Chapter 7: Pack of Beast
James Whitefield was puzzled, muttering to himself in disbelief. Did I remember the awakening time wrong?
Otherwise, how could his nephew be Tier 1, Rank 3 already?
And judging by the situation, his nephew really had awakened an S-Rank Darkness ability!!
He looked at his team members with an innocent expression. "Don't ask me. I don't know either!"
The three of them turned their gazes toward Alex in unison, their eyes filled with curiosity, as if asking, Kid, what the hell is going on?
Just then, the system notification chimed in Alex's mind.
[Tier 1, Rank 4 Rotting Rat killed. Slaughter Points +20.]
He muttered to himself, "Not bad, not bad. Keep up the good work!"
And that Shadow Claw was just too cool, right?
A claw strike descending from the sky—who said the Darkness Class was weak!!
He looked up, meeting the four pairs of eyes staring at him like curious babies, and couldn't help but ask, "Why are you guys staring at me like that?"
"It's all because of you, you brat! When exactly did you awaken? How did you suddenly reach Tier 1, Rank 3?!"
James was even beginning to doubt his own memory of the timeline, unwilling to believe that Alex had only awakened his ability today.
After all, reaching Tier 1, Rank 3 on the very first day of awakening was unprecedented in the entire Federation!
"Just today. Uncle, didn't I tell you? I awakened an S-Rank Darkness ability. You believe me now, right?"
James scratched his head. Awakened today, and then reached Tier 1, Rank 3 in just a few hours?
Hiss... My nephew has the potential of a Great Emperor!
Unable to figure it out, he simply stopped thinking about it. He stepped forward and gave Alex a bear hug. "You brat, you really have an S-Rank Darkness ability?"
"Of course! Why else would I let you accept that bet?"
"Hahaha! Good! Good! Good!" James slapped Alex heavily on the back, but then his eyes dimmed slightly, tinged with sadness. "If your parents knew you awakened an S-Rank ability, they would be overjoyed!"
Their Whitefield family had produced an S-Rank Awakener!
"Alright, Uncle, let's talk about happy things." Alex quickly spoke up, not wanting the atmosphere to turn heavy.
"Right! When we get back, I'm taking you for a foot massage to celebrate!"
"Uncle? Is this foot massage... legitimate?"
James gently rapped Alex on the head. "What are you thinking, kid? Of course it's legitimate!"
The three team members also crowded around. "Oh my, Alex, do you have a girlfriend? My little sister is 13 this year. If you don't mind, we can arrange an engagement!"
"Screw your sister! 13 years old? Aren't you afraid of the law?! Brother Alex, if you don't mind that I'm 40, let's become sworn brothers. From now on, I'll call you Big Brother!"
Before them stood an S-Rank Prodigy. He was destined to become a powerhouse in the future. How could they not want to build a connection now?!
Alex felt a bit overwhelmed by the attention. "Auntie, Uncle, you don't need to do this. Don't worry, when I make it big, I definitely won't forget you guys!"
These people were brothers-in-arms who had risked life and death with his uncle for over a decade.
Hearing this, the group smiled and nodded, tactfully dropping the subject.
James turned his head, his face serious. "Alright, stop scaring my nephew." Then he looked at Alex. "Next, are you following us to hunt, or going solo?"
"Solo. I want to hunt more."
Seeing Alex say this, James had anticipated it.
He took out two Origin Recovery Potions. "Alex, take these. If you run out of Origin Energy, drinking this will quickly restore it."
Elemental Awakeners consumed the most Origin Energy. Simply put, Origin Energy was mana. Elemental users were like mages; using skills cost mana. Awakeners using combat skills also consumed Origin Energy.
Origin Energy would increase as one's realm improved, and could also be increased through heavenly treasures and certain cultivation techniques.
Alex took the potions. "Then I won't be polite. Uncle, you stay safe too. If there's a beast you can't beat, just call me."
"You brat, lecturing me now? Just watch your own safety!"
"I'm heading out first!" With that, Alex turned and dashed away.
"Old James, you really have a good nephew!"
"Exactly. Don't be selfish, my little sister really needs a boyfriend! If that doesn't work, I'm only 45, I can still bear children!"
James's mouth twitched. "Enough. Hunting beasts is the priority."
But his tone was filled with pride.
With such an outstanding nephew, how could he not be proud?
"Kane, can we really beat them?" A minion in Kane Blackwood's team asked with a worried face.
Kane raised his blade and cleanly chopped off the head of a Cat Demon.
"Of course. Their team is full of the old, weak, and sick. Oh wait, there's also a kid. Beating them will be a piece of cake!"
"That's a relief. Kane is mighty!" The minion looked worshipful, then glanced at the short, heavily bundled figure behind them. "What about this guy?"
Kane cast a cold glance at the figure. "Kid, I've brought you out of the city. From here on, you survive or die on your own!"
"How can you do this? I paid you! You agreed to take me hunting with you!" The person said, face flushed with anger.
Kane sneered mockingly. "What an idiot. Out here, I am God. Say one more word, and I'll leave your corpse in the wilderness!"
"You!!" The person trembled with rage.
"You what? If you don't scram, well... dead bodies are a common sight out here in the wild!"
Taking the money to bring him out of the city was already generous enough. Did he really think they would take him hunting?
Fat chance!
"Hmph, you just wait!" The person said hatefully, then got up and walked in the opposite direction.
"Hahaha, I'm dying of laughter. 'Just wait'? He sounds like a woman!" Kane laughed loudly.
"Totally. Kane, what do we do next?" The minion asked hurriedly.
"Hunt beasts, obviously. Later, I'll pay a personal visit to James Whitefield!"
A cunning glint flashed in Kane's eyes. The bet didn't say anything about not stealing kills!
Let's see which unlucky soul from James's team he would run into!
[Tier 1, Rank 3 Phantom Cat killed. Slaughter Points +15.]
[Tier 1, Rank 3 Sky-Piercing Rat killed. Slaughter Points +15.]
After leaving the team, Alex had killed over a dozen scattered beasts. He was handling beasts of the same realm with ease!
Unknowingly, he had arrived deep in the Withered Woods. The roars of powerful beasts could be heard from time to time.
Just as Alex was preparing to find his next target, a wolf howl suddenly rang out.
Awooo!
Alex was drawn by the sound. Looking up, he saw a Gale Wolf standing on a raised hillside.
[Name: Gale Wolf]
[Bloodline: None]
[Realm: Tier 1, Rank 5]
[Attribute: Wind]
[Note: Pack animal. Killing grants 30 Slaughter Points.]
"Tier 1, Rank 5? Worth a try!" Alex muttered, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
(To be Continued)