Boro got straight to business.

He motioned to one of his men, who approached carrying a long wooden box bound in bronze edges.

He set it down carefully, and Boro flipped the lid open. Inside, rows of bottles glimmered faintly with energy.

"Your share," Boro said, his tone shifting to serious. "I went ahead and refined the herbs into elixirs. Easier to use, easier to carry.

These here are Vital Ember Elixirs, restores vitality, strengthens your foundation especially the fire elements.

And these," he pointed at four bottles that gave off a faint crimson- golden glow, "are from the Crimson Aether Lotus. Denser, sharper, harder to make. Took a lot of work, but they're ready."

Arden leaned in slightly, feeling the energy hum against his senses. It was heavier than the rest, pulsing with power. His eyes narrowed in appreciation.

"You've kept your word," he said, closing the lid with a nod. "And on time, too. Can't say I'm not impressed."

Boro grinned. "That's how I keep business alive. And speaking of business…" He pulled a pouch from his coat and set it down on the table with a dull weight. "Hundred thousand sen. Upfront. Estimated profits from what I'll make off the rest of the harvest. Your share."

Arden lifted the pouch, weighing it briefly before sliding it away. "Fair. You've done your part."

The edge of Boro's grin softened, and for a moment the air between them was almost cordial. "Then I'll hope this isn't the last deal we make, Arden."

"That depends on how honest you keep," Arden replied, tone calm but carrying that faint edge of warning.

Boro chuckled, lifting his hands. "Honest enough to keep us both alive and rich."

With that, the box was sealed again and handed over. Arden gave a final nod. "We'll take it from here. Until next time."

"Until next time," Boro echoed, waving as Arden and his party turned to lead his group out of the bar.

The weight of the elixirs rested steady in Arden's pack.

They had gotten what they came for, and now there was nothing left tying them to Greyhold. The strength they wanted didn't wait in cities or castles. It waited in the outlands.

They passed the gates quietly, the watchmen giving them longer looks than before. No one spat curses at them now, though no one dared offer warm smiles either. Their names had spread far enough that even disdain carried a shadow of caution.

Rael stretched his arms wide once they cleared the walls. "Finally! Fresh air again. Greyhold stinks of politics."

"Careful," Nyra muttered, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed her mood.

That was enough for Rael, who jumped at the chance to tease. "What's with that look? Don't tell me you're sad about leaving daddy behind?"

Nyra shot him a sharp glare. "Shut it."

But her ears flushed pink, and that gave the others all they needed. Even Zephyra gave a low, amused growl, like a chuckle only she could make.

Arden glanced back at Nyra, his expression unreadable, then said flatly, "We'll remind you to write him letters."

That broke the last of her composure. She tried to feign indifference, but the smallest smile cracked through as she muttered, "Then make sure you take care of me, leader. Don't embarrass me."

The group laughed as they walked, and even Arden let a corner of his mouth twitch.

Their direction was set, the second zone of the outlands. Arden made no long speeches about it, yet his tone carried the certainty of someone who knew exactly where they were headed.

"This time," he told them as they camped briefly along the way, "we hunt properly. No playing with weaklings. Our growth has to come from challenge, not comfort. The elixirs will help, but they only sharpen the body and keep the flow steady. Skill and instinct are still on us."

Rael pumped his fist, eager as always. "Good. I was getting restless just thinking about it."

Nyra sat quietly, gaze steady on Arden. "Then we'll do as planned. We grow stronger together. No one lags."

Zephyra flicked her tail and lowered her head closer. "Hunt. Break. Feed. That is strength."

Arden gave a short nod. "Exactly."

The thought of it pushed them onward with more energy in their steps.

Their pace quickened, and when beasts crossed their path, they struck without hesitation. None of them needed to take the fights seriously. Each clash was swift, almost playful, as though the monsters were little more than stepping stones underfoot.

By the time the land began to shift, and the air grew heavier with the pressure of stronger presences, they knew they were in the second zone.

The change was subtle yet undeniable, like the weight of eyes pressing down from the wild itself.

Arden stopped, his aura steady, and sent his life energy outward. It spread in waves, brushing through the trees, touching the lurking breaths of predators in the dark. His eyes narrowed, sharp and certain.

"Let's find our first major hunt."

They moved deeper into the second zone, cutting down lesser beasts as they came. Each fight sharpened their rhythm. Rael charged with reckless eagerness, Nyra moved with calm precision, and Zephyra's roars shook the forest when she struck.

Arden never held them back, he pushed them forward instead, throwing them into fights whenever he felt the moment was right. He hardly stepped in, on the other hand, keeping his focus sharp, with his life sense stretched to catch what lurked ahead.

Hours passed, and Arden suddenly slowed. His gaze fixed to the left, into the thick woods where the pressure of something heavier stirred. He lifted a hand, signaling the others to stay alert.

"This one's different," he said quietly. His tone carried no panic, only certainty. "Nyra, you'll take it."

Her eyes flickered, and she gave a sharp nod. She cracked her fingers, then tilted her neck until it popped, a habit before every serious fight.

The forest air grew dense as the beast emerged from the shadows.

It was massive, a scaled predator that moved on four muscled limbs. Its hide was dark green with streaks of black, blending perfectly with the moss and vines that clung to it. Its maw stretched unnaturally wide, lined with jagged teeth that dripped venom, and its tail ended in a spiked club that dragged furrows into the ground as it moved.

Arden's system interface pulsed alive before his eyes, the details sliding into view.

[Lifeform Identified]

Name: Venomspine Basilisk

Affinity: Earth / Poison

Traits: Thickened Scales, Venomous Blood, Tunneling Instincts

Skills: Venom Fang | Spiked Tail Sweep | Earth Burrow | Poison Mist Veil

Arden's lips tightened into a thin smile. "Perfect. Nyra, don't hold back. Let's see how far you've come."

The basilisk hissed, scales scraping against stone as it lunged.

The fight began.

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