Exploring the outskirts of the forest

Ren took a moment to observe his new animal companions. Psyche, a young hawk with a beautiful plumage, had a friendly demeanor and always remained close to Ren. In contrast, Thanatos, a young stallion, proved to be more of a challenge. The horse carried himself with a distant demeanor and a powerful aura that made Ren feel like he should be serving the horse, not the other way around. Thanatos proved to be particularly frustrating when Ren tried to mount him. The horse quickly sidestepped, causing Ren to fall before he could even get on.

After some unfortunate experiences with his companions, Ren tried to use the soul link to communicate with them. To his surprise, he discovered that both Psyche and Thanatos were simply hungry. Ren was at a loss for words at how irritable the horse could become when hungry. Deciding it was time to head back to the city, Ren gathered his companions and set off. Once there, he would be able to provide food and rest for himself and his new companions, as well as purchase necessary items such as a saddle and falconer equipment.

As Ren made his way down the road, his horse Thanatos in a grumpy mood, he took stock of his belongings. Despite his many battles and quests to level up, Ren had only invested in the bare necessities for his expeditions, focusing on preparation over luxury. He had previously planned to save up for new weapons and armor, but now he realized that it was unnecessary since he could receive top-of-the-line equipment as rewards from the goddess. The best part was that the gear would grow and upgrade with him, ensuring that it would never become outdated. As a result, Ren found himself with a surplus of money that he had no use for other than food and shelter. However, he knew that the resources that could truly help him grow stronger were not something that could be bought with mere money. They were traded exclusively within the guilds, reserved for those who offered long-term services and were deemed worthy.

Ren began to reconsider the value of money, realizing that he had few immediate needs for it. However, he pondered the idea of using his wealth to finance the repairs of the temple, completing his mission and earning rewards, and potentially hiring staff to manage the temple and expand the teachings of the goddess. As he thought more about it, the idea began to seem more and more reasonable.

Excited by this new plan, Ren decided to make the city of Wachtburg his base of operations for his expedition into the forest. The location of the temple was conveniently nearby, making it a perfect place to focus his efforts and use his resources to make a real difference.

As Ren and his companions entered the city gates, they attracted a fair amount of attention from the locals. The people gawked at the sight of the hawk perched on Ren's shoulder and the imposing black stallion at his side. Some of the more adventurous children even followed behind, eager to catch a glimpse of the curious trio.

Ren made his way to the market district, where he purchased the necessary gear for his companions. He bought a saddle for the horse, along with some basic supplies for the hawk, including a leather glove for Psyche to perch on. Ren then made his way to the city hall, determined to find out how he could legally acquire the temple.

Upon entering the city hall, Ren was greeted by a busy scene. People were bustling about, carrying papers and talking in hushed tones. Ren made his way to the information desk and inquired about purchasing a house and land. The clerk behind the desk informed him of the necessary paperwork and fees.

Ren thanked the clerk and made his way back out into the bustling streets. As he walked, he thought about how much it would cost him to legally purchase the temple. It would require a significant amount of money, but Ren was determined to see his mission through to the end. He continued to walk, lost in thought, as his companions waited for him obediently outside.

As Ren left the building, he noticed a young woman quickly making her way to a nearby room. The woman appeared to be in her mid-twenties with curly brown hair and freckles that dotted her cheeks. Ren caught a glimpse of a name tag on her blouse that read "Elsa."

In the room, a man with broad shoulders and chiseled features sat behind a large wooden desk. He had a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes that seemed to look right through you. His sandy blond hair was neatly styled, and he wore a black suit that fit him perfectly. The nameplate on his desk read "Hans Mueller, City Administrator."

Elsa relayed the events of the morning to Hans, including the encounter with Ren and his unusual companions. As she spoke, Hans listened intently, his eyes narrowing in curiosity. When Elsa finished, Hans leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin, deep in thought.

"Interesting," he said finally. "I think we should keep an eye on this Ren fellow. He could be trouble, but he could also be an asset to the city."

Elsa nodded, her eyes wide with admiration for her boss. "Yes, sir. I'll make sure to keep tabs on him and report back any developments."

Hans nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Excellent work, Elsa. Keep it up."

