Cherreads

Chapter 4 -  Healing Tonic And Rewards

Having secured his sword, Cid collected blood berries before heading back to his house. He arrived home after sunset. His berry picking had a purpose: creating a healing potion for a hurt raven discovered the day before. Growing up in a family that ran an herb shop and made medicines, Cid gained expertise in creating natural remedies.

The soft sound of fluttering wings caught his attention as he entered his room. On his bed lay a raven, its feathers matted, one eye gazing up at him with a look of pleading. Compassion filled Cid as he neared the small, apothecary-style table behind his bed. With his sword carefully placed aside, he meticulously prepared a tonic for the injured bird, following each step with precision. One small slip-up, and this healing remedy becomes a deadly poison.

Cid finally finished brewing the tonic after a long time and quickly gave the raven a few drops. With curious eyes, the bird looked up at him, questioning the strange liquid. Upon consuming the tonic, its energy surged, healing both external and internal damage. The raven, sighing contentedly, drifted off to sleep nestled in Cid's arms.

With gentle movements, Cid returned the raven to its bed, keeping watch as it slept. Out of the blue, a delicate but self-assured female voice expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you".

Watching the Raven's slow recovery, Cid felt a rush of energy. His restlessness spurred him to seize the moment; he grabbed his sword and headed outside to the rear of his house. As he walked toward the open clearing, the cool night air enveloped him like a comforting cloak, the moon gently illuminating the land. With a firm grip on his sword, he breathed deeply before beginning his practice. Though the system granted him sword mastery, he'd never actually wielded a sword. He aimed for a seamless connection with it, making it feel like a natural part of himself instead of depending on the system.

His mind conjured new techniques with every swing and thrust, each one refined through relentless practice until muscle memory took over. Feeling the sword's weight and balance, he was exhilarated to be mastering these skills. To gain more combat experience, he returned to the forest to hunt beasts; his halfling speed surpassed that of a typical human. This world has creatures called Beasts; their cores power much of the advanced technology. In the realm of adventure, carefulness and knowledge of encountered beasts are vital, for numerous fates hinge on confronting these varied creatures. Cid recalled a book he'd read long ago that detailed all the tiers. According to the book the tiers were as follows:

Beast Tiers

Common Tier

Common Tier beasts, like rabbits, small birds, and wolves, are common in sunny meadows. They are not a danger to skilled adventurers.

Challenge Level: Easy; they can be defeated easily.

Uncommon Tier

Uncommon Tier beasts, such as wild boars and mountain lions, have special abilities and need some respect.

Challenge Level: Moderate; requires some strategy to defeat.

Rare Tier

Rare Tier beasts, like dire wolves and giant serpents, are powerful and mysterious.

Challenge Level: Significant; teamwork is often needed to win.

Elite Tier

Elite Tier beasts, such as grizzly bears and giant crocodiles, are strong predators.

Challenge Level: High; you need good plans and to use the environment.

Legendary Tier

Legendary Tier beasts, like unicorns and phoenixes, are mythical and very powerful.

Challenge Level: Very High; you may need special tools and careful preparation.

Mythical Tier

Mythical Tier beasts, including fire-breathing dragons and hydras, are rare and highly sought after.

Challenge Level: Extreme; they are very challenging for even brave hunters.

Ancient Tier

Ancient Tier beasts, like leviathans and tree spirits, are wise and powerful creatures from history.

Challenge Level: Nearly Impossible; you often need a team of warriors to face them.

God Tier

God Tier beings, like giant behemoths and celestial dragons, are the toughest challenges for adventurers.

Challenge Level: Insurmountable; requires teamwork, ancient knowledge, and powerful artifacts.

Additional Information

Fabled Artifacts: Defeating strong beasts often requires finding special artifacts that boost powers.

Beast Evolution: Beasts can change their tier based on what they experience and where they live.

Challenges & Defeats: Each battle can be different based on the terrain, the hero's strengths, and the beasts' motives.

In Eldoria, adventurers are invited to face these amazing beasts, creating their own exciting stories of courage and fate.

Cid ventured deep into the forest, searching for uncommon-tier beasts to defeat. As he pressed further into the trees, his new sword began to pulse, sensing the presence of powerful creatures nearby. A system message appeared before him, instructing him to kill 50 uncommon tier beasts in order to receive a grand reward. Suddenly, Cid found himself surrounded by eerie creatures with both bird and humanoid features, resembling monstrous birds. They had dark, feathered bodies and razor-sharp claws, while their bird-like heads featured menacing beaks and piercing blue eyes. The message then updated, commanding Cid to kill 100 Wytch Beasts in order to gain rewards and level up his sword, the Crimson Reaper. With a confident smile, Cid gripped his sword tightly and prepared for battle.

Cid's muscles flexed as he lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with precision. The Wytch Beasts screeched in response, their claws swiping dangerously close to Cid's body. "You're not taking me down that easily!" Cid shouted, dodging a flurry of attacks.

