Lowlife, Scoundrel, Bandit Queen

In some ways this trip is easy. Even if I don't know the exact location of the quarry I need to scout, I know the way to the general area. I have been there once on my own and again with the big fungus extermination group centered on Ediva and her comrades. I don't have to run circles around said big group, always on the lookout for danger, this time either, which makes the trip even easier.

I still want to be careful though. With the fungal threat exterminated new monsters might have already moved into the area after all. And that's where it gets a little more tricky. While I want to move fast, I want to move quietly and stealthy too and that isn't quite as easy as before with my expanded gear.

Both the new pan and the blanket trouble me a little. I have to watch my every step with those. I don't want the pan to make too much noise and I don't want the blanket to catch on anything. Maybe it isn't a bad thing though that I have to pay my every step a little more mind than usual. At the very least my skills make good progress as a result. [Stealth], [Perception] and [Running] all advance a little even if none of the skills is currently close to the next level up.

I'd really like to reach the hidden tower today, before night falls. It would save me some effort on making camp, as I can forgo building a lean to or some other kind of weather protection, which I would usually need. In fact since I don't have to do all the work of setting up camp I might just be able to keep going a little longer if I have to. I'd still rather avoid it anyway.

There is something else I do as I draw close though. As I pass through the first stretch of land cleared by fire following Ediva's devastating displays of magical power I look out for any signs that the fungal infestation might be showing signs of a resurgence. It seems I need not worry though. There are no signs of fungal growths beyond the occasional small stand of mushrooms. And those don't really stand out all that much in between all the other greenery that seems to be sprouting left and right everywhere. I may not be an expert, but I'd say that the woods seem to be on the rebound.

The place looks looks pretty good overall. Sure it'll be a while before there will be trees matching the rest of the woods around, but given the time the place will get there, no doubt. I can already spot dozens of saplings of different kinds all along the way I'm following. Never mind the abundant shrubs.

I stop as I spot the familiar creek where the final battle against the king boletus took place. I'm pretty close now. Yes, there beyond the creek is the incline that leads to the cliff with the hidden tower built into it. The cliff itself is the declination line between the part of the woods that have been devastated first by fungi and then by spells and fire on one hand and up above the untouched forest on the other hand.

After a bit of searching I finally spot my destination. It's still as I remember it, which is a small relief. With renewed vigor I start on the last leg of my trip, well for today anyway. Once I reach the place I'll see about making camp first and foremost.

The devastation was worst, here, where I committed fungicide and regicide at the same time, but now even this place is full of new life. With my much improved and still improving [Perception] skill I'm able to marvel at it in great detail now. At a distance I even spot a forest lynx. Could it be the same one I met on my very first day here? I won't find out anytime soon, as it apparently was able to spot me too. I can feel its identification skill washing over me without taking hold. That apparently is enough to properly spook the feline, as it quickly retreats. Well, at least I get a little progress for my [Shrouded Soul] skill out of the encounter. Fox mentioned that I need to improve the core skills of my class to improve its quality, so I'm quite thankful.

Crossing the lively, little stream at a familiar set of stepping stones earns me some progress for my [Jumping] skill on top of everything else. I can feel that the skill is incredibly close to the next level up as a result. It's enough to put a smile on my lips. As far as I'm concerned the trip is already paying off in abundance.

A quick climb later, which even with the added weight of the additional gear is no problem, I have a little more progress for my [Climbing] skill and am at the top of the cliff. The environment up here really is completely different, almost untouched by the recent calamity in fact. I barely pay it any heed though. Instead I head over to the entrance of the ruined tower to head inside and check on my makeshift shrine.

The doorway at this level is, of course, still mostly blocked. Which by itself already is a good sign. Thus I climb the tree next to the tower once more and go in through the rooftop entrance and head back downstairs.

The entrance hall with the charred floor where camp fires have burned more than once and where I spent the night before as well is pretty much how I left it. With a hand on the hilt of my blade I head downstairs where the shrine is. The atmosphere changes the moment I enter the room. Not by much, but it's still noticeable to me.

I breath a sigh of relief and take my hand of the hilt of my sword. The shrine is intact. The makeshift altar is undamaged. Both the offering bowl and the many tailed fox idol, both of which I carved myself, are undisturbed. So far, so good. I sit down in front of the idol for a moment. I may not have an offering suitable for the place, but I feel that I should not leave without exchanging greetings with my divine patron anyway. Fox, may be fond of sneaks like me in general, but that would be wrong anyway.

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"Well, Fox, it seems I made good time getting here and the place is still in good order too. Throwing coins into this bowl would feel weird though."

My gaze strays from the carved wooden idol to the bare walls which can't compare to the walls of the shrine in the city at all.

