Chapter 3: Into the Wild_2

Amira dropped onto a nearby rock, rolling her shoulder and wincing at the bite wound on her arm.

The cold energy she had infused into the injury was already starting to numb the pain, but she could feel the dull ache beneath it. 

"Lucky my suit held up," she muttered under her breath, "If it had torn, that could've really slowed me down."

As the sun climbed higher, the cold morning air began to warm slightly, making the chill just a bit more bearable.

The path ahead was narrowing, turning into a winding corridor squeezed between massive boulders.

The ground was littered with broken branches and loose rocks, forcing her to choose each step carefully.

One misstep here could mean a twisted ankle or worse. 

Keeping her pace steady, her senses sharpened by a mixture of anticipation and fatigue.

Finally, she reached a small plateau, offering a broad view of the vast plains below. The sun was now high, illuminating the distant outline of Everroot Town.

It was still several miles away, but she was making good progress.

She paused, taking a moment to check her bearings on the map displayed on her screen. The route ahead seemed relatively clear, but an uneasy feeling crept over her.

She couldn't shake the sense of being watched.

"Better not get too comfortable," she muttered, deciding to take a short break to restore her energy.

Sitting on a flat rock, she leaned back against a large boulder, focusing on circulating her spiritual energy.

The cold, familiar sensation spread through her limbs, bringing a sense of rejuvenation and focus. She needed every ounce of strength for the challenges ahead.

Just as she was about to resume her trek, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the trees, sending a swirl of leaves and dust into the air.

Her instincts screamed at her, and she reacted instantly, leaping sideways as a sharp blast of wind sliced through the space she had just occupied.

"Seriously?" she muttered, her voice laced with irritation, "An ambush! Now?"

Landing in a low crouch, she scanned her surroundings, her eyes sharp and alert.

A massive, serpentine creature emerged from the underbrush, its scales glistening with an iridescent green shimmer that caught the morning light.

The Wind Serpent was nearly 3 meters long, moving with a fluid grace that was both hypnotic and unnerving.

Her pulse quickened, but she remained calm.

"Great, a Wind Serpent," she said to herself, her tone dry but focused.

She had encountered beasts like this before elemental creatures born of the wild, unpredictable, and deadly.

The serpent's eyes were a piercing yellow, radiating a cunning intelligence.

It lunged with a sudden whip-like motion, releasing another powerful blast of wind in her direction.

Swiftly raising her hand, summoning an ice barrier that absorbed most of the impact, though the force still sent her back a few steps.

Her heels dug into the ground, and she gritted her teeth.

"Wind tricks?" she called out mockingly, steadying herself, "That's cute, but I'm more of an ice person."

Gathering her spiritual energy, she extended her arm and unleashed a flurry of ice shards, each aimed precisely at the serpent.

The shards shot through the air, but the creature's agility was impressive; it twisted and coiled, evading most of the projectiles.

One shard struck true, cutting into its scales and drawing a thin line of bluish blood.

The serpent hissed in fury, its movements growing more erratic and aggressive.

It coiled tightly, preparing for another strike, but she was ready.

Focusing her energy, she released a wave of freezing air, the temperature around her dropping rapidly.

Frost formed along the serpent's scales, slowing its movements.

Seizing the opportunity, she lunged forward, her ice dagger aimed directly at the serpent's head.

The blade struck with a satisfying crunch, piercing its skull.

The serpent thrashed violently for a moment, its body convulsing before finally going limp.

She smirked, wiping sweat from her brow.

"Not the first oversized snake I've dealt with," she muttered, "And definitely not the last."

Breathing heavily, she knelt beside the fallen creature, carefully splitting open its head with her dagger.

Her fingers worked swiftly, extracting a bluish stone the wind-infused spiritual core, still pulsing with raw elemental energy.

Though aligned with wind, she knew it could still enhance her own powers if absorbed properly.

"Guess you weren't a total waste," she murmured.

She slipped the core into a small pouch on her belt, then shifted her focus to the serpent's body, her expression moving from battle-ready to thoughtful.

"Can't let this go to waste," she muttered, eyeing the massive serpent with a mix of calculation and exhaustion.

Both its meat and blood had properties that could come in handy during her journey.

she bent beside the serpent, drawing her blade to carve out several chunks of its dense, pale flesh.

Elemental beast meat, even from one aligned with wind was packed with nutrients that aided body-tempering, fortifying muscles, and boosting endurance.

It was exactly what she needed to keep pushing forward.

Reaching into her pack, she pulled out a zipper bag lined with a cooling gel.

She placed the meat inside, sealing it tightly to preserve its freshness. Next, she grabbed a small cylindrical container from her pack, unscrewing the lid.

Carefully positioning it beneath one of the serpent's wounds, she let the dark, bluish blood trickle into the vessel.

