The soft hum of the hover train echoed in Evander's ears, a lulling melody in the rhythm of their journey. He sat, nestled closely with Arckit, their bodies a small island amidst the hustle and bustle of their surroundings. His hood was drawn over his face, a cocoon of anonymity that shrouded his identity from curious onlookers. The rustle of fabric and the occasional sway of the train were the only things breaking the comfortable silence between them.
Beside him, Arckit was a beacon of preparedness. Dressed in the hunting outfit he'd procured for her – a mix of practical fabrics, reinforced stitching, and layered magical armour that shimmered subtly under the train's artificial light. He admired her from the corner of his eyes, grateful for her steadfast presence. With her by his side, he felt he could navigate the labyrinthine city with relative ease, depending on her local knowledge and social skills to ease their passage.
He, on the other hand, maintained his low-key appearance. Dressed in nondescript dark clothes, he had opted out of wearing armour. The risk of exposure during the fitting process far outweighed any potential benefits the protection might offer. Thus, he relied on stealth and discretion, his best allies in this world where he was a stranger.
An electronic chime echoed through the train car, the synthesized voice announcing the upcoming station. The hover train began its gradual deceleration, and Evander felt the subtle shift of gravity as it came to a halt. His eyes, hidden beneath the hood, watched the ebb and flow of passengers. Dozens of women climbed aboard, their chatter filling the carriage with a lively hum.
As the crowd began to dissipate, he felt Arckit stir beside him. They got up, her hand resting lightly on his arm for balance as the train swayed. Together, they disembarked, stepping onto the platform, the city's great wall looming in the distance.
Arckit turned to him, a look of concern etched on her face. "It might be too late to head out," she suggested, her voice carrying a tremor of unease. He offered her a reassuring smile, his hand briefly squeezing hers. It's all going to be okay, he thought, hoping his comforting presence would dispel her doubts.
Suddenly, her eyes widened as if struck by a new thought. "We could hire a vehicle," she blurted out, her voice carrying an undertone of excitement. His gaze met hers, a shared spark of understanding flickering between them. A vehicle would indeed prove invaluable, not only for their journey into the wilderness but also to carry back the spoils from their monster hunt.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of his lips, his hand brushing against hers in quiet agreement.
Evander watched from a secluded corner as Arckit navigated the vehicle rental process. Her hands danced over the terminal, and he watched the familiar gleam of the money stone flash momentarily. His mind pondered on the magic and technology of this city - a blend that was both foreign and fascinating.
When she returned, her brow was creased in a frown. Her voice was tinged with a hint of annoyance as she relayed the cost of the rental, as well as the additional fees for insurance, their status outside the guild inflating the price significantly.
"Maybe I should just join the guild," she murmured, her eyes on the glistening money stone in her hand. "Might be worth it in the long run."
He nodded in agreement, but couldn't help the flash of concern that crossed his face. She's not sure about this... about hunting monsters as a livelihood. He had noticed her lingering uncertainty, a nagging doubt about this unconventional method of earning money. She wasn't fully convinced yet, and he understood her reservations.
Together, they moved towards their rented vehicle, a majestic beast of a machine that made his heart leap with anticipation. It was designed for all terrains, its magic-infused mechanism allowing it to float just above the ground. The vehicle was more akin to a truck, its large rear designed to haul the heavy bodies of vanquished monsters. There was even a sophisticated cable system installed to assist with pulling in their hefty catches.
The front cabin of the vehicle was a fortress on its own, with reinforced magical armor. The surface was littered with marks and scratches - telltale signs of encounters with creatures from the wilderness. It was a warrior's chariot, battle-scarred and seasoned.
His fingers brushed over the deep grooves etched into the side of the vehicle, each mark telling a silent tale of a struggle survived.
In just a little while, they found themselves beyond the city's daunting walls, the vast wilderness spread out before them like a canvas painted in shades of green and brown. A light breeze danced through the towering trees, rustling the leaves and making them sway, whispering secret tales of the wild. The sun hung low in the sky, an hour or so away from taking its nightly bow, bathing the world in its soft, golden glow. It was a time of transition, a moment of anticipation, the world poised between day and night.
Arckit was at the helm of the rugged vehicle, her fingers wrapped around the steering wheel, her gaze focused on the winding path that lay ahead. "Why couldn't we do this tomorrow?" she grumbled, her words filled with annoyance and apprehension. "When normal hunters would be out."
Evander, leaning back in the passenger seat, peered out the window at the changing landscape. A barely audible mutter escaped him, "Most of the creatures we're after are nocturnal. We stand a better chance at making some real money under the cover of darkness."
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As the truck rolled forward, Evander guided Arckit, with a map in hand. The rumbling of the truck was a rhythmic undercurrent to their journey, the mechanical beast traversing the uneven terrain with ease, making their journey a comfortable one despite the rough surroundings.
The world outside was a picturesque spectacle. Forests stretched out as far as the eye could see, trees standing tall and firm, their foliage lush and abundant. Hills rose and fell in the distance, their sloping sides covered in grass and shrubs, adding layers to the already diverse landscape.
As the light from the setting sun grew fainter, the world began to change. The bright greens and browns of the day were replaced by darker hues, the world gradually shrouded in the mystery of the night. Shadows played a game of hide and seek amongst the trees, the landscape bathed in an ethereal glow under the moonlight.
