I'm a Immortal Tavernkeeper, But My S-Rank Daughter Doesn't Know That!

"Are you ready?" Mari asked Dundragon, lifting her head.

Victor lifted the sleeve of his tunic to reveal his forearm. There were several needle marks on his skin, but he said:

"Yes, as usual."

Mari Dundragon adjusted her glasses and smiled. She approached Victor with a focused expression as she picked up a small glass syringe with a fine needle.

"Let’s get started," she said with a gentle touch.

Victor held out his arm to Mari. He knew how important these tests were to him, and his confidence in her was evident.

Mari carefully held his arm, the rough, marked skin showing how much he had already undergone these procedures. Then she carefully inserted the needle. Dark red blood slowly began to flow into the syringe, and Victor watched without changing his expression. After a few seconds, Mari removed the needle and pressed a small piece of gauze against Victor’s skin.

"Thank you, Victor. Your blood is essential to this work."

"I’m the one to thank. I really appreciate your continued help," he replied, gently rubbing his arm to ease the slight pain.

Mari walked away, placing the blood-filled syringe on a bench next to a row of vials and test tubes. She then turned to Victor and hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"Victor, I have one more favor to ask."

Victor raised an eyebrow, curious. "Tell me, what do you need?"

"There is a certain herb that I need to continue my experiments in this final stage." Mari explained. "It is not sold on the market or by botanists because it rots quickly once it is collected. I need you to go to the Lura Forest and harvest it for me."

Victor smiled slightly, remembering his old routine at the tavern in Serenity. "That shouldn’t be a problem. I used to get some herbs for my tavern. What herbs do you need?"

Mari bit her lower lip, a clear sign that there were more details to be revealed. "This herb is a little more difficult to harvest. It’s poisonous and rare, so you’ll have a job finding it."

Victor frowned, but his determination didn’t waver. "All right, Mari. Tell me what I need to know and where to find this herb."

Mari nodded, relieved by Victor’s attitude. "The herb is called Noctiluria. It grows in dark, damp areas of the forest, usually near dead trees or rotting corpses. Its leaves have a bluish glow at night, which can help locate it."

"Got it. Is there anything special I need to handle it with, since it’s poisonous?" Worriedly, Victor asked.

"Yes," Mari replied, picking up a pair of leather gloves and a small cloth bag. "Wear these gloves to avoid direct skin contact, and place the herbs in this bag. Also, avoid inhaling the dust they may release. It’s extremely toxic and can kill you in seconds."

Victor took the gloves and the bag, examining them with his eyes before placing them in his backpack. "All right. I’ll leave right away. I have the day off. The sooner I get the Noctiluria, the sooner you can get on with your experiments."

"Thank you, Victor. And please be careful," Mari said, her concern sincere.

Victor waved goodbye before leaving the laboratory.

The Forest of Lura was a large forest south of Klento, a place of dense woods and mystery. In the past, it was said that dryads protected the place, but Victor believed that this was a story to keep the curious away from the forest. The truth was that many wild wolves hunted in the area, making the paths dangerous, especially for lone travelers.

As he approached the entrance to the forest, the surrounding landscape began to change. The trees grew taller and thicker, their canopies intertwining and partially blocking out the sunlight, creating a dark and mysterious atmosphere. The dirt road he followed was lonely. No one passed him the whole way.

When he finally found a place that seemed easier to enter because the trees were further apart, he stopped at the edge of the forest and watched the darkness deepen before him. He took a deep breath, smelling the damp, earthy scent that emanated from deep within the forest. His right arm opened his cloak, checking the items on his belt. Everything was there.

As he took the first step into the forest, he heard a whistle in the distance. He turned to his left and saw a wagon slowly approaching the path. It was an unusual sight, considering the time and place. The cart was simple, made of aged wood, and pulled by a single gray horse. In charge of the cart was a very old man with shaggy white hair and a long beard. His clothes were worn and dusty, and he had a wise but worried look on his face.

"Hello, traveler," the man said, stopping the wagon next to Victor. "What are you doing in these parts, so close to the Lura Forest?"

"I’m on a mission," Victor replied, without giving too many details. "I have to collect an herb I’ve been asked for."

The old man frowned, his expression becoming even more serious. "The Lura Forest is not the place. Believe me. Even experienced hunters have trouble finding their way back." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Victor smiled slightly. "I’ve been a hunter for thirty years. I think I know my way around a forest. It won’t be a problem."

The old man shook his head, his piercing gaze fixed on Victor. "You can be a hunter for a thousand years and even live in a forest, but this forest is different. It’s treacherous. There are creatures in there that don’t fear humans. And the paths... the paths change, as if the forest itself is alive and tries to trick those who dare to enter it."

Victor’s face was confident. He knew that the Lura Forest had a local mystique, but he didn’t cling to it.

"I appreciate your warning, but I must go. I must be back before nightfall."

The man sighed, realizing that he wouldn’t be able to change Victor’s mind. "Very well, hunter. May the gods watch over your path. And remember, follow the blue lights. They can guide you back if the forest decides to be merciful."

"Blue lights. Right, thanks." Victor nodded in thanks and turned, walking purposefully into the forest.

Each step seemed harder, not only because of the density of the vegetation but also because of the old man’s gaze, staring at his back as he entered.

When he finally entered, he saw how dense the surrounding vegetation was, with vines hanging from the tall branches and moss covering the tree trunks. Since the forest was enclosed, the ground wasn’t covered with as much snow, but it was damp.

Otherwise, the Lura Forest was like any other. The birds sang loudly in the treetops, creating a chorus that echoed throughout the forest. It was an almost unbearable sound, but Victor knew that in natural environments, constant noise was a good sign. It meant there were no predators around, but he had to make sure there weren’t. So he closed his eyes for a moment and concentrated on his den, the ability that allowed him to sense presences around him. It was an effective way to detect any living being nearby, friend or foe.

As he concentrated, he felt life pulsate around him: small animals scurrying across the forest floor, birds in the branches, insects buzzing. Everything seemed normal. But suddenly he felt another presence, something cold and strange far behind him, so close it could be mistaken for his own shadow, a cave that wasn’t like the others.

Victor opened his eyes abruptly and felt a warm, moist breath on the back of his neck. It was definitely someone. In a quick, instinctive move, he drew his sword and spun around, ready to strike at whatever was behind him.

But there was nothing. His sword only sliced the air.

His heart pounded in his chest as he looked around, his sword still raised, his eyes searching for any sign of what he might have sensed. The strange cave had disappeared as quickly and mysteriously as it had appeared, leaving only the nagging feeling that something was watching Victor.

With a deliberate and unhurried motion, he gradually brought down his sword, all the while endeavoring to steady his breath and regain composure. Was it a mistake in recognition? Or was the forest playing tricks on his senses?

He closed his eyes again and felt the cave of everything around him. Everything was quiet, there was no abnormal presence. Victor put his sword down and although the feeling of alertness hadn’t left him, he continued walking, but now every step was taken with redoubled caution.

The words of the elderly man echoed through Victor’s thoughts, refusing to fade away.

"... the paths change..."

"... the forest is alive..."

Perhaps he hadn’t taken those words seriously enough before, but now he began to consider them.