Chapter 19: The Mysterious Egg!
In the end, he resolutely chose the Fallen Leaf Forest.
The beasts in this area were all above Tier 1, Rank 4. The danger was self-evident.
But the higher the beast's rank, the more Slaughter Points he would get!
The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish!
Following the route indicated on the map, he sped forward as if his feet were winged.
The two guards watched Alex's retreating figure and sighed helplessly.
"Sigh, I really hope he returns safely. We tried our best to persuade him, but he wouldn't listen. Now we can only leave it to fate," one guard said with a worried face.
"Exactly. He has an S-Rank Ability, yet instead of cultivating properly at home, he insists on running out to hunt. We can only pray he comes back in one piece."
The other guard agreed. In their eyes, Alex was undoubtedly a reckless youngster who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.
Afterward, the two straightened their uniforms and continued to stand guard diligently, carefully inspecting everyone entering and leaving the city.
Less than half an hour after Alex left, two men dressed in black quietly slipped out of the city.
"Are you sure Alex left the city?" one of them asked coldly, his eyes sinister.
"Absolutely certain, Lord Vargo. I saw him leave with my own eyes!" the other man answered respectfully.
Vargo frowned slightly, pondering for a moment. "Good. If we catch him, there will be a heavy reward!"
"Thank you, Lord Vargo! As long as you can put in a good word for me with the Special Envoy during the Elite Disciple Selection, I will be satisfied!"
"Rest assured, that is only natural." Vargo sneered, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. "Why should people like him awaken S-Rank Abilities? These so-called prodigies all deserve to die!"
"Exactly, exactly! These prodigies should die. Their S-Rank Abilities should belong to us!" The two men's eyes were filled with madness and jealousy.
Vargo clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. "Let's go. We're going to meet this idiot. Awakening only two days ago and daring to hunt beasts outside the city—he's not afraid of being slapped to death!"
The other man, Zane, hesitated before asking cautiously, "My Lord, should we call the Special Envoy to join us?"
"Hmph! Call what Special Envoy? The two of us are enough!" Vargo snorted disdainfully.
"But my Lord, Alex is an S-Rank Prodigy after all!" Zane was still a bit worried.
Vargo looked at him with contempt. "He only awakened yesterday. At best, he's Tier 1, Rank 2. I am already Tier 1, Rank 7, and you are Tier 1, Rank 5. Between us and him, who do you think will win?"
Hearing this, Zane had an epiphany. Right! Even if the opponent has an S-Rank Ability, the gap in cultivation realm is right there!
Now, Alex would find it hard to escape even with wings, and they could enjoy the credit all to themselves!
"My Lord is wise!" Zane said fawningly.
"Let's go. Search the surrounding low-level beast areas first!"
The two moved quickly toward the designated beast zones.
[Host killed Tier 1, Rank 4 Shadow Cat. Slaughter Points +20.]
[Host killed Tier 1, Rank 5 Gale Dog. Slaughter Points +25.]
Arriving at the Fallen Leaf Forest, Alex struck consecutively. Two beasts fell into pools of their own blood.
Just as he prepared to hunt the next beast, a System notification suddenly chimed in his mind:
[Ding! Congratulations Host for accumulating 1,000 Slaughter Points. Special Reward has been stored in the System Space.]
[Next Stage: Accumulate 100,000 Slaughter Points to receive the next Special Reward.]
Alex paused slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
Immediately, he couldn't wait to check his System Space. A giant egg lay quietly inside.
This egg was the size of two or three ostrich eggs combined. It was deep black throughout and emitted a mysterious aura.
Alex didn't hesitate to activate the scan function.
[Mysterious Egg: Will hatch in 10 days. The juvenile beast will recognize the Host as its master.]
Looking at the egg before him, a strong curiosity surged in Alex's heart. What exactly will hatch from this thing?
Will it be a majestic Dragon? A noble Phoenix? Or some other powerful beast?
Thinking of this, Alex's heartbeat quickened. If he could hatch a dragon, he would skyrocket to the top instantly!
The feeling of becoming a father... just thinking about it was exciting!
Alex stored the egg back in the System Space, his heart beginning to anticipate the Special Reward for 100,000 Slaughter Points.
However, the most important thing right now was to earn more Slaughter Points!!
Alex gripped his Death Scythe, the corner of his mouth hooking into a bloodthirsty smile. "Heh heh heh, Slaughter Points, here I come..."
[Host killed Tier 1, Rank 5 Gale Wolf. Slaughter Points +25.]
[Host killed Tier 1, Rank 5 Sky-Piercing Rat. Slaughter Points +25.]
[...]
On Alex's panel, Slaughter Points poured in like twinkling stars!
Several hours passed, and his Slaughter Points finally reached 500!
"System, raise my realm to Tier 1, Rank 5!"
[Consumed 375 Slaughter Points. Host's realm successfully upgraded to Tier 1, Rank 5.]
Alex froze, asking in confusion, "Didn't you say 500 Slaughter Points?"
When he asked the System earlier, it clearly stated that upgrading the realm required 500 points!
[The Host cultivated 25% of the progress toward Tier 1, Rank 5 on his own. Naturally, the System reduced the required Slaughter Points to complete the upgrade!]
The System's voice rang in his mind.
"Good! Good! Good! System Bro, I love you!" Alex laughed excitedly.
