Chapter Eleven: Harvest and Discovery

“A narrow escape always brings fortune in its wake!” The one who was not a Sword Immortal burst into hearty laughter, and indeed, it was true. Not only had their contribution points soared, but the loot from the mutated wolf pup alone had made their brush with death worthwhile: it had dropped a weapon, along with an inlay capable of boosting damage.

...

[Direwolf Gauntlets] (Light/Basic)

Weapon Quality: Common

Attack Range: Very short

Damage Level: Weak

Equipment Special: Savage Strike (Passive Effect: Deals double damage to targets whose Strength level does not exceed the wielder's)

Requirements: Vitality Level 3, Strength Level 2, Agility Level 2

Description: These gauntlets ought to possess far greater offensive power, but due to viral contamination, their inner structure is damaged. Not only has their might been reduced, but the usage restrictions are now more stringent to prevent potential viral effects on the user. Even so, these gauntlets remain remarkable: the lingering wolf soul upon them grants a powerful boost to every attack.

...

This was Embers’ first piece of equipment acquired through battle, and despite the stringent requirements, it was undeniably alluring. Whether it was the not-insignificant damage level or the straightforwardly brutal special effect, this was an item worth fighting over.

But the one who was not a Sword Immortal, after casting several envious glances, chose instead to take the damage-boosting inlay—the [Direwolf Fang]—as his reward.

“If it were a sword, I’d have fought you for it, even if it meant losing face.”

With a sigh, Not-a-Sword-Immortal watched as Embers put away the gauntlets with a smile. For Embers, this was a significant enhancement. Let’s not forget that he also possessed the “Voracious Hunger of the Active Slime,” which could inflict a “Slow” effect. Having two weapons to alternate between would let him handle awkward situations with ease, and he only needed one more level-up to meet the gauntlets’ requirements.

Embers looked at his contribution bar, already more than halfway filled, and thought that the time was close at hand.

Chittering and squealing!

The monkey, having survived the fierce battle, was now in high spirits. It circled the direwolf’s corpse twice, then dashed back into its former lair. However, the stench from the cave quickly drove it out, clutching its nose, for the direwolf had long since ruined its old home beyond repair.

With a look of regret, the monkey considered for a moment before deciding to abandon the place. It had realized it was better off back up in the trees than in this dark, foul cave—especially now that the hated oppressor was dead. With a stash of sweet forest fruit it had just found in the cave, it could live carefree for days.

Before leaving, the monkey glanced at the two players, hesitated, then decided to share some of its fruit as thanks. Then, gripping its staff, it approached Embers, scratching its head and squealing wildly.

At first, Embers didn’t understand what it wanted, but the sudden system prompt made it clear—a pleasant surprise.

[Prompt: The enhanced juvenile mutant monkey wishes to teach you an active skill—“Staff Technique: Skullcracker.”]

[Prompt: Learning requirement: Agility Level 1.]

...

Skill Name: [Staff Technique: Skullcracker]

Type: Active

Cost: 20% Stamina

Effect: When attacking the target’s head with a staff-type weapon, ignore one level of defense.

Requirement: Agility Level 1

Description: This skill will show you the true meaning of “beating a dog on the head with a stick.”

...

Embers had long envied the area-of-effect skill possessed by Not-a-Sword-Immortal, and he still had no idea about the exact requirements for learning new skills. Yet here was a coveted opportunity delivered right to his door.

He allocated his last vital attribute point to Agility and finally learned his first active skill.

The monkey, staff in hand, shot Embers a look that said, “Do your best and don’t embarrass yourself,” then, like a hermit master, gathered its fruit and bounded away.

Meanwhile, Not-a-Sword-Immortal, oblivious to what had transpired, kept munching fruit to recover health. Only after Embers explained did he nearly choke, spitting out a mouthful of pits in envy at Embers’ luck.

Truth be told, after working together for so long, Not-a-Sword-Immortal had guessed that Embers outstripped him in both level and gear. Especially that inconspicuous belt pouch—though small, it held much more than seemed possible. Of what he knew, Embers had two pieces of enhancement material and a pair of direwolf gauntlets inside; most of the sweet forest fruit fed to the monkey was stored there, too. His own backpack, though medium-sized, couldn’t compete in capacity with that palm-sized pouch.

This gave Not-a-Sword-Immortal a clearer sense of Embers’ gains from the previous trial.

