Leon stared at the plant for a moment, his fingers grazing one of the frost-covered leaves. It looked ordinary enough—just another patch of greenery surviving against the cold—but the system's analysis told him otherwise.
Frostleaf had impressive medicinal properties, capable of reducing pain, aiding recovery, and even restoring some energy. It wasn't just useful—it was valuable.
Deciding to take a sample, he reached forward carefully, gripping the stem between his fingers.
[Harvest Attempt: Failed]
[Skill Level Insufficient – Requires Herbology Rank 2]
Leon frowned slightly, pulling his hand back.
So, he wasn't skilled enough. If he tried to take it now, he'd likely damage it, wasting its potency.
He exhaled, watching his breath fog slightly in the night air. It was a reminder—his skill wasn't enough yet, and that mattered.
His fingers tightened slightly against his palm.
Experience didn't always guarantee success.
The thought lingered longer than it should have, settling too deeply, turning inward toward something else.
Caiden.
Leon's jaw tensed slightly at the name.
It had been months now, and the betrayal still sat heavy in his mind. Too sudden, too cold, too deliberate. They had fought side by side for years—trusted each other in battle, relied on each other's instincts. They had built something that was supposed to be unshakable.
And yet Caiden had walked away.
Without warning. Without hesitation. Without regret.
Leon shifted slightly, scanning the faces around the fire.
Reid. Arin. Kara. Laina.
Would any of them do the same?
Would any of them walk away when it mattered most?
The thought was unwelcome, creeping in like a slow-moving shadow, pressing against his ribs.
He exhaled sharply, shaking it off.
Not here. Not now.
Instead, he focused on the small sounds around him—the fire crackling, the wind shifting through the branches, the quiet murmurs of conversation.
And then, a voice near him.
"You looked deep in thought," Laina said casually, not looking directly at him but still close enough that he could tell she had noticed.
Leon met her gaze briefly before glancing back at the fire. "Just thinking about the mission."
She nodded slowly. "You always this quiet?"
Leon didn't answer immediately.
Arin snorted. "Oh, trust me, he's always like this. You might be the first person to get actual words out of him without forcing it."
Laina chuckled. "Then maybe I should take that as a win."
She shifted slightly, nudging her pack closer to the fire, but in the movement, her hand brushed against his.
It was barely anything—a fleeting touch—but it was enough for both of them to pause for a fraction of a second, eyes locking unintentionally.
And the worst part?
The reaction was immediate.
Heat crept into his face, fast enough that he was aware of it, and Laina's face wasn't much different—her own expression flickering briefly between surprise and embarrassment.
The rest of the group?
They caught it instantly.
Arin grinned. "Ooh."
Kara smirked. "That was cute."
Reid just shook his head, exhaling lightly.
Laina cleared her throat, pulling her hand back a little too quickly. "Anyway. Fire's good."
Leon stayed silent.
Arin was still grinning. "You sure you don't wanna sit even closer, Leon?"
Leon gave him a flat look. "Do you want me to throw you into the fire?"
Arin laughed. "Come on, we all saw it. Just saying, we ship it."
Leon exhaled slowly. He wasn't dealing with this.
Luckily, something shifted in the air, pulling his attention away.
It wasn't sudden—just a small change, a faint weight in the cold, a difference in pressure that settled subtly across the area.
Leon tensed slightly, adjusting his grip.
Without hesitation, he activated Analyse, shifting his gaze toward the darkness beyond the firelight, focusing in a single direction.
The system responded instantly.
[F-Rank Beast Identified: Ironhide Boar]
Leon straightened slightly. His voice came calm, steady.
"It's arrived."
The others looked up sharply, their instincts kicking in.
No one knew how he knew.
But they trusted him anyway.