The low, rhythmic rumble reverberating through the cave’s walls sent a shiver down Jack’s spine. He held a Molotov cocktail as he stood at the threshold, peering into the black void.

  What kind of hidden package could be inside? Jack wondered, a knot of unease tightening in his stomach. The thought of a reward wasn’t enough to quell his growing dread.

  For a moment, he stood there, torn. Should I skip this pin? On the one hand, Jack wasn't looking forward to meeting whatever was snoring in there.

  On the other hand, why would Amari mark this spot on the map if not to tell Jack to explore it? He’d seen Jack select this pin. He would have told him if there had been anything particularly dangerous about it. Right?

  He did warn me to be careful. I wonder if he had this cave in mind when he did.

  As Jack considered his next move, a notification popped out.

  AmariNinja has discovered a new hidden package: Christoff, the Lone Hunter.

  Christoff, The Lone Hunter

  A seasoned hunter, Christoff has long supplied the fortress with fresh game and valuable hides. Recently, he noticed the absence of buyers but didn’t realize the gravity of the situation—until now.

  When you inform him of the tragedy that has unfolded, including the loss of his friends and a cousin within the fortress, Christoff is deeply shaken. Determined to honor their memory, he pledges his skills to help you repel the approaching beast wave.

  Package Effects:

  You have enlisted the aid of Christoff, The Lone Hunter.

  Jack’s eyes widened. They had just enlisted the help of a third NPC. Unlike Esther and Riku, he seemed to be one that would directly aid them in battle.

  “Awesome job, Amari!” Horace said.

  “He’s going to be a great help against bosses. He deals good single-target damage,” Amari sent back.

  Jack took a deep breath. This notification was just the push he needed. Amari had traveled twice as far as he did and already had something to show for his efforts. Jack couldn’t afford to lag behind.

  Mustering up the courage, Jack entered the cave.

  This feels like walking into a lion’s den.

  The cave seemed to swallow the dim light from the entrance, the darkness growing thicker with every cautious step. Jack hesitated. His rope sandals scuffed softly against the rocky floor. Each breath he took felt loud, almost intrusive.

  He froze mid-step. Do I risk it? The question lingered, pressing on his mind. His fingers brushed the torch at his side. Lighting it would mean risking exposure. Whatever was in here might see him, but without it, he was utterly blind. The decision clawed at his nerves.

  Jack clenched his jaw. I need to know what’s in here. Better to see it than stumble blindly into danger.

  With deliberate care, he pulled the torch from his belt and struck it alight. The flame flickered to life, casting an orange glow that danced across the jagged walls. Shadows loomed large, shifting eerily with each movement of the flame. The cave seemed impossibly vast now, its depths barely touched by the light.

  The beam of the torch landed on something dark brown and massive. Jack’s breath hitched as he took a step back, his heart pounding in his chest. The light played over its surface, revealing coarse, fur-like textures and the slow, rhythmic motion of something breathing deeply in and out.

  The rumbling sound he’d mistaken for distant thunder emanated from the creature. Its sheer size made the air feel heavier, oppressive, as though the cave itself had come alive. Jack swallowed hard, the taste of fear bitter on his tongue.

  It’s a beast.

  The realization hit him like a cold wave. The creature—whatever it was—lay fast asleep, its breaths steady and undisturbed. But the question remained: Should I risk moving closer or leave while I still can?

  Jack felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to bolt, to run as fast as he could. But the creature, whatever it was, continued to ignore him entirely. It lay there, undisturbed, its massive form almost blending into the cave’s shadows.

  Steeling himself, Jack made a small video and sent it to his team. “Guys, what is this?” he typed, not daring to speak aloud for fear of waking the beast.

  Amari responded immediately. “That’s a short-faced bear, Jack. It’s a level 35 creature. Is it sleeping?”

  Jack felt a surge of annoyance. Of course it’s sleeping. If it weren’t, I would be dead. If it was dead, then I wouldn’t be calling. He typed back more politely than he felt, “Yeah, it’s sleeping. What do I do? Is this a hidden package?”

  The cave’s damp air pressed in around him, carrying the musk of animal fur. Jack’s heart pounded as he glanced back at the beast, its massive form casting deep shadows that flickered with the dim light of his torch. The slow, rhythmic sound of its breathing reverberated through the cavern walls, each exhale a reminder of just how dangerous this creature could be.

  Jack couldn’t believe this was meant to help him. A level 35 beast, which would undoubtedly tear him apart if awake, didn’t seem like a "hidden package" at all.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Amari sent another message. “Is there anything else in the cave?”

  Jack scanned the area, moving cautiously around the beast. The torchlight illuminated more of the cavern, revealing jagged walls that seemed to close in the deeper he went. On the far side of the cave, he got a better look at the creature. Its face was oddly shaped, its snout shorter and more compact than any bear he’d seen before. Now he understood why it was called a short-faced bear.

  His grip tightened on the torch as he typed, “No, there’s nothing else here. Just the bear. What do I do?” Frustration crept into his voice as he glanced back at the beast.

  “I’m not sure,” Amari replied. “Maybe the hidden package only manifests if you wake it.”

  “Are you serious?” Jack typed, pausing to take a deep breath. The thought of waking the creature made his stomach churn. He glanced again at the massive beast, its claws twitching faintly in its sleep. The thing could shred him before he had a chance to blink.

  “Yes, but be careful. If you provoke a beast that’s 15 levels above you, you’re in trouble. Try looking around the cave. Maybe there’s something outside that can help you wake it—safely.”

  Jack exhaled, the weight of the decision pressing on him. His eyes lingered on the bear for a moment longer. There’s no way I can handle this thing if it wakes up angry, he thought.

