In the middle of a wild forest, Ederhard made his way with difficulty through the mist that had lingered since the morning. The mist impaired his vision and made it difficult for him to breathe. A pungent smell hung in the air, reminding him of rotting flesh. With every step he took, he felt the tension of facing the monster.

He held a heavy crossbow with a deadly sharp tip made from pure silver in his right hand. On the left side, a shield was attached to his belt. It was painted blood red and golden yellow; the colors of his birthplace, a region he call home again.

Ederhard had sworn not to rest until his task had been fulfilled. The enemies that threatened his tribe could no longer be dealt with peacefully. Ederhard still remembered how his parents and younger siblings had been taken away from him. This had been the price of surrender, the penalty for cowardice. For him, there was nothing worse than being taken prisoner and bound by an unbeatable power. Therefore, Ederhard fought against this threat.

Sometimes, the only thought that spurred him on was vengeance; he had made this promise to himself: As soon as the old enemy was destroyed, he would avenge his parents. At the same time, Ederhard swore to honor their names with his actions.

He stepped around a large rock that emerged from the sea of fog. Ederhard wiped a drop of cold sweat from the back of his neck, the moisture seeping into his armor and trickling along his spine. The odor of putrefaction mingled with the dampness on his skin.

Why do I sense no signs of movement or sound?

The area appeared devoid of all life and vegetation.

With each step he took, he started to lose his sense of direction—he couldn't tell which way was ahead, behind, or to the side. His unease intensified as if he were about to stumble into something horrifying and repulsive.

Stop! It could be dangerous. Don't look.

Turning back, Ederhard heard his inner voice scream at him.

Don't look!

Suddenly, Ederhard felt a violent force rush toward him and pin him against the damp, moss-covered trunk of an ancient tree.

From somewhere behind, Kadper Scourge attacked, and Ederhard's men fell one by one. There were a few moments of silence before the monster unleashed its final attack.

Kadper Scourge was an aggressive and powerful creature. Its body was a unique mix of dragon and spider characteristics, with sharp, pointy scales covering its long frame. Its head resembled a dragon, with scaly green skin and rows of jagged teeth in its open mouth. Eight long legs sprouted from its body, resembling those of an arachnid, while two massive black horns protruded from its skull. Its tail was long and covered in similar scales to those of est of its body. The creature had a thick coat of matted black hair running down its spine to the tip of its tail instead of fur or scales. This mane could easily have been mistaken for the hide of a mammal. It was a genuinely strange-looking beast.

Kadper Scourge lived on an island surrounded by a vast body of water on one side and a mountain range on the other. Its large and heavy body made it incapable of flight, confining it to its island habitat. Kadper Scourge made its home in a cave in the middle of a rocky area on the island and often wandered through the area, looking for prey.

The creature could wield the club at the end of its tail with remarkable speed and power. Moreover, when threatened, Kadper would release a cloud of poisonous spores from its mouth. If these spores made contact with a living creature, the spores would grow and spread, eventually consuming the target's body completely.

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Although Kadper's diet consisted primarily of meat, the creature had a strong sweet tooth. Kadper Scourge was very fond of honey and would go out of its way to find a source of honey. When Kadper was unsuccessful in finding an adequate source of honey, it would begin to act erratically.

Kadper Scourge had no natural predators.

Ederhard attempted to draw his sword, only to be horrified upon discovering that is forcibly taken from him. He inspected his damaged armor and started to comprehend the gravity of the situation. A thick, sticky web wrapped around him, completely immobilizing him. For a moment, Ederhard thought about his tribe, which would disappear, for if he failed to defeat Kadper Scourge, then no one would stand in its way. He was ready and waiting for the final blow when a voice echoed in his mind.

"Don't be afraid because you will not die today. You are not alone in this world."

Three arrows pierced the neck of the monster, who stumbled, began to shake its head in confusion, and became visibly disoriented. The arrows were laced with one of the most potent poisons. Salvianna's science was proving its power.

Like lightning, three wolves attacked the monster's legs and collapsed on its stomach. Kaer picked up Ederhard's sword and threw it to him. He then shot another set of arrows at the beast.

Ederhard gained momentum and attacked in turn.

After a fierce battle, Kadper Scourge, the notorious villain, has finally been defeated by the courageous heroes.

"You saved my life. Who are you, and where do you come from?" Ederhard asked.

"My name is Kaer, and I come from far away. The victory is all yours."

"I invite you to my home in the Frostwood tribe."

Ederhard was greeted as a true hero.

The Frostwood tribe is settled in the northern mountainous region, where coniferous forests rule the steep slopes and rivers tumble in majestic cascades into deep valleys. Wooden structures are strategically placed near water sources and on high ridges across this unique landscape.

Led by Ederhard, a legendary warrior renowned for his bravery and skill in battle, the Frostwood Tribe is the most respected of all the other tribes in the land.

The elders form a council that serves as a spiritual link between nature and the tribe. Ederhard consults this council for advice concerning the tribe's life.

Lately, the discussions have focused on the importance of uniting all the tribes into a form of power that can resist the attacks of other predatory peoples.

Ederhard was best suited to complete this unification. Now, after defeating the monster that was terrorizing the surroundings, this task had become more accessible.

As a sign of appreciation, Ederhard presented his tribe’s collection of rare items to his new friend and ally, Kaer. Kaer was invited to choose an object as a sign of friendship.

Kaer chose the Electric Dagger, the item the blacksmith so desired.

After a three-day stay, Kaer said goodbye to Ederhard.

“It is a long distance to the city where I have a house. But if you ever need me, you can find me in Castlercrest town in the Kingdom of Talladom.”

Huzdurwan’s hands trembled with excitement as he carefully picked up the artifact and admired the unique object with a craftsman’s eye.

“A gem like I have never seen before. Behold, I give you the essence, as you requested. Besides, you have my thanks and the promise that I will always be at your disposal.”

Kaer smiled and took the small metal container shaped like an ampoule.

“Salvianna will use the essence to create the desired potion,” Kaer replied quietly. “And thank you for your generosity, Huzdurwan. I will request your services when needed.”

In a few days, Salvianna concocted a potion that emanated a pulsating light.

“Kaer, this is the first potion of this kind that I have prepared with the help of the essence,” Salvianna explained. “The formula I found could have been more specific. It is called ‘Infinite,’ and its effects are not mentioned in the treaty. Please use this potion wisely, and I hope it will help you in your travels.”

Kaer looked at the unique liquid, ready to explore new and unknown worlds.