[Sakyo] Look Lumi, there's the village!
Reaching the top of a small hill, Sakyo and Lumi gaze at the rising sun shining its light down on the small village. The cold of night seems like a distant memory as the warmth of morning spreads across the land.
[Sakyo] Ivala Village, it's known for being a small farming village. I heard they've got a few rarer items that only grow around these parts.
[Lumi] Rawr (Papa, Lumi's hungry.)
[Sakyo] I know, here you go.
He gets off her back and pulls out a few pieces of dried meat from his bag. Lumi eagerly devours them in a matter of minutes. While she does, Sakyo give her head lots of pets.
[Sakyo] Take your time, you need the rest. You deserve it after running all night.
[Lumi] Rawr! (Yay! Lumi loves meat and head pats!)
[Sakyo] (Still, running a three day trip in just one night, and with so much energy left. Lumi really is amazing.) Lumi, once you're done, I want you to stay hidden in my shadow.
[Lumi] Rawr? (Why?)
[Sakyo] I don't know how the villagers will react if they see me walking in with a rare variant of a midnight tiger like you. Even though you're so fluffy and cute, they might be scared of you. I don't want them thinking you're a monster and attacking you.
[Lumi] Rawr (Ok Papa. Lumi will stay in Papa's shadow.)
After finishing her last piece of dried meat, Lumi leaps into Sakyo's shadow, completely disappearing from view.
[Sakyo] Alright then, time to start this quest.
Sakyo walks calmly and slowly, making his way to the village. Once he reaches the village entrance, he's greeted by a guard stationed at the wooden gates.
[Guard] Welcome to Ivala Village. Before you enter, there's a toll of five copper.
Sakyo hands over the coins without resistance and gets inside the village. He takes a look around, seeing many families working in unison to harvest small gardens next to each house.
[Sakyo] (I guess this place isn't known for its farming for nothing. I should find whoever's in charge here and get some info on the Manavore.)
After walking around aimlessly for about an hour, Sakyo finally ends up at a large house in the center of the village. He knocks on the door, and an old man with a cane answers.
[Old Man] Yes? Can I help you, young man?
[Sakyo] I was sent here by the guild for your Manavore request.
[Old Man] Ah yes, I received word that someone had accepted our request this morning, but I was told you wouldn't be here for another two days.
[Sakyo] Yes, my companion was able to get me here quicker than most.
[Old Man] I see, you must be tired from your journey. I'll show you to a room. You can stay in my home while you're here.
[Sakyo] Thank you, I appreciate your hospitality.
The old man shows Sakyo to one of the spare rooms in his house. It's a cozy room. Nothing extravagant, but very comfortable. After setting down his belongings, Sakyo comes back out to find the old man sitting at his table.
[Old Man] Hmm? Did you forget something?
[Sakyo] No, I just wanted to get an early start on the Manavore quest. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about its appearance.
[Old Man] I see you young folks have quite a lot of energy. Very well, I can tell you what we know about the Manavore. Please, sit.
He does, sitting on the other side of the table across from the old man. The old man gets Sakyo a cup of water before taking his seat once more.
[Old Man] I don't believe I've introduced myself yet. My name is Rohan, and I am this villages chief.
[Sakyo] (Thank goodness, I didn't just walk in on some random old guy.) My name is Sakyo, I am a C-rank adventurer.
[Rohan] Now then, about the Manavore. It lives in a cave about an hours walk south of the village. It usually keeps to itself, so we've never had a problem with it until recently. Some villagers we gathering herbs outside when it suddenly ran across in a frenzy. Luckily, no one was seriously injured.
[Sakyo] Is it possible something spooked it?
[Rohan] It's possible, but I can't imagine anything around here being strong enough to make it run like that. Ever since then, it's been wandering around that area, and hasn't returned to its cave.
[Sakyo] I see, then it's possible there's something wrong with its normal home that caused it to panic. If I can find out what caused it to start running wild, I might be able to get it to go back to its cave.
[Rohan] I'm sorry I can't be of more help.
[Sakyo] No need for apologies, you've already given me more than enough information.
[Rohan] Well, I must give you a warning if you must fight the beast. You'll know it as soon as you see it. The Manavore has large mana crystals growing on its back that can absorb any kind of magic. It's big, so you're better off avoiding its charges and aiming for its legs.
[Sakyo] Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
...
Sakyo wanders through the open forest area where the old man told him to go. He takes note of all the footprints dug into the ground and every tree knocked over.
