PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 10★

     I looked at the next one as I extracted the loots.

My heart hammered in my chest, a wild rhythm that mirrored the frantic beat of the Gem Bunny’s heart.  Its fur, a shimmering gold, pulsed with life, its eyes wide and innocent. But I knew, deep down, it was just a monster, a creature of instinct, a source of experience points.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the energy that flowed through me. I imagined the bunny’s heart again, its delicate rhythm, its vulnerability. I felt a sense of power rising within me, a dark energy that coursed through my veins. I could feel the essence of King’s Command, the ability to control, to dominate, to crush.

I raised my hand, aiming it at the nearest bunny. I envisioned its heart slowing, its breath halting, its life force draining away. The bunny, oblivious to the impending doom, continued to munch on its carrots, its fur glittering in the sunlight.

"Don’t be afraid,” I whispered to myself. “This is what you have to do.”

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes once more. I felt the connection, the bond between my will and the creature. I visualized the bunny’s heart, a delicate pump of life, and I whispered the command.

"Stop."

The bunny froze, its head tilted to one side, its eyes wide and vacant. It remained frozen for a moment, then its body convulsed, its fur losing its vibrant glow.  I felt a strange sense of satisfaction, mixed with a touch of unease.  I had taken another life  again and it was real, it was visceral.

[Notification: You have killed a level one monster. Loots have been condensed +1 Exp.]

A wave of energy washed over me, a surge of strength that filled me with a sense of purpose. I had done it. I had killed my first monster. I had taken a step forward on my journey to becoming a powerful warrior.

I moved towards another bunny, its fur glistening with golden light. I raised my hand, my heart pounding in my chest.

This time, I wouldn’t hesitate. I wouldn’t waver. I would kill.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the bunny’s heart. I envisioned its rhythm, its vulnerability, and I whispered the command.

"Stop."

The bunny collapsed, its body stiffening, its life force extinguished.

[Notification: You have killed a level one monster. Loots have been condensed +1 Exp.]

I felt another surge of energy, another boost to my power. I had killed again. I had taken another life.

I moved from bunny to bunny, my heart pounding, my hands trembling with a mixture of excitement and terror.  I felt a growing sense of detachment, a cold indifference to the pain I was inflicting.  But there was still a part of me that recoiled at the sight of the lifeless bunnies, their fur dimming, their eyes glazing over. 

I continued to kill, one by one, until only one bunny remained.  I closed my eyes, focusing on its heart. I visualized its rhythm, its vulnerability, and I whispered the command.

"Stop."

The bunny collapsed, its life force extinguished. It didn't struggle, just a quiet surrender to the darkness.

[Notification: You have killed a level one monster. Loots have been condensed +1 Exp.]

I stood in the middle of the meadow, surrounded by the lifeless bodies of the bunnies.  I felt drained, both physically and emotionally.  I had pushed myself to the limit, I took another mana potion and Health potion from Luna and drank them.  I had learned that I could kill, that I could embrace the power that flowed through me, but I was also aware of the cost.

I looked up at the sky, a bright blue expanse.  I was still young, still naive, still learning.  I had a long way to go.

I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.  I knew I had to move on, to continue my hunt, to find a way to harness my power and use it for good.

I had to be the warrior I was meant to be, but I also knew that the darkness within me, the power that allowed me to kill, would always be a part of me.

I would have to learn to live with it.

As I stood I was suddenly covered with bright glowing light. A notification rang out in my ears,

[Notification: level up.  All stats have increased by 5 points.  +10 HP, +10 MP, +1 PP]

I felt a rush of energy surge through my body.  My vision blurred for a moment, and then everything came back into focus.

[STATUS]
- Lucas Cross
- Level: 2
- HP: 20/20
- MP: 15/15

[ATTRIBUTES]
- Strength: 17
- Defense: 15
- Attack: 15
- Agility: 17
- Intelligence: 15
- Perception: 15
- PP: 1

[SKILLS]     
     
[Unique]
- Phoenix Rising (Passive)
• Buff: Black Flame Control (Active)
                       
[Rare]
- King's Command (Active)
• Buff: Telepathy (Passive)

[EQUIPPED ITEMS]

[Enchanted Short Sword] +5 Stats points.

[Boots of speed] +2 Speed

[Pouch of Coins]: 5 Copper Coins
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I felt a little bit more stronger than before. Which is not a bad thing. It's a good start.

But the most exciting part was the new addition to my status panel:  1 PP.  I had gained my first Power Point!

I could now allocate this point to enhance my stats, to make them stronger, more versatile, more deadly.

“Well done, kid,” Kaito said, a grin spreading across his face.  “You’re leveling up fast.”

“So it seems,” I said, a grin mirroring his.

The next few hours passed by quickly with hunts and level-ups.  I kept hunting the Gem bunnies around the area.

By the time I reached level 5, my stats had all surpassed 30 points, except for my HP, which was now 50.  It was a remarkable achievement.

“It’s gonna get harder from here,” Luna said, her voice sharp and direct.  “You need 50 EXP for each level up now.  It won’t be so easy to level up.”

I nodded, understanding the implications.  

"Alright, let’s head back," Kaito said, his voice echoing across the meadow.

I looked around, a sense of accomplishment washing over me. I had come a long way in just a few hours. 
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