The process of acquiring an adventurer card was quite straightforward and surprisingly efficient. Noland had simply paid two bronze coins at the bustling guild and was soon presented with a sleek bronze card that bore his name, embossed in elegant lettering. He savored a moment of pride as he held it in his hand; it symbolized his entry into an exhilarating new chapter of his life.
He was keenly aware that there were different tiers of adventurer cards, each designated by the world’s currency: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Each tier held a promise of greater challenges and, with them, rewards that would elevate his standing among fellow adventurers.
After expressing his gratitude to the attendant, who wished him luck with a warm smile, Noland headed over to the quest board. The board was a bustling hub of activity, adorned with colorful posters that showcased a myriad of quests. There were three categories that caught Noland's attention: Gather, Slay, and Special.
---
Gather Quests
-[Gather: 10 Bluescen Grass]
[Reward: 1 bronze coin] [Repeatable]
-[Gather: 10 Lily Flowers]
[Reward: 1 bronze coin] [Repeatable]
-[Gather: 1 Furr Berry]
[Reward: 10 bronze coins] [Repeatable]
---
The gathering quests appeared to be the simplest, requiring Noland to collect various herbs and deliver them to earn his rewards. He found the idea of wandering through the woods, collecting colorful plants, quite appealing. The quest posters depicted each herb vividly, and he quickly scanned them with his Nano machine to store the details in his memory. The beauty of these quests lay in their repeatability.
---
Slay Quests
-[Slay: Teether Rabbits]
[Reward: 5 bronze coins] [Repeatable]
-[Slay: 1 Wild Pig]
[Reward: 10 bronze coins or 1 Silver Coin] [Repeatable]
-[Slay: Long-Tooth Leon]
[Reward: 5 silver coins] [Repeatable]
---
As the name suggested, slay quests required adventurers to defeat various monsters, each more fearsome than the last. Noland felt a surge of optimism regarding his capacity to tackle lower-level creatures. The thought of his trusty dagger and the enhancements from his Nano machine fortified his spirit, but he was wise enough not to let his enthusiasm push him into accepting overly hazardous challenges too early in his adventuring career.
---
Special Quests
-[Escort]
-[Exploration]
-[Other Special Missions]
---
Details about the special quests were vaguer compared to the others but sparked intrigue, nonetheless. The mere terms like “Escort” and “Exploration” hinted at a tapestry of adventures that were yet to be uncovered. Noland decided to keep these things in his mind, knowing they would require stronger capabilities—which he aimed to develop in due time.
“I should concentrate on the gathering quests for now and start exploring the wilderness,” Noland concluded, the plan solidifying in his mind. "Familiarizing myself with the forest layout will be crucial before my Nano Machine completes its analysis of mana particles.”
To accept a quest, one simply needed to take the poster from the board and show it to the guild lady behind the desk. This process was reserved for non-repeatable quests. For the repeatable quests, completion of the task sufficed, allowing adventurers to return and claim their rewards with ease.
With determination coursing through him, Noland left the guild hall, stepping out into the lively town square teeming with merchants and travelers. The town centre was alive with a steady flow of townsfolk coming and going—each person lost in their own world. After a moment's hesitation, he pushed through the crowd, inhaling the familiar scents of the marketplace: sweet fruits, spicy herbs, and freshly baked bread. He hurriedly left through the town gates and came outside the town.
“It’s just like yesterday. Well, it wasn’t going to change overnight…,” he mumbled to himself, his humor lightening his spirits again as he stepped outside. His sights then set on Pinewood Forest. This time, he planned to take a different route than before, deliberately steering clear of the area where that mysterious creature had attacked him—an experience he wasn’t eager to repeat.
“Let’s put my physical abilities to the test,” Noland thought as he began to jog toward the forest confidently. He started at a measured pace before gradually breaking into a full sprint, marveling at how effortless it felt thanks to the enhancements coursing through his body. “Thanks to the Nano upgrades, I feel unstoppable,” he laughed out loud, savoring the rush of wind against his face as the landscape blurred around him, the towering trees of the forest beckoning just ahead.
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Upon reaching the edge of Pinewood Forest, he slowed his pace, cautious as he stepped onto the carpet of soft earth covered in a rainbow of fallen leaves. He drew his dagger from his waist, a sleek steel blade he had meticulously scanned with his Nano Machine earlier. He felt a sense of security in its grip, knowing it far surpassed any conventional weapon he had ever owned.
“Nano, initiate a scan for any threats nearby, and keep an eye out for herbs we can harvest,” Noland commanded, fully aware of the capabilities of the machine at his disposal. In this world, every advantage counted.
[Starting Scan…]
With the Nano Machine actively surveying the forest, he felt empowered—why expend unnecessary energy searching manually when he could harness technology to optimize his efficiency?
Recalling that Bluescen Grass thrived in sunlit areas, he moved purposefully toward a clearing he remembered encountering during his other explorations. The moment he arrived, he hardly had to wait as his machine relayed useful information without delay.
[3 Bluescen Grass detected]
“Ah, how splendid you are, Nano!” he said, smiling at the device that felt like an extension of himself. As if on cue, he soon spotted the vibrant blue grass swaying gently in the breeze, each tuft about nine inches tall. The color sparkled like jewels beneath the filtered sunlight streaming through the thick canopy above.