  Stepping cautiously backward, Jack turned toward the cave entrance. The cool mountain air hit his face as he stepped outside, its sharp bite a stark contrast to the heavy warmth of the cavern. His eyes darted across the rocky landscape, his mind racing. If there was a way to wake the creature without triggering its wrath, he needed to find it fast.

  Now aware of the bear, Jack examined the slope below more carefully. Deep grooves scored the rock face—marks likely left by the creature’s claws as it descended from its lair. He scanned the surroundings for anything to help him deal with the bear. The rocky terrain offered little assistance.

  Desperate, Jack attempted to climb over the cave entrance. The initial ascent was straightforward; the vertical section provided solid handholds, and he moved quickly. But as the slope began to level out, disaster struck.

  His foot slipped on loose soil and crumbled rock, and suddenly, he was sliding uncontrollably. His stomach lurched as gravity took over, dragging him down the slope toward the cave. He tumbled through the entrance, landing hard on the floor, but the momentum of his fall didn’t stop there.

  Panic surged as he slid toward the precipice. He scrambled to regain his footing, clawing at the rocky ground, but it was no use—his momentum carried him over the edge.

  Frantically, Jack flung out his hands, grasping for anything—rocks, branches, anything that might save him from tumbling into the abyss. His fingers brushed against something jagged: one of the grooves left by the bear’s claws. Clinging to it with everything he had, he hauled himself up.

  Loose cobbles and soil cascaded down the slope below as he climbed. Jack’s heart pounded as he reached a more stable patch.

  He looked up to the slope over the cave entrance. It was riddled with unstable sections, each one a trap waiting to be sprung.

  “I guess that’s what they call a slippery slope,” Jack muttered to himself.

  As he steadied himself, an idea began to take shape. The loosened soil and precarious terrain had given him an idea. He studied the slope again, this time with purpose. A plan began to form. All Jack needed now was a bit of preparation.

  *

  After climbing to a safe position, Jack got to work. He grabbed the two fermentation bomb casings and began filling them. First, water, then honey, and finally sugar. He sealed the openings with soft clay, bringing a torch close to harden the seals.

  You’ve crafted a [Fermentation Bomb].

  +500XP in [Bushcrafting].

  Fermentation Bomb (Rare)

  Whereas most brewers dread the horrific explosions caused by the buildup of gases during fermentation, you embrace the chaos.

  Crafting grade: C

  Effects:

  Deal 50-200(+100) damage in a 10(+2)-meter radius.

  Pressure builds for 30 minutes. It will explode after that.

  [Innovating Pioneer] bonus: +100 damage and +2-meter radius.

  “It works!” Jack exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. “And, oh my goodness, look at that damage!” The story of Gretchen’s neighbor who’d blown up his entire farm over a poorly brewed batch of mead didn’t seem like an exaggeration anymore.

  His excitement dimmed as the vase in his hands began flashing bright red every few seconds—a system warning to remind him the bomb was ticking, literally. Gulping hard and with shaky hands, Jack repeated the process, crafting a second bomb.

  “Now comes the hard part,” he muttered, staring up the slope where he’d slipped earlier.

  Jack moved cautiously as he ascended the slope. The thought of two ticking time bombs in his inventory that could one-shot him wasn’t exactly comforting. His boots slid on loose patches of dirt, and sharp-edged rocks jabbed into his palms as he steadied himself.

  Finally, he reached a suitable spot—a jagged boulder jutting out from the unstable soil. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do. Jack knelt and carefully placed the bombs together against the rock. His hands trembled as he adjusted their position, ensuring they wouldn’t slide or topple. Satisfied, he climbed higher, just outside the blast radius.

  The flashing of the bombs quickened their ominous rhythm, a constant reminder of how little time he had. He glanced at the timer. Ten minutes. The pressure was mounting, and not just inside the bombs.

  Jack set a Molotov cocktail beside him for easy access and pulled out his ocarina. He’d need both if this plan was going to work. His mind raced as he considered his next steps. The goal was simple: wake the bear, lure it out, and let the bombs do the rest. If it didn’t work, he’d be out of options. Even though there was the prospect of resurrection thanks to Horace’s [Lazarus Herb], he’d rather not waste it here.

  He pressed the ocarina to his lips and began playing [Angry Void]. The sharp, jarring melody cut through the air, carried by the biting mountain wind.

  You’ve played [Angry Void].

  Performance rate: B-

  +130XP in [Bard]

  The notes echoed down the slope and into the cave. Jack’s fingers fumbled slightly as he played, the tension making his hands slick with sweat. From inside, the bear’s snoring faltered, uneven for the first time. Jack’s heart leaped, but nothing else happened.

  He bit back a curse. “Probably need to get a better grade on this song,” he muttered, frustration bubbling beneath his breath.

  He kept playing, glancing nervously toward the cave every few moments. The thought of a level 35 beast waking up and charging him sent a chill through his spine. He adjusted his position, his back pressed against the jagged rock as he braced himself.

  Five minutes left. The bombs flashed in rapid succession now, their urgency seeping into Jack’s nerves. The bear’s snoring grew louder, more irregular, but still, the creature didn’t stir.

  Jack’s frustration mounted. His team was counting on him, and he hadn’t accomplished anything yet. Failure wasn’t an option—not when everyone else was working so hard.

  Determined, Jack poured all his energy into the song, letting his irritation seep into the melody. The tune sharpened, growing edgier and more intense until one of his passive abilities was finally triggered.

  You’ve played [Angry Void].

  Performance rate: A+

  +130XP in [Bard]

  All beasts in the vicinity become enraged.

  [Soulful Performer]’s bonus effect activated: All beasts in the vicinity go berserk.

  The snoring stopped. A low, guttural rumble replaced it, vibrating the ground beneath Jack’s feet.