Year 1, Summer, Third Month, Second Week.

The early dawn found the hunting party gathering at the village's protective barrier. The village, usually quiet at such an hour, buzzed with activity as a crowd gathered to bid them farewell.

Amid heartfelt goodbyes from family and friends, the team meticulously checked their gear. Their numbers had swelled to eleven, including four carriers and the new additions to the fighters: Carion and the twin sisters, Samia and Sania.

They adopted a protective circular formation, trekking through the dewy plains towards the stream. Within this circle, Karl stood with four other young villagers – three boys and a girl – carrying wooden boards in pairs.

Karl, assigned a support role and tasked with locating resources, carried only a spear. His eyes darted across the landscape, searching for materials. Beside him, the carriers, visibly nervous on their first journey beyond the village, armed only with magic knives strapped to their waist.

These boards were Karl's ingenious idea, later named light carriers, for transporting heavy materials. He had imprinted two distinct Runes along their edges. The first, a Toughness Rune, reinforced durability. The second, a Lightness Rune, reduced the weight of the boards, a concept Karl had struggled to comprehend in his recent studies.

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In order to understand the Rune, Master AI introduced Karl to the complex idea of gravity – a force that drew objects downwards. The lessons revolved around the understanding that gravity's pull gave objects their weight. By lessening this force, an object could be made lighter.

Karl’s grasp of the concept solidified through numerous experiments with falling objects, sometimes allowing them to drop freely, other times manipulating them with added weight or his own strength.

The Lightness Rune, thus, had the potential to diminish the gravitational pull on the boards, the extent of which hinged on the precision of his Runework and the available magical energy. It couldn’t nullify gravity entirely, but it significantly eased the burden, making their journey more feasible.

Unfortunately, the Rune was especially demanding on energy, so to power it, they had gathered all the available energy crystals from the village's water extraction tools, knowing.

Diana, due to her unmatched reflexes, assumed the lead of their circular formation, ready to strike or defend at a moment's notice. Flanking her were Toni and Carion, each wielding sturdy shields, positioned to swiftly aid either flank in case of sudden threats. Tael, Sania, and Samia were assigned to the rear. Their primary role was to watch for any unexpected dangers.

Diana advanced carefully, her sword ready to fend off any beast daring enough to approach. Toni, though trying to project assurance, displayed hints of anxiety, particularly towards the younger members. Tael, on the other hand, was immersed in his role, scanning their surroundings with keen eyes, bow at the ready.

Sania and Samia, surprisingly composed, clutched their metal daggers – a gift from their grandfather and a rare treasure amongst the villagers. Their focus was unwavering, as they too kept vigilant for potential threats.

Carion, beside Karl, gripped his shield nervousnessly while feigned composure. His attempts to appear calm were betrayed by his jittery reactions to every sound, and his occasional resentful glances towards the twin sisters hinted at deeper envy.

Their pace was brisk, pausing only when Karl spotted energy crystals or herbs worth collecting. They reached the stream in three hours, faster than anticipated. The newer members, unaccustomed to such rigorous travel, showed signs of fatigue, their bare feet bearing blisters and soreness from the journey. They were granted a well-deserved rest.

Meanwhile, Sania eschewed rest in favor of searching the stream for water crystals. Her efforts were not only rewarded by the discovery of the crystals but also by the soothing embrace of the cool, refreshing water.

Two hours later, with three newly acquired LQ water crystals in tow, the team reached the stony mountains. Their ascent over the rocky terrain was slow but steady, with the oddly shaped stones providing surprisingly good footing. The novelty of the environment distracted some of the newer members, but the experienced ones remained watchful and ensured the group's safety.

Karl used the collection stops as opportunities for the team to catch their breath, keeping exhaustion at bay.

In the midafternoon, Tael's sharp eyes caught sight of a meerkat-like creature, so engrossed in digging that it remained oblivious to their presence. He raised his bow, seeking approval from Diana and Karl with a questioning look. After exchanging a silent agreement with Karl, Diana motioned for the team to assume ambush positions. Toni and Samia moved stealthily to flank the creature, while Diana, Sania, and Carion formed a protective ring around the rest of the group. Their earlier discussions had emphasized the importance of safeguarding the team against potential threats during such unexpected encounters.

Within minutes, the party was strategically positioned. Diana nodded to Tael, signaling him to proceed. Recalling Old Bill's archery lessons, Tael took a deep breath, gauging the wind's direction and force. Satisfied, he released the arrow, which whistled through the air and struck the beast squarely in the head.