The forest echoed with the clash of metal meeting flesh as Cid and the beasts engaged in a deadly dance. Leaves rustled underfoot as they circled each other, the tension palpable in the air. Cid's movements were swift and calculated, each strike executed with skill honed through practice and determination.

The beasts advanced, their movements fluid and coordinated. Cid parried their blows expertly, his focus unbroken despite the intensity of the fight. "Is that all you've got?" he taunted, a grin playing on his lips as he countered their attacks with finesse.

The wind carried the scent of pine and earth as it rushed through the clearing. A rush of adrenaline heightened Cid's senses and reflexes. He could feel the weight of his sword in his grip, a familiar extension of himself in this moment of battle.

With a battle cry that echoed through the forest, Cid unleashed a flurry of strikes, forcing the beasts back with his unwavering resolve. The sounds of clashing metal reverberated around them as they fought tooth and claw for supremacy.

Fueled by primal instinct and raw power, the beasts battled fiercely. Cid matched their ferocity with unwavering resolve, each parry and thrust bringing him closer to victory. "You're all bark and no bite!" he declared, meeting their challenge head-on.

An ethereal moonlight bathed the battlefield, yet Cid's concentration never wavered. The dance of combat continued, a symphony of steel meeting flesh in a deadly crescendo. Every move was a calculated risk, every swing a step closer to triumph.

Despite the beasts' relentless onslaught, Cid stood his ground with unwavering determination. His breath came in steady bursts, his muscles burning with exertion. The fight raged on, each side refusing to yield an inch in this primal struggle for dominance.

Under the moonlight, Cid's defiant spirit burned bright, a beacon against the encroaching shadows. Swords clashed, claws ripped through the night, a testament to his unmatched skill and courage against impossible odds.

With the first light of dawn, the battlefield grew quiet, the only sounds heavy breathing and rustling leaves. The beasts lay defeated at Cid's feet, their once fierce forms now still and lifeless. Cid stood victorious, his chest heaving with exhaustion, but his spirit unbroken.

The system message flashed before him once more, congratulating him on his accomplishment of slaying 100 Wytch and rewarding him with five rewards. 

Cid wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart still pounding from the exhilarating battle. The forest seemed to sigh in relief, the tension dissipating with the defeat of the formidable Wytch Beasts. As he caught his breath, Cid surveyed the scene before him, the fallen creatures, as a testament to his skill and determination.

With a sense of pride swelling in his chest, Cid sat down to check the rewards from the system. "Open Rewards!" Cid Said, and a Greenish screen appeared before him with some words.

Congratulations, Host! You have been awarded five valuable rewards:

Reward #1: Sun Blocker Ring

Description: This ring protects you from the sun for 10 hours. Each time you step out of the sun, the protection resets.

As Cid read about the Sun Blocker Ring, it magically appeared in front of him. The ring had a striking design with a detailed skull at its center, surrounded by beautiful floral patterns. The dark, shiny metal gave it a dramatic look. Cid was thrilled and quickly put it on his index finger.

Reward #2: New Skill - Illusionary Forge

Description: This skill lets you change how any object looks and hide its true strength. It creates powerful illusions that can trick even the best observers, making it useful in battles and sneaky situations.

Reward #3: Wish Chest

Description: You can make any wish to the system, and if it's possible, the system will grant it.

Reward #4: New Skill - Inspect

Description: This skill allows you to examine anything and learn more about it. As you use it more, you'll get even more detailed information.

Reward #5: Level Up Crystal

Description: You can use this crystal to level up any item or skill in the system to the next level.

Cid's eyes widened with excitement as he processed the incredible rewards bestowed upon him. The Sun Blocker Ring gleamed on his finger, its power ready to shield him from the sun's harsh rays. The Illusionary Forge skill sparked his imagination, envisioning the possibilities of deception and strategy it offered. The Wish Chest held untold potential, a single opportunity to shape his destiny in ways he had never dreamed possible.

With a newfound sense of purpose, Cid knew that these rewards would aid him in his ongoing quest to conquer the high-tier beasts that roamed Eldoria. The Inspect skill would provide him with valuable insights into his enemies, while the Level Up Crystal promised to enhance his abilities when the time was right.

But it was the Sun Blocker Ring that resonated with Cid the most in that moment. As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its golden light through the canopy above, he felt a deep sense of gratitude for this small yet significant gift. With a smile, he didn't feel weaker. It suddenly dawned on him that the previous day had ended, and now he was officially 17 years old on his birthday. He quickly returned home and, entering his room, he saw the Raven perched upon his apothecary table.

The Raven cocked its head to the side, its one good eye glistening in the dim candlelight of Cid's room. "Your healing tonic worked wonders, young one," it croaked in a voice that seemed to echo with ancient wisdom. "I am in your debt."

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