Chapter 15: The Extinct Hunter
The familiar quiet of the Whisperwood welcomed Rhys like an old friend. The month spent in the bustling, noisy streets of Greenleaf had been productive, even essential, but this was where he felt truly at ease.
The city was a place of rules, hierarchies, and watchful eyes. The forest, however, had only one rule: survive.
And for the first time, Rhys felt more than equipped to do just that.
He spent the first week reacquainting himself with the rhythms of the wilderness, moving through the Outer Ring of the forest like a silent predator.
His new skills were immediately put to the test. With his perfected Navigation, he could map the entire area in his mind, never losing his way.
Navigation was a skill under the Utility and Survival tree, but to turn it into a true profession, he needed a profession core.
Profession cores were only available from monsters possessing that profession, and obtaining one from a slain creature was rare.
So rare, in fact, that even low-level profession cores were considered heirlooms by major families.
[That’s because they aren’t strong enough. The higher the bloodline of a monster, the higher the chances of it having a profession core will be.]
The System chimed in his mind. Strangely, Rhys felt it was mimicking his own voice.
"How did you know?"
[I have analysed.]