The house gradually came to life the next morning. Sinclair's friends, exhausted from their rigorous training, enjoyed a much-needed lie-in. Meanwhile, Sinclair, with a lot on his mind, busied himself with quiet tasks. He prepared breakfast, utilizing the venison he had procured from a successful hunt on his property.

Sinclair devoted his spare moments to tidying the house. The added presence of his friends meant a quicker accumulation of mess, although it was a small price for such invaluable company. He savored the last few moments of solitude on the front porch, immersed in reflections about the recent whirlwind of events and the significant challenges that lay ahead. Though, not typically given to worry, the sheer scale of the impending tasks consumed a significant portion of his thoughts.

The sounds of his friends stirring and beginning their day reached Sinclair's ears. He had left a pot of coffee brewing and some bacon sizzling in the kitchen – a universally effective morning greeting. One by one, they joined him on the porch, each clutching a coffee mug and nibbling on bacon. Sinclair took this opportunity to share the details of his encounter with Odin from the previous night. His friends, still groggy and gradually coming to life with each sip of coffee, listened intently.

"Let me get this straight. We're tackling our tutorial quests today, which you've set to hard mode for us, and meanwhile, you're off on a world-saving mission?" Rose's expression was a mix of incredulity and concern.

Sinclair, wishing he was oblivious to their unease, explained as calmly as he could, "Look, I'm not stopping you coming with me without good reason. The adversaries in this quest are comparable in strength to those I faced in my class quest's final stages. This training, and obtaining a class, is vital before you join me in such quests. I'm not thrilled about doing this without you, but I won't compromise on your safety. I can't wait for when you're stronger, so we can embark on quests together without undue risk. Once you're done with your tutorials, we'll regroup here. Who knows, I might even return a day or two ahead of you."

His friends, engulfed in silence, processed the situation. Sinclair could sense their disappointment at not being able to join him, but he also knew their time would come. Encouraging them to eat, he distributed more food, spending an additional 5 gold to ensure they were well-provisioned. With the challenges they faced, scavenging for sustenance was the last thing they needed. Other supplies were at their disposal, but this would serve as a crucial supplement until he installed the System Node at his residence.

In the midst of their preparations, Sinclair turned his attention to his inventory, checking for the two tokens Odin had mentioned.

New Item: Domain Token (Unique)

Description: This token allows the bearer to add one building to their property. All build costs are covered through the stored mana in this token.

Please pick from the following options.

Barracks

- Open floor plan style barracks. Will sleep 40 people. Simple baths and facilities included.

Barn

- Storage for animals or feed. Will house up to 25 cows and 200 hundred bales of hay.

Grain Mill

- Used to grind grain into flour. Must have external power source to power the grinding mechanism.

Saw Mill

- Used to process fallen logs. Can process logs up to 2 foot in diameter. Must have an external power source to power the grinding mechanism.

New Item: Universal Market Token (Unique)

Description: Place a market access crystal. You become the administrator for this crystal access and may grant or deny access. Taxes can be collected through purchases. Required 10 feet of open space.

Sinclair contemplated the practicality of the tokens, deciding to deploy them upon his return. The challenge lay in choosing an optimal location for the building, a decision he anticipated his parents could assist with.

In the front room, they reviewed their equipment one last time. Sinclair meticulously ensured everyone had all they needed before pulling up his quest to accept. Embarking on their separate journeys he felt a twinge of sadness tempered by pride. He might have understood the importance of their independent growth, but the protective instinct in him nevertheless left him yearning to accompany them.

By his side, Chewy and Leia sat attentively. Affectionately patting their heads, Sinclair steeled himself for his own quest, all the way in Iceland. The urgency of the task at hand was palpable, so with no excuses to delay, he departed.

*****

Sinclair's emergence from the teleportation process was… bumpy. Well, I guess that this area isn't fully integrated into the system yet. No surprise it's a bit hair-raising. He found himself adjacent to a sign indicating the entrance to the Eldfell Hiking Trail. The land around him was deserted, but beautiful, bathed in the red and violet hues of the setting sun.

Sinclair accessed his new map interface, zooming in to gain a better understanding of his surroundings. His position was marked by a small dot, nestled between two towering mountains, Eldfell and Helgafell. Spinning around, and watching how the map moved, he quickly identified that Eldfell was the one to the right. And that makes Helgafell on my left. Well obviously, that's how right and left work, Sinclair, you dolt, now stop procrastinating!

