Riku walked through the bustling streets of the city, the towering marble structure of the Adventurers' Guild coming into view. The guild, as ever, was a hub of activity, where adventurers exchanged stories, picked up quests, and collected their rewards. This time, Riku wasn’t here to take on a mission or hear grand tales—he was here to claim his due for the rare herb delivery he’d recently completed.
Pushing open the heavy oak doors, Riku stepped into the lively hall. The murmur of voices filled the air, blending with the clinking of tankards and the rustling of parchment. The scent of ink and leather hung in the air, a familiar comfort to adventurers passing through.
Behind the counter, a silver-haired woman was busy arranging stacks of documents. Her expression was unreadable, her gaze focused on her work. She wore the guild uniform, though her presence carried a sharpness that made her seem more like an observer than just a receptionist.
Riku approached, placing his hand on the counter to draw her attention. She looked up slowly, her silvery eyes meeting his with a calm yet piercing stare.
“Riku,” she said simply, her tone devoid of surprise. “You’re here for the herb quest, I take it.”
“That’s right,” he replied, keeping his voice steady.
She nodded, reaching under the counter to retrieve a small, locked chest. Without a word, she slid it across to him along with a key. “Your reward. Gold, as promised, and a bonus item from the client.”
Riku unlocked the chest to find a neat stack of gleaming coins and a small vial containing a glowing green liquid. The vial was encased in an intricate silver frame etched with runes, and the liquid inside seemed to shift and shimmer like it was alive.
“What’s this?” he asked, holding up the vial.
“The Essence of the Eternal Bloom,” she said, her voice as steady as ever. “A rare potion with potent healing properties. It’s not something given lightly.”
Riku stared at the vial, turning it over in his hands. The weight of its significance wasn’t lost on him. “Why would the client include this?”
Her lips curved into the faintest smile, but she didn’t answer the question directly. “The only way to find out is by trying,” she said, her words laced with an air of finality.
He glanced at her, searching for any hint of approval or advice in her expression, but she had already returned to her work. The moment of connection felt as fleeting as the shimmer in the vial.
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REFLECTIONS IN SOLITUDE
Riku left the guild, the weight of the reward heavy in his pocket and his thoughts. He wandered through the city, eventually finding himself in a quiet park near the edge of town. Sitting on a weathered stone bench beneath an ancient oak tree, he took out the vial once more.
The Essence of the Eternal Bloom gleamed faintly in the dim light of the setting sun. It was beautiful and mysterious, unlike anything he had ever encountered. Her words lingered in his mind: The only way to find out is by trying.
As he turned the vial in his hand, the sound of footsteps approached. An older adventurer appeared, his armor worn but well-maintained, and a longsword strapped to his back. The man stopped a short distance away, his gaze falling on the vial.
“Essence of the Eternal Bloom,” the man said, his voice gruff but intrigued. “You don’t see that every day.”
“You know about it?” Riku asked.
The man chuckled. “I know enough to tell you it’s no ordinary potion. They say it can heal wounds that even the best healers can’t. But there’s more to it than just that. Some believe it holds a deeper purpose—something tied to the ruins of the Abyssal Woods.”
“The Abyssal Woods?”
“Dangerous place. Few who go there return. But those who do often come back... changed.” The man’s expression darkened, as though recalling something unpleasant. “If you’re thinking about heading there, tread carefully. Power like that always comes with a cost.”
Riku nodded, the man’s cryptic words stirring both curiosity and caution. As the stranger walked away, Riku turned his attention back to the vial.
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THE CALL OF THE ABYSSAL WOODS
That night, as Riku prepared to leave the city, he felt uneasy. The Essence was no ordinary reward, and the implications surrounding it were unsettling. His suspicions were confirmed when a courier arrived, dismounting swiftly to hand him a sealed letter.
“The client who requested the herbs asked me to deliver this,” the courier explained before riding off.
Breaking the wax seal, Riku unfolded the letter. The elegant script was marked with an unfamiliar sigil, and the message was brief:
> “The Essence is yours, but its true power can only be understood in the Abyssal Woods. There, amidst the ancient ruins, lies the key to unlocking its potential. Beware the dangers that lurk within. Only the worthy return.”
Riku stared at the letter, his grip tightening. The Abyssal Woods—he’d heard stories about the place. Whispers of monsters, ancient ruins, and adventurers who never came back. It was a place that promised power, but only at great risk.
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PREPARING FOR THE JOURNEY
Before leaving, Riku made one last stop at the Adventurers' Guild to stock up on supplies. The silver-haired woman was still at the counter, her gaze lifting briefly as he approached.
“Back already?” she asked, her tone unreadable.
“I need supplies for the Abyssal Woods,” he replied, watching her reaction.
Her silver eyes flickered with recognition, but her expression remained neutral. “The Abyssal Woods... a dangerous place for even the most seasoned adventurers.”
“I’ll manage,” Riku said firmly.
She studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. I’ll have the necessary provisions prepared. Just remember—there’s no shame in turning back if the cost becomes too great.”
Her words carried a weight that lingered as Riku left the guild. With his supplies secured and the Essence of the Eternal Bloom safely tucked away, he set his sights on the dark and mysterious forest that lay beyond the horizon.
Whatever awaited him in the Abyssal Woods, Riku knew one thing for certain: the only way to find out was by trying.