Chapter 9
Blaze stood at the center of the defeated bandits, taking a moment to check his improved status.
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Status
Name: Blaze
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Level: 4 (300/6500 EXP) (Foundation Phase - Stage 4)
HP: 100/100
CP: 100
Strength: 22 → 24
Defense: 22 → 25
Dexterity: 18 → 20
Stamina: 16 → 19
Senses: 12 → 13
Stat points: 8
CS (Combat Score): 500
Artifact: None
Spell: None
Skill:
Astral Strike
Astro Punch
Feral Pounce
Skill Shop:
1. Aerial Strike (150 CP)
2. Timer Crush (200 CP)
3. Mega Whop (400 CP).....
Affinity: None
Innate Ability: Chaos Eye (Gold) [Locked]
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Blaze smirked. Level 4. Not bad. The experience from defeating the bandits and the quest reward had pushed him further, making him significantly stronger.
After tying up the unconscious bandits against a tree near the entrance, he sprinted toward the location Roy had given him. His enhanced physique allowed him to cover great distances with ease, and after an hour of uninterrupted running, he reached his destination.
A gigantic cave loomed before him, its entrance flanked by two rough-looking guards. The surrounding forest was unnaturally silent, and an eerie energy pulsed in the air, making his skin prickle.
Blaze crouched low and activated Swift Movement, slipping behind the guards like a shadow before knocking them out with swift, precise strikes. He entered the cave, immediately greeted by a massive underground chamber filled with crates, weapons, and stolen goods.
Torches flickered, casting long, dancing shadows. At least sixty bandits were gathered around a makeshift bar, their loud laughter echoing through the cavern.
Blaze took a cautious step forward when—
"Aren't we quite much?"
A voice behind him sent chills down his spine.
Blaze turned to see a bandit eyeing him suspiciously. His heart pounded.
Shit.
The bandit's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell—?"
WHAM!
Blaze didn't let him finish. He struck first, sending the man stumbling backward. But the bandit, a Stage 4 Foundation Phase warrior, refused to go down, staggering back to his feet.
"Intruder!" The bandit roared before Blaze knocked him out cold.
The entire chamber went silent.
Dozens of heads turned toward him.
Blaze sighed. "Oh, fuck."
The bandits scrambled to their feet, weapons drawn, their eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
DING!
> New Quest Received:
Defeat all members of the Iron Clad Bandits in their own territory. (1/60 defeated)
Blaze cracked his knuckles. "Well... time to get to work."
He launched himself forward using Feral Pounce, closing the distance to the nearest bandit and smashing him into the ground.
> +300 EXP
Another rushed in, swinging a broadsword, but Blaze countered with Astral Strike, sending the man flying into a pile of crates.
> +200 EXP
The remaining bandits unleashed a flurry of low-level spirit spells, hoping to overwhelm him.
Fire Spark. Wind Slash. Water Wave.
Blaze weaved through the attacks, his body moving instinctively. He ducked, sidestepped, and countered with brutal efficiency.
One bandit, a scrawny man with a wicked grin, slashed at Blaze with a poisoned blade, cutting across his chest.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"He's dead!" the poison user sneered.
Blaze stared at him, unfazed.
A second passed. Then two.
His Chaos Energy devoured the poison instantly.
How he ask confused ? But the next thing he saw was blaze smiling face.
BAM!
The bandit hit the ground, unconscious.
More came at him.
One tried using Invisibility, but Blaze spotted the distortion in the air and delivered a clean punch to his face.
The bandit groaned. "How... how did you see me?"
His attacks became faster, stronger, relentless. Bandits fell like dominoes, their cries filling the cavern. The system chimed repeatedly:
> +200 EXP
+300 EXP
+400 EXP
+350 EXP
+200 EXP
Blaze's level shot up.
Level 5... 6... 7!
> DING!
Congratulations! Level Up! New Skill Acquired!
But he had no time to check. Thirty bandits still remained.
One of them finally landed a lucky hit, sending Blaze crashing into a stack of crates.
Crash!
Several white pills rolled onto the ground.
Few landed in Blaze's mouth.
He swallowed instinctively.
> DING! Health Pill consumed. +1, +2, +1, +1, +0.5 HP restored.
Blaze blinked. Then looked down.
His HP was refilling.
A wicked grin spread across his face.
He scooped up handfuls of pills and popped them into his mouth like candy.
"Stop eating our precious Health Pills!" a bandit screamed.
Blaze ignored them, munching away. 100/100 HP restored.
The remaining bandits paled.
Blaze cracked his neck. "Alright, round two."
The battle resumed, more desperate, more chaotic, but the outcome was inevitable.
One by one, the bandits fell.
Until—
> Quest Complete: Defeat the Iron Clad Bandits. (60/60 defeated) Quest Reward: 200 CP.
Blaze exhaled, standing victorious amidst the wreckage.
Then—
Creak.
A hidden wall slid open.
Blaze turned.
A dimly lit room lay beyond, filled with treasures and artifacts.
At the center, sitting on a makeshift throne of stone, was a middle-aged man with brushed-back brown hair and a knowing smile.
The man had been waiting for him.
His voice was silk and steel.
"Impressive, young man. I've been watching you from afar. You have a certain... spark."
Blaze remained silent.
The man leaned forward, eyes glinting.
"Join me. And together, we can conquer this land."
Blaze considered his words carefully. Then he smiled.
"No."
Raven's expression froze.
"...What?"
Blaze's smile widened. "I'm just a simple teenager."
Silence.
Then—
BOOM!
Raven's killing intent exploded.
"You fool!" His voice thundered through the cavern. "You don't know what you're rejecting! Come I'll show you... I... will show you the true power of a former Wizard Knight!"
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To Be Continued.