NOVEL NEXT Chapter 88: New System Feature
The chief's meeting room, though modest in size, comfortably accommodated the seven students. They settled into wooden chairs surrounding a sturdy round table, their attention focused on the village leader as he recounted the unsettling events that had befallen their community.
"It began a month ago," the chief explained, his voice heavy with worry. "One of our hunters vanished without a trace. Then, more disappearances followed. We fear some intelligent creature is preying upon our people."
William had expected to hear tales of monstrous beasts rampaging through the village, but the reality was more insidious. These were kidnappings, carefully orchestrated and shrouded in mystery.
"We discovered some tracks in the woods," the chief continued, "footprints, but nothing conclusive."
William raised his hand, a question forming in his mind. "Are you certain this is the work of a beast or related to corruption?" he inquired. "Could it be that someone within the village is responsible for these abductions?"
Several other students nodded in agreement. Human depravity was, sadly, not unheard of. But the chief quickly dismissed the notion. "The people here are good folk," he insisted. "We are a tight-knit community. I trust them implicitly."
Despite the chief's assurances, William harbored doubts. He had witnessed the darkness lurking within seemingly ordinary individuals. Still, he wasn't leading the investigation, and only time would reveal the truth.
Xavier, ever the pragmatist, took charge. "Can you show us where the last disappearance occurred?" he asked. "And is there anyone who might have witnessed something?"
The chief shook his head. "I can lead you to the location, but I'm afraid there were no witnesses. Follow me."
They ventured into the woods, the chief guiding them along a well-worn path. He explained that all the missing villagers had been hunters, their disappearances occurring within the depths of the forest.
They arrived at a picturesque waterfall cascading over moss-covered rocks. "This is where the last hunter was seen," the chief said, gesturing towards the tranquil scene. "Someone was bathing in the pool below and saw the hunter heading into the woods in this direction, but they thought nothing of it at the time. Hunters frequent these woods, you see."
William admired the beauty of the waterfall, the refreshing spray a welcome contrast to the icy climate of the mountains. 'I'll have to take a dip here when this is all over,' he thought.
The chief led them deeper into the forest, stopping at a patch of muddy ground. "We found some footprints here a few days ago," he said, pointing at the disturbed earth. "But the rain has washed away most of the evidence. They appeared to be humanoid in shape."
Xavier, who had been observing the scene with a thoughtful expression, finally spoke. "We will do everything in our power to uncover the truth," he assured the chief.
The village leader smiled gratefully. "I appreciate that, young man. And while you're at it," he added, "perhaps you could help us with another problem. The forest is overrun with aggressive magical beasts. Thinning their numbers would earn you our eternal gratitude, and additional compensation."
Two missions weighed upon their young shoulders: unraveling the mystery of the vanishing hunters and culling the overpopulated magical beasts. It was clear that their stay in the village would be an extended one, just as Headmaster Grant had forewarned.
The village chief, though hospitable, lacked the resources to house them all comfortably. "I apologize, but we do not have sufficient space to accommodate everyone within our homes," he explained, a hint of regret in his voice. "However, we will provide you with tents and ensure you have ample food, water, and shelter from the elements."
The pleasant weather made the prospect of camping less daunting, and William found himself appreciating the fresh air and the symphony of nature surrounding them. He hoped the favorable conditions would hold.
Xavier, ever the strategist, decided to prioritize the beast extermination. "We need to venture into the forest to investigate the disappearances," he explained. "Clearing out the excess beasts will make our task safer and more efficient."
He proposed dividing the group into pairs, a sensible approach that maximized their coverage while minimizing individual risk. However, with seven members in their party, an odd number presented a logistical challenge. Instead of forming a group of three, Xavier declared that William would work alone.
"Unfortunately, William will have to go solo," Xavier announced, his eyes meeting William's with an odd intensity. "But you're more than capable, aren't you?" He clapped William on the shoulder, a forced smile plastered on his face.
William bristled at Xavier's condescending tone and the unsettling glint in his eyes. He sensed an ulterior motive, a deliberate attempt to isolate him. But he kept his suspicions veiled, choosing his battles carefully.
"I'll be fine," he replied coolly.
"Excellent," Xavier said, his smile widening.
With that, the pairs dispersed into the dense undergrowth, leaving William to face the potentially perilous forest alone. If the chief's assessment of the beast population was accurate, William was in for a challenging, and possibly dangerous, experience.
The forest loomed, a dense tapestry of ancient trees and tangled undergrowth. Eerie sounds echoed through the shadowy depths, a constant reminder of the dangers lurking within. Soon, the crackle of spells and the clash of steel reached William's ears. They've already engaged, he realized, his senses sharpening.
Suddenly, a creature launched itself from the canopy, its sights set on William. It resembled a panther, but with wicked spikes protruding from its back and a sinuous, vine-like tail.
[Forest Panther] [Estimated Level: 12]
William assessed the creature's level, thanks to the System's handy information. A level 12 beast posed a minor threat, nothing he couldn't handle.
"Let's dance, kitty," he taunted, drawing his steel sword.
Without resorting to magic, he charged towards the panther, his speed surpassing the creature's. He appeared beside it in a blur, his sword aimed at its neck with deadly precision.
But the panther was agile. It twisted its body, causing William's blade to strike one of its back spikes instead. The impact reverberated through his arm, the sword bouncing harmlessly off the sturdy protrusions.
"What the—?" William exclaimed, surprised by the creature's resilience.
Before he could recover, the panther's vine-like tail whipped around him, constricting his movements. The beast lunged, its fangs sinking into his right arm.
"Gah, damn it!" he cursed, pain shooting through his arm.
But William was undeterred. He dropped his sword and seized the panther's neck with both hands, his enhanced strength overpowering the creature's struggles. He squeezed with relentless force, ignoring the pain in his arm, until the panther's struggles ceased.
[+900 EXP]
[Forest Panther Fangs Dropped]
An item! William stared in surprise as a set of sharp fangs materialized beside the fallen panther. A system message flashed before his eyes.
[System Feature Unlocked]
[Inventory Unlocked]
[The inventory is not infinite, so be careful of what you store inside]
William's heart leaped. An inventory! A feature common in many games and stories, but not something he expected to encounter in this world. He pondered its sudden appearance. Was it triggered by obtaining an item? Was it a unique feature of this era? Did others possess this ability?
He recalled that inventories were often associated with summoned heroes in this world. 'Perhaps that's why I have one now...' he mused.
Regardless of the reason, William was thrilled. An inventory would prove invaluable for storing items and managing his resources.