PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 28★

The thought of decimating that harpy nest felt like a mere stepping stone.  I was on a roll, my enhanced stats and skills practically screaming for more challenges. 

My perception was sharper than ever.  I could sense the energy flow beneath my feet, the flow of mana in the air, and the panicked scurrying of weaker monsters a hundred kilometers away. I could feel other energy readings belonging to hunters but it was scattered around. I could smell the scent of burnt flesh, a lingering reminder of my recent victory.

I felt invincible.  I could imagine taking down ten crazed harpy without even breaking a sweat now.  To test my theory, I saw a Boulder and decided to give it a try.

With a powerful grunt, I unleashed my fist, sending the boulder splintering apart.  It crashed to the ground in a flurry of stones and dust.  One punch!  The feeling of raw strength coursed through me, and a grin split my face.

I was on the verge of being unstoppable, at least in terms of brute force.  But I knew there was more to becoming a legend than just strength. 

Looking at the flying Harpy that was already ahead of me, I decided to test my speed and see how much I've improved.

Sprinting through the forest.  The wind whipped past my face, trees blurred into green streaks, and I effortlessly leapt over two-meter-tall branches.  The undergrowth yielded to my swift movements, offering no resistance.  It felt like I was gliding through the forest.

“This is incredible!” I shouted as I continued my run, five minutes already passed in a flash.  The forest seemed to shrink around me, my speed blurring the boundaries of my perception.

Emerging from the treeline, I continued my run forwards, my heightened senses alert for any signs of danger.  I could still feel the thoughts of the harpy, a lingering connection from the battle.  My senses were on high alert, anticipating a sneak attack from any direction.

All the monsters I sensed on the way were being fought by hunters.

I went deeper and deeper and deeper, running for over an hour. Burning through MP and I constantly recharged by downing energy potions.

The deeper I went the fewer goblin monsters I encountered.
After a while, I noticed a change.

A hundred meters west from my direction, a subtle sound reached my ears.  The crunching of boots, loudly, as if a soldier were walking.  But I knew better. There were no soldiers in this place.  It had to be a monster.  And judging by the loud crunching, it was a goblin, its movements aided by the tall grasses that swayed around it.

A smirk crept across my face.  Goblins were tricky, but I was no longer the same.  With my enhanced senses, they had no chance of hiding from me.

Silently, I changed my course and approached the monster, moving with a grace that belied my powerful stride.  My sword was raised, ready to meet any threat.

The goblin was over two meters tall and held a huge sword with a silver armor and an helmet. It looked like a guard monster.

The goblin, caught in the open, snarled at me.  Its crude spear glinted in the sunlight, a testament to its rudimentary weaponry.

A status panel appeared above its head, revealing its stats:

Name: Goblin Guard
Type: Weakling
Level: 85
HP: 85
Attack: -45 Damage
Defense: 50 Armor
Skill: Evasion (Uncommon)
Drops:
- Goblin sword
- goblin shield
- Minor Healing Potion
- Leather Armor
- 500 silver pieces
- 50 Gold Bar
- 85 Mana crystals
- 85 EXP
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