After a long and arduous journey, they finally arrived at the edge of the Bretton Woods Forest. Gathering some firewood, they boiled water and cooked a simple meal to fill their stomachs.
"Purple Clover Flowers usually grow in dark, damp environments. Once we enter the forest, keep an eye out for such spots—each one we find is worth ten gold coins. If we encounter any magical beasts, Thundershock, you'll draw their attention while Eric and I attack."
"Why me?" Thundershock grumbled.
"You wouldn't make a delicate, flower-like maiden like me do it, would you?" Sisi's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling. "Besides, you're so good at dodging. A low-level beast wouldn't stand a chance against you."
Maria stifled a laugh beside them.
Thundershock glanced at Eric, who nodded in agreement. With a sigh, he reluctantly accepted the role.
Not long after entering the forest, they encountered a Level 2 magical beast. Before Thundershock could even react, Sisi and Eric each blasted it with a **Palmshock**, followed by two **Thunderstrikes**, reducing the poor creature to a charred husk.
The siblings had clearly fought together many times—their coordination was flawless, leaving Thundershock in awe.
A Level 2 beast's core wasn't worth much, and its fur, ruined by the lightning magic, was utterly worthless.
The Bretton Woods Forest was lush, filled with birdsong and fragrant blooms, the air crisp and fresh. But ever since entering, Sisi—the self-proclaimed "invincible beauty"—had spotted a snake and clung to Thundershock and Maria like a frightened rabbit.
The outer edges of the forest were well-trodden by adventurers and mercenaries, but the deeper they went, the fainter the paths became, signaling fewer visitors.
After half a day of walking, they dispatched any beasts foolish enough to attack without trouble. But now, the path had vanished entirely. The surroundings were indistinguishable—no landmarks, just rustling leaves and the occasional growl, making every shadow feel like a lurking threat.
"Where *are* the Purple Clover Flowers?" Sisi whined. Aside from a few low-level beasts, they'd found nothing. At this rate, they'd never complete the quest.
"Patience," Maria said, steadying herself against a tree as she scanned the area. "Last time I was here, there was a cave up ahead. We might find what we need there."
"Ah! Snake!" Sisi shrieked, spotting something above Maria's head. She lunged forward, her delicate hand darting out like lightning.
A large, colorful serpent had been slithering down the tree, its forked tongue flicking dangerously close to Maria's neck—until Sisi's fingers clamped around its head.
The "helpless maiden" swung the snake in a wide arc, hurling it far into the underbrush.
Then, trembling, she buried herself in Maria's arms, refusing to look up.
Thundershock and Eric stared as the two-foot-long snake sailed through the air, landing dizzily in the grass before slithering away.
Exchanging a glance, the two men shuddered.
"Is—is it gone?" Sisi peeked out with one eye, her lashes fluttering with feigned terror.
"It's gone. You're safe," Maria reassured her, stroking her hair.
"That was *so* scary." Sisi exhaled dramatically, patting her chest—though there wasn't much to pat.
*Keep doing that, and it'll flatten completely,* Thundershock thought but wisely kept to himself.
"I *hate* snakes," Sisi murmured, biting her lip and casting a pitiful glance at Thundershock.
"Let's keep moving," he said, silently pitying the poor snake.
True to Maria's word, a dark, damp cave soon came into view—shadowy, cool, and foreboding.
Thundershock tossed a rock inside. The echoing clatter suggested depth.
"Last time, we found a hibernating black bear here," Maria explained. "It should be safe now."
"Oh! I remember this place!" Sisi brightened. The forest was so uniform that only now did the memory resurface.
Back then, she and Eric had been complete rookies. If not for Maria, they'd never have survived the bear.
"It's fine, Thundershock. You go first—nothing dangerous in there," Sisi declared confidently.
*With responsibility comes duty.* Thundershock didn't argue, stepping cautiously into the cave.
The space was wide, the sound of dripping water echoing from deeper within. His eyes adjusted slowly to the dim light.
Then—**a guttural growl.**
Hot, rancid breath washed over him as a massive shadow lurched forward. Reacting instantly, he grabbed Sisi and **leapt back**.
Maria and Eric barely had time to process their retreat before a **two-meter-tall black bear** burst from the cave entrance.
The beast's claws swiped, narrowly missing Thundershock as it gouged the stone wall beside them.
"What's happening?!" Sisi yelped, dizzy from being hauled around.
"**Fight!**" Thundershock dropped her and charged back in—no time for explanations.
That "dripping water" he'd heard? **It was the bear's drool.**
Maria retreated, observing. Unless the students were in real danger, she wouldn't intervene.
"Another one?!" Eric groaned but began weaving a **Paralyzing Net** spell.
Black bears had poor eyesight but **keen noses**—and in this terrain, the trio was at a severe disadvantage.
**Will they make it out alive?**