The air hung heavy with tension as the hunting party remained silent, their nerves taut with anticipation. For the newcomers, this was their first real confrontation with a wild beast, while the veterans were wary of potential ambushes. As the fallen beast lay still, Karl, accompanied by Toni and Samia, approached to gather the materials. Amidst the routine collection, Karl's keen eye caught a glimpse of a purplish crystal, half-buried beneath the soil where the beast was trying to dig. Master AI's voice echoed in his mind, revealing that it was a medium-quality (MQ) energy crystal. Karl's heart leaped with the revelation. How lucky could they be to find such a treasure without even looking for it?

After Karl had carefully extracted the blood and stowed the beast's remains on one of the light carriers, masking the scent of blood with a potent herb he had previously collected, the party resumed their cautious trek.

As dusk approached, the caves they sought came into view. Ensuring the area was clear of immediate threats, they meticulously reviewed their ambush plan. The strategy involved luring the wolves out with a blood-soaked cloth, strategically placed in a clearing accessible only through a narrow path.

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Diana moved to set the bait in place. Karl, Toni, and Samia positioned themselves near the narrow path, ready to spring into action. Tael and a visibly disgruntled Carion took their posts over the rocks. Meanwhile, the carriers, under Sania's vigilant watch, remained on standby.

After placing the bait, Diana swiftly rejoined the group at their hideout. Every member of the team was on edge, eyes scanning for any sign of danger.

After an agonizing wait of nearly forty minutes, a small rat-like creature emerged from a crevice near the bait. The team tensed, fearing the rat might inadvertently foil their plan by running off with the cloth. However, just as the rat neared the bait, a pack of six grey wolves appeared from a cave about a hundred meters to the north.

The wolves moved with cautious precision, baring their fangs at the sight of the rat. Their attention turned to the largest wolf, seemingly the leader, waiting for its signal. The alpha surveyed its surroundings with a careful gaze, oblivious to the lurking danger. Finding nothing amiss, it lunged towards the rat, signaling the commencement of the ambush.

In the swiftly unfolding chaos, the rat scurried to safety, narrowly escaping the clutches of the wolves now scratching the small hole it disappeared into. This momentary distraction provided Diana with the perfect opening. She gestured sharply to Tael, signaling him to take action.

Tael had already lined up a shot. The tension of the string hummed as he released the arrow, targeting one of the wolves that had momentarily stilled. The arrow whistled through the air, striking the wolf squarely in the head, felling it instantly.

The rest of the pack, sensing the sudden threat, grew agitated. Their keen ears quickly pinpointed the direction of the attack, but their assailant was positioned too high for them to reach. As Tael loosed another arrow, which narrowly missed its target, the alpha wolf made a split-second decision to flee towards the narrow path.

Toni, quick to react, moved to intercept them. He activated the Toughness Rune with an energy crystal, fortifying his shield. The wolves' charge was halted, and in that brief moment of disarray, Toni deftly stepped aside, making way for Diana's swift swordplay.

Her blade danced dangerously close to the wolves' snapping jaws, striking the alpha wolf in the chest. The wolf recoiled in pain, its ferocity undiminished. The party continued their coordinated efforts, but the wolves proved difficult to strike decisively.

Meanwhile, Tael, from his vantage point, diligently worked his bow, aiming for the less agile wolves. Despite his skill, the moving targets were challenging; he managed to wound one, which slowed it but did not bring it down.

Diana, dissatisfied with the stalemate, sought to create a larger opening. She called out to Toni, "Push them back! Create some space!" Gritting his teeth, Toni braced his shield with his shoulder, exerting all his strength to drive the wolves back.

Seizing the opportunity, Diana used the stone wall for leverage, propelling herself forward in a daring leap. Her sword aimed true, striking the alpha wolf's throat with lethal precision. The beast whimpered briefly before collapsing.

But victory came at a cost. In the heat of the moment, Diana found herself too close to the fray. Another wolf, seizing its chance, lunged forward and clamped its jaws onto her, marking the first injury of the ambush.

Karl's mind raced as he saw Diana caught in the wolf's vicious grip, but he forced himself to remain calm. This was exactly the situation he had prepared for, to provide crucial support in dire moments. His focus sharpened as he lunged forward, spear in hand, aiming a calculated strike at the wolf's neck. The wolf's growls turned into a pained yelp as it released Diana, its body collapsing under the force of Karl's attack.

