A mandatory quest

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Jack was left in a fog of confusion for two reasons. First, he stood at the foot of a hill draped in a dense forest, the canopy above blotting out the late afternoon sun. Second, he couldn't spot any hint of a house or living structure nearby. It was all just thick, untamed greenery.

"So… where exactly is his house?" Jack asked, his voice tinged with annoyance.

The coach driver leaned forward slightly, his face a mix of weariness and tolerance. "Young master, Sir Alogra resides at the top of the hill, to the east."

Jack shot a sideways look at the driver. So, they expect me to march up a hillside through this forest… all alone?

The forest around him exuded an unsettling aura. It wasn't just the shadows or the towering trees but an energy that hinted at something more primal, perhaps magical. And if magic ruled this world, it likely teemed with magical beasts too. Stepping into this forest felt like inviting death.

As if reading his unease, the coach driver added, "No need to fear, young master. Sir Alogra assures us he'll intervene if any creatures cross your path. You're well protected." But Jack caught the faint, wry smile on the driver's lips—a glint of amusement, or maybe pity.

'How does he expect to know I'm in danger?' Jack wondered, his brow furrowing.

It was all just begining to look like some kind of set-up.

"And you actually believe he can sense me from here?" he retorted, his tone icy and dismissive.

The coach driver raised his chin, a shadow of frustration crossing his face. 'Ah, just as they say, no regard for his elders… I'd love to see him face a beast on his own,' the driver thought.

"I follow orders as given," the driver replied tersely, turning back to his reins. With a sharp pull, the horses neighed, and the coach jerked into motion, leaving Jack in a swirl of dust and silence.

Jack sighed, scratching the back of his head, frustration brewing within him. "Guess old habits stick after a while," he muttered. He'd spoken curtly without a second thought, acting arrogant was slowly becoming a part of him, but the driver's reaction hadn't gone unnoticed.

'Why should I care?' He's supposed to answer me— Jack's scowl deepened as the coach receded into the distance.

'Well, let's make it a bit more interesting', he mused, raising his hand and muttering a spell.

[Wind Manipulation]

[-10 mana points]

A grin tugged at his lips as he directed a subtle gust toward one of the coach wheels, loosening the screws enough to make the journey difficult. "Let's see how far you get with a shaky wheel… If I have to face a beast, maybe you will too." Jack's words were soft, if he was going to wish him misfortune, then the they might as well share it together.

In this new world, it was an eye to eye battle, he would reciprocate whatever anyone did, he didn't mind status whatsoever. Besides he too was a prince, not many could insult him.

His expression hardened as he shifted his gaze back to the dense forest.

Looking east, he spotted the faint outline of a rooftop through the trees, partially hidden by the hill. Well, here goes nothing, he thought, taking his first step into the undergrowth.

The forest was dense, the ground carpeted with decaying leaves and scattered twigs that snapped underfoot. He moved slowly, eyes alert, his senses heightened with every step. Shadows flitted through the trees, making him instinctively tense. He had a vague idea of the distance—if he kept a steady pace, he'd reach Alogra's place by sundown. But he also knew he wasn't alone in this forest.

Of course, they want me to believe Alogra can sense my danger from here? They sent me in as bait. Jack's jaw clenched. "The great one could've at least given me a smarter family," he muttered, exasperated, catching himself before he raised his voice too much.

He wondered briefly how far the coach might get before the loose wheel failed completely. It should be night soon. Maybe he'll be cornered by a beast himself, he thought with a wicked grin. The driver's demise was a small consolation in this forest's unsettling quiet.

A sudden rustling in the underbrush made him freeze, his heart lurching in his chest. He whipped his head in the direction of the noise, teeth clenched. 'Of course, just my luck'

Despite his careful movements, something had found him. The danger seemed to throb in the air. He couldn't shake the annoyance, though; he'd been on edge since the moment he stepped in here, and now he could be moments away from facing one of the forest's beasts.

'Where's that "rescue" they promised me now?' The thought felt foolish, even in his own mind. No sane person would enter a forest alone, counting on someone else's protection. He steadied his breath, trying to remember the few bits of mage combat he'd picked up in books. In the end, he'd taught himself most of his spells. He'd never had proper training; his parents never allowed it. 'It's a miracle I learned anything at all' he thought, feeling the weight of his situation pressing down on him.

The brush parted slowly, as if whatever was lurking was toying with him, savoring his unease. His palms were clammy, his mouth dry. 'Books never prepared me for this'

Apparently, something's just couldn't be learnt through the books, feeling the tension before the fight was a lot more different than reading through pages about what to and what not to do.

Finally, the creature emerged, stepping out with a low, rumbling growl. Its eyes gleamed in the fading light, powerful and hungry.

Just then, the system pinged at him.

DING!

[Mountain Beast Detected]

[Mandatory Quest: Defeat 10 Mountain Beasts to become the Predator of the Mountains]

[Time Limit: 14 days]

[Reward: +100 Soul Essence]

[Penalty: ???]

'Wonderful,' Jack thought bitterly, staring into the beast's eyes. 'What a charming way to seal my death sentence.'