The village felt both alive and alien. Its bustling market and earthy smells reminded me of life back on Earth, but the undercurrent of Chi and the way people moved with a subtle grace made it clear that this world was nothing like my own. Every interaction seemed to carry weight, a calculated exchange in a realm where strength and resources determined survival.

  After spending hours studying the cultivation scroll, I knew my next step had to be deliberate. Mira's guidance was invaluable, but each decision felt monumental in a world that demanded progress without mercy.

  *****

  The next morning, I returned to the market, this time to observe. Mira had taught me that knowledge wasn’t just in books or scrolls but in understanding the people and culture around me.

  A small commotion drew my attention. A young man in tattered robes was pleading with a merchant over a pile of herbs.

  “Please,” the man begged, his voice cracking. “These are for my sister. She’s dying.”

  The merchant sneered. “If you can’t pay, you can’t have them. I’m not running a charity.”

  The desperation in the man’s eyes hit me hard. I took a step forward, unsure of what I

  I hesitated, watching as the young man’s shoulders slumped in defeat. He stumbled away, clutching a small pouch of Spirit Shards that was clearly insufficient for what he needed.

  I clenched my fists. “That’s easy for you to say. You’re not the one watching it happen.”

  Her words stung, but she wasn’t wrong. As much as I wanted to help, I was barely surviving myself. I followed the young man at a distance, curiosity outweighing my hesitation.

  *****

  I found him kneeling by a small hut on the outskirts of the village. Inside, a frail girl lay on a crude pallet, her breathing shallow and labored. The young man was mixing a paste from a few withered herbs, his hands shaking.

  “Do you need help?” I asked, stepping into the doorway.

  He turned, startled. “Who are you?”

  “Just someone who’s been thrown into this world,” I replied. “But I know what it’s like to feel helpless.”

  The young man hesitated, then sighed. “My name is Eren. My sister, Lyra, was poisoned by a spirit beast during a gathering trip. The herbs I have aren’t enough to save her.”

  I glanced at the girl. Her pale skin and the faint green tint to her lips were alarming, even to someone like me who knew little about this world’s dangers.

  “What kind of antidote?” I asked, hoping Mira had a solution.

  Eren looked at me, confusion in his eyes. “Who are you talking to?”

  I shook my head. “Never mind that. If I get these ingredients, can you make the antidote?”

  His eyes widened. “You’d do that?”

  I glanced at the frail girl, then back at him. “Yes, but I’ll need your help.”

  *****

  Eren and I set out at dawn. He explained that he’d grown up in the village but had little experience with spirit beasts or cultivation. His sister had always been the stronger of the two, often protecting him during their gathering trips.

  “Why are you helping us?” he asked as we walked through the dense forest. “You don’t even know us.”

  I shrugged. “Maybe because I’d want someone to help me if our roles were reversed.”

  Mira’s voice chimed in.

  

  As we ventured deeper into the forest, the air grew heavy with Chi, and the sounds of wildlife became more subdued. It wasn’t long before we found the first ingredient, a cluster of Spiritmend Leaves growing near a stream.

  “Stay back,” I told Eren, gripping my dagger tightly.

  The water rippled unnaturally, and a sleek, scaled creature emerged—a Riverfang Eel, its eyes glowing with malice. It lunged at me, its fanged mouth snapping. I sidestepped, slashing at its side, but its slippery body twisted away.

  

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  I maneuvered closer to the stream’s edge, forcing the eel onto dry ground. Its movements became erratic, and I seized the opportunity, driving my dagger into its neck. The creature thrashed once before falling still.

  “Impressive,” Eren said, his voice tinged with awe.

  I ignored him, crouching beside the eel’s lifeless body. Mira’s guidance came swiftly.

  

  Using a sharpened rock, I carefully removed the eel’s fangs and collected its shimmering silver-blue blood in hollowed bark. Its scales peeled away with effort, the glossy material promising durability in future use. Finally, I stripped its flesh, wrapping the cuts in large leaves for preservation.

  With the Spiritmend Leaves gathered and the eel’s resources secured, we pressed onward.

