Eris awoke to the sweet smell of flowers and freshly cut grass. She turned to her side away from the Sun's gentle rays and for a moment, her eyes fixated on the fully bloomed Sunbells sitting atop her desk, somewhat giving her a magical boost of energy.
Today's the Day.
She rose up and did some easy morning exercises. She then took a quick shower and haphazardly put on her adventurer's clothes, light shirt and pants with leather belt and gloves.
Before going downstairs, she caught a glimpse of the bustling town outside through her window. Markets, craft workshops, schools and all sorts of establishments can be found in the town of Lumhaven, one of the major towns under the First Kingdom of Sha'aya, Adalan.
"Good morning, love. Here's your slime stew. Eat it before it gets cold." A woman with long green hair wearing an apron greeted.
Shei is Eris' adoptive mother who had raised her since she was a little girl. Across the table from Eris was Deeno, Shei's son and Eris' adoptive brother. He is about the same age as Eris and is a student at the local university.
"Deeno, put that book away and focus on finishing your breakfast first. You're going to be late." scolded Shei.
Deeno studies Ore Alchemy, a discipline that revolves around the principles, theories and knowledge of more than a thousand types of magical stones that can be found in the Sha'ayan region. Its applications are an integral part of the people ranging from the mundane stove to legendary enchanted swords.
"Done!" Eris exclaimed after gulping her favorite slime stew faster than she could take another breath.
"What's got you so excited, sis?" Deeno asked the ecstatic girl.
"One more mission and I'll become a Junior adventurer!"
In Sha'aya, people who hunt monsters and clear dungeons for a living are generally referred to as "Adventurers" and they are categorized into different ranks - Novice, Junior, Master and Grandmaster.
After two years of doing basic quests, Eris can finally rank up from Novice to Junior level.
"Congratulations, dear. We should celebrate tonight, then." Shei suggested, putting up a facade of happiness and enthusiasm to mask her true feelings on the matter.
It is a known fact that the more advanced an adventurer becomes, the more likely it is that they take jobs with higher risks and eventually have to spend long periods of time away from home. There is a famous saying among adventurers in Sha'aya, "The earth is my bed and the stars, my roof."
Motivated by unmatched curiosity and led by an inexplicable sense of wonder, adventurers venture into the unknown and are rewarded by the awe inspiring magic of the land… and money, of course.
Adventurers are also credited for the start of human civilization, with the First Party believed to have created the First Kingdom by defeating powerful monsters and providing ancient humanity a safe place to thrive and prosper.
"Mom, I know you don't want me to leave but…"
Before Eris could finish her sentence, Shei hugged her tight, quiet tears falling down from her face into the back of Eris' shirt. Her mother's warm embrace melted all of Eris' worries, as if a powerful yet benevolent fire magic was cast.
"I understand, dear. You are your father's daughter, after all."
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The two left the house shortly after. Deeno headed towards the center part of the town where the university was located and Eris headed west near the town's border where the guild house was, a place for adventurers to start their journey. Left alone in the house, Shei eyed the massive pile of clothes from the community, seemingly calling out her name, and let out a faint sigh. "She couldn't have just chosen to be a clothes washer and stayed with me."
At the guild house, numerous tables with different groups of adventurers, each one distinct from the other, can be seen. From swords, axes and daggers to bows, wands and staffs, adventurers entrust their very lives to these weapons.
For Eris, it is a dagger she inherited from her father. He was an adventurer turned miner when Eris' mother had died. They had previously lived in a mining town in the south called Yellowstone, which is now under Elf rule. Eris' father stayed back to fight the incoming Elf army and gave Eris to Shei to flee. Ultimately, the town fell and succumbed to the mighty Elven forces.
At the end of the guild house room, beyond the tables, was a large wooden board where mission flyers, guild announcements and recruitment forms were posted.
"Ten slimes for ten coppers"
"Two dire wolf horns for fifteen coppers"
"Join us, the Mighty Malak warriors!
Party leader: Malak, Master"
"Guild house festival on Mhanday!"
Eris' interest was focused on the dire wolf mission. It was to be her last mission as a Novice, so she wanted it to be good practice and beating dire wolves was more of a challenge than finding slimes. She got the flyer from the board and headed towards the reception desk.
