The egg shell fell apart like burnt paper. A tiny creature hopped out onto Han Sen's lap. It wasn't a majestic, flaming bird yet. It looked like a small, fluffy chick with feathers the color of a sunset.
Its eyes were large and golden. It looked up at Han Sen and let out a soft, melodic chirp.
[Warning! Legendary Beast "Celestial Phoenix" has hatched.]
[The creature is in a weakened state. It requires a Soul Bond to survive.]
Han Sen didn't hesitate. If he didn't bond with it, the little bird would die from the lack of mana in the atmosphere. He bit his finger and pressed a drop of blood against the chick's forehead.
A golden circle of light erupted under them. The cave walls trembled as the contract was written into the laws of the world.
[Ding! Soul-Contract Complete.]
[You have bonded with the Nirvana Phoenix. Name: Nixi.]
[Due to the Host's "Level 1" status, a unique Synergy has been created.]
[Passive Skill Unlocked: Phoenix's Heart (Lv. 1).]
[Effect: Your 10 HP is now protected by a "Nirvana Shield." Damage is first subtracted from the Phoenix's Mana pool before touching your health.]
Han Sen felt a weight lift off his shoulders. This was exactly what he needed. His 10 HP was no longer a death sentence. As long as Nixi had mana, he was effectively immortal.
"Chirp!"
The little bird, Nixi, rubbed her head against his palm. She was hungry.
Han Sen smiled and used his [World-Devouring Breath]. He pulled mana from the air and fed it directly into Nixi. The little bird glowed as she swallowed the energy. She grew slightly larger, her feathers becoming sharper and more vibrant.
"We can't stay here," Han Sen said.
His [Eye of Truth] saw something on the horizon. The three disciples he had spared were gone, but they had left a trail of "Scent Powder" on the cave floor.
The Heavenly Beast Sect was coming back. This time, they wouldn't just send disciples. They would send someone strong enough to hunt a Phoenix.
"I need to get to the city," Han Sen thought. "A crowded place is the best place to hide a secret."
He picked up Nixi and tucked her into his tunic. She was warm, like a small heater against his chest.
He used a few more skill points to unlock a new skill: [Phantom Disguise].
[Ding! You have spent 100,000 Skill Points. Phantom Disguise has evolved into: Identity Erasure.]
[Effect: No one, not even a God, can see your true Level or Stats unless you allow it. You will appear as a normal, Level 10 civilian.]
Han Sen stepped out of the cave. To any observer, he now looked like a common traveler. His rusted sword was hidden under a cloak he had scavenged.
He started walking toward the capital city, Greenfall. It was the center of trade and the home of the most powerful Adventurer's Guild.
As he walked, he practiced his [God-Speed Flicker]. He didn't use it to run. He used it to move his feet so efficiently that he didn't feel tired.
Halfway to the city, he saw a carriage stuck in a ditch. A group of guards were struggling to lift it while a young woman watched with a worried expression.
She wore a simple blue dress, but her posture was regal. She had a rapier at her waist that looked like it cost more than a whole village.
[Name: Mu Rong]
[Level: 32]
[Identity: Third Daughter of the Mu Merchant House]
Han Sen stopped. He didn't want to get involved, but his [Eye of Truth] saw something in the bushes nearby.
Ten red outlines were crouching in the shadows. They weren't soldiers. They were Level 25 Bandits, and they were waiting for the guards to tire themselves out.
The tension in the air was thick. The guards were sweating. The woman was distracted. The bandits were about to strike.
Han Sen sighed. He wanted to stay hidden, but he needed a way into the city without being questioned at the gates. Saving a rich merchant's daughter was the perfect ticket.
"Hey," Han Sen said, walking forward with a bored expression. "Do you need some help with that wheel?"