Gustav set out in the late morning, the new aura-sensitive boots Mara had traded him fitting snugly as he followed his updated map toward Mistmarsh—a sprawling wetland southeast of the Eastern Wilds, where Lena had mentioned swampglow berries grew. The terrain shifted from grassy plains to marshy ground, with tall reeds and cypress trees rising from murky water that reflected the overcast sky. The aura compass pulsed with a soft green light, guiding him toward the marsh's heart where the berries were said to thrive, their glow visible even in broad daylight.
The air was thick with moisture and the scent of decaying leaves, mixed with a sweet, earthy aroma that signaled the presence of the berries. Torvin's aquatic lore book described swampglow berries as small, round fruits that grew on low-lying vines, their skin glowing with a pale green light and infused with marsh aura that balanced heat and cold in dishes. Harvesting them required care—they grew in patches surrounded by swamp sinkholes that could swallow unwary travelers, and their vines were protected by glowmoss snakes, small but venomous creatures that relied on the berries' aura to regulate their body temperature.
Gustav waded carefully through the shallow water, using his aura to sense solid ground beneath the murk. The compass led him to a clearing where cypress trees grew in a circle, their roots forming natural platforms above the water. There, tangled around the roots, were the swampglow vines—thin, dark stems bearing clusters of glowing green berries. He pulled out his aura-harvesting tongs, channeling a gentle stream of Gastronomic Aura to soothe the glowmoss snakes coiled around the vines. One snake raised its head, flicking its tongue as it sensed his energy; Gustav crushed a small piece of shadowgill cap and offered it, the cool aura calming the creature enough to let him work.
As he plucked the berries, placing them into his portable aura cooler, he noticed a trail of disturbed water leading toward the clearing—footprints that didn't belong to any forager he knew. Suddenly, three Black Spoon members emerged from the reeds, their faces masked to protect them from marsh insects. "We've been tracking you since the Stormspine Hills," one said, drawing a knife. "Hand over the berries, and we'll let you leave with your life." Gustav remained calm, tossing a handful of swampglow berries into the air—their glow intensified, creating a bright green haze that blinded the men. He used the distraction to slip away, wading toward deeper water where the sinkholes would slow his pursuers.
Just as the syndicate members were about to follow, Kael emerged from behind a cypress tree, tossing a net that tangled their legs. "You really need to stop attracting these guys," he joked, helping Gustav push the men back into the reeds where they stumbled into a shallow sinkhole, soaking their gear. After they fled, Kael said, "Rook's been gathering more men—he's not just after ingredients anymore. He wants to take over the entire Outer Market's gourmet trade." Gustav nodded, filing the warning away as he harvested a few more berries before heading toward higher ground.
On the edge of the marsh, he spotted Lena examining a patch of watermint—an herb that enhanced the flavor of aquatic ingredients. "You made it out okay," she said, smiling. "I've been watching the marsh—Black Spoon's been scouting here too, looking for ways to monopolize the swampglow harvest. Let me show you something useful." She led him to a hidden grove where marshroot tubers grew, their flesh white and crisp, infused with the same balancing aura as the berries. "They pair perfectly with aura-fanged fish from Lightning River," she explained, and Gustav harvested a handful, adding them to his supplies.
He returned to the city as dusk fell, making his way to the Outer Market where Mara was closing up her stall. "Swampglow berries! Marshroot tubers!" she exclaimed, examining his harvest. "These will be perfect for the upcoming harvest festival feast. I'll trade you a marsh navigation kit—it includes a sinkhole detector and waterproof maps of all local wetlands." She handed him a small leather pouch with the kit inside, and Gustav thanked her, tucking it into his pack.
Next, he went to Torvin's workshop, where chefs were preparing for the festival. "Today, we'll make swampglow berry tart with marshroot cream and starfall crust," Gustav announced, laying out his ingredients. He demonstrated how to channel his Gastronomic Aura into the cream, weaving the marsh's balancing energy with the starfall grain's celestial power to create a dish that glowed softly and tasted of earth and starlight. As the chefs tasted it, they praised its ability to calm the stomach while enhancing focus—a perfect balance for festival-goers who would be eating rich foods all day.
Gustav spent the evening guiding the chefs through the process, explaining how to adjust aura flow to bring out different flavors in the berries and tubers. A young chef named Mia asked, "Can this same technique be used for aquatic ingredients like fish?" Gustav nodded, saying, "That's exactly what I'm planning to test at Lightning River next—these berries and tubers will pair beautifully with the fish there."
By the time the workshop ended, Torvin presented him with a schedule of regional ingredient harvests, marking when and where rare plants and creatures would be at their peak. "This will help you plan your hunts efficiently," he said, clapping Gustav on the shoulder.
Back at his shelter, Gustav spread out his new maps and updated his training log: "Today: explored Mistmarsh, harvested swampglow berries and marshroot tubers, calmed glowmoss snakes, evaded and fended off Black Spoon scouts with Kael's help, met forager Lena who shared info on aura-fanged fish, traded for a marsh navigation kit, and taught balancing aura cooking for the harvest festival. Marsh terrain navigation and aura communication with small creatures have improved steadily. Two and a half years until the Hunter Exam—planning to head to Lightning River next to harvest aura-fanged fish and test new ingredient pairings."
He held the marsh navigation kit up to the light, then glanced at the aura compass, which glowed brightly toward the northeast—Lightning River's direction. He imagined the fast-flowing water and silver-scaled fish, already planning how to combine the swamp ingredients with the fish's storm energy to create something truly special.