C13 Chapter 13: Into the Heart of the Mountain
The forest began to thin as Astrea climbed higher into the mountains. Jagged rocks jutted from the ground, and the wind carried a biting chill that made him pull his cloak tighter. Every step was measured, careful not to slip on the moss-covered stones or loose gravel. The compass in his hand glowed faintly, its needle unwavering, pointing him toward a high mana concentration somewhere deeper in the peaks.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Active Mission: Locate a Suitable Academy Foundation Site
Time Remaining: 3 Days 20 Hours 50 Minutes
Failure: Soul Obliteration (No Reincarnation)
Astrea adjusted the strap of his satchel, feeling the weight of his daggers. His limbs ached from the climb, but there was no time to rest. He scanned the rocky terrain, noting the faint shimmer of mana-infused stones embedded in the mountainside.
Rustle.
A sound echoed from the cliffside. Astrea froze, dagger raised, eyes narrowing. Out of the shadows emerged a Level 2 Tier 1 Fledgling Beast. It was smaller than the one that had pursued him before, but its yellow eyes glinted with hunger.
"Not again," he muttered, rolling to the side as the beast lunged.
The claws scratched his cloak, tearing the fabric but missing his skin. He slashed with his dagger, aiming for a shallow wound to slow the creature. The beast yelped, backing off slightly, but it circled him cautiously.
Astrea exhaled. "Alright... let's do this smartly."
He tossed a pinch of beast repellent toward it. Violet smoke swirled, causing the beast to hesitate, giving him a precious few seconds. He climbed a jagged rock, using the height to gain an advantage, and slashed at the beast's flank again. It howled in pain and retreated into the underbrush, but he knew more could be nearby.
The compass glowed brighter as he reached a small plateau. The air here shimmered faintly with mana energy, and the ground pulsed beneath his boots. Astrea knelt, placing a hand on the stone. He felt a slight hum, the magic flowing faintly through his fingertips.
"This... this is it," he thought. "Somewhere around here must be the right spot."
He surveyed the area, noticing the forest below and the jagged peaks above. The plateau was relatively flat, with enough space for a small structure and access to mana-rich soil. Still, he had to be cautious; the mountain was alive with unseen threats.
A sudden rustle behind him made him spin. A larger shadow moved swiftly... a Tier 1, Level 3 Fledgling Beast. Its eyes glinted menacingly as it stalked toward him.
Astrea cursed under his breath. "Seriously?! First one wasn't enough?"
He gripped his dagger tightly, assessing the terrain. He could use the rocks for cover, the trees for agility, and the plateau's slope to gain leverage. The system interface pulsed urgently.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
New Mission Assigned: Eliminate Threat
Target: Level 3 Tier 1 Fledgling Beast
Reward: Map to High Mana Concentration Area (Detailed)
Time Remaining: 3 Days 20 Hours 30 Minutes
Astrea exhaled sharply, adjusting his stance. The beast lunged, and he rolled aside, dagger slashing across its leg, drawing blood. It yelped and recovered quickly, circling him. Astrea darted between rocks, dodging strikes and using every ounce of agility his thief training gave him.
He spotted a narrow crevice in the rocks, just wide enough to funnel the beast into a corner. He dashed toward it, baiting the creature. It lunged, claws extended, and Astrea sidestepped at the last second.
Thud.
The beast collided with the rocks, its momentum wedging it tight into the narrow gap. It snarled, thrashing to free itself.
"Got you," Astrea hissed.
He didn't waste the opening. He drew his short iron sword and drove it forward, piercing the beast's chest while it was pinned. The creature convulsed once, then went still.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE]
Mission Complete: Threat Eliminated
Reward Granted: Map to High Mana Concentration Area
Astrea wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing heavily. The compass in his hand vibrated, and the holographic map materialized in his mind, overlaying the terrain. It highlighted a specific point further up the plateau... the true heart of the mana flow.
"This is perfect," he whispered, looking at the glowing path. "Enough space, strong mana... I can start planning here."
He circled the plateau, noting the flat areas, potential water sources, and natural defenses. The mountains were treacherous, but the system reward promised more: detailed maps and guidance.
He crouched, adjusting his dagger. Every second mattered; 3 Days 20 Hours remained, and this was only the beginning.
Somewhere in the distant shadows, a pair of yellow eyes glinted again. Someone... or something... was watching, waiting for the right moment. Astrea's senses sharpened. The forest, the mountain, and the mana-rich plateau were all part of a test now. One mistake, and failure wasn't an option.
He flexed his fingers around the dagger, eyes scanning the horizon. Step one, survive the mountain. Step two, establish a base. Step three, build something that didn't exist yet.
The forest seemed to hold its breath, wind whispering through leaves, as Astrea stepped forward toward the heart of the mountain, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
