Chapter 14 : The Hunter's Reward
In novice village 666, several players spawned there just like Axton did and following that, some formed groups that eventually became guilds.
Following the village-wide announcement about Axton's feat, even the guild-affiliated players were stunned.
A single player, who is solo, being able to achieve such a thing defeats the purpose of teamwork.
These players in guilds had teamed up and some even pushed their strongest members to climb the ladder by giving them items to allow them to level up faster.
Nevertheless, no guild wanted to be surpassed by another, much less a solo player standing above every other person in New Eden.
"Khan," Silva muttered, clenching his first. "There's no way a single player achieved such a thing."
Silva, a branch leader of the Grand Nexus guild, found it unbelievable that a solo player could kill a level 4 monster alone.
"Perhaps, he was just the one who landed the killing blow amongst a herd of players," Silva nodded his head. "That's the only way it makes sense. Definitely it!"
Grand Nexus guild's goal was to be at the number one spot in New Eden when it came to rankings.
To make sure their aim is achieved, the guild master gathered gamers who were affiliated to him in the real world, having played some other games together.
Using this advantage, he ordered all the branch leaders to make sure that they say at the helm of affairs in their respective villages.
Now, Axton's spotlight was about to shatter all of Silva's plans and make things more complex for him.
"Tch!"
Silva gritted his teeth, "Khan."
It was not only him, there were also other guild leaders who wanted to take care of Axton just like Silva.
However, unbeknownst to them and the rest of village 666, Axton — AKA Khan — was unrivaled at this point.
Axton did not know that he was gradually gathering enemies and even if he heard it, he wouldn't care less what they thought about his achievements.
Axton did not even hide the fact that he was the Khan.
There was nothing for him to be afraid of?
If there was any player who wanted to fight him, he was ready for that too.
Moreover, in his case… the more, the merrier.
Strength and cowardice do not go together in any way.
******
Axton arrived at Jackal's place after completing the mission.
*Knock*
*Knock*
*Knock*
Axton continued to knock, standing in front of the door for over five minutes which was unlike when he came.
He peeped through the windows, hoping and praying in his heart that nothing had actually happened to Jackal.
Axton returned back to the door and as he was about to knock again, the door was pulled open and Jackal's figure stepped out.
*Thud*
The hunter stomped his foot on the floor and stared daggers at Axton, making the latter move back a few steps.
"Tch! Why the hell did you waste my time then?!"
Jackal the Hunter was clearly angry, and for what reason, Axton did not know.
Axton looked around and behind him, wondering who he was shouting out.
"You encountered the Great Wolf and ran back with your tail in between your legs after promising me reven—"
*Cough*
*Cough*
Jackal coughed for a second and stared at his palm as it was bloodied up.
He sneakily cleaned his mouth and hid his hand from the player.
His injuries were getting the best of him at this moment and he could barely keep up with the pretence anymore.
"Just leave."
Jackal was about to go back into the house when Axton stopped him.
"You wanted this, right?" Axton asked, dipping his hand into the satchel that hung by his side and taking out the head of the Great Wolf.
Axton was already irritated by the hunter's attitude and simply tossed the head as it rolled towards Jackal's feet.
Jackal stopped at the sound of something that thudded against the floor.
He turned and looked down, shocked to his bone marrow.
'T-Th… That's…!'
Jackal could barely utter any words as cold shivers went around his entire body.
Memories of his battle with the beast flooded his mind and his face twitched with fear and utter shock at seeing the severed head of the Great Wolf.
'That's impossible! It's only been half the time I gave him.'
Jackal's eyes could not leave the severed head even to look at Axton.
'H-How…? Even with the pack of wolves to handle.'
Jackal's legs nearly gave way, almost making him fall to the ground but he was able to steady himself.
The hunter was even more surprised because Axton had done this alone.
He recalled that the player did not come into his shack without anybody else, meaning that he completed this mission solo.
"If you are wondering how I did it…" Axton started to explain, addressing the cloud of confusion that clearly hovered over Jackal's head.
"The pack of wolves were nauseatingly weak and only served to waste a player's time, meaning that if you got carried away and decided to fight them whether for experience points or for whatever reason… then, you can never complete the mission."
Axton raised a finger in the air.
"Defeating the Great Wolf was the key to the mission. Once the Great Wolf falls, the rest will run."
Jackal smiled. "Forgive me. I underestimated you."
The hunter then knelt down and bowed with his forehead touching the floor.
"Accept my gratitude, great warrior."
Axton cringed, feeling a recoil through his entire body.
The hunter then reached inside his robe and brought out a small parcel.
He threw it at Axton and the latter caught it.
*Ding*
[Congratulations!]
[You have completed the quest]
[Reward: You are eligible to acquire a beast of at most Grade 4]
[100x Critical Hit initiated!]
[You are now eligible to own a beast that is no higher than Grade 5. Additionally, you gain 100% of the chosen beast's attributes]
A grade 5 beast of his own was something that made him glad, even when he had no idea what type of creature he would be getting.
"See you soon, great warrior."
Jackal went back inside and shut his door, heading over to his cozy bed as he lay silently.
The hunter took a series of deep breaths.
His life was gradually going away and he knew that his time had finally come.
At least he could die satisfied that he got his revenge, even if it came from another person.