I stand near the quest board, sword resting against my leg, the improved Undead Soldier waiting behind me like a silent sentinel. The settlement around us hums with low voices, the smell of sweat and old wood drifting through the uneven lanes. I'm stronger now—Level 8, a UC-Tier Undead Soldier at my command—and I sense fresh opportunities rising on the horizon. I came here from nothing, and though I still wear basic armor and wield a battered blade, I've proven I can handle more than a handful of rats or wolves.
The board's parchments flap in a weak breeze. Most postings are beneath me now, offering thin rewards and no artifact fragments worth my time. I need something bigger. I scan the upper notices, the ones hung out of reach of most beginners. A torn scrap of paper catches my eye. Its ink is smudged, but I can make out key words: "Elite Threat," "Rare Loot," "Fragment Drop Likely." That last line sets my heart pounding. I snatch the posting free and read carefully.
It describes a place known as the Blackwood Hollow, a wooded area east of here. Strange creatures roam under twisted trees. The quest calls for retrieving a Graven Branch—some sort of magical limb said to sprout from dead trees animated by raw mana. The reward includes coin, experience, and a "fragment chance"—not guaranteed, but better than guessing in random dungeons. There's also a note scrawled at the bottom: "Warning: Enchanted flora. Poisonous spores. Minimal survivors. Attempt in groups."
Groups. I've fought alone so far, relying on my summons for any companionship. But if these woods are as bad as they say, maybe I can find someone willing to team up, at least temporarily. The Undead Soldier can hold a line, but extra blades or spells could help me push through. I glance around the settlement. Most are busy, eyes lowered, everyone with their own troubles. One figure leans against a half-collapsed fence, watching me. A tall woman with a worn breastplate and a pair of daggers on her hips. Her hair is pulled back tight, her expression guarded.
"Looking for help?" she asks, voice low.
I consider lying, but what's the point? "Yes. Blackwood Hollow. I want the Graven Branch."
She snorts softly. "You pick tough targets. That place chews up rookies." She eyes my Soldier, now standing a half-step behind me, taller and better armed than before. "You're not just any rookie, are you?"
"Not exactly," I say. "I have summons, and I've cleared the Old Watchtower recently." I let that hang, hoping it's impressive enough. She raises an eyebrow. Good. She knows it's no small feat.
"I'm Liss," she says. "Rogue class. Level 9. I'm quick with blades, decent at spotting traps. I wouldn't mind splitting the reward if it means I get some decent loot and a share of fragments."
"Cid," I reply. "Battle Summoner. Deal."
We exchange a short, silent nod. I bring the quest to the clerk. He eyes both of us, shrugs, and stamps approval. He's seen me do the impossible before. I sense no resistance from him now. With the quest locked in, Liss and I head for the overmap signboard. I pick the Blackwood Hollow marker. The world blurs, and we stand on the edge of a twisted forest. Branches scratch at the sky like claws, and the ground underfoot feels soft, almost rotten.
Liss draws her daggers, each blade chipped but sharp. My Soldier lumbers forward, scanning for threats. A prompt appears:
Encounter: Enchanted Vines (x2), Poison Sapling (x1). Engage? Yes/No
I nod. "Yes." Liss tenses, ready. Turn order: Vines first, me second, Soldier third, Liss fourth, Sapling last. The vines lash out, slapping at my armor. HP drops from 120 to 110. I raise my sword, hacking at the nearest vine. The Soldier follows, cleaving deep into twisted greenery, sending leaves and sap splattering. Liss darts forward, her daggers flashing. She cuts through the second vine easily, then turns on the Sapling. The Sapling shoots a cloud of spores, hitting all of us. My HP dips to 105, Soldier to 90/90 (it was full), Liss winces as her HP falls slightly. Not too bad.
Next turn I finish the Sapling with a solid slash. The Soldier never needed a second hit. Liss nods approvingly.
Victory!
+60 EXP
Loot: Plant Fibers (2), Toxic Sap (1)
No fragment, of course. We push deeper. The trees get thicker, and the ground slopes downward. Another prompt:
Encounter: Twisted Stag (x1), Thorn Hounds (x2)
Yes/No?
I say "Yes." The Stag emerges from behind a thorny bush, antlers dripping black ichor. The Hounds prowl at its flank. Turn order: Stag first, me second, Soldier third, Liss fourth, Hounds last. The Stag charges me, antlers lowering. I block with my sword, losing 15 HP, down to 90. I attack back, chipping away at its HP. The Soldier smashes into a Hound, nearly killing it. Liss slips around to the Stag's side, her blades finding a gap in its hide. The Hounds leap, one biting my Soldier (down to 80/90), the other tries for Liss but she dodges gracefully.