"Say, should I decorate a little more? I may not be a stonemason, but maybe I could learn to paint the walls eventually? It certainly would look less bleak then. Well, anyway, I'll set up camp upstairs. I should still have enough time to do some scavenging too. Maybe I could even try my hand at hunting. The forest lynx sticking around suggests that there should still be small game about. I'll let you know if I catch anything good."

There is no direct answer, but for a moment it's like I can hear childlike laughter. I'd dare say that my address was well received. With a grin I get back up and leave the shrine once more. Before I head back upstairs though I check the well in the basement too just to make sure. There are no surprises there either. Good. Very good indeed.

I wonder about getting my hands on any small game though as I return to the entrance hall. Rabbits or possibly birds like pheasants or partridges should be plentiful enough around here. I'm not sure I can take either down with my throwing knives though. Maybe if I'm very stealthy and can close the distance enough? Moving targets certainly would be good exercise.

Of course bringing down the prey isn't the end of it either. I'd need to break my prey up. Rabbits need to be skinned too and the fowls would need to be plucked. This is very much different from dealing with the rock crab carcass. I really regret not reading up some more on hunting at the adventurers' guild. That still wouldn't be a substitute for actual training, but it would be a start at least. Overall this is a stark reminder that I'm not a hunter. Well, not yet anyway.

I slap my cheeks. First things first. I climb to the rooftop in search of some more dry wood. I'll have to eventually go out into the woods to get more, but for now I might as well clean up what is left of the devastated roof as well as any remains of broken furniture. I bring a few pieces that my be used for some more wood carving too. If I do some cooking I could use some more tools after all. A spoon at the very least. Maybe a few skewers, but I'll probably use fresh wood from the woods for those. And a plate would be nice too.

I set my pack aside too, while I'm at it, laying out my blanket where I intend to sleep later too. While I don't exactly have high hopes about doing any actual hunting, I get my throwing knives as well, fastening them to my belt for the time being.

Satisfied with my preparations I head out to explore the immediate environs of the tower some more while I still have some daylight. Thus back up I go and then back down outside. Maybe I should look into fixing the door downstairs so I can remove the barricade in the doorway and enter the tower as intended instead. It certainly would be more convenient than using this roundabout detour every time. At least I get a little more progress for my [Climbing] skill out of it though.

For now I focus on exploring the mostly untouched woods up here though. There is a slight decline until the high plain meets the rise of the next, slightly larger hill. I'm actually tempted to call this one a mountain already, although I'm not quite sure if it really is one.

After a first cursory exploration I decide to go all out. I pay much closer attention, not just to my surroundings but to every step and every move I make, all to ensure I'll be as quiet and sneaky as possible. I make sure to use cover too, whenever possible. Altogether this is enough to earn me some more progress for my [Stealth] skill. My [Perception] benefits too, as I start to pick up on various game trails, and the presence of some well hidden prey animals in general.

I even manage to spot a partridge nestled in a hollow under a bush, without it ever becoming aware of me. I decide not to bother it though. Instead I collect some more mushrooms. To be precise I collect some common trunk huggers since I'm already very familiar with those. By the time I decide to return to the tower, I have enough for a decent sized meal. I have some tinder fungi too, to help me get the cooking fire started. Even better though, my [Foraging] skill has made some progress too.

My first order of business, once I'm back in the tower, is to get the fire started. Even more so, since it's getting a little dark already. I really don't feel like cooking in the dark.

Using my utility knife to make some kindling and using the tinder fungi, getting the fire started is not an issue at all. This means light, warmth and a little progress for my [Survival] skill.

I don't get started with the cooking right away though. First I do some very basic wood carving. I need a spoon to stir the contents of my pan. Thus a spoon I make. It's a pretty easy exercise compared to some of the other things I have made already but it helps advance my [Woodworking] skill. Enough so to earn me a level up notification.

[*Ding!* Your skill Woodworking has leveled up to level 6!]

This one indirectly improves my agility and thus my attack power too. And, as I realize that it counts towards the progress of my hedge witch class, I realize another thing too. I realize that I'm, at times, quite an idiot. I quietly voice that realization.

"Duh!"

Like I still need the campfire to provide light. I have other options for that available to me now! With a blush on my cheeks that thankfully no one else can see, I focus my attention to create a sphere of magical light about halfway between the campfire and the ceiling. Some of my Mana drains away and a moment later the desired orb of magical light springs into existence. And just like that the [Light] spell is halfway to the next level and I can continue working with much better lighting.

Satisfied with this change of circumstances I add some more wood to the fire anyway. Then I wash the collected mushrooms with the water from my brass bottle, before slicing them finely, only to grimace that I forgot another thing while doing my shopping. I didn't bring any butter. Oh well, the cheese and the sausage will have to do then. Some thin slices of either, not too much though, as both will have to last me a few days this time around, go into my new pan together with the mushrooms and soon a delicious smell fills the room.