Noland carefully plucked the grass, marveling at how simple it was to collect this gift from nature. Each blade felt refreshing in his hand, and he took a moment to appreciate the world around him—the rustling leaves, the distant calls of wildlife, and the unmistakable scent of adventure in the air.
“Just seven more to go before I can claim my first bronze coin. Doesn’t seem too difficult if you play your cards right,” Noland chuckled to himself, the sound of his own voice giving him a sense of camaraderie in the vast wilderness. He continued deeper into the forest, his eyes scanning the ground for the elusive herbs he desperately needed.
After barely five minutes of walking, the serene quiet of the woods was abruptly interrupted by an unusual sound—sharp and rhythmic, as if something was bustling through the underbrush. Noland's heart jolted, his instincts sharpening. He glanced around, trying to pinpoint the source of the noise. Just as he was about to call out to Nano, his trusty companion, a notification flashed in his mind.
[A living creature detected 30 meters to your right]
With his pulse racing, Noland turned sharply, clutching his dagger tightly. Every muscle in his body was on alert as he listened intently. The rustling grew closer, and then, with a sudden burst of energy, a small creature darted into view.
It was a rabbit, but not just any rabbit. This one boasted a coat as white as freshly fallen snow, its long ears perked up in curiosity, while its striking red eyes glinted like rubies against the soft backdrop of the forest. At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary rabbit, but Noland knew better than to underestimate appearances in this strange new world.
[Wild Teether Rabbit detected. It is advised for the host to be cautious]
Nano's voice rang in his head as he took a slow breath, keeping his grip on the dagger steady.
Noland had only stared at the rabbit for a fleeting two seconds before it launched itself towards him with surprising speed. The creature moved like a flash, each leap more explosive than the last. Despite the rabbit’s unexpected swiftness, Noland found himself easily sidestepping its charge, his newly enhanced reflexes kicking in seamlessly.
“Wow. We both are fast,” he thought, a mix of excitement and awe flooding his mind as he reflected on the agility of the creature before him. The thrill of the battle sent a surge of adrenaline through him, and he couldn't help but marvel at both the rabbit's impressive velocity and his own reaction time. Each leap brought a newfound appreciation for the enhancements the nano had bestowed upon him, transforming his once ordinary capabilities into something extraordinary.
The rabbit, aptly named Teether, twisted mid-air, its body a blur as it revealed sharp, glistening teeth reminiscent of a predator. With a ferocious snarl, the rabbit launched itself at him once more, its formidable teeth bared in a show of aggression. This time, Noland was ready.
As the animal hurtled towards him, he felt the rush of air as it passed, his instincts kicking in. He jerked sharply to the side, feeling the rush of energy radiate through his limbs. With precision and fluidity, he swung his dagger, its blade glinting in the ambient light as it sliced through the air toward the charging rabbit.
“Screech”
It went flying backward, tumbling through the air with an unexpected force, and blood pouring out like a small fountain. To his astonishment, it rolled over ten meters before coming to a halt, motionless at last.
“Am I really that strong?” Noland exclaimed, disbelief washing over him. He had always known he possessed astonishing strength, but this was something entirely different—he had dispatched the monster with astonishing ease. Taking a deep breath to steady his racing heart, he instructed the nano device to scan the rabbit once more.
[No life signs detected. The rabbit is dead.]
A wave of relief washed over him, and he cautiously approached the carcass. As he picked it up, he was taken aback by its weight—certainly more than 20 pounds, he estimated. “Looks like the weight classification works differently in this world,” he chuckled to himself, the absurdity of the situation lightening his mood.
Just as he was thinking about the next step, a notification pinged in his mind.
[Life energy detected. It is advised that the host absorb the energy to strengthen himself.]
Noland paused, suddenly recalling the crucial piece of information he had nearly overlooked. Whispers about this world had mentioned that anyone could gain strength not just through battle, but by absorbing the life energy of defeated monsters.
The process was straightforward—simply placing his hand on the creature and willing the energy to flow into him. He felt a surge of anticipation. He had never done something like this before, but the promise of greater power was enticing. He placed his palm on the rabbit's fur and concentrated, envisioning the energy enveloping him.
[Unknown life energy being absorbed. It is detected that the host can expedite the Mana particle experiment by transferring this energy to the Nano Machine. Do you wish to confirm?]
Noland hesitated again, taken aback by the sudden revelation from the nano. “Really? How much faster can the process be if I transfer the energy?” he wondered aloud.
[Confirmation of speed increase is only available post-absorption.]
He deliberated, weighing his options carefully. Yes, absorbing the energy for himself would undoubtedly enhance his strength, but mana was of paramount importance. The essence of this world was intertwined with mana, and he needed to harness it desperately. Every battle would require it, every spell he intended to cast would demand it.
With a resolute nod, he chose to allow the nano to absorb the energy. “Let’s see how much faster you can work with this,” he said to himself, driven by a sense of curiosity and ambition.
As the energy began to transfer, he felt a peculiar sensation course through him—like a warm glow spreading from his fingertips. He envisioned the nano machine processing the life essence, readying itself for the challenges that lay ahead.
