Now Level 3, Drake accepted his next task from Veridian Rise's herbalist – gathering 3 Moonpetal Ferns, supposedly found deeper in the Verdant Threshold woods. << Quest Received: [Lunar Botanicals] - Collect [Moonpetal Fern] 0/3. Reward: 180 EXP, 25 Copper Coins. >> He set off, his improved skill baselines immediately noticeable.
The Level 2 Thorn Boars and Level 3 Forest Sprites he encountered now fell significantly faster. His [Basic Slash], executing reliably at 75% SCR, dealt consistent, improved damage (<< Damage Dealt: 15! >>), while his 72% SCR [Defend] provided more effective mitigation (<< Damage Blocked: 25! >>). His consistency, guaranteed by [Eidetic Execution], made the grind feel smoother. While he continued to instinctively push for better execution on every action, his focus during these routine encounters was now simply on clearing the required mobs efficiently. The tangible improvement in kill speed compared to his initial clumsy efforts felt validating.
He found two Moonpetal Ferns near a stream (<< Quest Item Acquired: [Moonpetal Fern] 2/3 >>) and pushed further into a less-trafficked area marked by grey stone outcrops, searching for the last one. As he scanned the area, a particular patch of moss caught his eye – it grew only on the north-facing side of certain stones and had a faint, unnatural iridescence. "Shimmer-moss? Why does that sound familiar?"
Instantly, [Perfect Recall] dredged up a fragment of conversation from hours ago, listening to the village tanner ramble: "...always hunted near Grey Stone Ridge... knew my way by the shimmer-moss, only grows on the cold side..." Drake looked around – this area fit the description of Grey Stone Ridge. Connecting the visual cue (moss) with the recalled location and directional hint ('cold side' = north), he began examining the north faces of the nearby grey stones.
Behind one large boulder, hidden by low-hanging vines, he found moss that looked subtly disturbed near the base. Kneeling down, he pushed aside loose scree and thick vines. A dark opening, barely large enough to squeeze through, was revealed. << Discovered Hidden Area: Secluded Crevice! +75 EXP! >>
"A hidden cave? Nice. Perfect Recall paying off already." He activated a basic torch from his starter inventory, its flickering light pushing back the gloom. He cautiously entered the narrow crevice. Inside, the small natural cave held a few common resource nodes – [Copper Ore] vein and some [Cave Mushroom]. But tucked away on a natural shelf deeper within sat something else: a smooth, grey disc, faintly warm to the touch and emitting a soft, internal hum.
He picked it up. << Item Acquired: [Weathered Alvari Artifact]!
Quality: ???
Description: Warm to the touch, humming with faint, ancient energy. Feels... incomplete. [Quest Item?]. >>
Drake turned the strange artifact over in his hands. ??? Quality usually meant something unique or important. What was an Alvari artifact doing in the tutorial zone? This felt significant, a secret discovered thanks entirely to his meticulous information gathering combined with sharp observation. He carefully stowed the artifact, spotted the final Moonpetal Fern growing near the cave mouth, collected it (<< Quest Item Acquired: [Moonpetal Fern] 3/3 >>), and headed back towards Veridian Rise, his mind buzzing with the discovery.