NOVEL NEXT Chapter 173: The Mission
The Whistler Forest was quite misty during this time of day…
Thankfully, as they moved, the mist started getting lower and was only reaching their knees…
With the current mastery of their Path, they do not have issues sensing their surroundings and the path they are walking on.
As Julia and Van descended deeper into the forest's southeast quadrant, Van made sure to mark the surroundings literally with his blade and also with his Ocularis Lens to ensure that they wouldn't get lost…
After some time, Julia pulled her cloak tighter. "The forest feels colder than I expected…" She muttered. The temperature was still bearable so she wasn't too worried but it was definitely not a comfortable one.
Van nodded as he remained silent for now…
He actually wanted to go in front but Julia decided to be the one in front as she wanted Van to be able to watch her all the time.
She felt more at ease that Van could see her all the time.
For that reason, Van just trailed behind her with light footsteps…
However, Van was obviously using his Ocularis Lens all this time. Then, after looking around for another half an hour, he finally got a decent report from the Lens.
[ Whistler Forest Mapping: Phase 1 Complete ]
[ Flora Signature: Glowplume Fern — Detected 142 meters SE ]
[ Caution: Local fauna patterns suggest the presence of territorial Rootfang Serpents.]
He blinked slowly as he considered what to say. As a slave, his role was not to command, but to serve.
Furthermore, he felt the presence of an observer, so he needed to act properly… After Julia started hesitating about the path they should tread, Van finally spoke.
"My Lady," Van said respectfully while adjusting the satchel he carried…
"I believe the wind is shifting. The mist is thinner in the right direction. The plants we're searching for may prefer that kind of light." He suggested.
"That made sense… But 'My Lady'? Is someone—Ah…"
Julia paused as she processed Van's words. First, her knowledge of botany was theoretical at best—she hadn't even passed the elective exam in Herbal Lore. But Van… he always noticed things so she should just listen…
As for why Van was called her My Lady, it was a sign that someone was observing them.
'I guess that's normal. They wouldn't want their precious apprentice mages to be in danger after all.
"Fine. Just lead the way," she said as she brushed past a hanging vine.
"But stay close. Don't walk too fast and match my pace..."
"As you command," Van replied simply, taking a careful step ahead.
Just like that, they advanced through terrain…
The place also started getting damp. As they walked, there was a soft squelch of damp leaves underfoot, and the scariest part was the rustle of unseen things in the mist.
It could be just normal animals or perhaps, Magical Beasts…
For Van, however, he had no issue monitoring the surroundings.
His Ocularis Lens silently guided him, overlaying the terrain with faint markers like what he would see in his previous life… He'd see harmless creatures in green and dangerous ones in red.
Thankfully, there weren't any creatures marked in red so far. Though he was expecting to have some battle soon, it would be better to collect their mission items without too much issues.
As they were walking, they were able to avoid any issue, and soon, Van received good news from his Lens.
[ Glowplume Fern detected. Distance: 12 meters. Bioluminescence: Active. ]
Finally, they entered a shaded glade where the light dimmed considerably.
"It should be around here…"
Soon, Van found a cluster of strange, delicate ferns located in a crescent of stone.
Their leaves were as they were told. They were glowing with soft blue and violet hues…
"They're beautiful…" Julia whispered, momentarily forgetting that they should collect it.
However, after a few moments, Van's Lens was already sending him a warning.
[ Warning: Camouflaged predator detected. Species: Chameleon Lurker. Location: Directly beneath Fern cluster. No Horns were detected. ]
"My Lady, allow me to pick them," Van offered…
Julia chuckled… "You afraid I'll crush them?" She didn't really mind working.
She doesn't plan to make Van do all the work, as she also wants to learn various things. She believed that picking up these herbs should be something she could easily do.
However, Van shook his head.
"No, My Lady…" Van said, stepping forward slowly. "Just that there could be traps… vines or unstable footing."
"…Fine. Be careful."
Just like that, Van moved according to the Lens' instructions and scanned the ground.
