Rested and mentally reset after the frustrating dead end in the Decrepit Archive, Drake logged back in. The encounter with the [Spectral Librarian] had been a valuable, if irritating, lesson: perfect physical execution meant little against specialized defenses. It reinforced his decision to prioritize reaching Silverhaven and seeking out Elder Jian regarding the mysterious Alvari artifacts. That path felt like it held the keys to deeper aspects of this world, potentially including answers to problems like physical resistance.
He moved through the woods at a rapid pace. While traveling, he kept [Relic Hunter] active, constantly scanning his surroundings beyond just looking for enemies. He paid attention to the faint highlights the skill provided – unusually dense patches of flora, oddly eroded rock formations, trees struck by lightning millennia ago. After about an hour of travel through the woods, the skill highlighted a specific area near the base of an ancient, gnarled oak tree, focusing on a patch of unusually thick, overgrown roots.
"Anomaly detected. No obvious reason for it... maybe just dense roots?" [Perfect Recall] offered no specific NPC dialogue connected to this particular tree. Trusting the skill itself, Drake approached and used his sword to carefully hack away the thickest roots near the base. Beneath them, tucked into a hollow shielded by the wood, was a small, rotted leather pouch, clearly hidden intentionally. He picked it up.
<< Item Acquired: [Minor Healing Potion] x3! >> << Item Acquired: [Minor Stamina Potion] x2! >>
"A hidden cache. So Relic Hunter doesn't just work with recalled clues, it can spot generic hidden stashes too. Very useful. Potions are always good to have." He stored the consumables. It was a minor find, but it validated the constant stamina drain of keeping the skill active during travel.
He continued northward, eventually leaving the familiar Oakhaven Woods region behind. The terrain began to change, the dense forest giving way to rolling hills and wide, grassy plains dotted with rocky outcrops – likely the area known as the Whispering Plains according to his world map data. The mobs shifted too, Level 12 Plains Striders (large flightless birds) and Level 13 Stonehide Boars becoming common. They were slightly tougher, but still fell quickly to his perfected combat routine.
He followed an old, barely discernible track across the plains, likely a former trade route. [Relic Hunter] highlighted one of the weathered stone trail markers alongside the path, indicating faint tool marks near its base, similar to the statue back in Oakhaven. Simultaneously, [Perfect Recall] dredged up a relevant piece of information – not NPC dialogue this time, but a generic loading screen tip he'd seen briefly: "...Ancient travelers often used trail markers as emergency supply drops or hidden message posts..."
Intrigued, Drake examined the base of the marker where [Relic Hunter] indicated the disturbance. He scraped away some dirt and found a small, flat stone that looked out of place. Lifting it revealed a small cavity beneath, containing another small, decaying leather pouch.
<< Acquired: Silver Coins x 50! >>
"Fifty silver just hidden by a random marker? Excellent find. This skill synergy is definitely paying for itself." The cost of learning [Relic Hunter] felt more justified with every discovery.
The steady stream of experience from clearing dozens of Level 10-13 mobs across two zones with maximum efficiency, combined with the small EXP bonuses from the hidden cache discoveries, finally pushed him over the next threshold.
Ding! LEVEL UP! You are now Level 12! << Base Attributes Increased! HP/MP/Stamina Increased! +2 Attribute Points Available! >>
He allocated the points immediately while walking (focusing STR and PRE), feeling the familiar subtle increase in his power. Making good time, proving the consistent value of his combat perfection and his newly acquired exploration skill, Drake pressed onward deeper into the Whispering Plains.