"Adventure Quest: Verdant Hollow III"

Snake Calendar, Year 2025

5th Day of September, Monday to Friday

The Inner City of Nova Asta, Unity College of System Studies

The week began with Accel attending his usual Monday classes. Professor Lucan Ironwing opened the day with a lecture on The Rise of Systemic Empires, delving into how ancient civilizations adapted to the early forms of energy-based technology. His vivid storytelling captured Accel's attention, and the class passed swiftly.

Later that morning, Professor Elara Nightshade delivered a thought-provoking discussion on System Ethics and Philosophy. She covered "The Ethical Dilemmas of Energy Drain Skills," emphasizing the moral consequences of exploiting others' energy. Accel found himself debating with a classmate about the real-world applications of such skills, his curiosity piqued.

In the afternoon, Professor Calyx Duskward challenged the students with intricate tasks in System Studies and Interface Design. This week's assignment was to decode fragments of corrupted interface runes. Accel struggled initially but eventually pieced together the symbols, earning a rare, approving glance from the usually stoic professor.

Friday brought the highly anticipated lessons. Professor Amara Delvine introduced advanced techniques in System Magic and Energy Manipulation. She demonstrated how to stabilize volatile energy fields, a skill crucial for high-level adventurers. Dr. Kaleb Thorne's lecture on System Adaptability and Auto-Evolution explored how some systems dynamically evolved in response to user behavior. Finally, Instructor Maris Vyler conducted an outdoor session, teaching practical survival tactics, from identifying edible plants to setting up temporary shelters. Accel took extensive notes, knowing these lessons could save his life in the field.

That evening, Accel returned home to celebrate his 19th birthday. The Winchester household was filled with laughter as his parents and younger siblings gathered for a modest yet heartfelt celebration. His father shared tales of his youth, while his mother offered words of encouragement. His siblings presented him with handmade trinkets, their joy infectious. "Don't forget," his mother said as they shared a warm hug, "your family will always be here for you." The evening ended with Accel feeling a renewed sense of purpose.

Snake Calendar, Year 2025

6th Day of September, Saturday Early Morning

The Outside City of Nova Asta, Main Adventure Outpost

Accel arrived at the Main Adventure Outpost just as the sun began to rise. The mission board displayed a variety of quests, and he selected one labeled Easy Difficulty: Destroy a Small Slime Territory. Though labeled "easy," it was clear the sheer number of slimes could overwhelm the unprepared.

"Time to get this shit done," Accel muttered, tightening his armor straps.

Verdant Hollow – Slime Territory

The air in the hollow was thick and humid. Pools of acidic slime bubbled around, reflecting the faint morning light. Lesser slimes hopped aimlessly, but as Accel stepped closer, their movements turned aggressive. He drew his mixed sword and shield, exhaling sharply.

"Let's light it up. Kindle Spark!" A flame burst from his hand, striking the nearest slime and reducing it to a gooey puddle.

"Fuck yeah! One down." Accel smirked, advancing deeper into the territory.

A larger slime lunged at him with surprising speed. He raised his shield, but the impact sent him skidding back, acidic goo splattering his arm.

"Shit!" he growled, the burning sensation making him wince. Grabbing a potion, he poured it over the wound, neutralizing the acid. "That's it. You're fucking dead."

He charged, slashing with precision. His sword's hard strike created shockwaves that split the slime into smaller ones. "Oh, come the fuck on!" he yelled as the lesser slimes swarmed him. Pivoting, he bashed his shield into the mass, buying enough time to take them down one by one.

Another slime latched onto his leg, its acidic touch searing his skin. "Motherfucker!" Accel roared, hacking it off in frustration. Breathing heavily, he attempted to etch a Rune of Protection onto a flat rock. His first attempt fizzled out, leaving a faint glow.

"Goddamn it, work!" On the second try, the rune activated, casting a barrier around him. "Finally."

Using the brief reprieve, Accel drank a stamina potion and surveyed his surroundings. "These assholes just keep coming," he muttered, formulating a plan. He lured a cluster of lesser slimes toward a rocky choke point. Igniting the area with Kindle Spark, he watched as the fire slowed them down, giving him the upper hand.

Hours of relentless combat took their toll. Accel's shield was battered, and his armor was dotted with scorch marks. He found a secluded spot to rest, setting up a perimeter with Rune of Protection stones. Leaning against a tree, he bit into a ration bar. "Two more slimes left. Let's finish this shit."

The final two slimes were massive, their acidic bodies pulsating with energy. One launched a glob of acid that narrowly missed his face. "Fuck this!" Accel charged, dodging and weaving between their attacks. Channeling his remaining energy, he delivered a powerful hard strike, splitting one slime apart. The second tried to envelop him, but he smashed it with his shield, driving his sword into its core.

"Not today, asshole," he panted, collapsing onto the ground as the last slime dissolved. Collecting the slime cores, he muttered, "I am finally goddamn finish!"

Back at the Main Adventure Outpost, Accel handed over the slime cores. The quest officer nodded. "Good work. Here's your reward: 75 Copper Marks."

Accel pocketed the coins, a tired but satisfied grin on his face. "Next time, I'm taking on something tougher." With that, he headed to the lounge, ready to rest and plan for his next challenge.