I finish off the wounded Hound before it can cause more trouble. The Soldier swings at the Stag now, carving a nasty groove. Liss dispatches the second Hound with a quick thrust. The Stag, wounded and alone, attempts a final desperate charge. I lower my shoulder, absorbing the hit (HP: 75), then drive my sword into its side. The Stag collapses.
Victory!
+80 EXP
Loot: Black Antler (1), Thorn Fur (2)
Still no fragment. Liss wipes sweat from her brow, giving a small grin. "You're solid," she says. "This summon helps a lot."
I glance at the Soldier—now UC-tier, sturdier and deadlier than before. It's holding its own well. Liss is quick and calm, no wasted motion. This might actually work out.
We follow a narrow path that leads to a clearing. Overmap flickers: We're approaching a special area inside Blackwood Hollow. The quest said the Graven Branch would be found near a "Heart Tree." I see something ahead: a tall, gnarled trunk with red veins pulsing across its bark. A prompt appears:
Mini-Boss Encounter: Heart Tree Guardian (1)
Yes/No?
I look at Liss. She tilts her head, expression tense but ready. "Let's do this," I say, selecting "Yes."
The Guardian emerges from behind the trunk—a hulking shape fashioned from roots and rotten wood. Its face is a twisted mask with hollow eye sockets. Turn order: Guardian first, me second, Soldier third, Liss fourth. The Guardian slams a heavy branch into the ground. A shockwave of splinters and spores hits all of us. HP: me 60/120, Soldier 70/90, Liss 80/95. Pain flares. I close in, slashing at the Guardian's trunk-like leg. Minimal damage—this thing is tough. The Soldier swings its sword, carving away bark. Better. Liss ducks under a heavy swing, scoring shallow cuts along its side.
The Guardian howls, spewing a vile sap that reduces our movement speed. We're slowed now, which might give it extra turns. It swings at me, knocking me down to 40 HP. I grit my teeth and swallow my last weak healing vial: back to 70 HP. I attack again, focusing on a cracked knot in its bark. The Soldier slams its blade in, forcing the Guardian to shriek. Liss takes advantage, plunging both daggers into the weakened spot. The Guardian's HP bar dips below half.
In rage, it summons two Thorn Sprites. They appear at its flanks, tiny demonic figures made of thorns and leaves. The Sprites attack immediately, one hitting me (60 HP), the other striking Liss (70 HP). The Soldier turns and kills one Sprite with a single heavy strike. I smash the other Sprite with a desperate swing, clearing the field again. Liss uses the opening to cut deeper into the Guardian's core. Now it's low on HP, but so are we.
The Guardian tries another shockwave. Splinters tear at my flesh. HP: 30. Liss winces (50 HP), the Soldier stands strong (60/90). My turn. I must end this now. I gamble on a power strike, aiming at the exposed pulp Liss opened. My sword crunches through. The Guardian wails, flailing madly. The Soldier steps in and delivers a final blow. The Guardian collapses into a pile of rotting wood and red sap.
Victory!
+200 EXP
Loot: Graven Branch (Quest Item), Minor Artifact Fragment (1), Enchanted Bark (1)
I level up again—Level 9. Liss levels too, flashing a brief grin. We have the Graven Branch. A prompt confirms the quest:
Quest Complete: Blackwood Hollow
Reward: 300 EXP, 80 Coins, Chance at Artifact Fragment (Normal)
A second flash: we got lucky. Another Normal Fragment drops into my inventory. Perfect. That gives me a start on a second Lesser Artifact if I gather more fragments later.
We exit the hollow via the overmap, returning to the settlement. The clerk barely hides his surprise when we hand him the Graven Branch. He pays out, gives the promised EXP and coins. Another minor fragment sits in my bag now, ready for future combination.
Liss pockets her share of coins and eyes me. "You're more than just a summoner with a cheap trick. If you ever need a partner again, find me." She turns and walks away, leaving me with my improved summons, more fragments, and a taste of what real teamwork feels like.
I stand there, weighing options. Stronger foes hide beyond these shabby walls. The fragments I've collected can make my summons stronger. My next steps might lead me beyond small settlements and flimsy guild boards. Artifacts, multiple summons, higher tiers—the path is long, but I'm climbing it, piece by piece. For now, I have new levels, more fragments, and a memory of victory. It's enough.