"Jackpot!" He exclaimed, trying to contain his excitement. "What a nice way to end the day," he thought with a wide smile.
He had forgotten he didn't get any experience points from the critter expenditure.
Ding!
Level up!
[ Name: Will Sonoma ]
[ Race: Human ]
[ Level 9 ]
[ 1756/16,000 exp ]
[ Energy: 950/950 ]
[ Hp: 150/150 ]
[ strength: 16 ]
[ Agility: 17 ]
[ Endurance: 17 ]
[ You have six free stat points to distribute ]
[ Quest received: Reach level 10 ]
[ Rewards: ??? ]
"A quest update?" He mumbled as he read through it. Reading through, he couldn't help but sigh. For each level up, the experience point gets higher. Now he needs to obtain 16000 exp to get to the next level. "Getting to level 10 would take months," he thought.
With a satisfied sigh, he swiped off the system message and closed his eyes, drifting off.
~~~~
"C'mon, buddy, wake up!" Issaiah shook Will trying to wake him up.
"Ugh!" Finally, he opened his eyes, still feeling sleepy, and climbed off the bed. "Shit!" He jumped up as he remembered yesterday's event.
He quickly rushed to the bathroom and did everything needed. After that, he had a nice meal before walking back to the large room.
"I don't have any armour, I would need to be careful," he thought as he accessed his spatial ring. Bringing out his katana blade, he strapped it on his waist. That was the only weapon he had with him. He didn't bother to tell his family about the armour that got destroyed.
"Alright, let's go." Will stood up leading the way. They walked out of the room into the halls of the dorm. Will had already sent messages to Dren and Belle about their meet-up point.
Walking out of the building, they saw both of them sitting on a statue. Seeing they were complete, they all followed the path to the forge. The atmosphere was still dark as they navigated their way. Although the world is always dark, one could still be able to differentiate between day and night.
They arrived at the forge and knocked on the door. The door was pushed open, and they were ushered in by Pete.
"Where's the other guy?" he asked as he took them into the room. They all shrugged, and they followed him. "Let's wait for him," Pete said, sitting on a chair.
The atmosphere had begun to brighten when Garou finally arrived. After some scolding from Pete, they were finally briefed on the mission. Pete produced a little paper that contained everything he needed to bring back.
Looking at the group, he handed the paper to Will. "Take good care of it. I was able to let you guys access the yellow zone, but don't venture deeper." He warned them. He brought out a yellow stone and shared it round.
"When you get to the checkpoint, show them these, and they will grant you entrance. I would have joined you guys, but I would only be draw you guys back."
They walked out of the shop, walking further till they got to the checkpoint. Showing them the little yellow stones they were allowed through. Will opened the list as they entered the zone.
- 3 silver salamander
- 10 horned wolves
- 3 phantom tigers
The creatures required for the hunt were all in the advanced tier. Will couldn't help but wonder about the amount of exp points he would gain on killing an advanced beast.
Out of the three creatures, the wolves were the lowest in strength.
"So, what do we do now?" Will asked, staring at the list with them. "I think by breaking into groups, we would be able to get the job done without wasting time."
"I don't agree with that," Issaiah said. "The zone is filled with unknown beasts, and breaking into smaller groups would only put us at risk."
"Beasts in the advanced realm are way stronger than those in the intermediate level. Why don't we..."
"I'll go for the salamander," Garou said without waiting for a reply, he leapt up disappearing from their sight.
"How do we find the creatures," Belle asked, as they walked along the clear opening. Soon, they came to the end of the opening, right before them was a vast forest filled with large towering trees.
"The phantom tigers are beasts with ghost-like bodies. Just like tigers on earth, they are fierce and lone beast hunters, but are at a different level. Those at the advanced level still maintain their actual body. The only thing to watch out for is their agile and powerful attack."
"So which one do we hunt first?" Will asked. They had yet to enter the forest and were trying to formulate a plan.
"We go for the phantom tigers first before we search for the wolves. The phantom tigers live mostly in areas filled with caves with little to no light."
