Kat PoV
After making myself a full course meal last night simply because I wanted to splurge before traversing the depths of a hostile forest, I managed to lull myself to sleep easier than normal, my temporary abode proving to be rather cozy at night with all the changes I had made to it.
A simple fire and some blankets made the hardwood floor bearable, and at this point sleeping on something besides a bed was easier than sleeping on an actual bed, so...
When I woke up early in the morning, I got up and reheated the leftovers of last nights dinner; some homemade noodles covered in a thin white wine sauce, thin slices of mammoth steaks, and a small salad made from iceberg lettuce with some small tomatoes and olives.
Everything was delicious, and I nodded to myself as I began to clean everything out, making sure I wasn't leaving behind much of a trace of my stay here as I gathered up my gear and dressed.
Strapping all my weapons and pouches on, I left the abandoned building and made my way back onto the main road, where I began to walk towards the north, which led out into the plains that separated Nevrokopi State and the forest.
Like before in Polaris City, I needed to wait in a line to leave the city, since another large set of farmland was surrounding the outside of Nevrokopi.
Getting through took some time, but once I was out I began to journey along the road on my own, passing by the various groups traveling towards the different villages and hamlets situated around Nevrokopi.
Many of the travelers watched as I jogged past them, my bouncing pack and fluffy tail drawing attention.
A few called out as they sat in their wagons and carriages, but I simply waved them off as I continued forwards alone, not wanting to deal with others at the moment.
Some would be kind and helpful, others would prove to be more of a nuisance than anything else.
No need to bother with them when I'll do better on my own.
So, like before, I lost myself to the joys of my feet pounding against the stone road as I ran, slowly increasing my speed as less and less people remained around me.
I made sure to keep my speed at reasonable displays whilst I was around a larger group, but the less people there were the quicker I went, hoping to reach the forest sometime around noon.
It wasn't a far journey from the city; probably around 30 miles, and since I had left around dawn, I should be able to cover that ground, especially with how few people lived this far from the city, and this close to the forest.
The anklet felt cool on my skin as I ran, nestled snuggle inside my boots where it would remain free from harm and out of sight, and I could feel it pulsing against my skin, supplying me the extra 10% AGI and 5% DEX.
I was excited for the possibility of upgrading it when I returned home, wondering if the challenge would spur Anput further into her forging career, while also curious if I could give these items to the girls as well.
If so, could you imagine Leone with an accessory that boosted her arcane prowess?
Or Jahi with her physical strength?
ƥαṇdα- ηθνε|·ƈθm Wouldn't that make them even stronger, allowing them to better protect themselves?
[It is something you can do, if you wish. But... each of those items are rather expensive, and how are you going to explain where you got them?]
That poured ice water on my mood, and I frowned as I thought about it.
'Maybe... maybe I could say I learned something while I was apart, some new kind of enchanting, but I don't really understand it? Something similar to how Leone summons that Orthus of hers, Janus, but doesn't actually know how she does it? That would work.'
[I guess it would, but the materials needed to create the base item are rather... expensive as well. That Anklet of the Zephyr is made from a composite material; Silver and Windstone. Silver isn't rare, but Windstone is. Now I shouldn't need to remark on how odd it would be if you started pulling rare material after rare material out of thin air, do I?]
'No... but still, a 10% buff to a primary stat and a 5% buff to a secondary stat is incredible... I'm sure I can think of something. Something that would allow them to accept the things I give them...'
Our talks had become more frequent as of late, and I was happy that the system was still present, the desire to converse with someone - even if they were in my head - helping to keep me saner than normal.
I bounced ideas off of the system as I ran, giving multiple reasons I could use to gift Jahi some ring that made her stronger, or a set of earrings for Leone that amplified her magics.
Anput would be a trickier pick, as she was a rather balanced physical fighter.
She moved quickly but still hit rather hard, and I imagine that I may have grown closer to her speed, but was still lacking in the power department.
Maybe I would just observe her in some more fights when we reunite, get a better idea on what she could make better use of...
Like I had predicted, as I was thinking to myself about what I would do when I reached home, I crested a hill and looked straight at the giant, wide forest that laid ahead of me, the trees thick and towering well overhead.
It looked like a snowy jungle, what with the various vines that drooped from the trees and the thick, overgrown roots at the bottom.
This was the forest, and inside were various tribes that ruled with an iron fist, each of them unique and each of them incredibly dangerous.
From here on out, I needed to make sure I was stealthy and quiet, so that I wouldn't attract the attention of those tribes.
I would be outnumbered and in harsh, unknown territory, so caution would be my watchword until I made it out on the other side.
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