PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 18★

I awoke to the feeling of sunrays on my face. 

I stretched, feeling the aches and pains of sleeping in an uncomfortable bed”. It was a good pain, a reminder of the strength I was building.  I rose and headed to the wash basin, the cold water invigorating and refreshing.

After a breakfast of stale bread and boiled eggs, my stomach still rumbling with hunger from the previous day’s exertion, I geared up for the hunt.

My mind flickered over the memories of the treasure I’d sold out yesterday:  the shimmering gems, the glowing Mana Crystals, the smooth, curved bunny horns.  Yesterday’s haul had been impressive, a staggering 65 gold bars. Today, I planned to make even more. With a fierce glint in my eye, as I strapped my sword to my hip and adjusted the dagger on my lap.  “Today, I’m going to beat that record.”
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The bustling marketplace buzzed with activity, a symphony of bartering and chatter. I relished the energy, the excitement of it all.  I had a purpose, a mission, and a growing hunger to make even more than the previous day’s haul.  I strolled through the crowded streets, taking in the sights and smells –  vendors hawking their wares,  hunters boasting of their kills,  and the faint, almost imperceptible scent of magic that hung in the air.

After a while, I approached the Dungeon Hub, a familiar cacophony of calls and shouts washed over me.  Teams were assembling, their voices vying for attention.  “Tank needed!”  “Healer, anyone?  Good pay!”  “DPS, join our group, high level dungeon run!”

I walked past the clamor, their words barely registering.  Today, I was going solo.

My gaze was fixed on the Dungeon Portal.  A steady stream of hunters flowed through the archway, their ID cards quickly scanned by the guards.  My heart sank.  I had forgotten something crucial.

“Oh crap!” I exclaimed, slapping my forehead.  “I haven’t gotten my ID yet.”

The only option was to hitch a free pass, to blend in with a team. I needed a group to slip into and quickly disappear from. I scanned the crowd, searching for the perfect team, one I could blend into, one that wouldn’t raise suspicion.

My eyes landed on a group of ten newly awakened hunters, their steps nervous and hesitant.  A young girl, not much older than me, stood at the head, her face filled with a quiet determination that seemed to draw the others to her.   The hunters themselves seemed average, their skills likely just starting to bloom.

One looked awkward, his shoulders hunched, and he was constantly fiddling with his gear.  Another was tall and lanky, his expression serious, and he seemed perpetually on edge.  A third, a petite girl with a mischievous glint in her eye, was already trying to strike up a conversation with the others, her voice filled with nervous energy.

I approached the young girl, my heart pounding.  “Excuse me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “I need to go in but I haven't gotten my ID yet.  Any chance I could sneak in with your team?”

She met my gaze with a cool, calculating stare. “Nothing’s free,” she replied, her voice sharp.  “It’ll cost you ten gold coins.”

I didn’t even hesitate.  I reached into my bag, pulled out the gold coins and gave it to her. The others watched with wide eyes, their envy evident.

It was the same money that had taken them days to gather, even borrowing from friends and families.  To see someone like me, someone of the same level range, casually spend it with a flick of the wrist was a blow to their pride. They seemed determined to make more, more than I had.

“So, they're all hitching?” I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Yes,” she said, her expression hardening. “It's what I do. If you want to keep doing this, you can meet me at the backstreet of the dungeon hub in the morning.  My guild's ID is real, don't worry.  But it won’t be free.”

“Okay,” I said, nodding.  “Is this your first hunt?” she asked.

I shook my head. “No, I’ve hunted here before.  I even awakened my system here.”

She nodded, her expression unreadable. The other hunters, their eyes wide with curiosity, now understood I wasn’t a newbie.  They had been brought to beginner dungeons,  facing creatures that dropped simple herbs and a few mana crystals.   They had no idea there was a gemstone dungeon in the same hub.

The girl, leading the way, showed her ID to the guard, and we were let through. The portal shimmered, a wave of energy washing over me, and then we were on the other side.

The meadows and grasslands stretched before me, bathed in the warm glow of the morning sun.  The familiar, tingling sensation of entering a dungeon ran through me.

“Thanks,” I said, turning to the woman,  “I'll meet you at the backstreet.”

She nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips.  Then, she turned and walked away,  her team trailing behind her,  their eyes focused on the dungeon ahead.

I watched them go, feeling a surge of exhilaration. We were all in this together, united by a shared thirst for adventure and a hunger for wealth. But I, with my newfound fortune, had a different goal.  I wanted to carve my own path, to become something more than just another hunter.

As darkness descended upon the city,  the other hunters would leave, the lower-level dungeon lacking the danger of a purge.  This meant no guards at night.  Perfect.

I took a deep breath, my senses expanding outwards,  feeling the subtle pulse of the dungeon. It was as if the world around me came alive with a faint melody, the scent of wildflowers and damp earth filling my senses.   I could feel the energy of the Gem Bunnies, their presence a whisper in the breeze, a promise of rich rewards.

I focused, trying to pinpoint their location.  The scent of carrots,  sweet and pungent,  was a beacon, leading me through the grassy fields.  Mentally, I was already moving, my senses expanding and retracting with each step.   A few hundred meters ahead, I found them.

A small herd of Gem Bunnies grazed peacefully, their fur shimmering with a captivating light. I smiled, as I began the wall towards them.

After walking for about 15 minutes, I got to the place. I crouched low, blending into the tall grass,  my heart pounding with anticipation.  The Gem Bunnies, oblivious to my presence, grazed peacefully,  their fur shimmering in the fading sunlight.  Ten blue, five orange, eight red, and three purple. No gold, no white. A shame, but still, a sizable bounty.  I counted them again,  making sure my memory hadn't betrayed me.

It was time.  No longer content with simply stopping their hearts, I wanted to do something more.  Something that would allow me to take down more bunnies, quicker, with less risk of them escaping.

King's Command was more than just a tool of destruction.  It was a tool of control.  And I was finally ready to wield it to its full potential.

A mischievous grin spread across my face.  It was going to be glorious.
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