Chapter 6: First Kill
"Would I lie to you, Uncle James? Just wait until sunset to watch that guy kneel and apologize to you!"
In Alex's heart, being bullied was intolerable, but seeing his uncle bullied was absolutely unacceptable!
James frowned, still looking skeptical, but spoke with concern. "Even if we lose this time, I'm here. I'll kneel in your place, you hear me, you brat? Don't try to be a hero!"
"Oh, Uncle, why all the negative talk? Let's hurry up! Hunting beasts is our top priority!"
As he spoke, Alex gently pushed James forward from behind.
And so, the group of five organized their gear and headed toward the city gate, their target the treacherous beast-filled wilderness outside!
Hundreds of years ago, a cataclysmic change descended upon the world. Previously docile animals and plants mutated into ferocious beasts.
To defend against these terrifying monsters, humanity united to build towering walls, isolating the beasts outside the cities.
At the same time, a generation of Awakeners possessing special abilities emerged to fight back!
However, reality was cruel. Beasts could often easily crush human Awakeners of the same realm. Only those powerful individuals with high-level abilities could fight one-on-one or even punch above their weight class!
The group arrived at the city gate. After a thorough inspection by the guards, they successfully stepped out of the city.
"Everyone, which zone should we hunt in this time?"
James pulled out a regional map.
The map detailed the distribution of beasts outside Riverdale City. It thoughtfully marked out safe routes and dangerous routes, providing great convenience for those leaving the city to hunt.
It showed areas suitable for novices ranging from Tier 1 Rank 1 to Rank 5, as well as general areas for the majority ranging from Tier 1 Rank 5 to Rank 10.
"If you ask me, we should go to the Withered Woods! If we want to beat Kane Blackwood, that's the only place we have a chance."
"But isn't that place too dangerous? I heard beasts as strong as Tier 1 Rank 7 have appeared in the Withered Woods. Can we handle that?"
"If we don't go, how can we possibly beat that bastard Kane? We have to risk it to have hope!" The team member who spoke first was getting agitated.
"Enough! Stop arguing. Listen to me—we're going to the Withered Woods!" James made a decisive call.
To win, they had to take the risk of hunting higher-ranked beasts. Without risk, where would the opportunity come from?
Hearing the captain's order, the other three still had concerns, but they nodded in obedience.
"Alex, why do you look so excited?"
James glanced back inadvertently and saw his nephew rubbing his hands together, eager to try. He felt a bit puzzled.
In his understanding, shouldn't a normal person feel fear and timidity when facing ferocious beasts for the first time?
Why was his nephew acting like this?
"Yeah, Uncle, I can't wait to kill a beast with my own hands!"
James smiled helplessly. "Well, I'd like to see what amazing ability you awakened to make you so motivated. But when it comes to hunting beasts, just stay in the back and watch for now. Don't be impulsive."
The kid had probably awakened a high-level ability, which was why he was so eager to prove himself.
But he had only awakened a few hours ago. He likely hadn't even broken through to Tier 1 Rank 1 yet. Trying to hunt beasts now was nothing short of a fantasy.
"Alright, Uncle. We'll see when we get there!"
Later, when the hunting started, he would definitely make his uncle and the teammates look at him with new eyes.
He would prove himself!
"Okay, let's move out! Target: Withered Woods!"
With James's command, the group quickened their pace, heading toward the Withered Woods.
Along the way, the road was rugged and potholed, surrounded by endless desolation and decay.
Weeds grew wildly on both sides of the road, spreading unchecked. Occasionally, they could see the massive skeletal remains of beasts.
Before long, Alex and the others finally arrived at their destination—the Withered Woods.
Before them lay a scene of withered yellow; waist-high weeds and dead leaves were woven together in a dense thicket.
Just as they stepped in, they saw several Rotting Rats feasting on a carcass, making spine-chilling chewing sounds.
"Stay alert!"
James shouted in a low voice. Behind him, the team members gripped their weapons tightly, scanning the surroundings.
He turned back and instructed, "Alex, you stay here." Then he spoke to the team members behind him, "Surround and attack these four Rotting Rats!"
The three nodded slightly and, along with James, silently approached the feasting rats.
Watching this scene, Alex's hands unconsciously clenched, a surge of uncontrollable excitement rising in his heart.
"System? Do you have a scanning function?"
Only with a scanning function could he easily detect the beasts' ranks and hunt more smoothly!
[Ding! Scanning function enabled. The Host can manually scan beasts and characters.]
"System, you're the GOAT!"
Alex concentrated his mind and scanned the feeding Rotting Rats.
A pale blue light screen floated before his eyes.
[Name: Rotting Rat]
[Bloodline: Common]
[Realm: Tier 1, Rank 4]
[Attribute: Poison]
[Note: Killing grants 20 Slaughter Points]
Looking at the scan results, a glint of greed flashed in Alex's eyes. That was 20 Slaughter Points...
One was 20, ten were 200, a hundred were 2,000...
He only needed to kill 5,000 to evolve the Death Scythe!
Thinking about it was easy, but doing it would be hard. Killing 5,000 might just wipe out this entire species in the area!
Alex sighed and quietly watched the four of them coordinate to surround and kill the four Rotting Rats.
His uncle was Tier 1 Rank 5, and the three teammates were Tier 1 Rank 4. Handling them shouldn't be difficult.
"Number Two, use your ability to control them! Number Three, buff us!" James prepared for battle.
"Roger!" x2
The two acted in unison. A jade-green ability light spread out like ripples of water, landing steadily on James and boosting his agility.
The other waved his hands, summoning a pile of massive rocks to trap the four Rotting Rats within.
Seeing this, James gripped his greatsword. "Ability: Strength Enhancement!"
His figure flashed, the greatsword in his hand glinting with cold light. One strike, one kill—he cut down three of them in rapid succession!
But just as he prepared to slash the last one, a fierce light flashed in the Rotting Rat's eyes. It burrowed into a hole in the ground and shot rapidly toward their rear.
James cursed internally, his heart tightening violently. He turned around just in time to see the Rotting Rat surfacing less than a few meters from Alex. It leaped high, its sharp claws glinting coldly as it swiped at Alex!
James's pupils constricted, his face filled with terror. "Alex! Dodge!!"
How could Alex, who had just awakened his ability, possibly be a match for a Tier 1 Rank 4 Rotting Rat?!
Just as the group panicked and desperately rushed forward, they saw Alex calmly raise his hand.
Above, a massive Shadow Claw formed of dark elements descended from the sky. Carrying a heart-palpitating pressure, it slammed directly onto the Rotting Rat.
Squeak...
With a shrill scream, the Rotting Rat was smashed into a bloody pulp by the Shadow Claw, blood splattering everywhere.
At this moment, all four people present looked at Alex in utter shock, their eyes wide as copper bells.
"This? An insta-kill?"
"Tier 1? Tier 1, Rank 3??"
"Is that really an S-Rank ability??"
Their emotions were like a rollercoaster. Just a moment ago, Alex was in imminent danger, teetering on the line between life and death. Yet, in the next second, Alex had crushed a Tier 1 Rank 4 Rotting Rat to death with a single claw?
"James? Did your nephew really just awaken a few hours ago??"
Are you kidding me? Having such ridiculous strength just hours after awakening??
(To be Continued)