Greyvale Forest stretched quietly beyond the northern outskirts of Greyvale City, a vast erald canopy swaying gently in the midday breeze.
Though often regarded as one of the region’s lesser forests, it still covered several kiloters, with its outer ring alive with wildlife and herbs that supported countless alchemists, hunters, and novice warriors.
Despite being just seven kiloters from the city walls, the forest was not seen as a threat, at least not to those wielding swords or possessing even a hint of mana.
Most creatures inhabiting these woods were relatively ta compared to the magical beasts in the Evergreen Mountain Range. The strongest beasts here rarely exceeded 2nd Order Common Beasts, which only added to the forest’s appeal.
For the residents of Greyvale City, this place served as a natural training ground. To 1-Star and 2-Star Warriors, it was their classroom; even bored nobles ventured here to test their strength, earn so coin, or gather herbs.
To the city guard, it was rely an area to patrol. And for a certain flat-chested little girl charging down the dirt road like a spark of golden lightning, the forest represented one thing, today’s playground.
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Mina bounded along the path, her enormous shield bouncing on her back with every step. Sunlight filtered through her twin ponytails as they swayed like golden pendulums.
She humd happily while weaving between carts, pedestrians, and market stalls as she approached the northern gate.
The guards at the checkpoint greeted her with smiles of recognition; they had seen her many tis before,sotis accompanied by her older sister and other tis on her own, often getting scolded for sneaking off.
But everyone in Greyvale City who possessed even a modicum of strength knew one undeniable truth: Mina may look like a child, but she was definitely not soone to underestimate or offend, especially when it ca to her elder sister.
After passing through the gate, Mina sprinted down the dirt road toward the forest. The trees grew denser as she ran; warm scents of wood, earth, and herbs filled the air. When she finally reached the entrance of the forest, she paused at its edge for a mont to take in the tranquil scene before her.
Towering oaks and silver-bark elms rose overhead, their leaves shimring like tiny green mirrors reflecting sunlight. Shafts of golden light filtered through branches above them, casting shifting patterns on the forest floor below.
Birds chirped from hidden branches while insects humd softly around her; faint rustling echoed through underbrush nearby. Far off in distance ca a snap of twigs,a sign either of a training warrior or perhaps a wandering boar.
Mina inhaled deeply with satisfaction written across her face. "Nice weather! Perfect for beating up so beasts," she declared proudly while smacking her fist against her shield.
Mina reached into her armor and pulled out the folded paper Sage had given her. The parchnt opened with a soft crackle.
While Cassian’s handwriting wasn’t particularly elegant, the illustrations were surprisingly good: a Moondew Pear glowing softly in blue, a Windwhisper Apricot resembling a lantern-like fruit, and the final sketch of a Silverlace Bloom.
"Hm... fruits first!" Mina chirped excitedly. "The notes say that Moondew Pears grow near water, while Windwhisper Apricots prefer windy cliffs or slopes. This should be easy!"
She tucked the parchnt away and strode confidently into the forest.
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Mina moved through Greyvale Forest with an infectious enthusiasm. While others tread cautiously, she practically glided among the trees, her steps light and rhythmic. Every rustle piqued her interest; every call from a creature made her eyes sparkle.
Barely five minutes in, she faced her first obstacle: a rust-brown creature scuttling out from behind a rock, a 1st Order Low-Level Barkhide Mole. It squeaked aggressively, baring its tiny fangs.
Mina stared at it.
The mole squeaked again.
With determination, Mina raised her fist.
In an instant, the mole turned tail and fled into the nearby bush with a pitiful cry.
"Hmph! I thought so," she huffed as she continued on her way.
After navigating shallow streams and gentle hills, she eventually arrived at a small clearing. A narrow brook andered across the ground, its crystalline waters shimring with pale blue light,the unmistakable glow of mana-fed springs.
Her eyes widened in delight.
At the water’s edge grew clusters of soft blue fruits hanging low on their branches, glistening like morning dew droplets.
"Moondew Pears! Sir Cassian’s notes were spot on!"
She broke into a sprint toward the tree but skidded to a halt as sothing roughly cow-sized lumbered into view.
A Crimson Tail Boar stood before her, its tusks stained with dried mud and fur gleaming like polished rusted tal. A faint red glow pulsed from its thick tail, crackling with mana energy. Its beady black eyes fixed on Mina with territorial hostility.
Mina glanced between the fruit and the boar several tis before pouting slightly. "Oh... you’re guarding my mission target."
The boar snorted violently, kicking up clumps of soil as steam billowed from its nostrils. Its tail glowed brighter by the second; even the ground trembled beneath its hooves.
Sighing dramatically, Mina said, "Fine... let’s get this over with. Petty Uncle Sage did say I should hurry."