Choosing to ascend Eldfell to find a strategic vantage point, Sinclair followed a winding trai. The Icelandic landscape unfurled around him in stunning vistas, in stark contrast to the grave purpose of his visit. The volcano's peak, standing modestly at around 650 feet above sea level, offered a panoramic view of the surrounding scenery. The land sloped sharply towards the ocean, yet there was no immediate sign of either people, or the monsters he was tasked to hunt. He patrolled the crater's rim, vigilantly scanning the volcanic slopes and the surrounding area for any indication of the Myrkr's presence.

Sinclair's attention was drawn to a flicker of movement near the ocean-facing ledge. Cautiously, he maneuvered around the ridge, lying low to avoid casting a conspicuous silhouette against the sky. Focused on the area where he had spotted the movement, he eventually noticed several more dark gray flashes.

Considering the possibility of these being his targets, he communicated with Chewy and Leia, "Are you two seeing this? Small shapes darting around the edges over there?"

Both wolves confirmed his observation, their attention fixed on the same location. The trio examined the area closely, noting that the activity was confined to this specific spot. Sinclair speculated about a potential fissure in the rock wall, considering the terrain's sharp drop-off. The land appeared to extend outward for several dozen feet once the slope eased.

Deciding on a course of action, they retraced their steps down the volcano, planning to approach the area from the road hugging the shorter side of the mountain. Chewy and Leia discreetly moved through the ditches flanking each side, while Sinclair walked down the center of the path, keeping his weapons concealed. He remained vigilant for any late-evening traffic, aware that his presence—a foreigner in unusual attire accompanied by two wolves—would be difficult to explain should they encounter any locals.

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Approaching the area where they had previously spotted the shapes, Sinclair and his companions could hear the crash of waves below, overlaid with an unsettling squawk. The sound was somewhat like that of a bird, yet it was unmistakably aberrant. Sinclair ducked behind a small rise and cautiously peered over the edge, allowing himself just enough visibility to observe the scene below.

Below were creatures resembling puffins, but grotesquely altered: enlarged to three or four times their normal size, they now had menacing claws, and exuded an aura that made his skin crawl. Mentally, he fed back his observations to the two wolves.

Leia, with fur bristling along her neck, expressed her discomfort, "I can smell them from here. They smell wrong. They have been twisted in more than just physical form." Sinclair took the opportunity to analyze a few of the two dozen creatures.

Name: Myrkr Spawn

Race: Mutated Puffin

Level: 39

Health: 1200

Description: These puffins have now been mutated to become Myrkr Spawn. Their size has dramatically increased, now standing at about three to four times larger than a typical puffin. Their plumage, once a charming mix of black and white, has darkened to an ominous, murky grey, with splotches of black that seem to absorb light. The once-cute beak has elongated and sharpened, resembling a predatory bird's, ideal for tearing and rending.

Sinclair observed the mutated puffins, rapidly formulating a battle plan. Despite their elevated levels, he knew his boosts and skills could tip the scales. "Here's the plan," he said resolutely. "I'll charge into their midst, employing Will of the Norns to stun them, followed by Yggdrasil's Authority, and Wild Shout to attract their attention. Once I engage Rage of the Berserkir, it's your cue to strike from behind. Stay agile, avoid prolonged engagements. We need to be quick and efficient."

"We'll be ready for them," Leia replied, her voice tinged with nervousness. Sinclair could sense their apprehension, a reminder of the critical role he played in their development. They were only level 6, and he needed them to level up swiftly to handle more challenging battles. Their success hinged on coordination and execution of the plan, and Sinclair readied himself to lead the charge, determined to guide them through this perilous encounter.

Sinclair advanced towards the cluster of mutated birds, axes in hand, his mind sharply focused on the sequence of skills he planned to execute. With a burst of speed from his Focused Charge, he plunged into the midst of the enemy, immediately unleashing his Yggdrasil's Authority to enhance his strength and constitution. His Wild Shout drew the attention of the surrounding creatures, their malevolent eyes fixed on him. Activating Rage of the Berserkir, he quickly dispatched the three nearest birds, their bodies crumpling under the force of his blows.

As more of the monstrous birds converged on him, Sinclair strategically retreated. The birds attempted to flank him, but he deftly countered their attacks, sending them reeling backwards with powerful, well-aimed strikes.

In the background, Chewy and Leia worked in unison, efficiently isolating and dismantling their foes. Their coordinated efforts were a sight to behold, showcasing their teamwork and innate combat prowess. Together, they systematically reduced the flock, their tactics and ferocity ensuring that half of the mutated puffins were eliminated within the first seven minutes.

