Chapter 28: The Mysterious Quest

Malakai was about to leave to continue leading his family to the exit, but suddenly, a faint chiming sound filled the air.

DING!

He looked in front of him, and his eyes widened in surprise as he saw a floating message materialize before him.

[Quest Issued>>

Reach Lv 1 Using only non-magical beasts while still inside the Arctic dungeon Prison

Reward - Instant level ups (9Lvs)]

Malakai's eyes were fixed on the message, his mind racing with excitement and curiosity.

He turned to his mother and Amari, but it seemed they couldn't see the message, just like his status panel.

He looked back at the message, his heart pounding with anticipation. Level 1? What did that even mean?

And how could he achieve it by hunting non-magical beasts? The mother elk and her child had given him 1 AP, but maybe other beasts would yield different results.

Malakai's mind was filled with questions, but he didn't hesitate.

He knew that he had to continue leading his family to the exit, and this quest seemed to align with their journey.

He didn't need to change their course; they would naturally encounter more beasts along the way.

With a determined look, Malakai turned to his family and began to move forward, the quest message still floating in front of him.

As they journeyed deeper into the Arctic dungeon Prison,

Malakai's senses were on high alert, searching for any signs of non-magical beasts.

The quest message remained in his vision, a constant reminder of his goal.

Malakai's heart raced with excitement, knowing that he was one step closer to uncovering the truth about his abilities and the mysterious forces that governed this world.

Malakai led his family forward, the quest had begun.

[Quest Progress>> 001/100 AP

Remaining Beasts to hunt: Unknown

Beast hunted: 000

Next Beast to hunt: Unknown

Reward: Instant level ups (9Lvs)

Malakai's journey had just begun.

...

An hour passed, and they encountered a creature that resembled a wolf, but it was smaller and less majestic.

Its fur was duller, and its eyes lacked the piercing gaze of a true wolf.

Malakai's instincts told him that this was a lesser being, a creature that didn't belong in the same league as his family.

He gazed at his mother, his eyes burning with a hunger that couldn't be satiated by the elk they had just devoured.

"Mother, I am going to hunt," Malakai declared, his voice low and determined.

Akira was taken aback by her son's statement. They had just finished a full, fresh elk, and he wanted more.

She wanted to warn him, to tell him that he was pushing himself too hard, but she held herself back.

Malakai told his family to continue traveling straight, that he would find them further ahead.

He didn't want to hold them back, didn't want to slow them down.

He knew that they had to keep moving, had to keep pushing forward if they wanted to survive.

And so, he began to blend in with the snow, his form becoming one with the landscape as he ran towards the direction the wolf-like creature had taken.

His paws barely made a sound as he padded through the snow, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

As he ran, the landscape blurred around him, the snow-covered trees becoming a green and white blur.

He could feel the wind rushing past his face, could feel the cold air filling his lungs. He was alive, and he knew it.

Finally, he saw it, the creature lying in the distance, its head resting on the snow.

Malakai found it weird that this beast was just running around, and then suddenly decided to sleep, but he didn't care.

He crouched under some grass, his form blending with the snow, as he became invisible to anyone looking.

He watched the creature, his eyes fixed on its chest, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

The creature stirred, its eyes flickering open, and Malakai knew that it was now or never.

He sprang into action, his body uncoiling like a spring, his jaws wide open, ready to strike.

The creature let out a faint yelp as Malakai's teeth sank into its flesh, and then it was silent, its body still and lifeless.

Malakai stood over his prey, his chest heaving with excitement, his eyes gleaming with a fierce pride.

"Quest Progress>>

2/100 AP

Remaining Beasts to hunt: Unknown

Next Beast to hunt: Unknown

Beast Hunted: 001

Reward: Instant level ups (9Lvs)"

The journey to the exit continued, with Malakai's family trekking through the Arctic dungeon Prison's vast expanse.

Amari gazed at her brother with a mix of confusion and concern, her eyes lingering on the scars that now adorned his once-pristine fur.

Their mother, Akira, had always cautioned them against overhunting, yet Malakai seemed to be doing just that.

But, since their mother didn't intervene, Amari assumed it was acceptable, chalking it up to her brother's peculiar ways.

As they pressed on, Malakai would periodically leave their side, only to return later with tales of his conquests.

His hunting prowess had grown formidable, with a diverse array of beasts falling prey to his skills - from majestic elks to fierce wolverines.

Though proud of his accomplishments, Malakai couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration.

He longed to see his opponents' strength, to gauge their power as easily as he could his own.

It would make initiating battles so much easier, and he wouldn't find himself on the receiving end of a thrashing when he misjudged an opponent one day.

Malakai's gaze drifted to the quest progress, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the numbers.

50 AP acquired, with 50 more required to reach his goal.

A sense of determination washed over him, fueling his resolve to continue hunting, to keep pushing forward until he achieved the coveted level 1.

The landscape unfolded before them, a seemingly endless expanse of snow and ice.

Malakai's family continued on, their paws leaving behind a trail of faint impressions in the powdery snow.

Suddenly, another howl pierced the air, this one closer and more menacing than the last.

He was beginning to suspect that a pack of wolves was closing in on them, their howls growing louder and more frequent.

Without hesitation, Akira took charge, her maternal instincts kicking in.

She knew that as the strongest member of their family, it was her duty to protect her kin.

With a swift gesture, she motioned for Malakai to take the lead, his hunting skills and agility making him the perfect scout.

Meanwhile, Akira positioned herself at the rear, her piercing gaze scanning the horizon for any signs of danger.

Her tail twitched with anticipation, her muscles tensed and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

Amari, still young and vulnerable, was nestled safely in the middle, her eyes wide with wonder and a hint of fear.

She clung closely to her mother's fur, seeking comfort in Akira's warmth and strength.

As they journeyed on, the howls grew louder and more intense, the pack's presence closing in around them.

Malakai's senses were on high alert, his ears perked up and his nose twitching with every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves.

The family moved in a team, their paws padding softly on the snow-covered ground.

Akira's eyes never left the horizon, her gaze fixed on the distance, searching for any sign of the pack.

Malakai led the way, his heart pounding with excitement and a hint of fear.