The edge of Mistwood, at the entrance.
Mistwood lived up to its name, a dark forest filled with damp mist. However, the weather was decent today, and unlike usual, visibility wasn't completely obscured.
After resting enough at the site of grace, Tarnished Xia Yu first got up and performed a set of Tai Chi to loosen up his body before putting on a set of light gear.
It was supposed to be time for breakfast, but at the thought of meeting Blaidd soon, Xia Yu decided not to eat yet. He planned to kill a Runebear on the spot to treat his future brother-in-law.
Although this brother-in-law didn't know about his relationship with Ranni yet—even Ranni herself didn't know—it didn't stop him from building a good relationship in advance.
"Sigh, how can there be a man as excellent as me? I've really thought of everything."
After a moment of narcissism, Xia Yu placed his index finger to his lips and blew the spectral steed whistle, summoning Torrent.
Although he could fly, it was still more comfortable to ride his old partner, Torrent. This was the little steed that had accompanied him throughout all of Limgrave.
While searching for the Church of Dragon Communion on the isolated island, Torrent had even learned to swim under his guidance. When returning to the coast from the Church of Dragon Communion, it was Torrent who carried him back.
"Neigh~"
Summoned, Torrent let out a snort and nuzzled Xia Yu affectionately. Xia Yu smiled and stroked Torrent's mane, reaching out to take a handful of Rowa Raisins and feeding them into Torrent's mouth.
Torrent was a spectral steed that didn't need to eat, but he still had a particular fondness for pickled Rowa Fruits.
Watching Torrent munch away on the Rowa Raisins, Xia Yu also tossed one into his own mouth and chewed slowly.
Humans couldn't digest dried Rowa Raisins, but he was no ordinary person. Moreover, these raisins were handmade by him, so he had naturally found a way to resolve the indigestion side effects. They were quite good as a snack.
"Whinny~"
After finishing the Rowa Raisins, Torrent snorted, reared up high on his hind legs, and pawed the ground incessantly after landing.
"Alright, alright, we're leaving now."
Xia Yu patted Torrent's neck to calm the little steed. It seemed he hadn't been out for a while and couldn't wait to run.
Swallowing the Rowa Raisin in his mouth, Xia Yu vaulted onto the horse, squeezed its flanks, and pulled the reins, galloping toward the ruins deep within Mistwood.
"Hyah!"
As a spectral steed, Torrent's speed was naturally incomparable to an ordinary horse. Before long, as the surrounding scenery blurred past, Xia Yu arrived deep in Mistwood.
Mistwood was different from ordinary forests; it hid many strange creatures.
The common ones were bats, while the more terrifying ones were Runebears—the legendary 'Lords of Cinder' among bears. If caught by a Runebear, it would give you a 'hug of love,' commonly known as the 'Girl-in-Arms Kill.'
"Tsk, the ecosystem really is richer than in the game."
As Xia Yu rode Torrent toward his destination, he scanned the surroundings. He saw not only some young Runebears but also many creatures that hadn't appeared in the game.
Snakes, wild boars, deer, and squirrels could all be seen, along with animals not found in the real world—seemingly unique creatures of The Lands Between.
It was lucky he had cast the Breath Concealment Technique on himself and Torrent beforehand; otherwise, a pack of carnivores would surely have followed.
I wonder how they taste.
Looking at the animals he was seeing for the first time, Xia Yu mused silently, thinking about catching some to taste when he had time.
With these thoughts, a moment later, Torrent had carried him to the Mistwood Ruins. He could already see the towering ruins, including the werewolf crouching at the very top.
Blaidd belonged to the beast race, but he didn't have a purely bestial body. He was a werewolf among the beastmen, with the head of a wolf and the body of a man.
Traces of the beast race actually appeared in the game. Serosh, the Beast Regent of the First Elden Lord Godfrey, was once the King of Beasts.
And Maliketh, the Black Blade, who like Blaidd was a Shadow, was also a member of the beast race.
"Is he scouting?"
With his excellent eyesight, Xia Yu saw at a glance what Blaidd, perched atop the ruins, was doing. He was scanning the distance, seemingly searching for something.
"What a coincidence. I won't have to wait for him to show up."
Xia Yu chuckled, dismounted Torrent, patted him to return him to the spectral steed whistle, and walked alone to the base of the ruins.
Looking at Blaidd above, who hadn't noticed him yet, Xia Yu tried snapping his fingers in a specific way. The sound wasn't loud, and Xia Yu doubted if Blaidd could even hear it.
But in the next moment, a tall figure suddenly leaped down, landing on the ground with a thunderous boom.
The newcomer wore a greyish-white fur cape and light armor designed for mobility. On his back was a magnificent greatsword as large as a door.
Hmm... so tall.
Looking at the descended Blaidd, this was the only thought in Xia Yu's mind.
"You..."
Seeing the Tarnished before him who knew the special signal, Blaidd narrowed his eyes. Just as he was about to ask who Xia Yu was, his eyes suddenly widened, flashing with a fierce light.
Then, he reached back and grabbed the greatsword, lunging toward Xia Yu. Frost magic condensed on the blade, making the air several degrees colder.
"!"
Blaidd's sudden outburst made Xia Yu's pupils shrink, but in the next second, he relaxed and stepped slightly to the side.
Pfft—!
"Roar!!!"
Crimson blood mixed with crystalline ice shards sprayed out. An adult Runebear that had suddenly appeared was struck in the chest by Blaidd's sword, its massive body sent flying instantly.
While dodging the blood, Blaidd threw the greatsword with great force. The sharp blade instantly pierced the Runebear's skull, pinning the entire bear to a large tree behind it.
A faint wisp of Runes drifted out from the Runebear's body and entered Xia Yu's.
Should I make an automatic Rune farming machine?
Seeing the Runes from the bear killed by Blaidd floating into him, Xia Yu suddenly had this thought.
But soon, Xia Yu abandoned the idea. This wasn't a game; enemies wouldn't respawn just by sitting at a site of grace. An automatic Rune farming machine was simply impossible.
If it were really like the game, he would have gone to the Mohgwyn Bank to withdraw money long ago. Even without the money-printing sword, it wouldn't be much of a problem.
Shink!
Blaidd walked over to the dead Runebear, grabbed his greatsword, and pulled it out. Frost magic spread, and the bloodstains on the blade instantly turned into ice shards, which were then easily shaken off.
After sheathing the greatsword on his back again, Blaidd turned his head to look at Xia Yu. Xia Yu's calm sidestep just now had earned him some respect.
He thought the other party would be startled and panicked by his sudden move. Such a bold and meticulous person would surely achieve great things in the future.
"Who are you? Kalé must have told you that finger-snap signal. He's always like that, worrying about everything."
Werewolf Blaidd asked Xia Yu. His voice wasn't as gruff as one might imagine; instead, he sounded like a young man.
"Since you came through him, I suppose you're not anyone suspicious."