The morning sun warmed Zaros shoulders as he left Ernesto's shop. His void whisper reached out to his family.

  Gear sorted. Meet at the western gate. Time to hunt some wyverns.

  His mind filled with their responses. Ramrod's eager agreement rumbled like thunder. Ezras acknowledgment came sharp and clear. Chad managed to sound pretentious even through telepathy.

  They gathered at the western gate as the sun climbed higher. The mountain path stretched before them, winding up toward rocky peaks where wyverns made their nests.

  Zaro shared his morning success as they walked. He told them about the void enhanced armor Ernesto would craft, the partnership deal, the potential for epic tier equipment. He kept the merchant skill tree to himself - the system was his secret for now, though he knew he would need to tell them eventually.

  Void sense tingled as they hiked. Zaro felt the familiar ripple of energy and watched his teammates' reactions. Each described their experience differently.

  For Ramrod it felt like waves of pressure, showing weak points and power flows. Ezra sensed shadow patterns, paths of movement and concealment. Chad perceived magical resonance, layers of energy waiting to be tapped.

  Practice it constantly, Zaro advised. Like training a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows. He demonstrated by reaching out further, mapping the terrain ahead through void energy alone.

  As they reached the quest area, his system pinged.

  Quest Alert. Wyvern Nest Clearance. Difficulty Silver Rank. Objectives Clear nest. Protect trade routes. Bonus Save merchant caravan

  A trail of silvery light shimmered in his vision, marking the path ahead.

  Zaro paused for a moment. System, new request. Can you speak like Conor McGregor for the rest of the day?

  System voice settings adjusted... loading Dublin accent parameters...

  Oi mate! Ready to go proper mental on these fookin' lizards? The system's Irish accent rolled thick with enthusiasm in his mind.

  Perfect, Zaro thought, then turned back to the team. He pulled out his map, studying the terrain. The wyverns had three main hunting zones, the cave entrance, the upper cliff ledges, and the trade route below. They needed coverage on all angles.

  You're the only one who can void step far enough to match their altitude, Ezra said, comparing her void dash range to his. Her movements covered quick ground bursts, but his void step could cross serious distance.

  Yer damn right he can! The system crowed. Show these scaly bastards what a proper void walker can do in their own sky!

  Zaro marked their positions on the map. Ezra would take the cliff edge, providing cover fire with her enchanted arrows. Chad would set up near the cave mouth, barriers ready to protect while charging his spells. Ramrod would guard the lower ground, his axe waiting for any wyvern that flew too low.

  And I'll handle aerial intercept, Zaro concluded. Any diving attacks, I'll void step to meet them halfway. Disrupt their momentum.

  Look at ya, ya tactical genius! The system praised. Void steppin' through the sky like a fookin' champion! These wyverns won't know what hit 'em!

  The team nodded in agreement. The plan was solid, use their mobility and void abilities to counter the wyverns' aerial advantage. Force them to either stay grounded where Ramrod could reach them, or face Zaro's void attacks in their own domain.

  The wispy trail led up toward a cliffside cave. Perfect ambush spot for diving attacks on caravans below.

  Through his void sense and analyze ability, Zaro studied the creatures circling the cliffs ahead.

  Mountain Wyverns. Level 20-25. Lesser dragon species with powerful flight capability. Length 15-20 feet nose to tail. Wingspan 25-30 feet

  Notable Features. Scales reflect sunlight, making them hard to track. Razor sharp talons designed for snatching prey. Barbed tail used for balance and combat. Threat Level High for silver rank

  Three adults patrolled their territory. The largest, clearly the matriarch, had pale blue-gray scales that caught the morning light. Her mate showed deeper slate coloring with silver streaks along his wings. The youngest adult displayed mottled brown patterns perfect for blending with the cliff faces.

  Unlike true dragons, wyverns lacked front limbs, relying on powerful back legs and their wings for movement. When grounded they walked on their wing joints like massive bats. Their long necks ended in wedge shaped heads sporting rows of backward curved teeth ideal for tearing flesh.

  They were built for hit and run attacks. Diving at incredible speeds to snatch prey or slash with tail and talon before climbing rapidly out of reach. Their favorite tactic involved creating updrafts with their wings to disorient targets before striking.

