The trio marched back to Dawnstead with the sun sinking low on the horizon, their shadows stretching long across the ground. The victory at the goblin camp left Ryan feeling invigorated, even if his body ached from the skirmish. His HUD displayed a satisfying notification: XP to next level: 35%.
"You're catching on, kid," Grent said, grinning. "A few more runs like that, and you'll stop looking like fresh meat."
Ryan chuckled, though he knew there was still much to learn. The goblins were fast and cunning, but they weren't the kind of monsters that would haunt his nightmares. The thought of more dangerous foes made his grip tighten on his sword.
"We'll see how I handle something tougher," Ryan said. "Still have a lot of work to do."
Arya glanced over her shoulder, her sharp eyes catching his subtle movements. "Smart answer. Overconfidence gets adventurers killed faster than any monster."
As the group entered the city gates, Ryan took in the familiar sights of bustling merchants and lively chatter. This time, though, he felt more like he belonged. His armor wasn't the best, and his sword still wasn't the sharpest, but he had earned his place here.
"First stop: the guild," Arya said. "We collect the bounty, split the reward, and decide what's next."
The Adventurer's Guild was just as lively as they had left it, with adventurers swapping tales of glory and defeat. Arya approached the counter, sliding the goblin bounty notice across to the clerk.
"Another job done," she said.
The clerk nodded, counting out their reward. "Twenty-five silver pieces. Decent pay for a small camp."
Grent took the coins and divided them evenly among the three of them. Ryan pocketed his share, feeling the weight of the coins as a tangible symbol of his progress.
"All right," Arya said, turning to Ryan. "Now that you're not completely useless, let's talk tactics. Grent and I can't carry you forever."
Grent laughed. "I've got a bad back already, kid. Don't make it worse."
Ryan smirked. "So what's the plan? More training?"
Arya nodded, leading them to a quieter corner of the guild hall. She spread a map on the table, pointing to a dense forest near the edge of the region. "The Silverpine Woods. Dangerous, but manageable if we stay sharp. There's a pack of dire wolves causing trouble for travelers. Perfect opportunity to teach you some group tactics."
Ryan's stomach twisted slightly. Wolves. His mind flashed back to his first encounter with the Forest Rabid, and he shook his head to clear the memory. "All right. When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow morning," Arya said. "Tonight, we rest and prepare. The woods are no joke, and the wolves are smarter than goblins."
The next day, the trio set out early, the morning air crisp and cool. As they approached the Silverpine Woods, Ryan couldn't help but notice the eerie silence. The usual sounds of birds and insects were absent, replaced by the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze.
"Stay alert," Arya said, her voice low. "Wolves are ambush predators. They'll test us before committing to an attack."
Grent nodded, hefting his hammer. "Keep your eyes on the flanks, kid. They'll try to separate you from the group."
Ryan tightened his grip on his sword, scanning the dense underbrush. His HUD flickered, picking up faint heat signatures moving through the trees.
"They're here," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
The first wolf emerged from the shadows, its silver-gray fur blending seamlessly with the forest. Its name and level hovered above it: [Dire Wolf] - Level 4. It growled, baring sharp fangs as two more wolves stepped into view.
"Three so far," Arya said, notching an arrow. "Stick to the plan. Grent takes the brunt, I'll cover from range, and Ryan, you focus on weak points."
Before Ryan could respond, the wolves charged. Grent met them head-on, his hammer swinging in wide arcs that forced the pack to keep their distance. Arya fired arrow after arrow, each shot precise and calculated, keeping the wolves from flanking.
One of the wolves broke off, darting toward Ryan. His HUD highlighted its weak spots, and he activated [Quick Strike], lunging forward to slash at its hind leg. The wolf yelped and stumbled, but it wasn't down yet.
"Finish it, Ryan!" Arya shouted.
Ryan gritted his teeth and struck again, his sword finding its mark. The wolf dissolved into pixels, and his HUD flashed with a notification:
+30 XP
He turned just in time to see Grent slam his hammer into another wolf, sending it crashing into a tree. Arya's arrow finished it off, leaving only one wolf remaining. It circled warily, growling low as it assessed its chances.
"It's testing us," Arya said. "Don't let it catch you off guard."
The wolf suddenly lunged at Grent, aiming for his unprotected side. Grent raised his hammer too late, but Ryan was already moving. He drove his sword into the wolf's flank, throwing it off course. Grent took the opportunity to deliver a crushing blow, and the final wolf disintegrated into light.
+30 XP
The forest fell silent once more, the tension in the air dissipating. Ryan leaned against a tree, his chest heaving as he caught his breath.
"Not bad," Arya said, walking over. "You're starting to hold your own."
Grent grinned. "The kid's got guts, I'll give him that."
Ryan managed a weak smile. "Thanks. So, what's next?"
Arya glanced at the map, her expression thoughtful. "We'll keep moving through the woods. The wolves were just the start. There's bound to be something bigger out here."
Grent clapped Ryan on the shoulder. "Get ready, kid. This is where the real fun begins."
Ryan nodded, his grip tightening on his sword.