The forest awoke with the soft hum of morning. Birds chirped in the canopy above, and shafts of sunlight broke through the trees, illuminating patches of moss and dew. Hunnt moved cautiously, eyes scanning the undergrowth for both useful resources and potential danger. Every rustle of leaves, every shifting shadow, set his senses on alert.
"Keep your eyes open," Hunnt murmured, voice low, "We need more than just meat. Armor, weapons… everything relies on the materials we gather today."
Corwin followed closely, hefting his hammer over one shoulder, his gaze sweeping the treeline. "Hunnt, you really think we can find enough in just one day?" he asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Hunnt glanced at him, eyes sharp. "We have to. The villagers can't wait forever. And I don't want to risk running into that wandering monster unprepared." [We need every scrap we can get—bones, sinews, hides, even herbs for potions.]
Pyro padded silently beside them, golden eyes scanning every corner, ears twitching with the slightest sound. [I'll warn you first if danger comes.]
---
Hunnt crouched, examining a cluster of herbs growing near a fallen log. "These could be useful for potions," he whispered. He carefully harvested the leaves, placing them in a small satchel. "Corwin, those honeycombs over there could make mega potions. Grab them carefully."
Corwin nodded, carefully extracting honey from the combs, muttering under his breath, "Sticky, but worth it…"
Suddenly, Pyro's tail stiffened, ears pricked. His body crouched, ready to spring. "What is it, Pyro?" Hunnt asked, crouching beside his companion.
Pyro let out a quiet "mrrp" and shook his head. [I'm not sure… but something passed by too fast to see.]
Hunnt frowned, glancing into the shadows. [Could it be the wandering monster? Too quick to tell. We'll need to stay alert.] He adjusted his grip on his gauntlet, muscles tensing slightly.
---
Hours passed in careful gathering. Hunnt moved with methodical precision, examining the forest floor for anything useful: brittle bones, discarded sinews, broken scales. Each find was cataloged mentally for future armor or weapon use. Corwin followed, collecting larger items and securing materials safely, while Pyro darted ahead and back, checking for signs of movement in the treeline.
Hunnt paused near a shallow stream, kneeling to inspect a small patch of mud. Fresh tracks—hoof-like but larger, clawed perhaps—traced along the bank. [New monster tracks… recent. It's close.]
He signaled to Corwin and Pyro, pointing subtly. "Stay quiet. Watch for movement. We can't risk startling it yet."
The trio proceeded slowly, scanning every shadow and listening for the faintest rustle of leaves. Pyro crouched low, tail flicking nervously, while Corwin adjusted his hammer position for quick swings if necessary.
---
By midday, their satchels and packs were full: herbs for potions, honey for boosting supplies, sinews bound into neat bundles, and a few bones and hides. Hunnt wiped sweat from his brow, leaning on his gauntlet. "This should hold us for now… but we can't stop. The wandering monster is still out there, and we need more materials if we want armor ready for the next hunt."
Corwin exhaled, stretching. "We're carrying a lot. Feels like we've already done a week's work."
Pyro brushed past Hunnt's leg, tail flicking. [We've done well, Master. But stay alert.]
Hunnt nodded, eyes scanning the forest edges once more. [Preparation is everything. We can't predict when or where the wandering monster will appear, but if we're ready, we'll handle it.]
The forest seemed quieter now, almost holding its breath as the trio methodically continued. Every collected item, every careful observation, added to their growing arsenal. The herbs would make potions, bones and sinews would strengthen armor, hides would provide defense, and scales might enhance weapons.
Hunnt glanced at Corwin. "Tomorrow, we'll start crafting again. Reinforce armor and weapons using these materials. We'll test their strength, their flexibility. And when the wandering monster appears, we'll be ready."
Corwin nodded, eyes determined. "Let's do it. No surprises this time."
Pyro purred softly, brushing against Hunnt's hand. [Everything is in place, Master. We're ready.]
Hunnt stood tall, looking at the thick forest surrounding them. [The hunt isn't over, but we're closer. Every step, every material… it counts. And soon, the villagers will be safe.]
As the sun climbed high, casting dappled light across the forest floor, the trio pressed on, collecting, preparing, and silently planning. The wandering monster may be elusive, but Hunnt and his companions were no longer unprepared—they were learning, adapting, and readying themselves for survival.
——————————————————————————————————————
✨ Hi amazing readers! ✨
I'm excited to share my brand-new novel with you: Final Fantasy: The Unwritten.
This story dives deep into the multiverse of Final Fantasy—where heroes, destinies, and untold adventures intertwine in ways you've never seen before.
Your support means the world to me, so please check it out, give it a read, and join me on this epic journey. Every view, comment, and share helps bring this story to life.
Thank you for being part of this adventure. Let's explore the unwritten together! 🌌⚔️
——————————————————————————————————————