The forest south of the city should have been quiet. Birds chirped, leaves rustled, and sunlight speared through the canopy. On paper, the guild's quest was routine: clear out a small nest of wild hounds harassing local farmers.
"Perfect test run," JP had said, clutching the writ. "Low danger, quick coin, and you get to show off your new combat fit."
Lyra only raised an eyebrow. "Let's see if it holds up."
They reached the den by mid-afternoon. The air stank of musk and blood. Bones littered the ground.
Three wild hounds padded from the shadows, hackles raised, eyes burning red.
Lyra stepped forward, bow raised in one fluid motion. Her new cuirass didn't creak. Her reinforced quiver slid arrows into her hand without pause.
Thwip!
The first arrow streaked through the air, lodging cleanly in the hound's eye. It collapsed without so much as a whimper.
The other two snarled and lunged.
Lyra pivoted, armor glinting, drawing and loosing in a seamless dance. Her second arrow grazed the beast's neck but didn't drop it. It crashed into her shield bracer—steel screeching, but holding firm.
JP's heart lurched. "Damn! That thing's heavier than I thought—"
Before he could panic, Lyra twisted, driving her short blade between the hound's ribs. It fell limp against her new plates.
"Two down," she muttered, eyes already snapping to the last.
The final hound was bigger. Scarred. Its growl rolled like thunder.
JP's Appraisal pinged.
Alpha Wild Hound (Rare) – Lvl 16.Skills: Pack Roar, Frenzy Bite.Weakness: Vulnerable spine, sensitive nose.
"Uh, Lyra?" JP's voice cracked. "That one wasn't in the brochure!"
The Alpha roared, charging like a boulder. Lyra's shot skidded off its thick hide.
JP's mind raced. Spine, nose… nose!
He yanked a vial of resin solvent from his satchel, hurled it into the air, and shouted, "Lyra! Aim for the splash!"
She didn't hesitate. Arrow met glass midair, shattering it into a cloud. The acrid stench burned JP's eyes—if it hurt him, it obliterated the Alpha. The beast howled, thrashing wildly.
"Now!" JP yelled.
Lyra sprinted forward, blade flashing. She vaulted off a root, her new armor bending with her, and drove her sword into the exposed spine.
The Alpha dropped. The forest fell silent.
JP staggered back, gasping. "Okay. Okay. That was… not a small test run."
Lyra pulled her blade free, her expression unreadable before a slow smile spread. "The armor held."
JP wheezed out a laugh, half from nerves, half from relief. "You nearly gave me a heart attack—but damn, you looked unstoppable."
Lyra wiped the blade clean, adjusting her bow. "Good. Because if enemies like that are waiting ahead, we'll need more than just me looking unstoppable."
JP glanced at the carcass, his Appraisal pinging again.
Alpha Hound Fang (Rare Material) – Excellent for weapon reinforcement. High mana conductivity.
JP grinned despite the sweat. "Well, at least dinner's on me. And maybe… our next upgrade too."