With this System's help, he was going to out-grind the entire high-martial world!!
As Alex advanced to Tier 1, Rank 5, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He prepared to settle the score with that Rock Crocodile from earlier!
Earlier, he didn't dare to act because his strength was insufficient. But now, he had enough confidence!
Alex held the Death Scythe and strode toward the stream.
Before long, he arrived near the water and spotted the Rock Crocodile in the distance.
Alex's gaze sharpened as he activated the scan function.
[Name: Rock Crocodile]
[Bloodline: Common]
[Realm: Tier 1, Rank 7]
[Attribute: Water, Rock]
[Note: Thick skin and heavy armor. Killing grants 80 Slaughter Points.]
Seeing that killing this Rock Crocodile would yield 80 Slaughter Points, Alex's eyes instantly ignited with fighting spirit.
He raised his hand abruptly. A giant Shadow Claw appeared out of thin air, whistling with wind as it smashed hard toward the crocodile.
Boom!
With a loud crash, the hard rock armor encasing the Rock Crocodile shattered instantly, blood gushing out.
The Rock Crocodile was instantly enraged. Its blood-red eyes scanned frantically for the attacker until they locked onto Alex nearby.
It looked at this Tier 1, Rank 5 kid with disdain and confusion, as if saying: A Rank 5 nobody dares to provoke me?
It opened its bloody maw, its limbs exerting force as it leaped toward Alex.
"Kneel!" Alex shouted angrily.
Instantly, an Abyssal Swamp appeared out of thin air, locking the Rock Crocodile's limbs tight.
The Rock Crocodile roared in anger. How could a tiny swamp trap me?
It exerted force violently, struggling madly. Finally, it broke free from the swamp's constraints and lunged viciously at Alex.
Seeing this, Alex shook his head slightly, a flash of admiration in his eyes. As expected of a Rock Crocodile; its strength and defense are indeed formidable!
But this suited him perfectly. He loved challenging powerful opponents!
With a thought, the Death Scythe appeared in his hand. facing the crocodile's gaping maw, he swung fiercely.
Splurt!
Blood sprayed out like a fountain. Half of the Rock Crocodile's lower jaw was sliced clean off.
Alex's eyes were full of provocation. "Come on! Again!"
The Rock Crocodile, eating pain, retreated hurriedly. It slammed its front paws onto the ground. Several sharp stone pillars burst from the earth, instantly trapping Alex in the middle.
Looking at the trapped Alex, a cruel light flashed in the Rock Crocodile's eyes.
It was going to tear this hateful human into a pile of meat paste!!
Meanwhile, nearby in the forest.
"Did you hear that?" Vargo stopped, his ear twitching.
"Hear what, my Lord?" Zane asked, wiping sweat from his forehead. They had been searching for hours.
"Fighting. And the roar of a beast. A powerful one." Vargo turned his head toward the direction of the stream. "Tier 1, Rank 7 at least."
"Maybe another hunter team?"
"Or maybe our little prey ran into something he couldn't handle," Vargo sneered. "If he's dead, we take the body. If he's alive, we finish the job. Let's go."
The two shadows moved swiftly through the trees, closing in on the sound of the battle.
Back at the stream.
Alex looked around at the stone pillars encasing him. It was a prison of rock.
The Rock Crocodile charged, its remaining jaw snapping, intending to crush him against the pillars.
"You think this can hold me?"
Alex didn't panic. Instead, his shadow seemed to boil.
"Eroding Dark Bat Strike!"
A swarm of dark bats exploded from his body, not attacking the crocodile, but swarming the stone pillars. The dark energy corroded the rock instantly, turning it brittle.
Alex kicked one pillar, shattering it easily, and stepped out of the cage just as the crocodile slammed into where he had been standing.
Crash!
The crocodile stunned itself against its own pillars.
"My turn."
Alex leaped onto the crocodile's back. The Death Scythe glowed with an ominous light.
"Die."
He drove the scythe down, piercing through the shattered rock armor and deep into the beast's heart.
The Rock Crocodile convulsed once, then went still.
[Host killed Tier 1, Rank 7 Rock Crocodile. Slaughter Points +80.]
Alex exhaled, wiping a drop of sweat from his brow. "Tough bastard."
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause rang out from the edge of the clearing.
Alex spun around, scythe at the ready.
Two figures in black emerged from the trees. The leader, Vargo, was clapping slowly, a mocking smile on his face.
"Impressive. Truly impressive," Vargo said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Killing a Rank 7 beast at Rank 5? You really are a prodigy, Alex."
Alex's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"
"Does it matter?" Vargo stepped forward, releasing his Tier 1, Rank 7 aura. "Zane, surround him."
Zane moved to flank Alex, releasing his Tier 1, Rank 5 aura. "He's tired, my Lord. He just fought a hard battle. This will be easy."
Alex looked between them, calculating.
One Rank 7. One Rank 5.
And they know my name.
"Feral Blood Cult?" Alex guessed.
"Smart kid," Vargo laughed. "Too bad smart kids die young."
Alex didn't look afraid. Instead, a strange smile crept onto his face.
"You know..." Alex said, checking his Slaughter Points balance. "I was just thinking 80 points wasn't quite enough for my next upgrade."
He gripped his scythe, the darkness around him flaring up.
"Thanks for the delivery."