With a guttural bellow that echoed through the clearing, the boar charged at her.
The mont the boar’s hooves struck the ground, a shockwave rippled behind it. The Crimson Tail Boar charged forward with surprising speed, its tusks glinting nacingly as it barreled straight toward the petite girl.
Mina didn’t flinch. Instead, she dropped her weight, braced her feet, and rested her hand on the hilt of the giant shield strapped to her back.
The boar thundered closer—twenty ters, ten ters, five...
Then Mina moved. With a faint thud, the ground cracked beneath where she had stood. She shot forward in a burst of speed, shield still secured behind her, fist clenched and pulled back.
Her small fra beca a blur.
The boar barely had ti to register her movent.
BOOM!
Her fist connected squarely with its face.
A shockwave reverberated through the clearing as the boar’s skull compressed inward. Its massive body lifted off the ground and spiraled sideways, crashing through a bush before skidding across the earth.
Mina landed lightly, golden ponytails bouncing as she wiggled her fingers.
"Ow... that hurt a bit..." she muttered with a frown while shaking out her hand. "You’ve got thick bones for an ugly pig."
The boar groaned and struggled to rise; its snout was fractured and dripping blood. It wasn’t dead but it was furious.
With a maddened roar, it thrust itself upright and charged again, tail blazing crimson. Sparks crackled around its hooves as rage amplified its strength threefold boosting it’s strength to the lower end of 2nd Order; it beca a blur of fury.
Mina regarded it with an expression that hovered between boredom and mild annoyance.
"That technique again."
She crouched low, shield still untouched.
As the boar lunged forward, she jumped, using her small size to slip under its tusks, and planted her feet against its chest. Her palms struck the ground...
Then she vaulted upward, flipping gracefully as she brought her fist down like a hamr onto the beast’s exposed spine.
CRACK!
The forest echoed with the sound.
The boar let out a strangled cry before collapsing onto the ground, legs twitching uncontrollably.
Mina rolled once on the grass and stood up, dusting off her clothes. "Hmph! Don’t guard fruits if you can’t even take one punch. Petty Uncle Sage could beat you up with his eyes closed."
If Sage were here, he would have rolled his eyes at that remark. He couldn’t even handle chickens, let alone face off against a 1st Order Low-Level Beast like this Crimson Tail Boar. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t around.
Mina approached the twitching boar, gently poked its cheek, and confird it was unconscious.
With a swift motion, she drew her dagger, cracked open its skull, and extracted the beast core. Turning her gaze toward the Moondew Pear tree, a grin spread across her face. "These pears better be worth it," she muttered.
She carefully plucked several glowing fruits, placing them into the cloth pouch tied at her waist. The sweet aroma wafted up to her nose, making her stomach rumble with anticipation.
"...Maybe one won’t hurt. The mission did say I should bring ten Moondew Pears."
After a brief internal debate, she snatched one from the tree and took a tiny bite. Her cheeks puffed out with delight.
"Sooo sweet! I’m definitely taking a few extra."
With the pears secured in her pouch, Mina ventured deeper into the forest.
According to legend, Windwhisper Apricots thrived in breezy areas, often on steep slopes or rocky ledges where mana currents danced most freely. It didn’t take long for Mina to find such a spot.
Half an hour later, she stood beneath a rocky ridge as wind swept across the stones with a soft hum. High above on a jagged outcrop hung pale green fruits that glowed faintly in the breeze.
"There they are!" Mina exclaid with excitent. "Windwhisper Apricots!"
She climbed swiftly, hopping from stone to stone with nimble grace. Just as she reached the ledge and grabbed one fruit, an unsettling feeling crept over her, she sensed eyes watching her.
She froze and turned slowly.
Another Crimson Tail Boar stood on a nearby slope.
Its tail flicked nacingly.
Mina sighed in exasperation. "Really? Again?"
The boar charged at her.
Mina braced herself, exhaled deeply, then punched the air with determination.
Her fist didn’t connect with the boar; instead, it struck the wind itself. A compressed blast surged forward, slamming into the beast’s forehead with a resounding crack. The boar’s feet lifted off the ground as it flipped backward and tumbled down the rocky slope with a pained squeal.
Dusting off her fist, Mina remarked dryly, "Annoying pork chop." She pulled out her dagger again to split open its head and retrieve another core for her growing collection.
After plucking the remaining apricots from their perch on high branches, she placed them gently beside the pears in her pouch.
"That’s two down. One more left..."
Determination ignited in her golden eyes as she gazed deeper into the woods ahead of her.
"Petty Uncle Sage better praise after this," she thought resolutely. "I’m risking my tiny life here."
With her shield bouncing behind her rhythmically, Mina marched boldly toward whatever challenge awaited next.
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