The path into the hollow was narrow and lined with charred trees, their blackened trunks standing like silent sentinels. A thin haze of smoke drifted in the air, mingling with the early morning mist.
Kai's heart pounded with anticipation. This was more than a simple ingredient hunt — it was a test of skill, courage, and intuition.
He kept his senses sharp, eyes scanning the underbrush for any sign of the Emberleaf. The System's tier notification echoed faintly in his mind:
[Tier 2 Ingredient Detected Nearby]
A faint glow pulsed beneath a pile of ash and embers. Kai knelt down, brushing away the ash carefully.
There it was — a cluster of leaves glowing with a subtle ember-red hue, veins pulsing like tiny fires.
Emberleaf.
As he reached out to pick the herb, the ground trembled slightly. From the shadows, a massive, ash-coated forest serpent slithered into view, eyes like molten gold fixed on Kai.
The creature was a guardian of the hollow, an ancient protector of the forest's rarest gifts.
Kai's hands tightened into fists. His mana surged.
[Activate Skill: Flame Artistry I] – 15 MP
Flames burst to life around his hands, swirling like a fiery shield. The serpent hissed but did not attack, instead circling cautiously.
Kai spoke calmly, focusing his heat control to calm the creature's fiery spirit. Slowly, the serpent relaxed, allowing Kai to carefully harvest the Emberleaf.
With the herb in hand, Kai felt a surge of triumph — not just for the ingredient, but for mastering the balance between power and restraint.
Returning to the outpost, Kai presented the Emberleaf to the cooks and the weary soldiers alike. Their faces lit with hope.
[Quest Complete: Smoked Salvation]+60 XP+Tier 2 Emberleaf+Guild Favor +10
Status Update:
Level: 5
XP: 90 / 400
Mana: 10 / 10
Reputation: 62 (+10 Guild Favor)
Kai stood beneath the smoky skies, feeling the weight of the Emberleaf in his pack and the fire of ambition burning brighter than ever.
The next step in his journey had been taken. But the road ahead promised greater challenges yet.