Twilight Forest Secrets
Twilight Forest stretched endlessly before me, trees towering and casting shifting shadows under the twin suns. Every step I took felt alive, the air thick with magic, pollen, and scents I could barely recognize.
Lumina hovered close. "Master… the deeper we go, the rarer the ingredients. But danger also grows."
I tightened my travel coat and opened my Online Grocery & Item Box, scanning for useful ingredients. Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum coins glimmered — not that I needed them for rare forest items, but they would help trade with humans and merchants I might meet later.
> [New Quest: Explore Twilight Forest and Collect Hidden Legendary Ingredients — Recommended Level: Intermediate Cook]
The first ingredient I spotted was Moonlit Herb, glowing faintly in the shadow of a giant oak. I summoned a small blade, carefully slicing a few leaves without damaging the roots. The herb's aroma was intoxicating — magical yet earthy.
As I moved deeper, a sudden rustle made me freeze. From behind a cluster of silver-leafed bushes, a massive wolf-like creature emerged — bigger than any Fenris I'd seen before, with fur glinting like starlight and eyes glowing amber.
I swallowed hard. "Another wolf… or worse?"
The beast sniffed the air and growled low, a sound that rattled my bones. I reached for the Online Grocery and summoned Aurora Bloom petals and Phoenix Yolk — not for cooking, but to distract and test the creature's temperament.
It sniffed cautiously, its tail twitching. I realized this was a guardian of the forest, protecting the rare ingredients inside.
> [System Message: First Contact with Legendary Beast — Assess Behavior Before Feeding]
I carefully prepared a small dish, Moonlit Herb Salad with Phoenix Yolk Drizzle, and laid it on a flat rock. The creature stared, then sniffed. Slowly, it ate. Sparks of energy radiated off its body, and I felt a surge in my own magical senses.
> [System Message: Legendary Beast Sample Fed — EXP +2,500 | Hidden Skill Mastery +0.5]
As the beast calmed, I explored further and found Starfire Berries hanging from a vine. But just as I reached for them, a branch snapped — louder than it should be. My heart raced. Another creature was nearby, and it didn't seem friendly.
I activated the Ingredient Fusion Mode, combining Moonlit Herb, Aurora Bloom, and a pinch of Starfire Pepper into a small portable dish to distract it. This time, the creature lunged — faster than I could react — and I barely rolled aside, keeping the dish intact.
> [System Alert: First Combat Test — Use Cooking Skill Strategically]
I tossed the dish forward. The creature sniffed, paused, and finally ate. Its aggression faded slightly, giving me a chance to observe its movements and territory.
I exhaled. "Twilight Forest… definitely not a place for beginners. But with the Online Grocery and a little creativity, I can handle it."
> [New Quest Update: Legendary Ingredients Collected — Moonlit Herb, Starfire Berries | Forest Beast Behavior Logged]
I knew this was only the beginning. The forest held even rarer ingredients, and creatures far stronger than this one would appear. But the possibilities excited me.
I glanced at Lumina. "Let's see what secrets this forest truly hides. Time to collect, experiment, and survive."
^New Journey awaiting