However, Not-a-Sword-Immortal harbored no greedy thoughts. He understood well that Embers’ efforts were key to their quick completion of two extremely difficult side quests. Usually playing the “carry” for others, he now found himself clinging to a stronger player for support. To claim his share of loot and materials with a clear conscience, he’d had to risk his life in the fight—but in the end, survived by luck, got the inlay he wanted, and kept the partnership equal.

“I’m a seasoned player—no way I’ll just coast along!” he thought.

Unaware of these musings, Embers, after another fruitful harvest, began to review and organize his current status.

...

Name: [Embers]

Character Level: 4

Faction Role: Foundation Reserve Staff (ID: D1106)

Base Attributes: Health 30, Sanity 30, Stamina 10+3 {10 + (Vitality Level + Willpower Level)/2}

Core Attributes: Vitality Level 3, Willpower Level 1+2

Key Attributes: Strength Level 2, Agility Level 1, Perception Level 1

Active Skill: [Staff Technique: Skullcracker] (Ignores one level of defense when striking the head with a staff weapon)

Passive Skill: [Willpower Enhancement] (Beginner perk, effect: Willpower Level +2)

Equipment: [Standard Telescopic Baton] (Weapon), [Basic Protective Suit] (Armor), [Mutant Tree Alliance] (Accessory), [Voracious Hunger of the Active Slime] (Token)

Regular Inventory: [Basic Medical Spray] (3/3), [Shadow Mite Wing] (Basic weapon enhancement material), [Shadow Mite Hide] (Basic armor enhancement material), [Direwolf Gauntlets] (Weapon)

Special Inventory: [Level 3 Peashooter] (Plant Companion)

Foundation Credits: 1100 (Wolf 500 + Bugs 20*20 + 100*2)

...

Compared to his state upon entering the Gloomwood, Embers’ greatest gains were undoubtedly his pile of equipment and enhancement materials. In fact, even if he withdrew from the trial now, he’d already recouped the 3200 credits spent at the start.

At this point, just eighteen minutes had passed in-game; the Level 3 Peashooter still needed another ten minutes to mature—assuming he had the necessary nutrient battery. This meant that he and Not-a-Sword-Immortal were progressing a full ten minutes faster than the standard pace, thanks to their seamless cooperation, especially in seizing a critical opportunity—

Rescuing the monkey!

Had they arrived late, the monkey would have surely perished at the jaws of the shadow mites.

Without the monkey’s help, they might still have had a chance against the direwolf, since Embers suspected its combat power would diminish over time as the unknown virus took its toll. Before they arrived, the direwolf had already lost forty percent of its health to the infection, greatly reducing the fight’s difficulty. Embers had a hunch that these ten minutes gained would help unlock further secrets of the main quest.

“Shall we go in?”

“Let’s.”

Rested, fed, and fully healed, the two players, operating under a “never leave empty-handed” philosophy—or rather, “waste not, want not”—entered the pitch-black cave shoulder to shoulder.

Visibility inside was minimal, and the stench was overwhelming—so much so that it seemed the only thing present was the smell itself.

Fortunately, the cave wasn’t large; before long, they reached the end, where countless stark white bones, shattered branches, and the source of the stench—a rotting corpse—came into view.

“No gear, no materials!” Not-a-Sword-Immortal grumbled, only to inevitably inhale some of the stench. Unable to stand it, he left the cave at once, not noticing the strange look on Embers’ face.

The moment he saw the decayed corpse, Embers realized it was the pelvis of an adult male. This wasn’t because he doubled as a forensic scientist, but because he had sketched countless human figures and studied anatomy extensively; he was intimately familiar with the human form. Even without forensic knowledge, the state of decay allowed him to judge that this man had not died very long ago.

Who was he? Why had he died here? What had truly caused his death? Embers had no answers, but he sensed that this forest was haunted not just by darkness but by sinister, uncanny secrets.

[Prompt: Your Perception pierces the darkness, revealing a hidden object among the corpses.]

Just as Embers was about to leave, his gaze sharpened; his single point in Perception allowed him to spot a scrap of paper near the corpse.

He picked it up; the paper was stained and filthy, but one line of printed text was still legible—a date.

“Wasteland Calendar, October 26, 2077...”

[Prompt: You have uncovered a secret hidden within this forest. Pursue this clue to investigate further!]