Roh couldn’t help but feel awkward around Lorne, feeling a little embarrassed and unsure of how to act around her. He tried to focus on guiding Noona and the journey ahead, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of Lorne's arms around him and the way her breath tickled his ear.
They rode in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.
As they set off towards the town, Roh couldn't wait to see what adventures and challenges lay ahead. He was grateful to have Lorne, Taro and the Noona by his side, and he was determined to make the most of their journey together.
Roh urged Noona forward as they navigated the rocky and barren landscape, moving quickly over the hardy grass and scrub brush. The auroch was sure-footed and agile, effortlessly making her way through the rough terrain.
As they ventured deeper into the Silvergrove, the rugged, unpredictable terrain gradually transitioned to a smoother, even pathway. Noona quickened her pace, her strong muscles undulating powerfully beneath them as she galloped. The woodland thickened around them, the towering trees closing in like an emerald sea, their rustling leaves whispering secrets in the wind. Her hooves pounded rhythmically against the forest floor, marking their passage through the ethereal woodland.
As they rode through the forest, they were able to take in the beauty of the forest in a way they couldn't on foot, they felt the cool breeze blowing through their hair and the smell of pine and wildflowers. Noona seemed to know the way and with her powerful legs, she was able to navigate through the sharp cliffs and jagged stones.
They left the rocky and barren landscape behind, and they felt like they were in a different world altogether.
After a period of time riding, Roh and Lorne decided to dismount Noona. They both felt the need to stretch their legs and give their mount a break from carrying them. They led Noona to a nearby clearing, where she could graze on the lush grass.
As they stepped off Noona's back, Lorne let out a sigh of relief, "It feels good to be on solid ground again," she said as she stretched her legs. Roh nodded in agreement, "Yeah, it's been a while since we last stopped. Noona could use a break too."
As Lorne walked ahead of him, Roh took it as an opportunity to examine her character as he had been wanting to know more about her character since they first met, but hadn’t had a good opportunity until now.
Lorne's attire was the epitome of a badass monk. She wore a form-fitting tunic of midnight black, its fabric a blend of silk and shadow, hugging her lithe frame as she moved with feline grace. Intricate, silver embroidery adorned the garment, depicting ancient runes and symbols that whispered tales of power and mysticism.
Around her waist, a wide belt of supple, dark leather held a myriad of meticulously crafted pouches and loops, each filled with the tools and trinkets befitting a seasoned adventurer. Her legs were encased in snug leggings, woven with enchanted fibers that seemed to shimmer and flicker with every stride, like the dance of a thousand fireflies in the night.
Her feet were clad in sturdy, yet lightweight, boots made of dragonhide, their soles nearly silent against the ground. The boots, reinforced with metallic accents, bore the scars of previous battles.
The crowning glory of her ensemble was a flowing, hooded cloak that seemed to ripple and sway with a life of its own. Imbued with the hues of twilight, the cloak draped over her shoulders and cascaded down her back, the edges trailing like tendrils of mist.
In this attire, Lorne's presence resonated with an air of untamed power, her every movement a symphony of strength and precision. It was clear she was a force to be reckoned with, a master of her craft and an invaluable ally in these treacherous realms
Roh's gaze, as sharp as a falcon's, locked onto her center, causing the virtual air to tingle with electric anticipation. Within seconds, a radial dial shimmered into existence, suspended in the world space like a constellation of possibilities. The diegetic UI, awash in iridescent hues, was an elegant marriage of form and function.
His eyes flitted from one option to another, finally resting on 'Inspect.' The choice pulsed with a subtle vibrancy, as if infused with the essence of Lorne's digital soul. As Roh's unwavering gaze filled the option, the radial dial responded, peeling back the layers of Lorne's virtual persona.
Lawless Lorne - Level 8
Title: Skilled Pursuer
Harnessing both physical prowess and mental discipline, Lorne has become a formidable hunter in their own right.
Race: Half-elf
Class: Monk
Background: Outlander
Primary Attributes (Vitals):
HP: 500/500
Defense: 15/15 (Natural Defense)
Ki: 100/100
Stamina: 330/330
Vigor: 3/3
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Lorne turned around and caught sight of Roh staring intensely at her. "Oh, I see you're admiring the view. Careful, though - prolonged staring may lead to a crush, and I don't want to be held responsible for any broken hearts!"
Roh's face flushed a deep crimson, his eyes darting away for a moment as he stuttered an apology. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" He swallowed hard, his hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I was just... umm... inspecting your character!" He chuckled nervously, trying to regain his composure.
She let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she placed a hand on her hip. "Well, in that case, Inspector, I hope my character has left a good impression. Just remember, it's not polite to stare too long – even if you're conducting an investigation!" She winked playfully, a warm smile gracing her lips as she took the situation in stride.
