Early the next morning, Aaron awoke, shaking off the remnants of sleep. He took a cool bath, the crisp water refreshing his senses, before dressing himself in black tshirt and pants.
With a practiced efficiency, he checked his inventory. Ten slots were stocked with essential food rations, while one held a reserve of water. That left nine free slots one occupied by a kunai, another by a detonation talisman and last one was scroll that he got from the dungeon.He still had six open slots, a testament to his careful planning and readiness for whatever lay ahead.
As Aaron stepped out and locked the door behind him, he caught sight of Auriel and David emerging from the corridor. Each carried a bulky backpack, their loads hinting at the day's challenges.
"Good morning," Aaron greeted warmly.
Auriel merely nodded, while David waved and inquired with a smile, "Aaron, where's your luggage?"
Aaron patted the small backpack slung over his shoulder and replied, "Right here."
Auriel and David stared at Aaron's small backpack, their expressions shifting from confusion to outright disbelief.
David finally couldn't hold back. He stepped forward, grabbed the tiny pack, and unzipped it like a man uncovering a deep mystery.
Inside, he found the bare essentials a fire-starting tool, a small bottle of oil, salt, a handful of spices, and an ointment that looked suspiciously like insect repellent.
David blinked, then stared at Aaron as if expecting an explanation. When none came, he let out a slow, controlled exhale, clearly struggling to process what he had just seen.
"Tell me this isn't everything," he finally muttered, voice laced with equal parts concern and disbelief.
Aaron shrugged. "I travel light."
David inhaled deeply, pressing his fingers to his temples. "You forgot to pack survival potion, but you remembered seasoning?"
Aaron offered a nonchalant nod. "Even in the wild, food should taste good."
David opened his mouth, then closed it. After a beat, he simply handed the backpack back and sighed. "I don't know whether to be impressed or terrified."
Auriel decided it was time for Aaron to learn a practical lesson. David shared her sentiment, deliberately refraining from mentioning the challenges awaiting them in the depths of the Blueish Forest.
The three of them descended the stairs and handed the key to Madam Ruth.
"Would you like to eat breakfast before heading out?" she asked.
Auriel and David immediately shook their heads, their refusal swift and certain. Seeing this, Aaron remained silent, following their lead.
As they boarded the carriage, David took the reins, guiding it forward. Without turning, he spoke firmly, "Aaron, remember this whenever you set out on an adventure, never buy food from an untrusted source. Or else you might be handing your life into someone else hand."
Aaron furrowed his brows slightly. It seemed that David's words made sense and was a wake-up call for him.
David glanced at him before continuing, "The Dusk Inn may be a common gathering point for adventurers, but don't be fooled Madam Ruth isn't as simple as she appears."
Aaron's grip tightened on the edge of his backpack. He had noticed a certain sharpness in Madam Ruth's gaze, but he hadn't thought much of it before. Had he underestimated her?
From the side, Auriel added, "Do you know why I didn't mention today's destination yesterday?"
Aaron shook his head, curious but wary.
"It's because an adventurer must keep their mission a secret," she explained. "If you expose your plans or discuss them openly, other adventurers might take advantage of the information to rob you, or worse… to kill you."
A chill ran down Aaron's spine. He hadn't considered that possibility before. The weight of the journey ahead settled on him, the excitement of adventure now intertwined with the sobering reality of its dangers.
As they neared the entrance of the Blueish Forest, Auriel finally spoke.
"It's time to discuss the mission," she said, her tone steady.
"Our task is to eliminate a Swift Wolf a creature known for its speed, cunning, and relentless hunting instincts. Its level ranges from 7 to 9, but if luck turns against us, we might encounter the Wolf King, a formidable level 10 threat."
She paused briefly before adding, "Swift Wolves never hunt alone. They move in packs, communicating through sharp howls and coordinated attacks. Their agility makes them difficult to track, and their keen senses allow them to detect prey from great distances. If we're not careful, they'll surround us before we even realize we're being hunted."
Aaron felt a chill run down his spine again. He had heard stories of Swift Wolves how they could vanish into the shadows of the forest, striking with terrifying precision. Their razor-sharp claws and powerful jaws were designed for quick kills, and their pack mentality meant that taking down one would likely provoke the others.
Auriel's gaze hardened. "This won't be a simple fight. We need to be fast, strategic, and prepared for the worst."
"Let's introduce our abilities," Auriel began, her voice steady. "I'm an Ice Mage, level 10. My skills include Ice Arrow, Freeze, and Chill Wind."
She paused briefly before explaining further. "Ice Arrow is a swift, precision-based attack that launches a shard of ice at high velocity, capable of piercing armor and slowing the target's movements. Freeze is a containment ability, allowing me to encase enemies in solid ice, immobilizing them temporarily. Chill Wind creates a sharp, freezing gust that saps enemy stamina and dulls their reflexes, making them more vulnerable in battle."
David, keeping his focus on the reins, spoke up, "I'm a Level 10 Driver, responsible for getting us where we need to go efficiently and safely. My skills include Tactical Evasion, Endurance Driving, and Battle Carriage Handling."
He continued, "Tactical Evasion allows me to react swiftly to sudden threats, making split-second decisions to avoid danger. Endurance Driving lets me maintain control over long distances without losing precision, ensuring that fatigue doesn't affect my performance. Battle Carriage Handling enables me to maneuver through combat zones, keeping the carriage steady even under attack while maximizing speed and control."
After speaking, Auriel and David turned to Aaron, their gazes expectant. The silence stretched for a moment, filled with anticipation.
They waited, eyes locked on him, expecting him to finally reveal his profession and skills.
After a brief pause, Aaron met their gazes and replied, "I'm a Ninja. My specialty is long-range attacks using a kunai, with an effective range of 30 meters."
He continued, "I possess many skills, but my strongest is Gale Fang Cleave a technique that channels my internal energy to coat my weapon. This enhancement not only sharpens its lethality but also allows me to strike distant targets up to 300 meters away."