They finally entered the forest searching for the phantom tigers. They had wandered far when they heard a large explosion coming from the opposite direction.
"That idiot!" Issaiah said with a frown. "Get ready. We might be confronted by beasts."
Will drew out his katana blade, his eyes carefully observing the area as they continued their journey. He had already activated his skill [ Enhanced sense ].
Not long there could feel the earth vibrating
Even without the skill activated, he would have still been able to feel the steps of the beast that shook the earth.
"Aren't we supposed to run?" Dren asked in a low voice.
"No need for panic," Issaiah said. "I believe we'll be able to handle it." He didn't feel any sense of danger when looking at the beast so he was able to tell it was a weak one.
[ Forest twin-tailed elephant (advanced realm low stage): Be careful of its double sharp tusk and its massive strength ]
The beast was finally seen by the others, its massive frame creating a shadow over them.
Kicking off the ground, Will was the first to charge at the beast. He swung his katana blade, which was the same rank with the beast, creating a shallow cut on its side.
The beast let out an angry roar and swung its tail. Will jumped up, evading the tail his sword raised above his head.
"Shit!" From his side view, he saw another tail coming towards him. He was a tad late to react as the tail slammed him into the ground.
[ -12hp ]
Will stood up quickly, evading the stampeding beast. Several fireballs were shot at the beast with Dren's figure steadily approaching the beast. Belle stood with her signature whips, hurling more fireballs, causing the beast to get angrier.
Will looked at Issaiah only to find him still standing in his initial position. He hadn't made a move and was just observing the ongoing battle.
Will stood back for a moment, watching the unfolding battle. His eyes scanned the beast, looking for a weak point. He charged forward, joining the fray. Will activating his ability was surrounded by gales of wind. His blade emitted a fiery glow as he swung it down on the beast's vulnerable knee.
The sword cut through, causing the beast to stumble. This gave them an opening as both pair charged forward. Belle whip emitted a fiery glow as she brought it down, completely cutting out one of its tail.
Dren's form materialized at the top of the beast, his deadly daggers emitting a dark glow. He dug it deep into its neck and then pulled it towards its head. With a furious roar, the beast charged forward but ended up crashing to the ground.
Will stood before the beast, his sword dripping black blood. The beast's second leg has been completely cut off, causing it to crash to the ground.
Without wasting time, he swung his sword, piercing through the beast's eye into the brain. He then activated his flames, burning the beast from the inside.
Ding!
[ first time killing an advanced beast ]
[ 3000exp ]
[ first time killing a forest twin-tailed elephant ]
[ 2000 exp ]
Phew! Will pulled at the sword, sheathing it back. He looked at the others, checking if they were okay before walking towards Issaiah.
"So... how was it?" He asked. "Do you believe we are strong enough to protect ourselves now?"
"Not that I don't believe, just that this place is dangerous... even to me. The beast you just fought is the weakest in the advanced tier, and it took the three of you to be able to kill it."
"I guess the plan remains the same," Will said with a sigh.
"Will! Catch!" He caught the crystal tossed in the air towards him. It was the beast crystal from the creature they had just killed. Looking at it, he kept it in his storage space, and they continued their journey.
It wasn't long before they arrived at a cave close to a waterfall. "Dren, go and check out. Be careful." Dren's form merged with the shadows as he approached the cave. It wasn't long before he came back with news.
"There are around two beasts taking a nap in the cave." Dren said.
"Let's draw them out first," Will sadi looking at Belle. The air crackled as her fiery whip materialized. With a powerful swing, she sent an arc of flame towards the entrance of the cave.
A loud explosion occurred as part of the cave was destroyed. The roar of beasts filled the air, and coming out of the cave unhurt were the two phantom tigers. Their white and black stripped body looked to be emitting a glow. They were very huge, thrice the size of a normal tiger, with deadly rows of teeth and claws which emitted a deadly glow.
With a furious roar, they charged at the group their form moving at a high speed towards them. "You take care of one while we take care of the other one," Will said to Issaiah before charging towards the incoming beast.