LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 9: A New Mission
Chapter 9: A New Mission
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The warm glow of the lanterns inside Adventure Mart cast a flickering light on the wooden shelves filled with wares.
Adam stood before the shopkeeper's counter, his eyes scanning the blinking blue notification that had appeared in his vision:
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Mission Successfully Triggered.
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A second message quickly followed:
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Mission Provider: Mister Being (Shopkeeper).
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Mister Being, an elderly man with a weathered face and sharp eyes, leaned forward, his hands resting on the polished counter.
"Young man," he began, his voice steady but tinged with a note of desperation. "I've been needing some help with a task."
Adam tilted his head slightly, listening as the shopkeeper continued.
"I need you to gather 200 kilograms of raw meat from Fang Wolves and 40 of their fangs. It's no easy feat, but the reward will be worth your effort."
Adam's system updated with the mission details, the specifics appearing in a crisp, blue window:
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Mission Details:
Objective: Collect 200 kg of Fang Wolf raw meat and 40 fangs.
Reward: 25 Silver Coins and 50 Copper Coins.
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A smile tugged at the corner of Adam's lips as he reviewed the reward. "This is exactly the opportunity I needed," he thought, his mind already racing with strategies.
Noticing Adam's interest, Mister Being leaned in, his eyes narrowing with anticipation. "So, what do you say? Will you help an old man in need?"
Adam didn't hesitate. He mentally selected the Accept button, and a confirmation appeared in his interface. Mister Being's face lit up with relief.
"Thank you," the shopkeeper said, his voice warm with gratitude. "I'll be waiting for your return."
Adam nodded curtly, adjusting his gear as he turned to leave. "I'll get what you need," he replied over his shoulder, his voice calm but resolute.
The sharp sunlight outside was a stark contrast to the dim interior of the shop. Adam stepped out into the bustling village, his thoughts focused on the mission ahead.
As he tucked the coins from his earlier trades into his inventory, he murmured to himself,
"This mission is exactly what I needed. If I can complete it quickly, I'll gain a significant edge over the others."
A sly grin spread across his face. "Clearing out this shopkeeper's stock will be an excellent start."
Walking toward the village outskirts, Adam's keen eyes scanned his surroundings.
Near the fields, he noticed groups of players working alongside the farmers, hauling sacks of grain or tending to crops. The hum of activity filled the air, punctuated by occasional laughter and shouts.
"Looks like they've triggered farming missions," Adam observed. The players' expressions ranged from focused determination to mild irritation as they completed menial tasks.
He chuckled softly. "They can enjoy their little chores. I have bigger things to do."
Quickening his pace, Adam left the fields behind, his steps steady as he made his way toward the forest's edge.
The forest stood like a silent sentinel, its towering trees casting long, shifting shadows across the ground.
Adam paused at the edge, letting his eyes adjust to the dim light beneath the thick canopy.
The sounds of the forest greeted him—a mixture of rustling leaves, chirping insects, and distant animal cries.
Taking a deep breath, Adam stepped into the woods. The earthy scent of moss and damp soil filled his nostrils, grounding him in the moment.
"Navigating a place like this isn't easy," he muttered, his voice barely audible over the ambient noise. "Without detection or surveillance skills, most players would get lost in no time."
He glanced at the faint trails crisscrossing the forest floor, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "That's what makes this game so challenging. No hand-holding here."
But Adam wasn't worried. He carried an advantage that few could rival—his memories.
Having spent countless hours in the Beginner Village during his previous life, Adam had memorized every nook and cranny of the forest.
Every path, clearing, and landmark was etched into his mind like a second map.
His steps were confident as he moved deeper into the wilderness, the undergrowth brushing against his boots and the distant growls of unseen creatures echoing in his ears.
A faint smile crossed Adam's face as he whispered to himself, "Let's see how much further ahead I can get before the others catch up."
Adam finally arrives at Fun Wolf's hideout and sees that it is located next to the river.
Adam crouched low behind the massive oak tree, its bark rough against his gloved hands.
The forest around him was alive with subtle sounds—the rustling of leaves, distant birdcalls, and the faint babble of a nearby stream.
His breath came steady as he surveyed the scene in front of him.
Just a few meters away, a group of eight Fang Wolves had gathered near a sunlit riverbank.
The pack was a mix of five adult wolves and three smaller pups, their sleek, gray fur catching the light in a way that seemed almost otherworldly.