The chirping of the birds was replaced by the hooting of the owls, the rustling of the leaves was accompanied by the soft whispering of the wind. The nightlife of the wilderness was beginning to wake, the nocturnal creatures stepping out from their hideouts.
As they arrived at what the map indicated was a promising hunting ground, Arckit maneuvered the truck into a secure position and cut off all the lights. The resulting darkness was an inky pool, swallowing up the vehicle and its occupants in its depth. The silence of the wild hung heavy around them, only to be occasionally interrupted by the far-off calls of the nocturnal creatures that ruled the night.
"You stay here," Evander instructed, his voice barely above a whisper, "I'll start the hunt." His tone was firm, brooking no argument, and Arckit nodded, content with the idea of remaining ensconced within the safety of their armoured vehicle.
With that, Evander slipped out of the truck, his fireball gun resting in its holster on his hip, and the hilt of his knife glinting in his hand. As he stepped away from the vehicle, the artificial light fading behind him, his night vision kicked in, the world coming into focus in hues of green and black. His heart pounded in his chest, a steady rhythm, matching the tempo of the wilderness around him. This is what I'm meant for, he thought, a thrill coursing through him.
The hunt began. It wasn't long before he found his prey – several large bulls, their bodies monstrous, a twisted combination of raw, hulking muscle and twisted, gnarly bone. Their eyes shone in the darkness, an eerie yellow glow. Sharp, elongated horns crowned their heads, the dark, jagged keratin a stark contrast against their leathery hides.
Evander moved with the stealth of a panther, the added strength of his abilities making him quick and deadly. He could feel the improvement, the increases in his statistics, making a tangible difference. Each kill was swift, each movement sure, the bulls hardly having a chance to react before they were felled.
The strength of 2.95 gave him the power to overcome the large beasts. His dexterity, standing at 1.6, provided him with the agility to dodge, weave and strike with precision. A stamina of 1.4 made him endure, sustaining his energy through the hunt. Lastly, the intelligence of 2.2 allowed him to strategize, ensuring each strike was lethal, each move was calculated.
After the last beast fell, he signalled for Arckit. She emerged from the safety of the truck, flicking on the floodlights. The brightness pierced the night, casting harsh shadows around them. Together, they set to work, loading the massive bodies onto the truck.
As the darkened blanket of the night unfurled further across the sky, they journeyed to different hunting grounds. The quiet rustle of the underbrush beneath their feet, the hushed whisper of the wind through the trees, and the occasional distant hoot of a night creature set the backdrop of their expedition. Methodically, with a strategy refined over the course of the evening, they hunted down their prey.
The back of their truck gradually filled up with the lifeless bodies of the beasts they'd bested. The sight of it, the stark reality of their successful hunt, had Evander deep in contemplation. His gaze shifted to Arckit, observing her from the corner of his eye, his thoughts a swirling eddy of curiosity and bewilderment. Why doesn't she want to get the experience from the kills? he wondered.
Eager to dispel the growing confusion, he finally decided to ask her, his tone carefully casual, "Hey, Arckit, how about you give it a go next time? You can gain some experience from the kills."
The look of sheer horror that crossed her face was enough to tell him that his question had taken her aback. The prospect of killing the monstrous beasts seemed to appall her. She shook her head vehemently, her voice trembling slightly as she confessed, "I... I don't know anything about getting experience from killing monsters."
Evander frowned, feeling the puzzle deepen. "Your system," he tried to clarify, "Don't you know about it?"
But her look of utter confusion, her inability to grasp the meaning of his words, simply added to his mounting bewilderment. She shook her head again, a negative response.
The strange system that governed his abilities, his enhancements, was it unique to him or as it had said was it only a male system? He fell silent, the question lingering in his mind, casting a shadow of intrigue over the rest of their successful hunt. He found himself lost in thought, pondering the mystery that was his existence in this strange, new world.
After the taxing ordeal of their nocturnal hunting, the sight of the city's plaza, aglow with artificial lights against the encroaching darkness, came as a source of comfort. Evander, perched in the cab of the truck, watched with relieved surprise as the imposing city gates creaked open for them. The additional layer of security the double gates provided was a necessary hindrance at this hour of the night.
They pulled into a vast unloading bay, a hubbub of activity even at this late hour. Stevedores, shopkeepers, and inspectors bustled about in organized chaos, making negotiations, unloading wares, and making sales.
Evander was grateful for Arckit's presence. She took charge, effortlessly navigating through the bustling crowd, guiding the workers as they unloaded the monstrous carcasses from their truck. Her ability to take the reins, allowed him the luxury of staying under the radar, concealed within the inky shadows.
He watched as she handled transactions using his money stone, swiftly and efficiently concluding the business end of their hunt.
When she returned, a radiant smile stretched across her face, her eyes dancing with joy and triumph. He could almost feel the warmth of her excitement brushing off on him. "We've made so much money!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with delight.
As they left the bustling plaza, heading towards the station, she talked animatedly about their night's achievement. "At this rate," she said, the excitement of their financial windfall making her words rush out in a flurry, "we'll have a significant nest egg within a week!"