Although mercenary groups faced some restrictions when accepting missions, the limitations weren't severe. Moreover, low-rank groups that completed higher-rank missions earned **bonus points**, greatly aiding their promotion. However, without sufficient strength, few dared to take on missions above their level.
**Lightning Hammer** was only a **Level 1** mercenary group, so Maria advised them to stick to **missions below Level 3**. The team crowded around the guild's mission board, searching for a suitable target.
**"This one's perfect! A Level 1 mission—two Windfang Wolves are harassing a village thirty miles west of Faelor City. Kill them and get a verification letter from the local farmer. Reward: 20 gold!"** Eric exclaimed excitedly.
Cici and Tyrone shot him disdainful looks. *This rookie has no ambition!*
Running **thirty miles** for just **20 gold**? Not worth it.
**"How about this one?"** Cici pointed to another mission. **"It suits us well—gathering Violetbloom in the Breton Forest. We're not a standard mercenary group with balanced roles like warriors and archers. Combat isn't our strength, so a herb-gathering mission is ideal. Sure, the Breton Forest has monsters, but if we stick to the outskirts and stay cautious, we'll be fine. Each Violetbloom fetches 10 gold—if we collect enough, we'll easily rank up."**
**"Cici's right!"** Maria patted her head approvingly.
**"Then what about this?"** Tyrone pointed to another mission with ulterior motives. **"Twenty earth-attribute magic cores from Tier 4 or higher. Not only would they sell for a fortune, but they'd also give our group more points."**
*Tyrone was still fixated on acquiring beast blood for scroll-making. If they took this mission, they'd have to hunt monsters—and harvest their blood.*
Cici rolled her eyes. **"Tier 4 monsters? We're not strong enough for that."**
**"They're all missions anyway—let's just accept them all first,"** Tyrone urged.
**"If we take a mission and fail to complete it on time, we lose points, and our failure rate increases. Reputation is everything for mercenaries. If your failure rate gets too high, no one will trust you with missions,"** Cici explained.
**"Plus, Level 1 groups can only accept one mission at a time! We can't take another until the current one is completed or failed,"** Eric added, enlightening Tyrone.
Tyrone nodded, scanning the posted missions. There were plenty requesting **magic cores, beast blood, and hides.**
His suggestion was ultimately rejected—those missions were too high-level. In the end, Cici made the executive decision: **enter the Breton Forest to gather Violetbloom.**
---
The **Breton Forest** lay about **50 kilometers south** of Faelor City. On foot, the journey would take nearly **two days**. After submitting their mission application and completing the formalities, the group set off.
Tyrone had suggested **horses**, but Cici and Eric didn't own any, and buying them now would be impractical—where would they leave the horses once they reached the forest? So, Tyrone resigned himself to **walking.**
Forests were always hotspots for adventurers and mercenaries—filled with rare herbs, minerals, and all kinds of magical beasts. Many entered hoping to strike it rich, but only a handful ever succeeded.
The **Breton Forest** was vast, stretching thousands of kilometers. The deeper one ventured, the greater the danger. After years of scavenging, the **outer regions** had little left to offer.
Fortunately, their mission wasn't about hunting beasts. Cici believed they could find **Violetbloom** on the outskirts—a relatively common herb. Some noble must have urgently needed it to offer such a high price.
They rested in a nearby village overnight and continued the next day. Tyrone, accustomed to physical training, felt no fatigue, but **Cici, Eric, and even Maria** were struggling.
Maria panted heavily, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Though her serene smile remained, sweat beaded on her forehead.
**"My feet are covered in blisters,"** Cici whined.
**"We're almost there,"** Maria wiped her brow. **"Half a day more, and we'll reach the edge of the Breton Forest. We can rest properly then."**
**"Bro Tyrone… carry me?"** Cici batted her eyelashes, her gaze pitiful yet alluring.
**"Why not ask Eric?"** Tyrone didn't even turn around.
**"Bro, if I were a girl, I'd ask you to carry me too,"** Eric wheezed, clearly exhausted.
**"Walk on your own. If you can't handle this little distance, what will you do in the future?"** Tyrone glanced back—Cici genuinely seemed unable to go on.
**"I'm a mage, not a warrior!"**
**"So am I. Let me tell you—mages shouldn't just sit around meditating. Waking up early to exercise is good for you. See what happens when you don't?"**
Maria flushed slightly. *Mages barely have enough time for meditation—who has extra hours for exercise?* But Tyrone's words carried weight.
**"When we get back, I'll teach you some martial drills. Practice them for half an hour every morning. Stick with it for a year, and you'll see results."**
**"A whole year?!"** Cici rolled her eyes.
**"I'd like to learn too,"** Maria chimed in.
**"Mentor, you're serious?"** Cici blinked in surprise.
**"It clearly works. Look at the difference between us and Tyrone."** Maria paused, surveying their surroundings. **"Let's rest for a bit."**
**Will Lightning Hammer find the Violetbloom—or will the forest's dangers prove too much for them?**