Mav pondered the information. "Can I somehow use my Dark Red Nuke to defeat that Fighter Gorilla?" he wondered.

"No, that would be too risky. What if it spots me from far away? If I can sense it, it could probably sense me too. But in the worst-case scenario, if it comes to that, I'll take it down with me," he thought, considering the explosive power of his skill. He dismissed the thought and recalled another detail.

"Hold on, when I attacked it while I was under Dark Yellow Transcendence, I only managed to break its arms. Other Daimoniki I attacked with this power exploded upon impact. Could it have some kind of physical resistance?" He mused, recalling their previous battle.

"Hey Mina, do Fighter Gorillas have any kind of physical resistance?" He asked, turning to Mina.

"No, I don't know of any Daimoniki with resistance to any type of attack," she replied, puzzled.

"Another unique trait of this Fighter Gorilla. Just what is with that Daimoniki?" he thought, frustration mounting.

Mav’s mind raced as he flipped through the pages, frustration mounting with each turn. The weight of the forest’s dangers felt almost tangible, growing more daunting with every moment. His need to understand the Fighter Gorilla’s unusual traits had become increasingly urgent. He needed practical answers, not just theoretical knowledge—answers that could determine his survival.

Despite his efforts, the book yielded no new insights. The frustration was palpable as the looming threats of the forest seemed to grow heavier.

Mina’s curiosity was evident as she watched Mav intently, her brow furrowed. The quiet hum of the library seemed to amplify the tension of the moment. Mav’s nervousness was clear, and Mina’s gaze softened as she observed his genuine concern.

"Alright, I think I'm done searching for information," he said, closing the book and handing it back to Mina.

"What do you even need this for? Don't tell me you're going to Pyknos Forest?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I was just curious."

"Just curious? Your urgency suggests otherwise," she said, noting his behavior.

"It's nothing, really. Oh right, I promised to read your novel and give you feedback, didn't I?" he said, changing the subject.

"Damn it, I was hoping you'd forgotten about that," she sighed.

"A promise is a promise," he said with a grin.

"I know, but I didn’t expect you to return so soon. I'm not done editing yet. Can you give me a bit more time?" she pleaded, clasping her hands together.

"Alright, I'll come back in a few days, maybe a week."

"Or maybe I'll never come back if that Fighter Gorilla kills me," he thought but quickly dismissed it.

"Deal," she replied.

"So, are you heading out now?"

"Yeah, I have other places to be. Thanks, Mina. You're like a walking encyclopedia. If only I could take you with me, things would be way easier," he said jokingly.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"I'm happy you think that, Mav, but what's an encyclopedia?" She asked, puzzled.

"Oh right, I forgot I wasn’t on Earth anymore."

"It's a book that contains lots of information about everything."

"Does a book like that really exist?" she asked, intrigued.

"It's just an expression to say how smart someone is," he said, not wanting to elaborate further.

"Alright, I'll take that as a compliment. But I can't come with you, this library needs me," she said, looking around at the books.

"Yeah, I know. Thanks again, Mina. I'll be off now," he said, walking away.

"Come back anytime!" Mina called out. Mav raised his arm in acknowledgment.

"Now, I need to get my hands on mana potions. Problem is, I can only afford what Father Organos gave me, three gold coins. I wonder how many that can buy? First, I need to consult Archa," he thought as he exited the library gates. As he left, he took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind. The weight of Mina’s questions and his own doubts lingered, but he focused on his next task.

The bustling street outside seemed almost surreal compared to the quiet tension of the library. His thoughts churned with strategies and concerns, each step bringing him closer to the practical aspects of his mission.

After exiting the gates, he headed straight to the Merchant Guild. After a brief transaction where he sold some materials he had collected, he walked away with a three of silver coins.The shift from the market’s clamor to the calm of Archa’s shop felt like a return to focus. Mav approached the familiar shop with renewed purpose.

"Hey Archa!" he called out as he approached her booth.

"Mav! You're back again! What do you want to sell today?" Archa greeted him.

"Here," Mav said, handing over a bunch of Giant Boar Cores, Gatling Slug Cores, and Puffer Frog Cores.

"That's a lot. You've been busy these past few days, huh?" she said, eyeing the cores.

"Yeah, how much can you give me for these?"

She counted the cores. "About three silver coins."

Before she could hand over the coins, Mav stopped her. "Actually, I want to buy some potions today. Here, take these too," he said, handing over three more silver coins he had earned by selling materials to the Merchant Guild earlier. "How many mana potions can I get with these?"

"For six silver coins, you can get two of my potions," she said, holding up two fingers.

"More expensive than I thought. Just shows how valuable they are."

"How much mana does one bottle regenerate?"

"Thirty mana points," she replied.

As Mav examined the potions, a grim determination settled over him. Each bottle was more than just a resource; it was a crucial element in his strategy for survival. The higher cost was a stark reminder of their importance. Confronting the Fighter Gorilla with his current resources was nerve-wracking. Every decision, every purchase had to be made with precision. The gravity of his situation pressed heavily on him.

"Alright, I'll take two," he said.

She handed him the two small bottles, which Mav immediately put in his item box.

"By the way, the top ranker from your guild you mentioned, who is she, and where can I find her shop?"

"You want to buy a high-tier mana potion already?" she asked, surprised.

"No, I just want to inquire about some things," he said, hiding his true intentions.

"I see. Her name is Ana Miktis. Her shop is to the right when you exit here. Keep walking straight until you see a house with a blue roof and a wooden sign that says 'Potions & Healing.' I'd love to accompany you, but I can’t leave my booth unattended."

"Alright, thanks, Archa."

"No problem. You're an important customer now. Come back anytime. And say hi to your mother for me; I haven’t had free time to visit. Money's tight this month."

"Alright, see you next time," he said, leaving for the other shop.

As Mav walked away from Archa’s shop, the weight of his remaining tasks pressed down on him. The street bustled with activity, but his thoughts were fixed on the challenges ahead. The quiet of the forest and the power of the Fighter Gorilla seemed to call to him, urging him forward.

After walking for a bit, he spotted the house Archa described. He approached the wooden door with glass panes in the middle, took a deep breath, and touched the doorknob. "Here goes nothing," he said, opening the door.