Chương 96: A life of purpose

Cal stopped at the exit of the narrow side alley behind Jakob's Magnificent Market, his eyes watering in the sudden brightness. The passage reeked of damp stone and refuse, and he'd paused at its mouth to let the crisp winter air wash over him. Stepping fully into the street, he found himself under the blazing highsun that cast two distinct shadows from Aurum and Cinder at his feet. Another batch of potions delivered, and Jakob already managed to sell the first. This is working out great!

He thought, as an itch crawled between his shoulder blades. Cal put the alley behind him, his eyes fixed forward. Paranoia wasn't going to dampen his mood. A mental checklist from his walk to the Market occupied his thoughts as he turned purposefully toward the Adventurer's Hall. Preparations for the Rootbound Depths expedition were underway. Selara had told him that he was ready.

For weeks she'd studied his foraging progress, watching him handle increasingly dangerous contracts until the Legion expedition finally convinced her it was time. Having long ago memorized all of her foraging literature Cal knew the glimmerdew moss thrived in the shadowed crevices of the Depths, growing in dense patches where the spiritual saturation was high but ambient light was low. He was prepared for the unique flora and fauna of the new ecosystem, which promised to come with its own challenges.

But this was a calculated business decision and a long time coming. Even with the purification draughts not being the shortcut he'd hoped for, he still needed an endless supply of the spirit herb. Foraging it himself would save money, build his reputation with the Guild, and provide the practical experience he needed to advance. The Sovereign Path demanded efficiency and self-reliance. Today the guild and tomorrow morning I'll swing by the Mortar and pick up the camping supplies from Selara.

He was looking forward to his next adventure. His trip into the woods was another step on the Path, another chance to improve this new version of himself. He felt the progress in the effortless response of a body honed by countless drills and saw it in the cerebral fire of weaving Mana into coherent Spells. Understood it through the quiet alchemy that turned a forest's bounty into consumable power.

Imagining Evelynn's surprised smile and the wonder in his kids' eyes as they saw the man he was becoming sent a bittersweet thrill through him. He held onto the image, turning the thought into fuel. The doors of the Adventurer's Hall swung open under his shove, releasing the scent of oiled leather and drying monster parts. The low hum of conversation continued, but there was a shift. Several heads turned, following his movement across the room.

A grizzled adventurer with a bushy red beard inclined his head respectfully. Another, a woman in patched leather armor, waved in a salute before returning to her conversation. His attention drifted through the Hall, cataloging reactions. There. Branson sat hunched over a table in the corner, his fingers wrapped around a dented mug. The crotchety drunk looked up, his bloodshot eyes meeting Cal's for a fraction of a second before quickly dropping back to the table's surface. Cal snorted and kept walking.

Across the room near the bounty board he spotted Magalie. The adventurer with the scarred face and the kind eyes had bought him his first drink as a badged Proven, a gesture of welcome that had meant more than she probably realized. She caught his eye now and raised her tankard in a polite toast. Cal waved in return and continued toward the table where Bryon and Amina from Kamari's crew sat.

The young spearman was cleaning his weapon, running an oiled cloth along the shaft, while Amina relaxed in the chair beside him, constantly surveying the room. When her attention landed on Cal she gave the barest incline of her head.

"Valorn." Bryon looked up from his work.

"Didn't expect to see you back so soon. I thought you were off running some job with the Legion?" Cal stopped at the edge of the table.

"Yeah, we finished it a couple of days ago. I'm just here to pick up some supplies."

"Gearing up for something?"

"The Rootbound Depths." Bryon's eyebrows rose. He set the oiled cloth down and turned to face Cal squarely.

"Solo?"

"Solo." The young spearman considered his words.

"Difficult territory. The bears don't usually roam this time of year, but the ground is tricky." Amina spoke in a low murmur, her attention turning to her bow as her fingers tested the give of the string.

"The ground there… it grows a plant called fool's moss. It… it looks solid, like it's growing over the ground, or nearby roots, but it only grows over sinkholes and tunnels." Her head lifted for a brief moment.

"Be careful."

"How do you avoid it?" Cal asked.

"Stick to the game trails, even if they seem longer." Her voice dropped to a near-inaudible murmur as she tugged gently on the bowstring.

"The animals know where the ground is safe. Trust their instincts more than your eyes." Thinking about his [Spatial Mapping] he figured he'd be fine, but he appreciated her concern, nonetheless.