As Elsa left the room, Hans sat back in his chair, deep in thought. He wondered what kind of man Ren was and what he was capable of. One thing was for sure, though - he had caught the attention of the city's most powerful administrator.

After finishing his business in the city, Ren rented a room at an inn and made sure his companions were well taken care of so as not to have another grumpy horse on his hands the next day. He spent the remainder of the day indulging in some much needed rest.

The next day, he woke up early and began to prepare for his expedition to the outskirts of the forest. He planned to map out the details of the forest and take note of any important locations or bases he may come across. Ren knew that this was only the beginning of his journey and that he needed to be thorough in his exploration to ensure his safety and success in the long run.

Ren woke up early the next day, feeling refreshed from a good night's rest. He spent some time grooming his companions and making sure they were well-fed before setting out to explore the forest outskirts. Ren made sure to bring all the necessary equipment for mapping and taking notes, as well as some provisions for the journey.

As he walked through the forest, Ren took note of the trees, the terrain, and any potential hazards. He marked down any interesting landmarks, such as a small creek or a clearing. The forest was quiet, with only the occasional bird chirping or the rustling of leaves in the wind.

After a few hours of exploring, Ren took a break to eat some of his provisions and rest. As he sat under a tree, he pulled out his map and began to fill in the details of the area he had explored. He made sure to label the locations of any potential dangers or resources, such as a patch of poisonous mushrooms or a hidden cave.

Ren then set out to continue his exploration, with the goal of reaching the base he had planned to establish at the edge of the forest. As he walked, he continued to take note of the terrain and any potential threats. He was determined to be well-prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.

At this point, the hawk had proved to be an invaluable companion. After all, it could go explore the skies, and then when it came back, it could transfer some information via mind link. Though this information was not enough to make a detailed map, it could point Ren to any important or interesting locations.

This make Ren been really happy with his hawk, petting the hawk soon Ren heard some grump from his horse, apparently he doesn't like Ren, but doesn't want that Ren like the hawk, apparently in this short time the two pets have make a rivalry between them.

Ren was delighted with his hawk, stroking the feathers of his loyal companion. However, as he was petting the hawk, he heard some grumbling from his horse. It seemed that the horse didn't approve of Ren's fondness for the hawk and was envious of the attention it was receiving. Despite only spending a short time together, it was clear that a rivalry had formed between the two pets.

Ren couldn't help but chuckle at the rivalry between his horse and hawk. It was amusing to see how jealous the horse was of the bird's attention. Ren knew he had to make sure to give the horse some extra attention too, to prevent any further grumpiness. He patted the horse's neck and murmured some soothing words, while still keeping an eye on the hawk, who was perched on a nearby tree, eyeing the horse with curiosity. Despite the rivalry, Ren felt grateful for both of his animal companions and the unique skills they brought to his journey.

With the horse finally letting him mount, Ren was able to accelerate his exploration. He made some major discoveries, including a sturdy wooden wall protecting a large city of goblins, a heavily settled area of the forest with origins in the orc community, and a mountain range where a city and a few nearby towns were home to a large population of kobolds. Unfortunately, the orcs were known to harass other species in the area.

After finishing his exploration, Ren returned to the city and went back to the inn where he had stayed before. He paid the fees for his pets and was having a meal, lost in deep thought. Suddenly, a woman from the city hall interrupted him.

"Excuse me, Mr. Ren?" the woman said.

Ren looked up, surprised to be addressed by someone from the city hall.

"Yes?" he replied.

"The city manager would like to meet with you," the woman said, her tone serious.

Ren was taken aback. He had never met the city manager before, and he couldn't imagine why the man would want to meet with him.

"Is there a problem?" Ren asked, a note of concern creeping into his voice.

"I'm not sure, Mr. Ren," the woman said. "But the city manager requested that you come to his office as soon as possible. He said it's urgent."

Ren finished his meal quickly, paid the bill, and set out for the city hall. As he made his way through the bustling streets, he couldn't help but wonder what the city manager wanted to talk to him about. The possibilities ran through his mind: perhaps he had violated some city ordinance during his exploration, or maybe the city had a mission for him.