After purchasing the supplies, Raymond stepped out of the shop carrying several storage pouches filled with potions, scrolls, maps, and various survival items.
Calmly, he moved all the bags into his storage, leaving his hands free.
The transaction had cost quite a hefty amount, enough to make an ordinary adventurer cry blood. Yet Raymond didn't care much.
Compared to the absurd wealth sitting inside his inventory ring, this spending was barely noticeable.
Still, the things he bought were worth it. High-grade healing potions capable of recovering serious wounds. Mana recovering elixirs. Explosion scrolls strong enough to injure Intermediate-ranked monsters.
Tucking his hands into his pockets Raymond now moved quietly through the streets.
Lazily, he moved, watching the streets filled with a chorus of laughter and arguments. As he walked, his stomach growled lightly.
"Ah, I didn't even realise that I missed my breakfast. Let's pick something from here." Muttering under his breath, he prompted himself to find some good food to eat.
A few moments later, he found a stall where a middle-aged lady was selling skewers. The smell of grilled meat and spices filled the air as Raymond moved closer to the stall.
The sizzling sound of meat roasting over the flaming charcoal mixed with the lively chatter of the street, making the entire area feel strangely warm and alive.
Smoke curled upward from the grill while the orange glow of fire reflected faintly on the metal skewers lined neatly beside the stall.
Then, slipping into the small line, he silently waited for his turn. After some time, his turn finally arrived. He glanced at the middle-aged lady as she smiled warmly at him.
"Say young man, how many do you want?" she asked.
Raymond looked at the skewers for a moment. The meat was glazed lightly with sauce while spices crackled faintly over the flames.
"…Three," he answered calmly.
"Quiet hungry huh? You missed your breakfast or something?" She spoke.
"Something like that," Raymond replied casually.
The lady quickly began preparing the order, skillfully flipping skewers over the grill while smoke and aroma filled the surroundings.
A few minutes later, she handed him a large wrapped bundle.
"Here you go. Fresh and hot."
Raymond paid without hesitation before stepping aside from the stall. Then, taking one skewer out, he bit into it.
For a moment…he paused.
The meat was tender and juicy, coated in rich spices with a slight smoky flavor from the charcoal fire.
"…Damn," he muttered quietly.
It was genuinely good.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he continued walking through the busy street, casually eating the skewers while the morning city buzzed around him.
****
The night had embraced the sky once again, painting it in a vast canvas of black while countless stars shimmered brilliantly overhead.
The pale moons hung quietly above the world, its silvery glow spilling through the forest like flowing sliver. It was the same forest as the previous day, in it a lone figure walked once more.
It was Raymond.
Unlike yesterday, when he had wandered around like someone thrown into an unfamiliar world without direction which he actually was, his movements now carried purpose and certainty.
His steps were calm and steady as the cool night breeze brushed against his skin, causing the edges of his black robe to flutter lightly behind him.
As he moved deeper, the whole forest itself felt different at night.
The tall trees stretched endlessly into the darkness, their branches swaying softly while shadows layered over one another beneath the moonlight.
Strange glowing insects drifted lazily through the air, blinking faintly like scattered stars fallen into the woods. Yet beneath the beauty…danger lingered.
Raymond knew that well now.
His hand rested casually near the weapon hanging at his waist while the Mystic Glasses sat firmly upon his face.
Through the lenses, faint streams of mana became visible throughout the forest.
Stopping by a large tree, he took out a map from his storage ring. It was a map of the areas where low level monsters mostly inhabit.
Right now, he was moving towards a specific place marked on the map with a tiny wolf symbol.
Clearly, it was the territory of White Spiked Wolf. They were his goal for today.
Mostly appearing harmless until provoked, these monsters were very aggressive when someone tried to barge into their territory.
Storing the map back, after confirming his path. Raymond once again moved towards the forest. However just as took his first step forward, a rustling sound came from his side.
Raymond tensed for a split second, then instantly whipped his neck towards the nearby bushes…the place from where the sound came from.
From the bushes, a white figure suddenly jumped out from the shadows. Raymond's eyes narrowed instantly, his hand moving towards the sword at his waist.
It was a rabbit.
Its snow-white fur shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight while its unnaturally red eyes locked directly onto him without blinking.
Long ears twitched lightly as the small creature stood frozen between the bushes, staring at Raymond with strange intensity.
For a brief second, the forest became oddly quiet.
Then the rabbit abruptly turned and bolted deeper into the woods, disappearing into the darkness almost instantly.
Raymond blinked once before letting out a quiet breath. "…Almost made me draw my weapon for a rabbit."
His eyes lingered toward the direction it had vanished. Something about it felt… strange however ignoring it he once again moved towards his destination.
****
After some time, Raymond finally reached the territory of the White Spiked Wolves and just as he stepped into it, several low growls echoed from his right.
Already knowing what he would be facing, he calmly turned his head toward the source of the sound.
From between the trees, large white figures slowly emerged from the darkness.
The White Spiked Wolves.
Their bodies were lean yet powerfully built, covered in thick snow-white fur that almost shimmered beneath the moonlight.
Sharp bone-like spikes protruded from along their backs and shoulders, giving them a dangerous appearance even while standing still.
Their pale yellow eyes glowed faintly in the dark as they stared directly at Raymond without blinking.
They were three in total.
"Now then, let's began hunting."