"Thank you." She gave him a jerky nod, her attention flitting to his face for a moment before returning to the bow. He turned toward the quartermaster. Felicity stood behind the Guild counter, mid-conversation with a mountain of a man in scuffed iron plate who was gesturing emphatically about some grievance. She was polite but distant, the professional persona she adopted when dealing with difficult clients. Then her eyes landed on Cal. The mask cracked.

A rare smile lit up her face, reaching her eyes and softening her features as she held up a finger to the big adventurer, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Jenna, could you help this gentleman?" A junior clerk scurried over from the back office. The big adventurer glanced from Felicity to Cal, a flash of annoyance on his rugged face, before recognition settled in. His eyes narrowed slightly, taking in Cal's armor, his spear, and the Guild badge on his chest. The annoyance vanished, replaced by a shrug of acceptance as he turned to the new clerk without complaint. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road.

Support the author by reading it there. Felicity transferred her full attention.

"Cal. Good to see you. What can the Guild do for you today?" He stepped up to the counter.

"I'm heading to the Rootbound Depths and need a few things. First, I wanted to check if there were any open bounties." Her smile widened.

"There's always the standing bounties for glimmerdew; you know we can't get enough of it. Bring back as much as you can carry, and I'll make sure you get the best rate." She paused, giving him a quick appraisal.

"How long are you planning to be out there?"

"Two, maybe three days."

"You'll want repellent, then." He smiled.

"Yes, that was on the list. Three vials of mosshide bear repellent, please." Felicity disappeared into the back storage room. While Cal waited, he recalled the relevant passages from Selara's texts. The Rootbound Depths were a unique, self-contained ecosystem where only the massive mosshide bears tended to roam outside the immediate network of roots, not being tied to the location.

Its maze-like passages and constricted quarters made them perfect hunting grounds for the patient ambush predators who'd claimed the territory, defended it fiercely, and occasionally ventured into the surrounding forest to hunt. Winter hibernation and camping on the periphery would minimize his risk, but after the goblin hunt he was being more careful.

A vial of repellent would further reduce the chances of an encounter, as the creatures had a powerful sense of smell and the alchemical compound masked a human's scent with something they instinctively avoided. Unfortunately it was a bit expensive, but he considered it worth the investment. The quartermaster returned and set three stoppered vials on the counter. The liquid inside was a murky brown, viscous and foul-smelling even through the seal.

"Three gold," she said. Cal counted out the coins and slid them across the counter, glad his partnership with Jakob was already paying off. Felicity stowed the money, then reached under the counter and pulled out a worn piece of parchment, quickly unfolding it to spread across the countertop.

"Here's the guild map of the western Virethane. The Depths are marked here." She tapped a vaguely circular shape on the drawing, to the southwest of the village.

"Stick to the eastern approach. The ground is more stable, and there's a stream that runs up to the edge. It's a good water source and guarantees you can't miss it." Cal leaned over the map, following the ink lines on the rough sketch. The depiction was rudimentary at best, with imprecise labels and guessed distances. Despite its flaws, the map was functional and provided him with a starting point. He centered himself, letting [Perfect Memory] pull up the military survey map Captain Hatch had hanging in his office.

The detailed grid overlaid itself in his mind's eye, each sector meticulously charted with elevation markers and known spirit beast territories. He mentally superimposed the Guild's rough sketch onto the exacting military map. The vague shape labeled "Rootbound Depths" aligned with Sector G-7 on Hatch's grid. The crude ink blob on the Guild map didn't show it, but the military survey had a small stream terminating directly into that sector from the east, just as Felicity had mentioned.

He'd been finding the memory of the captain's map incredibly useful for his foraging forays, and was glad for the many ways his Impartments showed their worth. The mental exercise only took a couple of seconds before Cal straightened.

"Understood. Thanks for the tip, Felicity."

"The Depths have a reputation for a reason, Cal. Stay alert."

"I will." He gave Felicity a final nod and turned toward the exit, the Hall's ambient noise following him out onto the street. The Hearthsong Inn greeted him with the scent of roasting meat and fresh bread, and his stomach instantly demanded its fill. Cal spotted Corinne near the kitchen, balancing a tray of empty mugs. She saw him and a wide grin spread across her face.

