'll disorient the moonstag just long enough for me to land a clean hit."
Ian nodded, though his palms were slick with sweat. He watched as Lyra moved silently through the underbrush, her movements almost ghost-like. She positioned herself near the moonstag, her blade glinting faintly in the moonlight.
She raised a hand, signaling Ian.
---
Ian opened the pouch, his hands trembling as he scattered the stardust into the air. The fine powder shimmered, catching the moonlight as it drifted toward the moonstag.
The creature froze, its head jerking up as its glowing eyes darted around in confusion. Lyra struck, her blade slicing through the air with deadly precision.
The moonstag let out a haunting cry as it collapsed, its shimmering body falling still. Lyra moved quickly, her blade cutting through the hide with practiced ease.
Ian approached cautiously, his stomach churning at the sight of the fallen creature.
"Here," Lyra said, tossing him a bundle of hide and antlers. "You'll need these."
"For what?" Ian asked, struggling to hold the heavy materials.
"To craft your new gear," Lyra said simply.
---
They returned to the clearing, where Lyra set to work. She showed Ian how to strip the hide, shape the antlers, and combine the materials using the system's crafting menu. The process was tedious, but Ian couldn't deny the results.
When they finished, Ian held a new weapon in his hand—a sleek, sharp dagger made from the moonstag's antlers. Its blade glowed faintly, radiating a sense of power.
Item Acquired: Moonfang Dagger.
Durability: High
Bonus Effect: +10% Damage Against Predators
Ian smiled despite himself. "Now this is an upgrade."
Lyra nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Don't get cocky. A better weapon doesn't make you invincible."
Ian's smile faded as he glanced at the forest around them. "What's next?"
Lyra's expression hardened. "Now we see if you're ready for the real test."