Adrian stepped away from the imposing structure of the Adventurer's Association. The streets of the town bustled with people going about their daily business, but Adrian's eyes immediately noticed the signs carefully placed to guide newly registered adventurers.
It was a short, manageable walk from the main Association building to the gate. Soon enough, Adrian spotted the outpost ahead, positioned strategically near the towering walls that bordered the town.
Guards stood attentively by the entrance, their vigilant eyes scrutinizing everyone approaching.
As Adrian drew nearer, he saw them exchange confused glances, visibly taken aback by his youth. One guard, a stern-looking man with a heavy beard and a pronounced scar above his left eye, stepped forward and raised his hand to halt Adrian's progress.
"Hold it there, kid," the guard said gruffly. "The forest isn't a playground. You lost or something?"
Adrian suppressed the slight irritation bubbling inside him and simply presented his newly issued adventurer's license along with his bronze badge.
The guard accepted them with narrowed eyes, carefully inspecting both items and flipping the license back and forth multiple times.
"Well, I'll be damned," he muttered, surprise replacing the earlier suspicion. He shot a glance at his companion, who shrugged helplessly. "It checks out. This boy's a genuine adventurer."
Adrian stood before the forest's entrance, eyeing the magic formation that kept the wildlands secluded from the rest of Eldergrove.
The formation was a shimmering barrier that pulsed faintly with magical energy, acting as both a ward and a boundary.
While most of the forest's expanse was hidden behind this arcane shield, there was a clearly marked opening, a designated point of entry carefully guarded by the Adventurer's Association.
The guards, initially skeptical about Adrian's age, had allowed him through after inspecting his adventurer's license and verifying the authenticity of his badge.
With the formalities out of the way, Adrian stepped through the boundary and into the forest. The magical shield flickered as it closed behind him, and the thick canopy above swallowed up the light, casting the woods in an almost perpetual twilight.
Adrian paused and took in the scene before him. Towering trees and green grasses surrounded him. But the surroundings were still relatively quiet.
His immediate goal was simple: to harvest as many Magic Crystals as possible. He'd already learned that these crystals were a valuable resource.
He had to gather them quickly, as each crystal would be a stepping stone to furthering his inventions and gaining more resources for his research.
Without wasting a moment, Adrian checked his flintlock pistol, ensuring it was loaded with a fresh round. He checked the powder pouch at his side, confirming he had enough for a few more shots.
A single mistake could prove costly, and this forest was no place for someone who wasn't prepared.
"Alright," Adrian muttered to himself, tightening his grip on the pistol's handle. "Let's do this."
He began his search, walking at the periphery of the forest, where 1-star beasts typically roamed.
But after twenty minutes of walking, he hadn't spotted a single magical beast. Not even the faintest trace of one.
Adrian sighed, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. The sun was high above, beating down through the gaps in the trees, and though it wasn't unbearable, the heat made him more impatient.
'How can I find magical these beasts faster?'
It was at that moment that he decided to consult the Tech Core.
"Tech Core, do you have any suggestions for finding magical beasts faster?"
[Yes. A mana detector could help you identify mana signatures and magical activity in the area. This would significantly reduce the time you spend searching for beasts.]
Adrian's eyes lit up with the realization that he had not considered that possibility.
"A mana detector? How would I make one?"
[At the moment, I lack sufficient magic theory knowledge to explain. However, you could either purchase the knowledge from the system store or study more books on Magic theory.]
Adrian felt a small pang of frustration, knowing that none of the options were within his reach now.
'I wonder where I'll get such books in the future... I'll have to keep that in mind.'
With no better options at hand, Adrian decided to continue his search. He had plenty of time, and his current objective was simple enough.
As he continued through the woods, his mind remained focused on his task. After all, he had already been successful in his previous test. He was capable, and nothing would stop him from gathering the crystals.
Not long after, Adrian spotted movement again. Through the dense underbrush, he could just make out the flicker of orange fur.
[Analyzing...]
[Beast Identified: Ember Fox]
[Rank: 1-Star Magical Beast]
[Element: Fire]
Adrian nodded to himself, satisfied with the result. The Ember Fox, like the other 1-star beasts he had encountered, had elemental abilities — fire in this case — but its defenses were not particularly strong.
The fox, unaware of his presence, continued to trot along the forest floor, completely oblivious to the danger that lay ahead.
Adrian's finger hovered over the trigger, calculating the distance.
'I can't just shoot at it, there's a chance I'll miss. I'll rather make it come towards me.'
Adrian took a step forward, snapping a twig on purpose, which made the Ember Fox snap its head toward him immediately.
Adrian could see the beast's alert posture as it began moving toward him, cautiously at first, then with greater speed as it recognized a potential threat.
The moment it was within range, Adrian raised the flintlock and squeezed the trigger.
~BOOM!~
The sound was deafening in the still forest, and the bullet flew through the air with deadly accuracy.
The Ember Fox yelped as the bullet struck its side, causing it to stagger and fall.
[Congratulations! You have killed a magical beast!]
[Would you like to harvest its Magic Crystal?]
Adrian nodded quickly, mentally accepting the offer, and within moments, the crystal was safely transferred into his [Inventory], without leaving any trace or disturbance.
'I'll store the beast's body in the [Inventory] just in case I need it,' Adrian thought as he commanded the body to enter his inventory.
Without wasting any time, Adrian took another deep breath, reloaded his flintlock, and set off once again. The sun was starting to dip lower. He knew he had to move fast if he wanted to make the most of the day.
As Adrian walked deeper into the forest, he encountered more beasts — each a 1-star magical creature that presented its own challenge. Some were quick, others more cunning.
Some came close enough to be a challenge, but Adrian's quick reflexes and steady aim allowed him to strike them down before they could reach him.
After a long day of hunting, Adrian sat down on a large rock, sweat soaking his brow. He had successfully slain five more magical beasts, each yielding a precious Magic Crystal.
As he checked his [Inventory], he counted seven crystals in total... Which was more than amazing.
It hadn't been easy, though. There had been several close calls. Some of the beasts had come far too close, and he had only just managed to avoid being caught off guard.
If it weren't for his flintlock and his quick thinking, things could have gone very differently.
Despite these close calls, Adrian felt a sense of accomplishment. The flintlock had been invaluable in the fight, and he owed a lot to it.
His only regret was the frequent need to reload. He would have been able to achieve even more if he didn't have to reload after every shot.
Still, he couldn't complain. Six crystals was no small feat.
'Alright, time to head home.'