Ch. 1.1 - Collecting Linterfillis

I was headed to the mountains located also on the southwest side of Baullheart Kingdom there are more chances of finding Linterfillis there...

It took me nearly an hour to travel to get from the mountains.

While I was searching in the mountains I noticed some places where a fight broke out. My guess that it was between the monsters and the World Breaker. From the monster raid, earlier.

“I don’t even know who the monster here is,” I gaspingly said.

I checked my equipment.

Ever since the World Breakers appeared, many monsters that were terrorizing the world decreased.

“They are truly the Heroes of this world. While I am here loathing them when I can’t even compare to their strength.” I exasperated.

I took some kunai from my bag and laced it below my waistline.

I walked closer to the fight and the aftermaths were just scary. I doubt there are hardly any monsters or animals nearby here. As I was talking to myself I stumble upon a Linterfillis rooted near a tree.

“It was a nice idea to walk around these parts. Good thing I read it somewhere in a book.” I smirked.

I read in a book about plants that Linterfillis usually grows in mountains and forests. The reason why they are easier to find there is that the Linterfillis stem is compatible with the mountain ecosystems.

"I should be able to collect 15 Linterfillis, today," I remarked.

I was wandering through the mountains and I was convinced that most of the monsters either flee away or gone hiding.

As I was busy harvesting the two Linterfillis, I felt a presence hiding in the bush to my rear. I readied my sword and carefully flung out a kunai towards the direction of the bush.

It passed through the bush, though there was no sound.

"Is it my imagination?" I asked myself.

Then suddenly, "Kraaa...," a dire wolf lunged at me. I evaded the attack sideways. I swung the sword towards the right leg of the dire wolf while he was still midair. The cut wasn't deep.

"Awooo...!" The dire wolf let out a cry signaling his allies. "If I am a Rank-C Adventurer I would run away however, I'm not that weak!" I shouted. I charged and gripped my sword as hard as I could and swung it hitting the neck of the dire wolf killing him.

As I looked back, I could already see a few dire wolves ganging up on me. Two of them charged at me and I stepped back a little and stab the dire wolf through the throat when he bit my arm and that gave the other dire wolves a chance to lunge at me. "Earth Pillars!" I chanted. Pillars from the ground emerged and pierced the dire wolves in midair.

"Haugh... haugh... Well, that was exhilarating. I should harvest these Linterfillis fast and go upwards." I said.

I gathered the claws from the dire wolves. Each dire wolf is equivalent to 1 silver coin. As soon as I finished, I head towards the higher grounds.

Meanwhile near the gates of the Baullheart Kingdom...

"We are assigned to a new task to subjugate the monster sighted inside the Thermite Cave. We will be accompanied by one of the Crownless Hero 'Cruceus-sama'." The Squad Captain announced. The soldiers cheered in excitement.

Usually, witnessing a World Breaker or a Crownless Hero is rare because mostly they are away on an expedition, somewhere in the Lost Continent.

Cruceus walked in.

The man was wearing a long coat with bright blue lines from the outer layer matching the color of his trousers with a vest inside of it, a pair of jet-black pointy shoes, his eyes were azure and he has his black hair that suits him well.

"Thank you for coming here today. The monster we are going to subjugate is a minotaur called 'Norjin" it is located at the depths of the Thermite Cave. I assume all of you are ready for battle. For the glory of Baullheart!" Cruceus declared. "For the glory of Baullheart!" The soldiers cried out.

The gates opened and they headed near the mountains where Astralish was...

"Sir, Cruceus-sama the fight between Maschenny-sama and the monster raid near the mountains ended already and she reported that she'll be waiting for you near the entrance of the Thermite Cave." The Squad Captain relayed the message.

"I see, so Maschenny is at the Thermite Cave. I guess we'll be able to finish things up in the Thermite Cave earlier than expected." Cruceus remarked, glancing at the window, gazing far beyond the horizon...

"I already have eight Linterfillis, this is going smoother than I thought," I remarked.

Thanks to the fight of the World Breaker, most of the monsters residing in this area are gone. I found a few Linterfillis just a few trees away.

I left the town pre-noon and the sun is already to set. I should find a place to sleep after I finish collecting these Linterfillis.

After I harvest the Linterfillis I saw, I now have 11 Linterfillis. "I should probably finish this quest tonight. Good thing, there are mountains near where I can finish quests like this and due to the scarcity of adventurers, many people are not wandering near this place.

I grabbed some wooden sticks and started a fire to cook.

When the sun descended and nightfall started, I put out the fire and use a magic potion for night vision that last 10 minutes. 

"After investigating the areas I think there are no more monsters in sight. I should use this opportunity to finish the quest already." I muttered.

I wanted to finish the quest earlier than what I had planned.

I jumped to a tall tree and used 'keen sight,' an intermediate magic spell that lets me see 500 meters ahead. I jumped from tree to tree after a while, I spotted 3 Linterfillis near the mountainside. "If I remember, this path is near the entrance to the Thermite Cave. Isn't that where those soldiers were headed to earlier?" I asked myself. "It's none of my business anyway, I should look at the mountains now that I am already here," I added.

I climbed the mountain and I could see the entrance of the Thermite Cave with 'keen sight'. 

I heard noises coming from the Thermite Cave and I could spot 6 Linterfillis near the entrance of the Cave.

As I get closer I could sense an eerie vibe coming from the entrance of the cave. I ran a little faster as I clenched my teeth...

I saw the bloodsheds...