Elemental beast blood was rare, often useful for makeshift healing serums or stimulants things that could be a game-changer in the wild.

Once the container was full, she secured the lid and placed it in a padded compartment to avoid spillage.

"Waste not, want not," she said dryly, rising and adjusting her pack once more.

Her body felt heavy, muscles aching from the constant strain, but she refused to slow down.

The encounters along the mountain path had pushed her to her limits, but she'd survived each one.

It was a small victory, a reminder that she still had fight left in her.

Taking a brief moment to catch her breath, she felt a spark of satisfaction before setting off again.

Her steps were light but determined as the terrain began to level out.

The path widened, the rocks thinning out as she descended the outer ridge of the mountains.

The dense forest gradually opened up to a more open area, revealing the faint outline of a road in the distance.

As she got closer, she noticed a large roadhouse mall an old highway shop meant to serve passing travelers.

It seemed like the perfect spot to take a break, change clothes, and prepare for her entry into town.

Approaching cautiously, she noticed a faded "Closed for Renovation" sign hanging overhead, its peeling letters barely visible in the dim light.

She didn't drop her guard, though, her eyes scanning for any surveillance cameras.

Sure enough, she spotted two, both positioned near the main entrance.

"Too easy," she muttered with a wry grin.

She pulled out a small device from her pocket, one designed to disrupt electronic signals. Aiming it at the cameras, she activated it.

The device hummed softly, sending out a low-frequency pulse that scrambled the feeds. With the cameras disabled, she wasted no time.

She found a side door that was locked but not particularly secure.

With a swift, practiced motion, she picked the lock and slipped inside, closing the door quietly behind her.

The inside of the mall was dim and dusty, the air thick with the stale scent of disuse, mixed with hints of dried paint and plaster.

Rows of empty shelves stood like the skeletons of a once-busy market, layered with dust and grime.

Scattered renovation materials were strewn across the floor rusty ladders, stacks of unused tiles, and half-open paint cans lined the walkway.

Making her way to the back, where she found a small, abandoned changing room once used by the staff.

She rummaged through a storage closet, pulling out a few discarded uniforms and civilian clothesa pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a jacket. It wasn't much, but it would help her blend in.

She changed quickly, her movements efficient and precise.

"Not exactly a fashion statement," she muttered as she checked her reflection in a dusty mirror, "But it'll do."

The new clothes were loose enough to conceal her dagger and gun but casual enough to avoid attracting attention.

She then scoured the front office and found a stash of cash in a hidden compartment behind the register. She stuffed the cash into her pocket, knowing it would be useful once she reached town.

Before leaving, she spotted a large duffel bag near the counter.

Emptying it, she transferred the essentials from her backpack: her dagger, the serpent core, the stored meat, and blood vials.

With everything neatly packed, and backpack empty she placed her tactical suit neatly into it.

She stepped out of the rundown roadhouse mall, making her way toward the small parking lot.

A few abandoned cars dotted the area, their paint chipped and windows clouded with dust. She scanned the lot before choosing a sedan that seemed to be in decent shape scratched, but still intact enough for a quick getaway.

"Alright, you'll do," she muttered, popping the driver's door open.

With practiced ease, she got to work hot-wiring the ignition, her fingers moving swiftly over the wires. It was one of the more useful skills she'd picked up during her time with the Black Phoenix Team.

The engine sputtered for a moment, then roared to life. she grinned.

"Still got it," she said quietly, satisfied with the sound.

As she drove down the narrow access road, her eyes constantly scanned her surroundings for any sign of danger.

She kept her speed steady, fast enough to make good time, but slow enough to avoid drawing attention.

The last thing she needed was to stand out.

After nearly an hour, she pulled the sedan off the road, finding a spot where it would be concealed by some overgrown bushes.

She quickly wiped down the interior, making sure to leave no trace of her presence. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she set off toward the town on foot.

The town's streets were lively but calm, with people going about their usual business.

She blended in easily, just another tired traveler carrying a small bag.

She navigated her way to an electronics store, keeping the transaction for a new phone and SIM card as brief as possible.

Her next stop was a modest hotel tucked away on a side street, the kind that didn't ask too many questions.

She walked up to the reception desk, casual but alert.

"One room, please," she said, handing over cash for a two-night stay. The receptionist barely glanced at her ID before sliding a key across the counter.

Once inside her room, she locked the door securely and dropped her bag by the bed.

Letting out a long breath, she finally allowed herself a moment of rest.

The mattress was surprisingly comfortable compared to the hard ground of the mountains. She sank into it, feeling the exhaustion of the day's journey start to settle in.

But rest was only temporary. She had a few days, at most, before the first beast wave hit, and every minute counted.