  The real danger came from their coordination. Wyverns hunted as family units, one driving prey toward the others' ambush. Their shrieks could disorient at close range, and those barbed tails delivered a paralyzing toxin.

  A distant rumble caught their attention. Through the mountain pass below, a merchant caravan wound its way along the trade route. Six wagons, heavily laden with goods, prime targets for hungry wyverns.

  Oi, perfect timing! The system chimed. Looks like yer bonus objective just rolled in!

  The matriarch noticed too. Her pale scales flashed in the sunlight as she wheeled toward the convoy, her mate and the younger wyvern spreading out in a practiced hunting formation.

  Everyone in position, Ezra commanded through void whisper. The team split smoothly, each member moving to their designated spots. The merchants below remained unaware of both the danger above and their approaching protectors.

  The matriarch attempted to strike first, diving toward the lead wagon. Sunlight glinted off her scales, momentarily blinding the caravan guards. Before she could reach her target, Zaro used the Windcaller whistle to send a torrent of wind, which derailed her plan and made her dive path unstable.

  Ezra used this opening to fire one of the rope arrows they nabbed from Samu-el and Jackson.

  The Wyvern suffered from the enchanted arrows grounding effect as it was weakened by the air disruption and the rope.

  “We need to hit it fast while it’s tangled!” Ezra shouted through Void Whisper, her voice laced with urgency.

  Ramrod growled, his massive frame coiling with energy. “Zaro, you up for something looney?”

  “Always,” Zaro replied with a grin, void energy gently crackling around his daggers.

  Ezra quickly fired two more rope arrows, anchoring them to the rocky cliffside and stretching the enchanted cords taut. “Get in position!” she called, dashing to the top of a large pile of fallen boulders repositioning her angle for support and cover.

  Zaro stepped onto the center of the taut ropes, crouching low as the tension from the enchanted fibers hummed beneath him. Ramrod grabbed both ends of the ropes, his muscles bulging as he pulled them back like a colossal bowstring. The wyvern snarled, struggling against its pinned wing, oblivious to the human projectile about to launch. It was barely able to remain airborne.

  “Send it!” Zaro quipped, bracing himself.

  “Don’t miss,” Ramrod growled with a smirk, releasing the ropes.

  The force of the launch was breathtaking. Zaro shot through the air like an arrow, void-stepping mid-flight to correct his trajectory. He appeared directly above the wyvern’s head, his daggers gleaming with void energy. The matriarch’s eyes widened in shock as Zaro plunged downward, driving both daggers deep into the vulnerable space between her scales.

  “Gotcha,” Zaro whispered, as he dismounted while puncturing the Wyverns wing and slicing through it to slow his descent.

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  The creature shrieked, its movements faltering as wings failed to capture wind, it began to fall straight to the ground making impact with one of the few trees that were peppered in the area.

  Zaro void stepped to safety, landing nimbly on a small ledge of the mountain just above the Wyvern.

  “Nice shot,” Ezra said, her tone cool but her expression impressed.

  Ramrod, standing below, let out a booming laugh. “You see that? I just turned Zaro into a flying weapon! Next time, we’re charging you rent for that ride!”

  Just as Zaro was going to pounce, the Wyvern's mate banked hard toward the middle wagons, but Ezra fired 3 rope arrows anchored into a tree stump and fired into the stone wall creating a difficult to maneuver rope obstacle course in the way of the wyverns lunch.

  With his new, forced course, Chad was able to construct a barrier into existence around the wagons. This was perfect timing, because the youngest wyvern tried diving between the wagons, making comedic impact on said barrier. Its frustrated shriek echoing off the cliff walls.

  The matriarch recovered, but was grounded. Life force dripped from her wing and she released an ear-splitting cry, and her family responded by changing formation.

  The two airborne wyverns began circling, creating a massive updraft that sent dust and debris whirling around the caravan. The merchants' horses panicked, threatening to overturn the wagons.

  Zaro charged up his shadow strike and dropped down aiming for the spine of the beast. His mind already cataloging the crafting materials those scales and bones would provide.