The adults stood alert, their sharp ears twitching at the faintest sound, while the pups splashed and played clumsily near the water's edge, blissfully unaware of the danger looming in the shadows.
Adam's gaze sharpened, his mind already analyzing the situation.
Eliminating the pack would require precision and patience. One wrong move, and the adult wolves would charge, making this a far more dangerous encounter.
He pulled his hood tighter, activating the stealth mode woven into the fabric of his outfit.
A faint shimmer surrounded him as the enchantment took effect, blending his figure into the dense forest backdrop.
It wasn't foolproof—a careless noise or sudden movement would still give him away—but it gave him the edge he needed.
Adam's fingers brushed against the hilts of his daggers, now securely strapped to his belt. Five freshly acquired blades, polished and razor-sharp, glinted faintly as he drew them. He had secured these from Mister Being earlier, a preparation that now filled him with quiet confidence.
His eyes locked onto the pups nearest the water. They were the smallest and most vulnerable, making them the logical starting point. With a soft breath, Adam whispered, "Mark."
In an instant, glowing red symbols appeared above the heads of two pups, pulsing faintly against the sunlight. The system had registered his command, and Adam felt a thrill of satisfaction.
Gripping the first dagger, he adjusted his stance, drawing his arm back with practiced precision.
The blade flew from his hand, slicing through the air with a faint hiss. It struck the first pup squarely in the skull.
The young wolf let out a brief yelp before collapsing into the shallow river, sending ripples across the surface.
The second pup turned, its ears flattening as it processed the sudden danger.
But before it could react, Adam's second dagger was already airborne. The blade buried itself deep into the wolf's head, and it crumpled beside its fallen sibling.
A faint blue glow appeared in Adam's peripheral vision—a system notification.
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Critical Hit: 100 Damage.
Critical Hit: 100 Damage.
Congratulations! You have defeated 2 Level 3 Fang Wolf Pups. Reward: 200 XP each (400 XP total).
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The messages disappeared as quickly as they had appeared, but Adam allowed himself a brief smile. Two down, six to go.
The adult wolves froze as the faint splash of the falling pups reached their ears. Their hackles rose, and low growls rumbled from their throats.
They spread out instinctively, forming a defensive semicircle around the remaining pups, their sharp claws digging into the damp soil.
"They're smart," Adam muttered under his breath, impressed despite himself. This was going to be harder.
He slipped away from his initial position, moving silently to another tree.
The stealth enchantment on his cloak kept him nearly invisible, but he couldn't afford to be careless.
The wolves' keen senses were on high alert now, their sharp eyes scanning every shadow and movement.
Crouched behind a new vantage point, Adam reached for his next dagger. His fingers tightened around the hilt as he whispered, "Mark."
This time, three adult wolves bore the glowing red symbols above their heads. The markers flickered ominously, a warning of the danger they were about to face.
Adam didn't wait for them to react. In one swift motion, he hurled two daggers simultaneously. The blades spun through the air, aimed with deadly precision.
The first dagger struck its target—a large adult wolf standing closest to the pups. The blade buried itself deep into its skull, and the wolf collapsed in a heap, its body convulsing briefly before going still.
A second notification appeared:
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Critical Hit: 500 Damage.
Congratulations! You have defeated a Level 5 Adult Fang Wolf. Reward: 500 XP. Bonus XP: 200 for a single-strike kill.
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Adam clenched his fists in triumph, but there was no time to celebrate. The remaining wolves erupted into snarls, their sharp teeth bared as they scanned the area.
The forest seemed to hold its breath as Adam adjusted his position again.
He knew better than to underestimate the remaining wolves. Their defensive stances and sharp instincts made them formidable opponents.
From his new position, Adam observed the pack's movements. They sniffed the air and scanned the treetops, their growls echoing through the forest.
"They're smart, but not smart enough," he thought, a determined grin tugging at his lips.
His last dagger felt heavy in his hand, the weight of the blade a reminder of the precision needed for his next strike. Adam shifted his focus, his eyes narrowing as he marked his next target.
"This ends here," he murmured, preparing to outwit the remaining wolves and claim the victory that would set him further apart from the other players.
The forest swallowed him as he moved deeper into the shadows, the faint growls of the wolves a reminder that the battle was far from over. But Adam was ready.