Despite sustaining damage, Sinclair's pants, imbued with regenerative properties, managed to keep his wounds from becoming too much of a concern. The situation continued like this until Sinclair failed to notice an avian assailant swooping in from the cliff's edge. The bird struck him in the back, sending him crashing to his knees amidst a group of six hostiles. Unprepared, he was pummeled and flung several feet away. Despite the surprise, Sinclair's resilience allowed him to quickly recover. In a swift motion, he equipped his larger axe, infused it with mana, and unleashed a broad sweep through the remaining birds.

The powerful strike claimed the lives of four birds instantaneously, while Chewy and Leia dragged the remaining two away, their necks fatally wounded and bodies scorched from Sinclair's fiery attack.

Panting heavily from the exertion, Sinclair noted a few of his skills had leveled up during the confrontation. He appreciated the efficiency of his updated notification system, which informed him of his progress without the earlier intrusive detail.

Your skills have increased!

Punching Bag: Increased from Level 9 to Level 10

Note: Reaching level 10 has increased the Endurance buff from 10 to 15 points.

You have leveled up!

As you are a Ulfhednar, you receive the following stat increases automatically:

+ 5 Strength

+ 3 Agility

+ 4 Constitution

+ 3 Intelligence

+ 4 Willpower

+ 5 Endurance

As you are a Ulfhednar, you receive four free points to spend on the stats of your choice.

To level up, please assign your points.

With the increase, Sinclair's Willpower reached a notable milestone, 50 points. The achievement brought a brief but heady sensation of lightheadedness, but it quickly dissipated, allowing him to refocus on his surroundings. He examined Chewy and Leia, finding that both had impressively gained five levels from the recent skirmish, elevating them to level 11.

Their feedback on the taste of the defeated monsters prompted Sinclair to provide them with water to wash their mouths out, followed by a treat from the store to neutralize the unpleasant aftertaste. They shouldn't have to endure such discomfort, considering they've been fighting tooth and claw.

Sinclair rose to his feet, collecting 15 gold coins from the fallen creatures. Approaching the cliff's edge, he discovered a narrow goat trail leading down the rock face. The path looked precarious, especially considering the steep drop on the ocean side, which led down to jagged rocks below.

Navigating the slippery rock pathway proved challenging, but it also provided Sinclair with an opportunity to hone his Surefooted skill, which he managed to level up twice during the descent.

Ahead, a dark cavernous opening materialized in the rock face. Sinclair could not peer into its depths, but the distinct odor emanating from it meant the presence of more mutated creatures inside. He communicated his observations to Chewy and Leia, instructing them to proceed with caution as he prepared to enter the cave.

Utilizing his Focused Charge skill, Sinclair rapidly closed the distance to the cave's entrance. His enhanced vision allowed him to navigate the darkness with ease, revealing a multitude of puffins scattered throughout the cave. To secure a more strategic position, he executed another Focused Charge, positioning himself against the rock wall opposite the ocean drop, ensuring no surprise attacks from behind.

Once in position, Sinclair unleashed a Wild Shout, drawing the puffins' aggression towards himself and simultaneously exposing their backs to Chewy and Leia, who were now carefully descending towards the cave. Energizing his axe with mana, he initiated a sweeping Cleave attack, targeting as many of the creatures as possible within its range. The battle unfolded with a rhythm similar to their previous encounter, but this time Sinclair remained vigilant, avoiding any unforeseen strikes from behind. His previous encounter had taught him a valuable lesson in battlefield awareness.

He continued along the path, Chewy and Leia trailing right behind him, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any threats that might ambush them.

The pathway gradually expanded, leading them to a modest-sized chamber where it forked into two distinct corridors. Sinclair surveyed the area, then turned to his companions. "Great, can either of you tell which way we should go?"

Chewy and Leia set to work, their noses to the ground, sniffing along both paths. After venturing a few feet down each corridor, they returned. Chewy, with a gesture of his snout towards Leia, reported, "My path smells of old dirt and rock. Nothing has been down that path in a long time."

Leia's response was prompt, "My path smells pretty bad, so it must be the correct one. The smells are a little faint, so they might have passed by here a while ago."

"The right path it is," Sinclair murmured, his voice resonating in the enclosed space. As he stepped down the chosen path, he felt the oppressive gloom of the environment. Its intensity seeped into his very bones.

As they journeyed, the path continuously declined, its width consistent at about four to five feet. The walls appeared deliberately sculpted, as if chiseled by unseen hands long ago. Sinclair's footsteps echoed quietly, the only sound in the otherwise still environment.

For nearly half an hour, they walked in silence. With each step, Sinclair felt as if they were delving deeper into an ancient tomb, waiting for eons in enigmatic mystery.

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