"Cal!" He waved as he walked over.

"Hey Corinne, I need a favor."

"What kind of favor?"

"Can you grab me some trail rations? Enough for three days." Corinne set the tray down on a nearby table.

"Off on another trip so soon?"

"I'm heading out at first light for the Rootbound Depths."

"The Depths?" She leaned forward, face lighting up.

"Don't leave your partner behind! I can pack in five minutes. We haven't gone on a run together in like a week!" Cal hesitated. His mission plan required a quiet insertion and extraction that relied on a level of [Stealth] he doubted she possessed, though he could already picture her protest, chin jutting out determinedly.

'My [Stealth] is just as good as yours!' It wasn't worth the debate. Objectively wrong he was sure, but sometimes there wasn't arguing with stubborn.

"I have to go alone this time, Cor." He used Thal's old nickname to soften the blow. Her face fell.

"Oh… how come?"

"This is part of my training with Selara. A solo assessment to prove I can handle her assignments." The fight went out of her posture, shoulders slumping in defeat.

"A master's trial. Gooottt it." She managed a weak smile.

"Well, don't get eaten by a bear or something." She headed toward the kitchen.

"I'll pack you the good stuff. Dad's smoked venison, dried fruit, and hardtack that won't break your teeth. Give me a few." Cal watched her bustle off, the momentary setback giving way to infectious energy within a handful of strides. A moment later Cassia appeared from the back office, wiping her hands on an apron and walking up to him.

"Heading out again?" she asked.

"Tomorrow." She reached out and clasped his forearm.

"Good. This village needs more people who work hard and take their responsibilities seriously." She paused, her eyes searching his.

"The forest doesn't care how prepared you think you are. Don't let it catch you unawares." He patted her hand with his own.

"I won't." She nodded, satisfied, and returned to her work. Corinne reappeared not long after and handed him a compact bundle wrapped in higher-end preservation cloth.

"Three days of the best trail rations in all of Deadfall." She gave him a wink.

"Don't eat it all in one sitting." Cal tucked the bundle into his pack.

"Thanks."

"Anytime, and I'll see you when you triumphantly return!" He started walking away with a grin, waving over his shoulder.

"You owe me an adventure when you get back!" she called after him. Leaving the inn, the light of highsun had faded and Cinder's crimson glow was growing dominant as Aurum sank toward the horizon. The streets were quieter now, and the workday was winding down. Cal walked through the village's worn paths, his mind already shifting to the work waiting in his basement. The house was chilly when he entered.

Cal lit a candle with [Conjure Flame] - the novelty still not worn off - and carried it down the spiral staircase, setting it on the workbench. The basement was stuffy, the air still and cool. He moved to the secondary cauldron he'd purchased from Yorrin, a costly but worthy investment that saved him the time of hauling the heavy thing back and forth across the village. Time was the one resource he couldn't afford to waste. He set up his workspace quickly, then drew on his Mana font.

The still pool of energy in his lower abdomen responded, a thread of sapphire light flowing into his mind as he began constructing the runes for [Isolation Field]. Using both hands he quickly sketched the Spell into the air, causing the basement air to shimmer in a rectangular field that encompassed his table. A translucent barrier expanded outward to form a hermetic bubble two yards in diameter, ejecting the ambient Mana currents. Within the new silence, the hiss of wind through the floorboards above vanished.

Done. Cal turned to the cauldron, the crafting process for these potions he'd learned becoming second nature. His hands flew with a surety only someone with his Impartments or incredible inborn talent could have achieved in such a short time, measuring ingredients and guiding essences while his mind wandered. The first vials filled with glowing liquid that floated through the air, then the next, and so on. The herbaceous scent of the draughts was a constant presence within the silent bubble of his ward.

This new life was growing on him by the day. The hushed transmutation, the easy power flowing through his limbs, the mental blaze of magic taking shape from his thoughts. This existence stood far removed from data tables and lifeless corporate complexes. A life of purpose, one he was building with his own two hands, and a thrill he wished he could share. A fourth set of vials joined the others on the bench, then Cal cast [Scour], the abrasive pulse of Mana stripping the cauldron clean.

After packing away his tools, he extinguished the candle and climbed the stairs, his mind already looking forward to tomorrow. As he lay in the dark, staring at the ceiling while the house creaked around him, he only had one thought. The forest was waiting.