Adam's heart pounded in his chest like a war drum, each beat echoing the sense of urgency that clung to him. He could almost hear the clock ticking, reminding him that the shaman could return at any moment and discover Revilras' lifeless body. He needed to find the dream stone before anything else, but with a mountain of potential resources before him, it was like finding a needle in a haystack.

His gaze swept the room, trying to assess the best approach to locate the dream stone amongst the scattered pile of gems, minerals, and an assortment of unidentified items. Amid the chaotic mosaic of colors and forms, a particular stone on a distant shelf attracted his attention.

The stone, initially an intriguing shade of purple, seemed to shift hues subtly when observed from different angles. He stared at it for a moment longer, a corner of his mind registering its peculiarity, but then he tore his gaze away. He needed to find the dream stone.

Turning back to the stone pile, his hands deftly sifted through the fragments, the texture of different minerals brushing against his fingertips. Time seemed to slip through his hands like sand, each grain carrying away precious moments he didn’t have to spare. He was getting nowhere.

Next, he tried his luck with the gems. His eyes methodically scrutinized each one of them for that distinct, dreamy quality associated with the dream stone. The process was painstakingly slow and yielded nothing. The cold undercurrent of fear threatened to surface, but he pushed it down. There was still time.

He glanced back at the shelf where he noticed the curious stone earlier. This time, it appeared to be a pure, pristine white and had morphed into an oval shape. Intrigued and desperate, Adam decided to inspect it. His fingers reached out and lifted the stone, its smooth surface cold against his skin.

Activating [Inspect], he waited with bated breath.

[Dream Stone (Tier 1)] - A valuable resource essential for crafting system-recognized structures, the Tier 1 Dream Stone is frequently required in specific recipes and blueprints, serving as a crucial component in their construction. Can only be used in Tier 1 recipes.

The next moment, a triumphant grin spread across his face as the system confirmed it was indeed a dream stone. Relief washed over him as he hastily placed the precious stone in his [Cult resources].

With his primary target secured, Adam switched gears. The urgency of his situation prevented him from being picky. He needed to maximize his gains, filling up his [Cult resources] and [Inventory] as fast as possible.

He deftly opened his [Inventory], quickly discarding less valuable items obtained from past hunts. A motley assortment of items, including beast parts, herbs he found on the mountain, and even an ornate bracelet he’d found in a cave. Each item discarded felt like a small sacrifice, but he knew he needed to free up space.

Adam's mind was racing, his gaze scanning the items scattered around the room. He needed to be quick and efficient, choosing only those that held significant value. His fingers danced swiftly, skimming over countless trinkets and equipment.

Resources were a no-brainer; their undeniable value in crafting and building things made them immediate inclusions. Possessing these resources could be vital down the line when he'd need to build something, or during a sacrifice. Rather than risking another theft, it made more sense to take and stash items he might require later. He was certain that many of these resources, like various herbs, would come in handy when he finally decided to begin mass sacrifices of a suitable beast species.

He found an assortment of metallic ores, a stack of high-quality leather, and a bundle of strangely glowing wood. He didn't pause to admire his finds, promptly sweeping them into his [Cult resources].

Ignoring the weapons, he shifted his attention to the smaller items. Potions were an obvious choice. Their compact size, coupled with their utility, made them a valuable asset. He swiftly pocketed a handful of vials, their liquids shimmering in various shades of red, green, and blue.

Next, he spotted a pile of herbs in a corner. He quickly grabbed the ones that looked the most exotic, their vibrant colors, and unique shapes denoting their potential value. He recognized some as rare medicinal herbs, known for their potent healing properties. A slight pang of regret jabbed at him for the herbs he had to leave behind, but he couldn't afford to hesitate.

Bulkier items like armor were passed over. Their size made them an impractical choice. Instead, he eyed a small pile of gemstones, their brilliant sparkle promising high value. Without a second thought, he added them to his [Inventory].

His attention veered towards a pile of magical scrolls. Despite their age, the symbols on them were still bright, indicating the power they held. He quickly used [Inspect] on a few, confirming their Tier 1 status before adding them to his collection.

As he went about his frantic collection, he felt a strange sensation, akin to a scavenger, albeit one on a strict clock. His heart pounded in rhythm with his haste, the echo of the shaman's possible return looming ominously over him.

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Once his [Inventory] was full to the brim, he forced himself to stop, despite the tantalizing sight of leftover loot. He gave a final regretful look around the room before leaving the wealth of untaken items behind. His inventory may have been full, but he couldn't shake off the feeling of longing for the items he had left behind. However, the precious dream stone in his possession reminded him that he had achieved his primary goal. And now, it was time for his exit.

Adam climbed back up the narrow, stone-carved staircase, its steps worn from years of use. The air grew less stale as he ascended, replaced by the familiar smell of the central hut, a mix of herbs, earth, and something metallic that made his nose twitch.

