Glenn closed his Status Sheet and looked around for another challenge, yet nothing presented itself. There was plenty of time left in the day for him to find and cull a few more Gloamwolves or a Moss Beast, if he could find one ... yet the Deepscorn woods felt far too empty today.

Grassea’s nurturing fields had reached their limit during , when a horde of young Adventurers from across Balarel flooded Wolfpine and its surroundings to compete in a God-blessed, zone wide contest to kill the largest number of Monsters. These Adventurers had also, fortunately, blessed Wolfpine’s Townsfolk with massive amounts of coin.

Yet after the culling the horde of Adventurers had delivered to Grassea, the zone felt barren. Though Glenn ranged far and wide, even venturing well into the Deepscorn Woods, he found no Monster that could give him a challenge. Only Grass Sprites. He left those alone.

Those still Leveling could still defeat Grass Sprites for experience, and given how barren Grassea seemed right now, Glenn would feel guilty for stealing their opportunity to gain experience. He could justify killing the three Grass Sprites he’d just defeated because he’d needed to test his new Skill, but hunting them further went against his nature, despite the fact that he could always use more Life Crystals. Adventuring wasn’t cheap, and he wanted to remain self-sufficient.

Eventually, regretfully, Glenn sighed and turned toward home. The sun was now a red, melted stain on the horizon. As much as he longed to detour through the entirety of the Deepscorn Forest in hopes of finding a Gloamwolf, Glenn knew he didn’t have the time. His parents expected him home.

Not that Tania would worry about him—it was Hal, Glenn’s father, who most often did the worrying—but still, Glenn was ready to kick up his feet in The Mead Beast, Wolfpine’s only tavern, and toss back mugs of mead with Zack Silverstone. Ever since his childhood friend had set out to Level solo, Glenn had missed hunting with him, yet he understood Zack’s reasoning.

Monsters, when killed, provided 10 experience. Yet that experience was split among all who participated in the kill—one’s Party—and he and Zack were both a little advanced to team up on a single Gloamwolf. By hunting on his own Zack could maximize his experience gain, and unlike Glenn, Zack was already 16, an Adventurer, and no longer experience capped. Once Glenn got back to the tavern, Zack would likely have yet another thrilling story of stalking Crackpaw scouts at the mine from the shadows.

The thought of once again being bested by Zack’s stories gave him pause. He’d done absolutely nothing of note today, other than use [-Phantom Slice-] for the first time ... on some Grass Sprites. Perhaps he should keep hunting for a bit longer. Perhaps he should challenge himself a bit more.

Yet that was ego talking, and allowing one’s ego to guide one’s decisions would even get a seasoned Adventurer killed. It would be dark as pitch soon enough, and he didn’t have a torch. So Glenn instead headed straight for the well-worn Safe Road leading to Wolfpine. Even with only moonlight to guide him home, he knew the Safe Road would get him there alive. He wouldn’t dawdle.

As he passed two intact stone columns carved with the faint visage of Kya, Goddess of Duty—what were known as Safe Stones—Glenn reflexively bowed his head. Thanks to Kya’s protection, no Monsters could attack him while he walked this Safe Road.

Glenn had just come in sight of Wolfpine’s open gates when he spotted a short, busty figure jogging toward him. She carried an upraised torch.

Who would be rushing out of town this late, toward him? His mother? Had Tania really set out to rescue him? Yet the Gods forbid Townsfolk from leaving the town walls after nightfall.

Yet as the young woman in her flowing blue top, brown corset, and dark cotton dress came close enough for Glenn to see her pale and perfect face, he smiled in recognition.

“Becka?”

What was Becka doing on the Safe Road out of Wolfpine this late at night, holding a smoldering torch above her head like a Lifestaff? Becka was 15 years of age and unclassed, like Glenn, so could venture outside Wolfpine’s walls after nightfall, but why would she be venturing outside Wolfpine’s walls?

Becka’s eyes widened when she spotted Glenn, and then she redoubled her already rapid pace. Glenn watched, bemused, as Becka sprinted toward him.

Ever since he and Becka had promised themselves to each other six months ago, they’d Leveled together whenever they could. She’d had errands to run for her father today, which is why Glenn had ventured out alone. Was Becka really this happy to see him safely home?

Yet his excitement at seeing his girlfriend and Adventuring partner fled when he recognized the abject fear in Becka’s brown eyes.

“What’s happened?” he demanded, as Becka reached him.

Becka huffed to a halt a few steps away, bending to hold a knee with one hand and breathing hard. She grew her midnight-black hair past her shoulders, and now those long, silky locks dangled before her face. She carried a full-sized Traveler’s Pack on her shoulders, and she looked ready to keel over from its weight.

Sprinting had never been her strong suite, as Becka wasn’t built like most of the other girls in Wolfpine. She was short, curvy, and in Glenn’s opinion, absolutely gorgeous. When she smiled she lit up an entire room, but Rebecka Coldbreaker wasn’t smiling right now.

Becka straightened, brushed her hair back from her face, and grimaced. “It’s Azalea Whitetalon. She’s snuck off out of town again, and there’s no Adventurer in town to save her.”

As if summoned by Becka’s words, the nighttime howls of Gloamwolves that had eluded Glenn rose. His hands curled into fists as a shudder crept up his spine. He would not be joining Zack in Wolfpine’s tavern, not yet, and neither would Becka.

Because if they didn’t do something, Gloamwolves would devour a nine-year-old girl.

====

Strength: A mortal’s base physical strength, increased by pushing oneself to one’s physical limits as often as possible. Determines how much a mortal can carry and how rapidly carrying weight affects exhausts their Vitality. Also increases damage dealt with physical weapons.

Divinity: How close a mortal is to the Gods, increased by fighting with daggers (the weapon of Vox, Goddess of the Bold), Adventuring in light armor, or casting magical Skills with long cooldowns. Decreases damage taken from magical attacks and increases the ability to detect magic, Demons, and intangible entities of all kinds.

Luck: Whether a mortal is favored by the Gods. Increases the chance that random elements will fall in the mortal’s favor. The method to increase this attribute is unknown, but many suspect the Gods simply grant increases in Luck when they are impressed or amused by a mortal’s actions.

What impresses or amuses the Gods is unknown.

Vitality: A mortal’s hardiness, increased by being wounded in battle or exhausting oneself with strenuous physical activity, like running. A mortal gains 10 Health Points for each point of Vitality. It also determines how long a mortal can push themselves beyond their natural limits.

Wisdom: A mortal’s knowledge of the world and all its aspects. Increased by memorizing new knowledge and casting Skills that require Blood. A mortal gains 10 Blood for each point of Wisdom.

Prowess: A mortal’s base physical prowess, increasing the ability to pick locks, play instruments, maintain balance, and complete any other difficult tasks requiring flexibility and focus. Increased by accomplishing difficult tasks appropriate to one’s Class without the use of a Skill.