[Sakyo] Yeah, that thing was definitely here.
He follows the trail of destruction through the forest, eventually reaching a large cave entrance. The cave itself is quite shallow, barely the size of the old man's kitchen.
[Sakyo] I guess this is it. It's hard to think anything could live here. Lumi.
Hearing her name, Lumi leaps out of Sakyo's shadow.
[Lumi] Rawr? (Yes Papa?)
[Sakyo] Do you mind surveying around this cave? Tell me if you smell anything that might be off about it.
[Lumi] Rawr! (Oh boy, hide and seek!)
With her tail wagging eagerly, Lumi runs out and starts smelling the ground for clues. Sakyo turns back to the cave, feeling something off about it.
[Sakyo] What's going on? I can't shake this feeling like something's wrong about this place.
[Lumi] Rawr! (Papa, Lumi smells something!)
He runs over to where Lumi is, just around the corner of the caves entrance.
[Lumi] Rawr (Lumi smells something omni-spicious here.)
[Sakyo] (Aww, she's trying to say ominous and suspicious at the same time.) Good work.
Sakyo kneels down to feel the ground where Lumi smelled, freezing suddenly.
[Sakyo] Lumi, get in my shadow. Now.
Sensing the seriousness in his voice, Lumi doesn't hesitate to follow his order. Sakyo places his palm on the ground, activating his skill: {Miasma Absorption}.
[Sakyo] I'd recognize this dark energy anywhere. It's the same thing that ate away at Lumi's mom.
A million thoughts race through Sakyo's mind all at once. He remembers how Lumi's mother became more aggressive, being under the control of the miasma and Raven. How she told him about the "white coats" who experimented on her. And above all, how Raven's group would release strong monsters on small villages to illegally enslave the villagers.
[Sakyo] We have to get back, fast.
GGGRRRRRROOOOWWWWLLLL
His body tenses, hearing the low growl of something behind him. Slowly turning around, he sees it. A large beast towering over him. The frame of a bull, but 2-3 times its size. Large crystal-like protrusions sticking wildly out of its back. Razor sharp teeth, and a mouth big enough to swallow his entire body whole.
[Sakyo] {Appraisal}.
Species: Manavore
Status: Infected (Miasma)
[Sakyo] I knew it, you're already under their control.
RRRRRRAAAAAWWWWWRRRRR
Sakyo leaps out of the cave just as the beast charges into the outer stone wall of its own home. The impact is enough to shake the earth below them.
[Sakyo] (It's strong, stronger than the Dreadbear, but slower than a midnight tiger.)
The Manavore pulls away from the wall, showing no signs of having taken any damage from its attack. It begins digging its hooves into the ground, preparing for another charge.
[Sakyo] (A strong charge, but no agility. It won't be able to dodge Uramasa's slash.)
As the beast gets ready for another charge, Sakyo unwraps the cloth around Uramasa's blade. An ominous energy emits from the blade, causing the Manavore to focus on it even more.
[Uramasa] (I see you've found other fragments.)
[Sakyo] Oh, now you decide to talk. Why've you been quiet this whole time?
[Uramasa] (There was merely no need. Why would I talk if we are not in a fight?)
[Sakyo] Great, you're just as annoying as the other one.
[Uramasa] (Do not compare me to that broken pile of leftovers. Even if we come from different sources, my own fragment holds far more power than he does.)
[Sakyo] Ok, I'm definitely asking you about that later, but for now, I want to see what you can do.
The Manavore charges at full speed towards Sakyo, kicking up the ground behind itself.
[Uramasa] (Hm, I see your opponent is not worthy of my full strength. There is no need for me to sink my serrations into it.)
[Sakyo] Alright, then what do you suggest I do?
[Uramasa] (Even a dull blade is still a piece of metal. Just whack its leg hard enough to break a bone or two.)
[Sakyo] I see you're no help. I guess I'll figure out how you work one day.
Sakyo gets into position for his attack, a single slashing motion. Just before his attack can begin, the Manavore is knocked on its side, rolling to a halt.
[Sakyo] Lumi?!
[Lumi] Rawr! Rawr! (Shiny bad thing tried to hurt Lumi's Papa! Lumi will destroy it!)
[Sakyo] Lumi, stay away from it!
Lumi charges at the Manavore without listening. She slashes its side with her claws, barely leaving a scratch.
[Lumi] Rawr (Shiny thing has tough skin and doesn't taste good.)