  The impact of his strike made a slapping sound that was so loud everyone in the area wrinkled their forehead and noses. That must have hurt, badly.

  He followed up his attack with 2 more punches to the same area and then started using his fist pack, or void fang to deliver damage.

  The wyvern swyped with its tail and slashed across his void skin, shattering it, and he used that moment of a free block to shove his daggers into the beasts spine, severing nerves and slicing a 4 inch gash.

  He shoved a hand in and grabbed the spine with a bare overhand grip, then twisted into the grossest bicep curl he had ever attempted, it the most crisp and jerking motion he could, and felt several vertebrae cracking and separating in his hand. This wyvern was now disabled and could only move with her front end, and not well. The shriek was deafening as the other two were immediately heading towards Zaro.

  His void step brought him level with the matriarch's neck. She realized too late as his blade found the sweet spot between scales. His grip tightened on the pommel as he channeled shadow strike into the handle. The void enhanced attack exploded through the blade, sending it through her neck like a cosmic rail gun round.

  Her death cry never finished. As her massive form lay still. Zaro activated his void storage. Purple mist consumed her corpse before he void stepped closer to the others.

  [System alert muted]

  Another void step carried him directly into Ramrod. The collision sent void energy coursing through them both as their affinities sparked off each other. Zaro looked at his void brother with a grin. Give me another lift? Zaro said with an eyebrow wiggle upward.

  Ramrod's answering smile promised violence. His void charged muscles coiled then released, launching Zaro skyward like a ballista bolt. Down below, Ezras rope arrow had tangled the younger wyverns' wing, leaving it fighting for altitude.

  Zaro shot toward the second adult, his borrowed dagger ready for another clean kill.

  The second wyvern spotted him coming. Its tail whipped around as slate-gray wings banked hard, trying to put distance between them. Wrong move. The defensive maneuver brought it right into Chad's charged lightning bolt.

  The spell crashed into its wing, sending electricity arcing across its scales. The beast tumbled, disoriented, directly into Zaros path.

  Zaro adeptly maneuvered through its desperate tail swipe, appearing above its back. A void step brought him under its belly as it tried to right itself. His blade found the soft scales there, where he stabbed once and left a dagger to steal its attention, then he climbed to its back and grabbed the side of its head and pulled while shoving his dagger deep into it's eye socket.

  The dying creature vanished into his storage before it hit ground. Two down.

  [System alert muted]

  A shriek of rage echoed off the cliffs. The youngest wyvern finally tore free of Ezra's rope arrow, leaving behind chunks of wing membrane. It dove straight for the middle wagon where the merchant leader stood exposed.

  The young wyvern never reached its target. Ramrod stepped forward, void energy pulsing as his gravity manipulation activated. The wyvern's eyes widened as its dive suddenly curved, pulled off course and directly into Ramrods waiting arms.

  Got ye a present! Ramrod bellowed as he wrapped the beast in what he liked to call his loving embrace. The wyvern thrashed, its fangs scraping uselessly against his void hardened skin. Each bite met the equivalent of trying to chew through steel.

  Oi, look at the big man! The system cheered. Giving that lizard a proper Irish goodbye!

  The creatures tail whipped frantically as Ramrod squeezed tighter. Its wings beat uselessly against his arms. A sick cracking sound filled the air as its ribs began to give under the pressure. The wyverns attempts to screech turned to desperate wheezes.

  One final crack and the beast went limp. Ramrod held it out toward Zaro like a proud cat presenting a kill. Zaro stored the final wyvern just as the merchant leader approached their group, eyes wide with disbelief at what he'd witnessed.

  [System alert]

  You done did it now, Zaro

  3 Wyvern's defeated. 1,800 of 4,000 experience gained.

  That's how ya hug a wyvern! Ramrod roared, still holding his arms out where the beast had been. Did ya see that? He turned to his teammates, completely ignoring the slack-jawed merchant. Beast thought it could bite through my skin! His laughter boomed off the cliff walls.

  Ya should have seen its face when I pulled it right outta the sky! Like a cat getting yanked back by its tail! He mimed the wyverns expression, crossing his eyes and puffing his cheeks out.

