Kael made his way to the bustling Mission Hall early in the morning. The day was already in full swing, with Awakeners gathering in clusters, discussing strategies and preparing for their respective tasks. The air was thick with the hum of anticipation, as each person had their own mission to complete, and the day's challenges loomed ahead.
At the front of the room stood a tall woman with sharp eyes, her presence commanding attention as she handed out quests to those who approached. Her name was Serina, and she had seen more than her fair share of dangerous expeditions into the wilds.
Kael approached the counter, where Serina was currently speaking with a group of experienced warriors. As they finished up, she turned her gaze toward him, giving him a brief nod of acknowledgment.
"Looking for work, I assume?" Serina asked, her voice smooth but firm.
Kael nodded. "I need something straightforward. I've been here long enough to know that simple jobs are the key to surviving."
Serina gave him a knowing look before handing him a parchment with a detailed description. "There's a task in the forest today. You need to gather six Moonshade Blossoms. They grow in the deeper parts of the forest, usually around the shaded clearings. It's not a dangerous job for someone experienced, but the forest has a way of being unpredictable, so take care."
Kael unfolded the parchment and read the details. The Moonshade Blossoms were prized for their medicinal properties, a staple in healing potions. The task seemed simple enough, but Serina's warning echoed in his mind. The forest was never truly safe, no matter how simple the mission appeared.
"Six blossoms," he repeated, securing the parchment in his pack. "What's the reward for this one?"
Serina's eyes briefly flickered with something like amusement. "8 teir common beast cores. A decent start for anyone looking to gather resources."
Kael felt the familiar weight of urgency settle in his chest. Five cores would be useful—he could trade them for better equipment or provisions, or even gain favor with the village's traders.
"Understood. I'll be back before nightfall," he said, giving her a brief nod of thanks.
The forest greeted Kael with the serene stillness of early morning. The path was narrow, winding between the thick trunks of ancient trees, and the soft crunch of dead leaves beneath his boots was the only sound to break the silence. He adjusted the strap of his pack, feeling the weight of the mission settle into his bones.
It wasn't long before Kael reached the edge of the forest's deeper, shadowed section. The sunlight was blocked by a dense canopy of leaves, casting the area in an eerie twilight. The air was cooler here, and the usual sounds of forest life seemed muted, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.
The first few hours passed without incident. Kael found his first Moonshade Blossom growing in a small clearing, its pale blue petals glowing faintly in the half-light. He knelt and harvested it carefully, placing it gently into his pack. The flower was delicate, its stem soft but sturdy, a beautiful contrast against the dark forest floor.
Kael continued deeper into the woods, the occasional flash of silver or the rustle of a small animal drawing his attention. By the time he had gathered three of the blossoms, a faint unease began to settle over him. The air felt colder now, and the usual chorus of birds and insects had faded entirely. It was as if something was watching him.
He pressed on, telling himself that the eerie silence was just his imagination. After all, he had completed similar tasks before. But even so, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
The fourth blossom came into view after a few more minutes of walking. It was nestled beneath the gnarled roots of a massive oak tree, its pale petals illuminated by a sliver of sunlight that broke through the canopy above. As Kael stepped forward to harvest it, a low growl echoed from the shadows.
His heart skipped a beat. Instinctively, Kael reached for his spear, his senses immediately on high alert. A pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared from behind the trees, followed by the sound of claws scraping against bark.
From the underbrush emerged a Tier 1 Common Forest Lynx, its sleek, muscular frame rippling with every movement. Its eyes locked onto Kael, the growl deepening into a snarling challenge. The creature's posture was tense, its tail flicking slowly as it sized him up.
Kael knew he couldn't let his guard down. He raised his spear, steadying himself for the attack. The lynx seemed to calculate its next move, and then, without warning, it lunged toward him with terrifying speed.
Kael barely managed to sidestep the first strike, the lynx's claws missing him by a hair's breadth. He twisted his body, bringing the spear around in an arc aimed at the beast's side. But the lynx was faster, ducking under the attack and snapping at Kael's arm.
A searing pain shot through Kael as the creature's claws raked across his forearm. He staggered back, his vision blurring from the pain, but he couldn't afford to falter. The lynx was already preparing for another strike.
His heart raced as Kael gritted his teeth and steadied his stance. The lynx circled him, waiting for an opening. Every movement it made was a blur of deadly precision. Kael's grip tightened on his spear, and in a flash of instinct, he thrust it forward, catching the lynx on the side of its ribcage. The creature let out a guttural cry, its body spasming before it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Kael stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving with exertion. He wiped the blood from his arm, gritting his teeth against the pain. The forest had claimed its first price, but Kael was still standing.
With the lynx defeated and took core from it Kael continued his search for the remaining blossoms. The forest felt even more oppressive now, the air thick with an unsettling quiet. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Kael finally found the sixth and final Moonshade Blossom in a secluded glade. Its pale glow illuminated the area in the growing twilight, and Kael felt a sense of relief wash over him.
But before he could reach for it, a strange rustling filled the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of something large moving through the underbrush. Kael's heart sank. He had pushed his luck too far.