Toni also sprang into action, his shield forming a barrier between them and the remaining wolves. The scene was chaotic, but Samia's demeanor remained eerily composed. As Diana struggled, Samia saw her chance. She darted swiftly, her dagger plunging decisively into the skull of one of the wolves. The attack was so sudden it left even her own team momentarily stunned.

Meanwhile, Tael took another shot, his arrow finding its mark in the previously wounded wolf. The pack, now sensing the heightened danger, launched a desperate counterattack.

Diana, injured and off-balance, struggled to maintain her fighting stance. Samia, having made her strike, was now retreating to the safety of Toni's shield. Karl, assessing the turn of events, made a split-second decision. He called for a retreat, instructing Toni to open an escape path for the beasts. His gamble paid off; the wolves, recognizing an escape route, bolted away, tails tucked, into the wilderness.

The immediate threat now gone, the team regrouped, their breaths coming in heavy sighs of relief. Diana, once safe, quickly regained her composure and began issuing orders to secure the area. Karl, still trembling, started to gather the precious materials from their fallen adversaries.

The tension that had gripped the group began to ebb, giving way to Carion's grumbling remarks. "If I’ve been in the ambush party," he complained, "things would have gone differently." Despite the seriousness of the situation, his childish words brought a slight easing of the atmosphere.

Karl, meanwhile, was fixated on Diana’s injury.

‘-- She is resilient, Karl. Nevertheless, lacking magical resistance, her wound is susceptible to inflammation. It’s imperative she receives proper care to prevent long-term impairment. Fear not, on our journey back, I’ll guide you to the proper herbs. It will aid her healing process --.’

Hearing those words, Karl finally felt relieved. With careful steps, the team approached the wolves' cave. Cautiously scanning for any hidden dangers, they ensured the area was secure before setting up camp as dusk silently approached.

Efficiently, they stored their hard-earned loot inside the cave and kindled a modest fire. Diana, her strength still present despite the wound, guided Tael in igniting the flames. They strategically positioned the light carriers at the cave's mouth, creating a partial barricade, careful to leave a large escape route for the smoke.

Karl, still concerned for Diana, persuaded her to rest, emphasizing the risk of losing her arm if acted recklessly. They shared a simple meal of bread and warmed vegetable soup before settling into their sleeping arrangements. They organized shifts to keep watch, ensuring everyone got some rest while maintaining their vigilance. The night was marked by occasional disturbances outside, but nothing that became a threat.

As dawn heralded a new day, they resumed their journey home, fortunate to encounter no further incidents along the way. Their stops were brief, aimed at collecting more crystals and finding the anti-inflammatory herbs Master AI had mentioned.

Upon reaching the stream, Karl located the plants with ease. He prepared a concoction from its leaves, grinding them with water. Handing it to Diana, he warned her of its peculiar taste. Diana drank it, making a face at the flavor but experiencing no adverse effects. The remaining dregs were applied to the wound. The party then continued on, each step bringing them closer to the safety of the village.

The journey back was relatively eased by the aid of the light carriers, now powered by the MQ crystal. Always observant, Karl had noticed Diana's uncharacteristic sullenness amongst the group's prevailing sense of relief. Sensing her disappointment, he approached her discreetly.

"Diana, what's troubling you?" he inquired gently. Diana glanced at him, the self-reproach clear in her eyes.

"I let one of those wolves get the better of me... I should have been more vigilant. The village, and Grandpa... they're counting on us, on me, and I feel like I let them down," she confessed in an unusual display of weakness.

Karl, taken aback by her ideas, responded with an encouraging smile, "You're being too hard on yourself. You've been our support. Without your guidance, we might not have made it out alive, let alone with such a haul. And hey, we all learn from our mistakes, right? Your encounter with that wolf? It gave Samia a real taste of battle and forced me to make some quick decisions. We've all grown from this experience. You should be proud, Diana. You've more than earned it."

Diana pondered his words, and slowly, a small but genuine smile crept onto her face. Her gaze lingered on Karl a moment longer, a strange appreciation for his wisdom lighting up her eyes.

'I hadn't realized how smart he really is...' she thought.

As the afternoon sun cast long shadows across the village, the team finally arrived home. This time, they brought more than magic meat home, they brought confidence.