The Lens highlighted a faint distortion in the moss…
'That's almost unnoticeable… If I didn't know about it beforehand, I would surely be in trouble.' Van mused…
He was now seeing a creature nearly invisible. The chameleon's skin was actually mimicking the terrain. Van feigned a misstep, intentionally placing his foot inches away from the predator's mouth.
Just like that, the creature snapped.
He dodged it swiftly and drove the end of his sheathed sword straight into the creature's throat.
Although this Chameleon was mutated by the existence of Mana, it wasn't a horned creature yet. It is still weak but it could have some poison he couldn't detoxify, so he had to be careful handling them.
With that move, the Chameleon Lurker convulsed once and went still.
It died.
Julia had drawn her staff halfway but stopped... "That… was fast. You did well. Are you sure you didn't notice it beforehand?"
"Ahh… I was lucky," Van replied calmly… "I believe it was already weak."
Julia gave him a long look. She knew about these words already and just nodded… "Fine… Just pick the ferns then."
Van did, gently placing five of the glowing fronds into the specimen case.
[ +80 Academic Points Registered: Glowplume Fern x8 ]
'Ahh… His Ocularis Lens actually helped him count their Academic Points according to the point system that Instructor Chavez mentioned.
'The others are still too young… It's not appropriate to take them this early…
After this small find, the group continued…
Just as Julia expected, the mission seemed to have gone a lot easier with Van's lead.
They continued deeper, even if the terrain became damp and covered in shadows, Van was still moving as if he was seeing a trail that previous explorers had used to move around the forest…
[ Honeycap Mushroom Signature: Detected. Location: Beneath Blue Hollow Tree, 90 meters east.]
[ Hazard: Mana-Leeching Spores active in the air. ]
Van frowned after realizing the situation... He couldn't just blurt that out.
"My Lady, I believe there may be mushrooms near that tree cluster," he said, pointing subtly to the east. "The air smells… sweeter."
Julia sniffed and nodded. "That's clever. I think I know what you're trying to tell me..."
Soon, they reached a massive stump...
From here, they could see the Blue Hollow Tree where Van could sense the mushroom they were looking for.
Julia also used her abilities and confirmed the presence of several plump, golden-capped mushrooms…
"Is it also guarded by a creature I can't see?" Julia asked.
Van didn't answer immediately as he also needed to observe the situation.
[ Spores detected in 10-meter radius. Symptoms: Mana Drain, Hallucinations.]
[ Countermeasure Recorded in the Herbal Lore Volume 3: Respiratory Filter Recommended. ( Not Available ) ]
Van took a deep breath as he covered his whole body with his Invisible Aura and turned to Julia.
Whoo~
After adjusting the Aura protecting his body, he spoke.
"It might be dangerous inside. Let me collect them. You should stay back."
Julia frowned, but nodded. "Be careful…"
Van then approached the mushroom and he did this as quickly as he could.
After all, he wasn't sure if the harmful spores could penetrate his Aura Defense. He hadn't tried this before after all…
Thankfully, as soon as he entered the area of the spores, he confirmed that nothing had penetrated his defense…
Just like that, he began to harvest the mushrooms.
Each one he placed into the pouch was an additional Academic Point…
After some time, his Lens gave a running total.
[+750 Academic Points Registered: Honeycap Mushroom x15]
However, as soon as he completed his task, a bark above him peeled open!
The Blue Hollow Tree was actually hiding some creatures within!
Suddenly, dozens of small, black spiders dropped down silently. They were small, but they were still the size of a soccer ball…
Van froze for a moment…
He doesn't really have any method to fight against multiple small creatures while protecting the satchel carrying the mission items...
At most, he could defend himself with his Aura.
Thankfully, his Ocularis Lens swiftly made some calculations to help him get through this without having to draw his sword.
"Let's do this…"
Soon, Van leaped forward and stomped one spider with his heel… Then, he just snatched up a long stick from the ground and jabbed it through another mid-air.
By the time Julia was planning to cast a spell, the last spider was already dead!