The forest felt different when someone's life depended on him.
Kazuki glanced back at Lyria's unconscious form, her breathing shallow, her skin burning with fever. He had placed her beneath a cluster of glowing mushrooms whose dim light kept smaller beasts away. It wasn't a perfect shelter, but it was all he could manage.
A faint shimmer flickered in front of him—a system window, urgent and crimson.
Quest Activated: Save Lyria (Critical Condition)Objective: Craft a basic Elven Healing PotionRequired Ingredient: Moonsap Herb – Found in Deep Verdant JungleTime Remaining: 2 hours
Kazuki exhaled slowly. "Two hours… I'll make it."
He tightened his grip on his cracked sword. Lyria needed the potion to stabilize her fever. Without it, even her incredible magic wouldn't save her.
He stepped into the deeper jungle, the darkness thicker, the air heavy with damp moss and distant growls. Strange blue fireflies drifted through the trees like tiny ghosts.
"Just a herb," Kazuki muttered. "Not that hard… right?"
A twig snapped behind him. Something was watching. Something big. He swallowed, trying to ignore the prickling on the back of his neck.
But he pressed on.
The Search
The Moonsap Herb was supposed to glow faintly under moonlight. According to the system's guidance, it grew near water sources. Kazuki trudged forward until he reached a narrow stream reflecting the night sky like a silver ribbon.
"Come on… where are you?"
Then he saw it—tucked between rocks, a small plant with leaves shaped like crescent moons, glowing softly.
"Yes!" He knelt to pluck it—
A bellow thundered behind him.
Kazuki froze. Slowly, he turned.
A massive boar stepped out from the undergrowth, tusks long enough to pierce through armor. Its black fur bristled, breath steaming in the cold night air. Its eyes glowed crimson like heated iron.
A window popped up.
Forest Razorback – Level 15 (Elite Beast)Status: AggressiveWarning: Enemy level exceeds user level by 5. High risk of death.
Kazuki's stomach dropped. "Why is everything here trying to kill me!?"
The boar scraped its hoof against the ground, tearing soil apart.
Then it charged.
The Battle
Kazuki rolled aside as the beast thundered past him, shaking the earth. Its tusks slashed a tree in half like it was made of paper. The tree crashed to the ground with a thunderous crack.
Kazuki's heartbeat roared in his ears. "One hit from that and I'm dead!"
The boar wheeled toward him, snorting, steam rising from its nostrils.
Kazuki gripped his sword, forcing himself to breathe.For Lyria. If I run, she dies.
The boar lunged again.
Kazuki dodged behind a cluster of roots. The boar rammed them, getting momentarily stuck. Splinters flew.
Now.
Kazuki sprinted forward, swinging his blade into its exposed side. The sword cut deep, but not enough. The boar shrieked, blood spraying across the leaves.
Kazuki stumbled back, panting.
The beast ripped free of the roots, eyes burning with fury.
"Oh come on…"
It charged again—faster.
Kazuki braced himself and slid under its body, slicing upward along its abdomen. The boar howled, staggering forward. Kazuki rolled to his feet, lungs burning.
The boar spun, but its movements were slowing.
"Inhale… exhale… don't think, just move."
The boar lunged one last time. Kazuki met it head-on.
At the last second, he sidestepped and plunged his sword into its neck, using all his weight. The beast screamed, then crashed onto its side, lifeless.
Silence returned, broken only by Kazuki's ragged breathing.
Then the system chimed.
Enemy Defeated: Forest Razorback (Lv. 15)EXP Gained: 950
A bright pale light wrapped around Kazuki as the notification continued.
Level Up!Level: 12 → 13
Kazuki collapsed to one knee, exhausted but alive.
"…I actually did it."
New Power Awakens
Another window unfolded before him.
New Skills Unlocked (3):
1. Herbal Insight (Active/Passive)Allows the user to identify medicinal plants, their effects, and safe harvesting methods.
2. Basic Medicine & Potion Crafting (Active)User can create low-tier potions, salves, and antidotes using raw ingredients.
3. Combat Instinct (Passive)Sharpens reflexes during battle. Slight boost to agility and prediction.
Kazuki stared at the skills, breath catching in his throat.
"Medicine… potion crafting… I can actually save her now."
The system chimed again, offering a simplified recipe.
Recipe Unlocked: Basic Elven Healing Potion
Moonsap Herb (1)
Pure Water (1)
Neutralizing Flower Powder (Auto-synthesized by skill)
Craft?
Kazuki hesitated. "Not here. I need to get back to Lyria first."
He plucked the glowing Moonsap Herb gently, careful not to damage the fragile leaves. The plant pulsed softly in his hand, filling the air with a cool fragrance that eased his exhaustion.
He wiped blood and dirt from his face.
"And I should grab something to defend myself with…" His sword was cracked nearly in half. One more hard hit and it would shatter.
But there was no time to search for a replacement.
Lyria was waiting.
Return Through the Dark
Kazuki hurried back through the forest, clutching the herb tightly. Monsters prowled behind the trees, but none approached. Perhaps the blood of the boar still clung to him. Perhaps they sensed the determination burning inside him.
When he reached the glowing mushrooms, he nearly collapsed in relief.
Lyria lay where he left her, breathing shallowly, her skin pale beneath the fever's flush. She looked fragile, breakable.
Kazuki knelt beside her.
"Hang on. I found it."
He opened the crafting window.
Craft Elven Healing Potion?Yes / No
Kazuki pressed Yes.
Light swirled around the ingredients. The herb dissolved into glowing particles. Water gathered and condensed in his cupped hands. A gentle warmth refined the mixture, soft green light solidifying into a small vial filled with shimmering liquid.
Crafting Complete: Elven Healing Potion (Basic)Effect: Stabilizes critical condition. Restores vitality and lowers fever.
Kazuki exhaled shakily.
He carefully lifted Lyria's head and let the potion trickle past her lips.
Her breathing steadied almost immediately. Her fever subsided from burning heat to a manageable warmth. Her complexion softened, tension melting from her brow.
Kazuki's shoulders sank in relief.
"You're safe… for now."
He sat beside her, sword resting across his knees, watching the treeline.
The night was far from over.But he wasn't afraid anymore.
As long as Lyria needed him—
He would fight the whole world if he had to.
END OF CHAPTER 6