Revilra's lifeless body was a haunting sight as he stepped back into the main space. Her once vibrant eyes were now glassy and vacant, her muscular body sprawled unnaturally across the floor. Pulling his cloak tighter around him, Adam ensured that his face was concealed, his identity hidden under the shroud of fabric. He stepped over Revilra's corpse with an unsettling sense of detachment, his focus shifting towards the next phase of his escape.

Emerging from the hut, he found the village oddly silent. The loud boisterous chatter, the distinct clatter of tools, and the usual hum of life were absent. Adam quickly pieced together the likely scenario - the village’s inhabitants most likely went to the ‘Skulk’s Roost’, grappling with the aftermath of Gundug's sacrificial spectacle. This was his opportunity, and he was not about to waste it.

Moving like a shadow, Adam slipped away from the central hut, his steps silent on the packed earth. He stuck to the less traveled parts of the village, steering clear of the main pathways.

Once he was clear of the settlement, he broke into a brisk jog, his cloak billowing out behind him. The adrenaline coursing through his veins refused to subside, driving him onwards. His breath echoed in his ears, mingling with the distant, unsettling sound emanating from the village.

Adam sprinted for a solid twenty minutes. His endurance was impressive, letting him keep up a steady pace, but even then, exhaustion started to creep in. His stamina meter was dipping lower and lower, increasing the risk of a confrontation with a beast. He understood that he needed to locate a safe spot to rest and recover. A fight with a beast while drained of stamina was a situation he wanted to avoid at all costs.

His eyes, constantly scanning his surroundings, eventually landed on a cave in the distance. It was nestled within the rugged landscape, almost concealed by an overhang of weathered rock and dense foliage. Its entrance was dark, promising a refuge from any prying eyes. Its isolation made it an ideal hideout, a place where he could catch his breath and assess his next move.

With renewed purpose, Adam pressed on. His thoughts, for the moment, were consumed with reaching the cave, putting as much distance between him and the hobgoblin settlement as he possibly could.

The cave offered a welcome sanctuary, its shadowy recesses providing the perfect cover for Adam to recoup and process the chaotic events he had just experienced. He found a flat stone and seated himself, the rough surface cold against his tired body. His mind was in a whirl, thoughts and images from the recent heist flooding his consciousness.

'Gundug...' he found himself whispering, his thoughts filled with his latest recruit’s self-sacrifice. He recalled the way Gundug stood at the eye of the vortex, maddened glee on his face even as he was ripped apart. The memory of the vortex's power lingered, its voracious pull and chilling destruction etched deep into his mind.

Revilra, too, dominated his thoughts. Her unexpected presence, her peculiar connection with the shaman, had complicated the mission. 'I wasn’t expecting that…' he mused, his gaze fixed on the cave's entrance, alert for any signs of danger. 'The shaman will undoubtedly seek revenge for Revilra’s death, and that’s a fight I can't handle right now.’

His heart pounded as he reached into his [Cult resources] and pulled out the dream stone. Its appearance had transformed again, a mesmerizing sight. It was now almost clear, like a glass shard, and had taken on a triangular shape. The sight filled him with a heady sense of victory. He'd done it. He had navigated through the perilous hobgoblin village, snatched the elusive dream stone, and made it out alive.

But his success wasn’t limited to the dream stone. He also had a bounty of additional loot and a wealth of experience that would undoubtedly propel him towards his target of level 15 before departing the dreamverse. Adam felt a surge of pride, tempered with the grim realization of the dangers he still faced. For now, though, he could afford a moment to bask in his success, hidden away in the safety of the cave.

While the safety of the cave provided him with a momentary break from the action, Adam knew that rest was a luxury he couldn't afford. His mind buzzed with future plans, to-do lists, and potential obstacles. Central to all his plans was the dream stone, he could finally build the tier 1 sacrificial altar.

He still required additional soul shards and dream coins to build it but they were easier to get. Adam also needed to upgrade his sacrificial ritual scroll. 'One step at a time,' he reminded himself, his gaze focused on the cave's dim interior.

As he pondered his next steps, his mind wandered back to the [cult shop] tab. The possibilities it presented were thrilling. He was eager to delve deeper, to uncover the many untapped potentials hidden within the system.

Adam's mind instinctively returned to the secluded cave he'd found earlier. This spot seemed just right for conducting sacrifices. He thought of it as a haven, a secure place to build his sacrificial altar. A name sprung up in his mind, a perfect fit. "The Mountain Sanctuary," he announced to the empty cave, a hint of a smile gracing his face.

With a destination in mind, Adam collected his thoughts and ventured forth from his current hiding spot, heading towards the mountain sanctuary. Each step was cautious, measured, his senses on high alert for any beast that might cross his path. His previous encounters with the creatures of the ventcroft mountains had taught him the importance of stealth and vigilance.

Just as he started to let his guard down, a low, ominous rumble reverberated behind him. Adam froze, his heart pounding against his chest. He slowly turned, a sense of dread creeping up his spine. His mind raced, unsure of what this new threat could be.

He whirled around, his blood turning icy as he saw a group of hobgoblins riding dire wolves thundering towards him. His eyes locked onto the figure leading the pack - it was Odurg, the hobgoblin shaman.