The midday sun streamed through the inn's shuttered window when JP finally stirred. His eyes burned, his back ached, and his arms were stiff from a night bent over scraps of hide and emberstone.
He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Great… overslept."
The Heated Hide Band lay snug on his forearm, still giving off a gentle warmth. The Modified Mana Lamp rested beside his pillow, its beam attachment faintly glowing. Proof of progress—but progress came at a cost.
His stomach growled loudly.
By the time JP stumbled down into the inn's hall, the breakfast crowd was long gone. The cook gave him a bemused look before slapping a plate of bread, cheese, and leftover stew in front of him.
"Lunch, then," JP muttered, wolfing it down.
After eating, he headed to the adventurer's guild. The hall buzzed with life—adventurers coming and going, clerks shuffling parchment, the scent of steel and sweat thick in the air.
JP scanned the quest board. Most were routine: herb gathering, courier runs, odd jobs. But one section caught his eye:
[Hunting Quests Available]
Cull the Wild Boars (Reward: 6 Silver)
Eliminate Stray Wolves near the North Path (Reward: 8 Silver)
Collect Fangs from Forest Vipers (Reward: 12 Silver, Hazardous)
He rubbed his chin. Boars and wolves… that I can handle. Vipers? Not yet.
His hand hovered over the wolf notice, but a flicker of memory stopped him—fangs flashing in the dark, claws raking at his lamp's glow.
He swallowed and chose the wild boar cull instead.
The guild clerk stamped the paper, sliding it back with a smile. "Boars, eh? Good starter hunt. They're tough, but not too smart. Just don't get trampled."
"Noted," JP said, pocketing the slip.
As he turned, he caught sight of Lyra leaning casually against a pillar, hood low. She raised a brow. "Hunting now?"
JP adjusted the strap of his short sword. "Figured it's time. Can't live on herb quests forever."
Her gaze lingered on him a moment longer, then she shrugged. "Try not to die."
At the village gate, JP paused, taking stock.
Short Sword: strapped and ready.
Heated Hide Band: snug on his arm.
Modified Mana Lamp: hooked to his belt.
He whispered: "Status."
The board flickered:
HP: 56/56MP: 22/22Condition: Slightly Fatigued (from lack of sleep)
JP exhaled. Still good enough. Let's see if last night's work pays off.
The northern fields stretched wide, dotted with low shrubs and trampled soil. He didn't have to search long before he spotted them: a trio of wild boars rooting near the irrigation channels, their tusks gleaming, their thick bodies armored in coarse bristle.
JP gripped his sword, nerves gnawing at him. "Alright. Just like stripping wires. Measure, cut, don't get shocked."
The first boar lifted its head, snorting. Its small eyes locked onto him.
And then it charged.
JP's pulse spiked. His hand went to the lamp at his belt, twisting the lens. A sharp beam of light flared, dazzling the beast. It squealed, skidding clumsily, blinded for a moment.
JP lunged, driving the short sword across its flank. The cut wasn't deep, but it staggered the animal.
The other two boars squealed, rushing in.
Here we go, JP thought, heart pounding. Time to test if an electrician can fight like an adventurer.