  *****

  Our next stop was a grove of Crimson Ivy, its vibrant red vines winding around the trees like veins. As we approached, Mira’s voice warned me.

  

  My grip tightened on the dagger. “Great. What’s next, flying tigers?”

  Eren’s laugh was cut short by a hiss from above. A Vine Serpent dropped from the branches, its emerald-green scales glinting in the sunlight. It was fast—faster than I expected—and its fangs grazed my arm before I could dodge.

  Pain exploded in my shoulder as the venom burned through my veins. The serpent coiled back, its body undulating with predatory grace. My vision blurred for a moment before I forced myself to focus.

  The serpent struck again, and I barely sidestepped, slashing at its midsection. My blade tore through its scales, green blood splattering onto the ground. It hissed, rearing back for another strike.

  “Jayson!” Eren shouted. “Behind you!”

  I turned just in time to see the serpent’s tail whip toward me. It struck my leg, sending me crashing into a tree. My vision swam, but adrenaline kept me moving. As the serpent lunged once more, I drove my dagger into its open mouth, skewering it through the skull.

  The creature’s body writhed violently, its death throes shaking the ground. I collapsed to my knees, gasping for air.

  “You’re insane,” Eren said, pulling me to my feet.

  “Maybe,” I replied, wiping the blood from my face. “Let’s get the ivy and move.”

  I worked quickly, extracting the venom sacs and carefully storing them in bark containers. The scales, though tough, came off in sheets with enough pressure. Lastly, I removed several bones, their light weight promising versatility in future crafting. With the Crimson Ivy gathered, we continued deeper into the forest.

  *****

  Night fell as we searched for the final ingredient: Lunar Petals. Their silver glow was easy to spot, but they only grew in areas saturated with Chi—often near the dens of powerful spirit beasts.

  We found a cluster of the petals in a clearing, their light casting eerie shadows. But as I stepped forward, a low growl froze me in my tracks.

  A Shadowfang Lynx emerged from the underbrush, its emerald eyes glowing with malice. This one was larger than the one I’d faced before, its movements fluid and predatory.

  “Stay back,” I ordered, positioning myself between Eren and the beast.

  The lynx circled me, its growl reverberating in my chest. It lunged without warning, its claws raking across my chest. Pain flared, but I gritted my teeth and countered with a slash of my dagger. The blade bit into its shoulder, but the beast barely flinched.

  The lynx lunged again, and I rolled to the side, slashing at its exposed flank. This time, my blade found purchase, and the creature let out a roar of pain. Blood spattered the ground as it staggered, but its eyes burned with renewed fury.

  It pounced, knocking me to the ground. Its claws dug into my shoulders as its jaws snapped inches from my face. Desperation fueled me as I drove the dagger into its side, twisting it with all my strength.

  The lynx yowled, thrashing violently before collapsing on top of me. I shoved its lifeless body aside and struggled to my feet, my chest heaving.

  “Are you okay?” Eren asked, his voice shaky.

  “Never better,” I muttered. “Hey, go ahead and grab the petals.”

  Ignoring the exhaustion weighing on me, I knelt beside the lynx and began the grim task. Its teeth and claws came free with some effort, the sharp implements gleaming in the moonlight. The pelt was tougher to remove, but I worked methodically, ensuring it remained intact. The blood, rich and dark, was carefully collected for future use.

  Hey Mira, can you tell what are the best uses for these are?

  With our satchels full and the Lunar Petals secured, we turned back toward the village. The journey had tested every ounce of my strength and resolve, but as I glanced at the resources we had gathered, I couldn’t deny the value of the risks we had taken.

  *****

  Back at the hut, Eren worked quickly, mixing the ingredients into a bubbling elixir. When it was ready, he carefully poured it into his sister’s mouth. Within moments, her breathing steadied, and the green tint to her lips faded.

  Tears streamed down Eren’s face. “Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you.”

  I shook my head, exhaustion weighing me down. “Just take care of her.”

  As I stepped outside, the night air felt heavy but peaceful. Mira’s voice broke the silence.

  I looked toward the forest, its shadows still full of danger and mystery. “If this is just the start, Mira… how much harder will it get?”