Ren and Lyra did not rush.
After discussing their plans inside the inn, they carefully transferred a portion of their supplies and a reasonable amount of gold coins into ordinary adventurer bags. The system storage remained their true vault, but outward appearances mattered now. To anyone watching, they needed to look like a normal pair of mid-rank adventurers preparing for another day of work.
Lyra reapplied the temporary brown dye to her hair and carefully hid her wolf ears beneath a hooded cloak. Her fluffy silver tail was wrapped tightly and concealed under the cloak as well. The combat knife Ren had given her was also hidden securely against her leg, out of sight. In her hand she carried only her magic wand, the high-grade conductor that matched her wind and lightning affinity. Ren fastened a common longsword at his waist and made sure both the AK-47 and the pistol stayed completely hidden inside the system. Only when both of them looked sufficiently ordinary did they leave the inn.
The morning market was already lively. Merchants called out prices, the smell of baked bread and grilled meat filled the air, and adventurers moved between stalls checking equipment. Ren and Lyra walked at a natural pace, neither too fast nor too slow, heading toward a well-known magic and skill shop near the central plaza.
The interior of the shop was quiet and lined with shelves of books, scrolls, and crystal-embedded items. A middle-aged clerk greeted them politely. After a short discussion, Ren purchased a **Basic Swordsmanship Skill Book** that covered both offensive and defensive techniques. The price was forty-five gold coins — expensive for common citizens, but a normal expenditure for active adventurers.
Ren absorbed the skill book himself. The knowledge of basic stances, strikes, and defensive movements flowed into his mind and settled there.
They left the shop without drawing attention.
The moment they stepped back into the crowded street, Ren’s Perfect Targeting remained active. He did not turn his head or change his expression, but his senses stretched outward. For a while he felt only the usual flow of people. Then, from the northeast direction he had sensed earlier, the refined presence of the female watcher remained steady.
A second presence suddenly moved closer to her.
The lower-level man had decided to join the pursuit directly. His movement was too eager, too poorly timed. In trying to close the distance and support the woman, he briefly stepped into a position that allowed Ren’s Perfect Targeting and enhanced Appraisal to lock on more clearly.
**Name:** Alex
**Age:** 24
**Level:** 22
**Race:** Human
**Affiliation:** Obsidian Veil
The second presence was far more difficult to read. Even with the upgraded Appraisal, most of her information remained hidden behind strong mental barriers. Only fragments surfaced.
**Name:** Silvia
**Age:** 70
**Level:** 84
**Race:** Dark Elf
**Skills:** Hidden
**Affiliation:** Obsidian Veil
Ren’s eyes cooled slightly.
Obsidian Veil.
He had never heard the name before. Neither the organization nor its leadership appeared in any common knowledge. That alone made it dangerous. A group powerful enough to send a Level 84 Dark Elf, yet completely unknown to the public, was not something to take lightly. A quiet curiosity flickered in his mind, but he buried it for later.
He gave Lyra a calm glance. She understood immediately. Without changing their walking speed or expression, the two of them adjusted direction and began heading toward the western gate of the town — the same gate that led toward the Dark Forest and the Hollowroot Domain.
Behind them, Silvia spoke in a low, cold voice without looking at Alex.
“Do not make mistakes like before. Maintain distance and stay hidden. We observe only.”
Alex lowered his head slightly, accepting the warning in silence. Neither of them realized that their targets had already identified them.
Ren and Lyra did not look back.
Once they passed through the gate and the buildings of the town fell behind them, Ren finally spoke in a low voice.
“Two of them. The man is Level 22 — Alex. The woman is Level 84, a Dark Elf named Silvia. Both belong to something called the Obsidian Veil.”
Lyra’s brows furrowed slightly beneath her hood.
“I’ve never heard of that organization.”
“Neither have I,” Ren replied. “Which makes it more concerning. A group that can field someone of her level while remaining completely unknown… they’re not ordinary.”
A blue window appeared before his eyes as they walked.
**[Party Mission Status]**
Objective: Kill 300 Monsters in the Dark Forest
Current Progress: 99 / 300
Time Remaining: 2 Days 14 Hours
Rewards:
- Party EXP ×2
- Polaris Sportsman MV850 Military ATV
- Military Instructor Knowledge
Ren closed the window.
“We’re finishing the mission as quickly as possible,” he said. “No more slow hunting. We clear the remaining monsters in one major push, return to town, sell everything we don’t need, and leave immediately. Our original destination hasn’t changed — the Beast Nation.”
Lyra glanced at him, her fingers tightening slightly around her wand.
“You want to finish the important parts before they can call for more support.”
“Exactly. The longer we stay in this town, the more dangerous it becomes. Once we have the ATV and the instructor knowledge, our mobility and long-term strength will increase sharply. After that, we disappear toward Fenrisgard.”
The two of them increased their pace as the Dark Forest came into view again. The familiar heavy atmosphere of the trees welcomed them once more. This time, however, there was no hesitation.
Ren’s hand rested near the hidden space where his weapons waited. Lyra walked beside him with her wand in hand, the combat knife Ren had given her still safely concealed.
Behind them, far in the distance, two figures continued to watch their silhouettes disappear into the tree line, still unaware that they had already been identified.
Inside the forest, Ren and Lyra moved deeper without looking back.
The real hunt was about to begin.