"I'll take this one, Misa." said Eris with a smile.
"Very well, Miss Eris, goodluck on your mission, and remember to bring the corpse to the guild butcher so he can pay you extra." answered the red-haired guild receptionist.
Eris handed over the flyer before taking off for the forest and Misa proceeded to write some information on the flyer including Eris' name, current date, time and other details before putting it away.
The Howling Woods is a forest situated beside Lumhaven encompassing its western and northern borders. It is home to several types of monsters but most famous for its dangerous dire wolves. And Eris was to hunt these monsters and gather their orange horns, which are mainly used in potion brewing.
Eris scouted the area for signs of dire wolf attacks.
Aha, there should be one nearby.
A scratch on one of the trees, blood stains and a destroyed burrow indicated to Eris that a dire wolf was present moments ago. Dire wolves would hunt their preys even inside their burrows using the horns on its head.
Eris climbed on one of the trees and calmly waited for a few minutes before jumping on to the next tree. For Eris, this was a simple task. She was nimble enough to jump long distances and she can escape easily if met with sure death scenarios. She relies on precise strikes and agile movements when fighting akin to a stealthy assassin.
After an hour or so, Eris spotted one.
There you are.
A dire wolf was about a meter tall and two meters in length with blood red eyes, greyish blue fur throughout its body, white fur in its underbelly and an orange horn at the top of its head. Its mouth is well equipped with sharp fangs and a bite force that can crush bones.
But, the most terrifying thing about dire wolves is their ability to use electricity magic. From its horn, it can generate a bolt of lightning which it uses to attack aggressors or paralyze its prey.
Eris quietly maneuvered herself to where she would be behind the wolf.
Good thing, it's busy eating. Makes this a lot easier.
First rule of monster hunting: Go for the weak spot, avoid blindly charging head-on
This was Eris' self-made rule and approach to hunting. Overwhelming the target with brute force is not a good tactic for fighters like Eris who rely on speed. This would put her at a greater risk of injury without much success.
The legs.
Eris took out her dagger from its sheath and adopted a crouching stance like a sprint runner building up speed for maximum acceleration. She took a deep breath, momentarily closing her eyes, heightening her focus and mentally playing out what she predicts will be the outcome of this plan.
She opened her eyes, and with a sudden burst, she made a powerful first step.
She dashed towards the dire wolf. The wolf turned its head but it was too late, dagger and flesh had already met. Blood flowed from the wound in the wolf's right hind leg.
SWALLOW SLASH!!!
The wolf howled, thrashing its body around in pain. Eris moved back anticipating a counter attack from the wolf. The wolf looked at Eris and growled fiercely. Golden sparks flew from its horn and soon after, a bolt of lightning was sent towards Eris' direction.
Eris swiftly dodged the attack.
Out of desperation, the wolf charged straight towards Eris, teeth and claws at the ready, horns charging for a new lightning attack.
Never charge head-on.
The eyes.
Eris then threw her dagger straight into the wolf's left eye sending the beast to the ground. Without a moment's notice, Eris leaped forward and plunged her dagger deeper into its skull. A solemn feeling brushed over Eris as the wolf's lifeless body lie on the ground.
It's done.
Eris cut the head off from the rest of the body to retrieve the horn. It was harder to move around carrying the entire monster, and she can retrieve the body at a later time if she pleased. It would only amount to a few pennies.
Onto the next one.
She needed two horns to complete the mission.
With the same strategy she employed with the first one, Eris was able to get the necessary items. It was time to return.
On her journey back to the guild house, a sudden gust of wind blew through the forest. She closed her eyes to keep them from dust and dirt. Opening her eyes slowly, she was petrified at what she saw.
In front of her, a few meters away, was a ball of "light". It was pulsing wildly and emanating waves that pricked Eris' skin like tiny invisible needles. Tinier spheres of "light" coalesced with the larger ball.
This is Mana.
Many Sha'ayan scholars have debated as to what Mana is. Some say it is a life force brought about by spirits, others have boldly claimed that it was the Great Will of Earth Mother herself. Others believe it to be a curse of the land. But whatever it is, they all agreed that Mana is a driver of magical phenomenon.
Soon after, a monster more ferocious than dire wolves appeared in front of Eris.
Shadowhound!!
…
Is today the day… I die?