  Remember when it tried using its tail? Ramrod continued, now acting out both parts of the fight. He spun in a circle making swooshing sounds, then grabbed himself in a bear hug. Then crack! Just like hugging a twig!

  The merchant leader tried to speak but Ramrod was too busy demonstrating his victory dance. Three more merchants approached, their faces a mix of awe and confusion as the massive void warrior continued his animated reenactment.

  Fookin beautiful! The system laughed in Zaros mind. The big mans got the right idea. Why talk to merchants when ya can celebrate properly?

  While Ramrod continued his theatrical performance, Zaro stepped forward and pulled out his gold medallion. The merchant leader's eyes widened, clearly not expecting such a high-ranked team. The guild insignia gleamed, its golden surface marking Zaro as one of the elite.

  The Adventurer's Guild sent us, Zaro explained, watching the merchants' demeanor shift from mere relief to outright reverence. We received reports of wyvern attacks on the trade routes. Problem solved.

  A gold rank team? the merchant leader breathed, bowing slightly. We're honored. He gestured at his fellow merchants who quickly showed similar respect, even as Ramrod continued his sound effect laden reenactment in the background.

  And then it went *crunch* and *wheeze* and *pop*! Ramrod's commentary carried over their conversation.

  Zaro maintained his professional demeanor despite his void brother's background entertainment. The route should be clear now. We'll escort you to the next town if you'd like. The leader nodded eagerly, clearly appreciating the offered protection from a gold-ranked team.

  Ya got them eating out of yer hand now! The system crowed. I know one thing. We're gonna need more sandwiches.

  The caravan moved steadily along the mountain path, now protected by Zaro's team. Ramrod had finally finished his performance but still occasionally mimicked a wyvern's death wheeze, causing the nearest merchants to jump.

  Ezra scouted ahead, her void sense mapping the safest route while Chad maintained a steady conversation with the merchant leader about trade opportunities in the next town. Always networking, that one.

  Ya got yerself a right proper bonus there! The system commented as Zaro walked alongside the wagons. Extra coin for the escort, plus whatever these fine merchants might offer ya later!

  The journey revealed signs of previous wyvern attacks - scattered cargo, broken wagon parts, old bloodstains. Each sighting made the merchants grip their reins tighter, but Zaro's presence seemed to calm them. His gold medallion caught the sun occasionally, reminding them of their prestigious protection.

  A few hours in, they passed another caravan heading the opposite direction. The other merchants' faces showed clear envy at Zaro's team escort. Word would spread quickly about the gold-ranked team clearing the wyvern threat.

  The mayor gestured toward the town hall, its crystal-veined marble marking it as one of Galahad's pride points. As the group followed, she explained their situation.

  The wyverns were just the latest problem, she said. The crystal mines to the north have been attracting all manner of beasts. Something's stirring them up, driving them closer to town.

  We've lost three mining operations in the past month, the guild master added, joining their conversation. Good men. Experienced miners. Whatever's down there... He shook his head.

  The merchant leader, still walking with them, seized the opportunity. If the mines remain closed, the crystal trade will collapse. Galahad's economy relies on those crystal exports.

  Got yourself a proper mystery here! The system chimed in. Crystals driving beasts mad? That's new!

  The mayor stopped at the town hall steps. We're preparing to offer a standing contract. Clear the mines, find what's causing this, and keep our trade routes open. She met Zaro's eyes. The pay would reflect the, gold standard of your team.

  The mayor, Jenni, led them into her office, crystal sconces casting a warm glow across aging maps of the mining networks.

  We didn't want to spread panic, she began, but it's not just beasts we're dealing with. The miners reported seeing corruption before they disappeared. Dark crystals, spreading like veins through the rock. She traced a finger along the mapped tunnels. Whatever it is, it's changing the crystals somehow. Tainting them.

  Zaro straightened at this, his interest piqued. Corruption meant adaptation. Adaptation meant evolution. Evolution meant rare resources.

  Ya thinking what I'm thinking? The system's Irish lilt carried a hint of excitement. Corrupted void crystals? That's a crafting goldmine right there!

  How deep did the corruption reach? Zaro asked, studying the map intently.

