Scrrrape-
Scrrrape-
A sound like a saw being sharpened urged me to open my eyes.
The world emerged from darkness into a hazy blur. Dense woods stretched out in layer upon layer, shrouded in mist that made it impossible to tell where I was.
Then I vaguely made out an enormous creature not far in front of me, scratching a tree trunk with its claws like a cat.
...Oh, oh crap. It's the Bear Lord of Cinder!
I jolted in fright, quickly hunched down, and cautiously crept behind a nearby tree to hide.
Early game, midgame, or late game, this thing always ranked among the monsters every Tarnished least wanted to meet-a Rune Bear!
High damage, a massive health pool, brutal stance damage, and an appetite for attacking that rivaled a rabid dog.
Once it spotted you, it would chase you for hundreds of miles, even if you mounted Torrent.
And most importantly, even beating the bear earned you very little. It simply wasn't worth it!
I rubbed my throbbing temples and tried to recall what had happened.
So I fell into Patches' trap after all? I got teleported deep into Mistwood... My mind was a blur of static, too. Since I hadn't uncovered the map, I had no idea exactly where I was.
Right, the map!
I snapped out of it and hurriedly searched the mist for my target.
If I remember correctly, in the game, the map for Mistwood was near the teleport destination... Found it! The map stele!
Excited, I hurried over and reached out to touch the golden writing on the stele.
In an instant, the map information for Mistwood transformed into golden light and flooded into my mind, clearing my head a little.
I was currently in central Mistwood. A long road ran through the entire forest, with one end leading to Agheel Lake and the other to a castle.
Come to think of it, since I'm already in Mistwood, why not visit the nearby ruins and look for my wolf bro, Blaidd?
After all, I had somehow already triggered the relevant dialogue with Kale earlier. This had been part of my plan anyway-taking a shortcut through Patches' teleport trap.
Mm-hmm, exactly. This was all part of my plan.
"Grr?"
Huh?
Just as I was smugly absorbed in my own thoughts, a low growl reached my ears.
Looking closer, I saw another hulking Rune Bear in the woods behind the stele. It seemed to have set its sights on me.
"G-good morning. Or good afternoon." I stiffly raised a hand in greeting.
"ROAR-"
"Aaaah!" The Bear Lord of Cinder was coming after me! Of course it wasn't going to be friendly!
I hurriedly blew the Spectral Steed Whistle. Torrent materialized beside me and picked up speed the instant I grabbed the reins and swung onto his back.
But there was another reason Rune Bears deserved the title of Lord of Cinder: these things could run at least as fast as Torrent!
"Torrent, turn, quick!" The furious roar behind me brought me out in a cold sweat. I instinctively pulled Torrent into a sharp right turn and glimpsed an enormous black shadow pouncing on the spot where I had just been.
Its attack missed, but the Rune Bear dug its claws into the ground, wheeled around sharply, and charged after me again.
I'm screwed, screwed, screwed!
A Rune Bear's weakness is... Sleep Pots!
But I only have Fire Pots, and I've never gathered any Trina's lilies. I can't craft them!
"Neigh-"
Torrent's whinny snapped me back to reality. Another enormous Rune Bear had emerged from the woods ahead of us.
This Mistwood is practically their home turf!
"ROAR!" Hearing the commotion, the bear ahead wasted no time charging straight at us.
I'm done for! They've got me from both sides!
What do I do? What do I do?
...It's a long shot, but we have to try. Full speed ahead, Torrent!
I gritted my teeth and focused all my attention on the Rune Bear in front of me, sorting through every scrap of information in my head: the distance, the bear's size and reach, and even the slightest variations in each of its movements.
Closer! Closer! Even closer! ...The Rune Bear's forelegs are raised a fraction higher than before, and they're starting to stretch out.
It's winding up for a pounce!
"Torrent!" As I lowered my body, I had Torrent turn into a blue phantom and return to the whistle.
Using my momentum, I slid straight ahead, watching the enormous bear sail over my head and crash into the one pursuing me.
Nice!
That's exactly what I wanted!
Taking advantage of the chaos, I rolled and rolled until I tumbled into a nearby clump of bushes, hiding myself.
At the same time, I watched the two Rune Bears through the scattered gaps to see what they would do next.
Unfortunately, the two Rune Bears tangled together in the collision didn't start fighting. They separated quite peacefully and exchanged a few low growls.
Were they complaining? Or exchanging information?
I couldn't understand them, so I had no idea. What I did know was that both of them had started lowering their bodies, their noses twitching as they searched the air for my scent.
Th-this isn't how it's supposed to work!
In the game, once you broke line of sight and hid in the grass, enemies wouldn't react even if they walked right up to you!
These two damn bears can track enemies by smell, too?
If I'd known, I should've gotten out of here while I had the chance!
I hurriedly sneaked through the bushes, but I had to move painfully slowly to avoid being spotted, and the low growls behind me were drawing closer.
No choice. Time to risk my life again!
I blew the Spectral Steed Whistle once more, summoned Torrent, and fled at full speed.
Naturally, the two Rune Bears spotted me and went right back into relentless pursuit mode.
-Damn it all! That bastard Patches! When I get back to Murkwater Cave, I'm going to make you pay!
Complaining wouldn't help now. I quickly searched my mind for an escape route:
...There's an upward spirit current at the foot of the cliff west of the forest. Torrent can ride it into the air. That'll definitely shake off the Rune Bears.
Hm?
A stretch of ruins appeared right before my eyes.
After all that running in circles, did I actually stumble onto Mistwood Ruins?
Atop a tall, chimney-like structure, I could also vaguely make out a black figure.
That must be Blaidd!
Ah-there's another Rune Bear inside the ruins!
It had been asleep, but the noisy roars of the two behind me had clearly disturbed it. Its whole body was slowly starting to rise.
Three Rune Bears chasing me at once? That would be way too brutal!
Better hide in my shell!
Before the Rune Bear in the ruins could fully wake up, I leaped off Torrent and sprinted over.
Remember? Every set of ruins has at least one hidden treasure chest, and it's always in a cellar.
And the cellar at Mistwood Ruins is right in front of that sprawled-out bear!
"Heave-ho!"
I quickly jumped into the cellar beneath the ruins. The entrance was tiny; there was absolutely no way the Rune Bears could squeeze inside-unless they could stomp the whole cellar in.
Soon, the other two Rune Bears chased me into the ruins. I even heard walls being smashed apart.
"ROAR-ROAR-"
The Rune Bear they had woken was in a foul mood and immediately started roaring at the other two.
Well, since I'm here, I might as well settle in.
Leaving them to it for now, I steadied my ragged breathing, lifted the cellar door, and pried open the treasure chest inside-the Axe Talisman. It enhanced charged attacks, which generally meant heavy attacks.
Better than nothing.
But my next problem is: how exactly am I supposed to get out of here?
Before you continue