Bram's firm hands on the wheel effectively managed the undulating terrain as the VAN's wheels pounded their way through the harsh environment. Inside, there was a lot of light conversation between the porters, but Erik's attention was elsewhere.
His gaze traveled across the countryside, looking vigilantly for any traces of the elusive Mistlynx as they went.
As the forest grew denser and dappled sunlight filtered through the overhead canopy, Thorne broke his gaze away from a side window to address Erik.
"We're nearing the Mistlynx's usual hunting grounds," he noted. "It might be best to go on foot from here. Thaids are sensitive to noise; the engine will send them running."
Erik nodded, grateful for the seasoned advice. "Good idea," he agreed, fully aware that stealth would be his ally in hunting a creature as wily as the Mistlynx.
Sylvi, who had been organizing some gear from the back of the van, added her own caution. "Once the hunt's done, use the communicator to reach us. We'll come for the retrieval." Her tone was a blend of professional distance and genuine concern.
Elara said, "And make sure you're in a safe spot when you call. This terrain doesn't forgive mistakes, and neither do Thaids."
"Understood," Erik replied, nodding firmly.
The VAN came to a smooth stop, the engine gradually losing its loudness until the only sound that could be heard was the natural background tunes of the forest, like birdcalls in the distance or the faint rustling of leaves. There was a palpable sense of excitement in the air.
Unloading the equipment, including storage containers, recovery tools, and other necessary items, kept the workers busy. A portable communicator was delivered to Erik by Faelan.
"This should do the trick. The signal's strong, so you'll have no trouble reaching us," he assured Erik.
After grabbing the item, Erik put it away in the backpack he was wearing. He looked around him and noticed that the surrounding woodland was a perfect place to live for the Mistlynx due to the tall, age-old trees and the dense fog that covered the undergrowth.
While the rest of the team was securing the van, Erik made his way into the woodland with deliberate and stealthy strides.
The parting words of Thorne continued to reverberate in Erik's ears: "This job. It's not only about the hunt or the money, Erik. Be cautious not to get hurt because your life is more important."
Erik vanished into the dense vegetation with the wave of his hand, ready to face whatever obstacles were in store for him in the future.
Erik proceeded prudently as he traveled through the woodland surrounding Testrovsc's Rest. Because of his many hunts, each action he made was deliberate and had been well-rehearsed.
A monster like the Mistlynx required an intricate dance of patience, sharp observation, and instinct to be located, and the fog made this task much more difficult.
Erik's eyes caught sight of something, a patch of overturned earth, as shafts of sunshine through the canopy created spooky shadows on the misty ground below.
The paw prints of a Mistlynx have pointed, well-defined edges, as was discovered upon closer scrutiny.
They were only recently made. Nearby, he discovered droppings, which even reassured him that he was heading in the correct direction. He took one apart and discovered many little bones, providing insight into the creature's recent meal.
"Bingo," he thought to himself.
As he continued down the path, his senses became sharper. His exploration was set amid the backdrop of the natural noises of the forest, including the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the ever-present fog.
After tracking the beast for around 10 minutes, Erik's attention was eventually drawn to the target.
Even through the mist, the silvery-white fur of the Mistlynx, perched on a limb of a tree up ahead, appeared to gleam. Its eyes were a brilliant ice blue, and they shone like beacons as they surveyed the forest floor below.
The thick fog made it difficult to see the beast, but Erik's sharp eyes overcame this obstacle, mainly due to Hais's Brain Crystal Power, which allowed him to notice things quickly among the things it could do.
Even though the Mistlynx was far smaller than he thought, its air of unbridled power was undeniable. Erik was aware that even a group of pupil-ranked mercenaries would find this species to be a challenging adversary, mainly due to the restricted visibility.
The Mistlynx's claws became longer as if it could sense Erik's presence, and its ears pricked up as if alerted to the slight noise Erik had produced while walking.
"Time for an analysis," Erik muttered to himself, eager to size up the capabilities of this elusive creature.
_____________________________
Name: Mistlynx
-Brain Crystal Power: Retractile Enhancement.
Description: The Mistlynx's brain crystal lets it grow its razor-sharp claws. This lets it catch its food from greater distances. It can also fully retract them when it wants to creep through its surroundings so it doesn't accidentally make any noises.
-Physical Characteristics:
Size: Standing roughly 1.5 meters tall at the shoulder and roughly 1.2 meters long, excluding the tail.
Color: …
Eyes: …
Tail: …
Claws: Even when the Mistlynx isn't using its Brain crystal power, its claws are strong, sharp, and curled. When stretched out, they can get as long as 30 centimeters.
Body: The Mistlynx is a top predator in misty environments thanks to its muscular, agile body designed for stealth and speed.
-Ecology:
Habitat: The Mistlynx prefers dense forests, especially those frequently shrouded in mist or fog, such as valleys and lakeshores. It is primarily nocturnal.
Diet: …
Behavior: Mistlynxes are solitary animals whose territories are marked by smell marks on trees and rocks. These territories are not very big, though. It is known to be very protective and will fight off any invaders, whether they are of the same kind or not.
Reproduction: …
Predators: …
[Attributes]
-STRENGTH: 70
-INTELLIGENCE: 4
-DEXTERITY: 72
-ENERGY: 300
[Others]
-Power Level: 202
-Estimated experience: 4 per kill
_____________________________
Observing the Mistlynx from his hidden perch, Erik found himself thinking, "This creature won't offer much in terms of experience; it's just a small addition to my pool."
Erik didn't think much of the Mistlynx, even though others might have been scared off by its dangerous claws and watchful eyes.
He had fought Thaids, who were bigger and scarier than in the past. Still, he knew that each hunt was essential and that even fights that seemed easy at first could be challenging in ways he didn't expect.
After all, his main goal wasn't to get more experience but to sell the Thaid's expensive parts.
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