Deciding to change the topic, she gestured towards the surrounding forest. "Shall we explore the area?" They strolled around the clearing together, immersing themselves in the sights and sounds of the lush woodland. Lorne marveled at the beauty of the vibrant foliage, while Roh kept his eyes peeled for tracks and signs of any other presence in their vicinity.
Skill Level Up! Tracking Lv3
New Active Ability – [Identify Species Lv2]
You can now identify the useful materials that can be obtained from a behemoth. When activated, this ability will scan the behemoth and display a list of potential materials that can be dropped or harvested, along with their rarity and value.
+50 Behemoth Research Points
BESTIARY
Discoveries 2%
Behemoths
Unlocked! Research Level 2 - Materials
Roh's face filled with joy and contentment as he realized the potential of the new ability he had unlocked.
Upon examining the available options, Roh accessed his Bestiary. Excitement washed over him as he discovered that he had unlocked the second research level. He eagerly scrolled down the page, where he was pleased to see that the section below the Zulgarn's materials, which had previously been empty, was now overflowing with new and valuable details.
Behemoth Materials - Zulgarn:
Dropped:
Zulgarn Claws - Common
Carved:
Thick Zulgarn Hide - Uncommon
Bony Zulgarn Plates - Uncommon
Behemoth Armor Set - Zulgarn:
Zulgarn Helm - A fearsome helmet crafted from the bony plates of the Zulgarn. The helmet features menacing horns and spikes that strike fear into the hearts of its enemies.
Zulgarn Chestplate - A heavy chestplate crafted from the thick hide of the Zulgarn. The chestplate provides excellent protection against physical attacks and bladed weapons.
Zulgarn Gauntlets - Powerful gauntlets crafted from the claws of the Zulgarn and reinforced with bony spikes. The gauntlets grant increased strength and damage in close combat.
Zulgarn Greaves - Sturdy greaves crafted from the bony plates of the Zulgarn. The greaves provide exceptional protection against physical attacks and bladed weapons.
Set Bonus: [Zulgarn Rampage]
When wearing the full Behemoth Armor Set for the Zulgarn, the player gains the Zulgarn Rampage ability. Once per hunt, the player can activate this ability to transform into a powerful Zulgarn, granting increased strength, speed, and damage resistance for a limited time. The transformation also causes a shockwave that stuns nearby enemies and knocks them back. This set bonus is incredibly powerful and can turn the tide of any hunt, making it a highly coveted armor set for skilled hunters.
That armor set looks insane. I need to get it! Roh closed the Bestiary and put it away.
They decided to take a break and rest for a while, taking in their surroundings and enjoying the tranquility of the forest. Lorne sat down on a nearby rock, and Roh unsheathed his skinning knife and analyzed its sharpness.
Skinning Knife Sharpness: Blunt
Note: Blades in the game ranged from:
* dull at less than 25% sharpness,
* blunt at less than 50%,
* sharp at less than 75%
* and honed at over 75%.
The sharpness affects the overall effectiveness of a weapon’s blade: the base damage, critical damage, crit chance as well as how often a blade bounces off a target’s armor and thus whether the attack results in a miss.
Hmm… definitely needs sharpening. Roh sat on the ground, sharpening his knife with practiced precision on a whetstone. He ran the blade along the whetstone, the sound of metal on rock filling the air.
Nice, almost at 100 percent! As he honed his blade with steady strokes against the whetstone, Roh glanced over at Lorne, admiring her focus as she went over her gear, checking for any signs of wear or tear. She looked up and caught his gaze, a small smile playing on her lips. Roh quickly looked back down at his knife, feeling a flush rise in his cheeks.
Roh continued to sharpen his knife with a steady hand, the sound of metal scraping against stone filling the air around them. He looked up from his work to see Lorne's face etched with worry, her eyes scanning the forest. The tension in her body was palpable, and he could feel it radiating off her like waves of heat.
"Is everything okay?" Roh asked, concern lacing his voice. He could feel his heart rate increasing as he took a step closer to her, his senses on high alert. "You seem a bit on edge."
Lorne hesitated before responding, her eyes still scanning the area. "I can't shake the feeling that we're being watched," she said in a hushed tone, her voice barely above a whisper.
Suddenly, they heard a snapping sound coming from the bushes nearby, and they both froze in place. They exchanged a quick glance, and Roh could see the uncertainty etched on Lorne's face.
"What was that?" Lorne whispered.
Roh gripped his knife tighter, his knuckles turning white as he prepared himself for the worst. "I don't know, but I'm ready for it," he said, his voice firm.