The trail narrowed into a ridge of white stone that caught the sun like glass. Every step we took sent echoes rolling through the valley. Somewhere above, something answered—slow, rhythmic, almost like breathing.
> [Quest Active: Investigate the Highland Watcher]
[Caution: Unknown mana signature detected nearby]
Fenris Warden's hackles rose. "The air trembles."
Lumina's glow dimmed. "It's watching us… from every reflection."
I stopped and looked around. The cliffs sparkled with countless fragments of crystal, each one catching my image at a different angle. Then, in one of the reflections, I saw eyes that weren't mine—silver, ancient, unblinking.
A voice rolled down the slope, deep and resonant.
"Traveler of foreign scent, why do you disturb my mountains?"
A shimmer of light condensed ahead, and a massive figure stepped out—a creature of living crystal, shaped like a stag. Its body was carved from translucent stone, veins of blue mana running beneath the surface. When it moved, the ground sang.
"I'm not here to disturb," I said carefully. "Just passing through. Maybe cook a little."
The stag tilted its head, crystals chiming.
"You bear the fire that feeds gods. To tread here without offering tribute is arrogance."
Lumina whispered, "It's a Highland Guardian… older than some gods."
Fenris Warden stepped forward, fur bristling. "If it wants a fight—"
"No," I said, raising a hand. "It wants proof."
I opened the Online Grocery & Item Box. Inside were leftovers from lunch and a few new ingredients I'd found—Mana Thyme, Highland salt, and a single egg that shimmered faintly.
"Let's see if flavor counts as tribute."
> [Cooking Mode: Activated]
[Challenge Type: Offering Meal]
I knelt, set up the pan, and let the crystal stag watch. The egg cracked into the heat, its yolk glowing softly. I added salt, thyme, and a touch of soy. The aroma filled the ridge—simple, humble, honest.
The Guardian lowered its head slightly. "Scent… pure."
I slid the food onto a smooth crystal shard and offered it up. It leaned down, touched the edge with its muzzle, and the dish vanished into light.
Silence. Then the entire mountain hummed once, deep enough to make my bones vibrate.
> [Trial Complete — Offering Accepted]
[Blessing Gained: Resonance of Stone (Defense +5 %, Stability +3 %)]
The stag's eyes softened.
"You respect balance. May your flame temper the wilds, not burn them."
Then it dissolved into mist, leaving a faint silver mark etched on the cliff.
Lumina exhaled. "You just fed a legend."
Fenris smirked. "And we live."
I packed the pan, shaking my head. "Next time, maybe someone could tell me before I cook for a mountain spirit."
> [Quest Complete — The Highland Watcher (Reward: Blessing Obtained)]
The wind shifted, carrying the scent of rain and iron from deeper in the range. Far ahead, where the cliffs dipped, I could see faint smoke rising—signs of a settlement.
I smiled slightly. "Town ahead. Let's eat with people for a change."
The road curved toward the heart of the Crystal Highlands, and the sound of crystal chimes followed us all the way down.