PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 37★

   The morning sun poured through the window, painting the room in a warm, golden light.  I stretched, feeling a renewed sense of energy. The comfortable bed, the organized apartment, all contributed to a sense of tranquility I hadn’t felt in a while.

The Guild Master’s offer was still swirling in my mind, the League of Elites, the special training, the ranked-up craftsman, the promise of immense power.

But I needed to consider my options, to weigh the risks and rewards.  I needed time to think, to explore my own path, to decide what kind of hunter I wanted to be.

I needed to focus on what I was good at, to hone my skills, to earn more gold.

I decided to head back to the Gem Bunny dungeon.

With the Eternal Blade strapped to my belt and the Bulwark armor protecting me, I headed out.

The Gem Bunny dungeon was a place where I could push my limits, test my skills, and hone my abilities.

It was a thrilling experience.

I spent over 10 hours hunting in the dungeon.  I leveled up 50 times, now at level 259, my abilities increasing exponentially, my power growing with each passing moment.

I emerged from the dungeon, my spatial box overflowing with gemstones, my heart pounding with adrenaline.  It had been a successful hunt.

The haul was astounding – over 10,000 gemstones. I had even collected some additional loots.

I headed home, my steps light, my mind buzzing with excitement.

I couldn’t wait to unpack my loot, to sort through my treasures,

I walked into my apartment, a sense of peace washing over me.  The place felt like a haven, a space where I could relax, recharge, and enjoy the fruits of my labor.

The comfortable bed, the luxurious bathroom – it was all a testament to my success, my hard work, my determination.

I stripped off my armor, its blue scales gleaming in the dim light, and headed for the shower.  The hot water cascaded over my body, washing away the grime and sweat of the dungeon, easing my tired muscles.

I stepped out of the shower, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.  I dried myself off, slipped into my new pajamas, and headed for the kitchen.

I was hungry, and I was ready to celebrate my success.

I opened the refrigerator, but before I could reach for the food, I heard a sharp knock at the door.

I froze, my heart pounding with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

Who could be knocking at this hour?

The knock came again, insistent and rhythmic, as if the person on the other side was growing impatient.

I cautiously made my way to the door, my hand hovering over the handle.  I peeked through the peephole, my eyes widening in surprise.

It was Kyle, my neighbor, my occasional sparring partner, and my sometimes annoying friend.  He was a boisterous, loud, and generally friendly guy, but sometimes he could be a bit too much.

He wasn’t known for his quiet demeanor, so it was a surprise to see him standing at my door, his expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.

He was back.

“Lucas, you home, buddy?” he called out, his voice booming.

I quickly opened the door, a wave of relief washing over me.  “Kyle!  You’re back!”