11. Wither Forest
After returning home from the guild, I decided it was time to explore my inventory. The small, cozy room we lived in was quiet, with the soft crackling of the fire the only sound. I focused on the system, calling up the inventory screen, and a grid of items appeared before me. Most slots were empty, but one caught my eye: an old, worn book titled Magical Encyclopedia.
'What's this doing here?' I wondered as I pulled the book out from the inventory. The cover was faded, with magical runes carved into the leather, giving off a faint, mystical glow. As I opened it, the pages turned on their own, stopping at a detailed section about herbs and magi-creatures.
It was like having a living guidebook in my hands. The book detailed all the herbs found in Wither Forest, their appearances, locations, and even their uses. Flipping through the pages, I found an entry on Purple Tear Grass—the very herb I needed to collect for my first task.
"Purple Tear Grass," I read aloud, "a rare herb with petals shaped like teardrops, found near water sources, particularly around Wither Lake. Handle with care, as the grass is delicate and can easily be damaged. It is often guarded by magi-creatures, so be prepared for unexpected encounters."
I continued reading, my eyes scanning the precise description of its appearance and the precautions to take. The book even included sketches, making it easy to recognize the herb. The next section detailed the magi-creatures inhabiting the Wither Forest. I studied their weaknesses and strengths, preparing myself for any dangers I might encounter.
Once I had memorized the necessary information, I opened the map feature in my system. A detailed map of the Wither Forest appeared, showing my current location, the path to Wither Lake, and the places where the Purple Tear Grass was most likely to grow. I traced the route with my finger, planning my journey carefully.
Satisfied with my preparation, I closed the book and stored it back in my inventory. I could feel a mix of excitement and nervousness as I got ready for bed. 'This is it—my first real test as an adventurer.'
The next morning, I woke up early, the sunlight filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls. I cooked a simple breakfast—eggs and bread—and served it with a side of enthusiasm. Evan, who was already up, grinned at the sight of the meal.
"Morning, sis," he mumbled, stifling a yawn.
"Morning, sleepyhead," I replied with a smile, setting a plate in front of him. "Eat up. You need to be ready for your classes at the Town Magic School."
Evan blinked at me in surprise. "You're letting me go? But what about you? You're going to the Wither Forest alone?"
I nodded, giving him a reassuring pat on the head. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. You focus on your studies, okay? I'll be back before you know it."
He looked like he wanted to argue but eventually sighed, knowing better than to try and change my mind. "Okay… Just be careful, alright?"
"Promise," I said, crossing my heart for emphasis. With that, we finished our breakfast, and I saw him off, watching until he disappeared down the road toward town.
The journey to Wither Forest was uneventful at first. The path was well-traced, and the morning air was crisp and refreshing. As I approached the forest, the trees grew denser, their shadows stretching across the ground. The deeper I ventured, the more cautious I became, keeping an eye out for any herbs I might recognize from the 'Magical Encyclopedia'.
I managed to collect several common herbs along the way—Bitterleaf, Sunwort, and Mossweed. They weren't rare, but they could be useful for minor illnesses or sold for a small profit. I carefully placed each one in my inventory, muttering "[Collect]" to store them.
Finally, I reached the outskirts of Wither Lake. The water was eerily still, and the air was thick with a damp, earthy scent. I matched the surroundings with the description in the book, scanning the area for the distinctive teardrop-shaped petals of the Purple Tear Grass.
After a few minutes of searching, I spotted the first cluster of the delicate herb near the water's edge. The grass was even more beautiful in person, the purple petals shimmering faintly in the dim light. I crouched down and carefully touched the herb, muttering "[Collect]" under my breath. A golden glow enveloped the grass, and it disappeared, reappearing in my inventory.
'One down, nine to go,' I thought, feeling a surge of satisfaction.
I continued searching and collecting, my confidence growing with each successful find. When I finally collected the tenth herb, a soft ding echoed in my mind, and a notification popped up.
[Task Complete: Purple Tear Grass Collection]
[Reward: Trade Feature Unlocked]
The trade feature? feeling interested, I opened the new option in my system. A screen appeared, resembling an online trading platform. I could see listings for all sorts of items—herbs, potions, equipment—with prices attached. The names of the sellers were strange, almost like they were using pseudonyms.
I decided to register my own seller ID, choosing the name "Queen of Tears." With a name like that, maybe people would think twice before underestimating me. I posted two of the herbs I had collected, setting a fair price for them.
As I explored the trade options further, engrossed in the possibilities, I felt a sudden chill run down my spine. I froze, my senses on high alert. Something wasn't right.
Slowly, I turned around, my heart pounding in my chest. Emerging from the shadows was a creature I had only seen in the pages of the Magical Encyclopedia—a three-eyed wolf, its glowing red eyes fixed on me. The air around it crackled with it's magical energy, and a low growl rumbled from its throat.
My breath caught, and I instinctively reached for the dagger kept within my inventory. I had studied its weaknesses, but facing it in person was a whole different challenge.
'So much for a simple herb-collecting task,' I thought as I concentrated on it's every move, tightening my grip on the dagger as the wolf prepared to pounce.