  Jenni shook her head. The deeper tunnels are completely sealed off now. The guild master lost two teams trying to investigate. She paused, watching their reactions. That's why we need gold rank assistance. Someone who understands energy.

  Jenni pulled out two contracts, laying them side by side on her desk.

  We're offering this both through official guild channels and as a private contract, she explained. The guild rate is standard, 50 gold per day, plus material rights to anything you clear from the mines.

  She tapped the second contract. The private offer is more substantial. 200 gold per day, exclusive mining rights to any tunnels you clear for three months, and, she pulled out a crystal key, access to the academy's void crystal refinement facilities.

  Oi, now that's interesting! The system perked up. Private means no guild oversight, and those refinement facilities? They're usually restricted to academy members only!

  The guild master shifted uncomfortably. While we appreciate the town's generous offer, the guild would prefer to maintain oversight of crystal related matters.

  Jenni's expression remained neutral, but her eyes fixed on Zaro. The choice is yours. Guild backing with restrictions, or private contract with full autonomy. Both pay in Galahad merchant script, fully backed by the crystal trade.

  Zaro studied both contracts before asking the key question. What kind of dungeon are we looking at? Puzzle? Battle? He watched Jenni's reaction carefully.

  From what our scouts reported before the sealing, it's a battle dungeon, Jenni replied. The last team reported wave based encounters before we lost contact.

  Zaro leaned forward, laying out his counter offer. We'll split this down the middle, 100 to us, 100 to the guild per day. Keeps everyone happy. The guild master's posture relaxed slightly at this diplomatic approach.

  For the mining rights, he continued, your crews handle it for 3 months after we clear each section. My team has other contracts to pursue. Jenni nodded, seeing the practical advantage of using her experienced miners.

  And the refinement facility access stays in the deal, he finished. The ability to process crystals was the real prize here, and Jenni knew it.

  We also want any equipment you can offer and 4 teleport stones and we need 3 days to prepare. If you can do that, it's a deal, he said, passed with himself.

  Now that's how ya negotiate! The system approved. Keep the guild sweet, get the fancy facilities, and no one needs to know what treasure ya pocket in the dungeon!

  We would be more than happy to assist with equipment and I'm sure we can find a few teleport stones. They'll have 10 charges and you'd have to recharge them as needed. Naturally.

  Jenni drafted the new terms while the guild master added his seal of approval. The compromise satisfied both town and guild interests, while leaving Zaro's team free to pursue their real objectives in the dungeon depths.

  Everyone wins, Jenni smiled, sliding the amended contract forward. The facilities are yours to use starting tomorrow.

  Zaro signed the contract with a flourish, watching as both Jenni and the guild master added their seals. The negotiations had gone better than expected - future access to those refinement facilities alone was worth more than they'd realize.

  Back at the guild hall, their wyvern quest completion scrolled across the notification board. The system chimed with their rewards:

  Quest Completed: Mountain Route Menace. Rank, Silver. Rewards. 200 silver coins per member. Bonus 5 health potions.

  Reputation increase with Merchant's Guild. Reputation increase with Galahad Township

  3 Wyvern corpses, stored.

  Ramrod was still mimicking his wyvern hug for anyone who'd listen while Chad tallied their earnings. Ezra had already disappeared, likely scouting the path to the mines for tomorrow.

  Zaro checked the Wyverns in his void storage inventory and noticed the male had big sideburns, like the Elvis of wyverns. It made him laugh out loud to imagine a wyvern Elvis. He laughed a bit then dug in his void storage.

  He gave each member of the team a teleport stone and told them he needed to pick up his equipment from Ernesto and he would be back. He wanted them to get equipped with gear, food and potions and rest up.

  Zaro pulled the crystal facility access key from his void storage. He flipped it around with his fingers like a playing card and let to fall back into the void. Zaro knew he would have to wait until his new equipment was finished. Then they'd see what kind of corruption could turn a simple mining operation into something that scared off silver ranked teams.

  The group found an inn and got a room and some food. A stew and some ale. Zaro took time to settle in to Eye of the Storm so he could get that leveled up eventually. He needed the recharge after the last few days.

  He was looking forward to getting his weapons and armor.

  That was he last thought when his tranquility skill kicked in.