Lennox strategized his mind focused on maximizing gains. 'In the grove I know thee a lot of potential for strength augmentation, particularly through acquiring some Enchantrums. Furthermore, killing some creatures may help me gain some valuable shards for investment' he pondered.
However, his musings were interrupted when he noticed, from the corner of his eye, a group of seven individuals emerging behind him, their wide grins fixated on him.
"Hmm... weird," Lennox muttered to himself.
Approaching a series of portals leading to different areas, Lennox encountered a man standing nearby.
"I'd like to venture to Enigma Grove," Lennox stated, displaying his Enigma Grove badge.
The man scanned Lennox's body with a concerned expression. "Enigma Grove is very dangerous. While it offers great rewards, many who enter return injured or worse. I advise reaching Nexus Spirit before entering the grove."
"Thank you for the warning, but I'm determined to try my luck," Lennox replied with a nod. "Besides, I have tasks to complete before I can pursue anything else."
The man sighed, shaking his head. "Very well." Taking the badge, he aimed it at the portal. A beam of light shot from the badge, disappearing into the portal's depths.
Lennox nodded before stepping towards the portal, the stopping to looking back at the corner of his eye at the group.
Lennox found it particularly weird to encounter a group consisting of one Rank 4 Nexus Magi/Nexarc Hybrid and four Rank 3 Nexus Spirit/Nexarc Energy Warriors. It struck him as odd that aside from Kira and Roran, no one else knew that he was heading to the grove. Gabriel, for instance, shouldn't have been aware, considering Lennox's absence from the academy for a couple of days. The thought crossed his mind that it couldn't have been Adiran either; he didn't seem like the type to associate himself with such diverse-looking individuals. However, Lennox couldn't shake off the possibility that there might be people lurking to follow others into the portal, intending to rob them.
"Interesting," Lennox muttered aloud before stepping through the portal.
Within the world of Nexarc, there exist three distinct paths that warriors may embark upon: Nexarc Bloodline Warriors: These Nexarcs devote themselves to unlocking the potential within their bloodlines and essence. By delving deep into their ancestral heritage, they enchant themselves, enhancing their physical prowess and resilience. While they possess less Nexarc energy, they compensate by maximizing their bloodline's innate abilities. Though they can utilize Nexarc energy to a lesser extent, their strength lies in magnifying their natural talents, rendering them powerful, swift, and durable.
Nexarc Energy Warriors: In stark contrast to Bloodline Warriors, Energy Warriors possess a surplus of Nexus energy. This abundance enables them to traverse various bloodlines, essences, and even manipulate pure Nexus energy. Superior in versatility to their bloodline-focused counterparts, Energy Warriors can adapt swiftly to diverse combat scenarios. While their journey to ascend in rank may be longer, their ability to master multiple skills simultaneously makes them invaluable assets on the battlefield. Their adaptability and broad skillset render them highly sought after.
Nexarc Hybrid Warriors: Adept at blending bloodline inheritance with Nexus energy manipulation, Hybrid Warriors forge a unique path. They seamlessly integrate the strengths of their bloodline with the versatility of Nexus energy, crafting a distinctive fighting style. Drawing from different bloodlines and harnessing raw Nexus energy, they possess a diverse array of abilities. While they may not excel in any single aspect like specialized warriors, their adaptability and flexibility make them formidable adversaries in any combat scenario, rendering them highly sought after.
...
...
Lennox emerged on the other side of the portal, instantly enveloped by the palpable danger emanating from the grove. The constant echo of monster howls grew louder because of there knowing someone entered the grove. But he also understood that the further he entered into the grove, the more powerful creatures he would encounter, offering greater rewards. Initially, monster began fighting each other at the grove's entrance, but the victors also evolved as they progressed towards the center. The only path to increasing they strength was to confront stronger monster in the heart of the grove it was also the same for him but currently it wasn't possible.
Surveying his surroundings, Lennox noticed the group emerging from the portal behind him. The leader, with an intimidating air, pointed at Lennox, demanding, "Boy, surrender all your equipment and shards on you."
Lennox chuckled defiantly, his smirk betraying his confidence as he turned around. "Why would I hand over my equipment willingly?...What if I refuse?"
The leader's expression darkened. "A foolhardy newcomer who doesn't know his place. If you quickly hand over what you have, I won't harm you. But if not, I won't hesitate to leave you to die here."
Lennox countered, "How about this? You give me all your equipment, and instead of killing you, I'll simply cripple you."
The leader's patience wore thin. "You had your chance, boy. Now, it's time to face the consequences."
With a gesture from the furrowed-browed leader, a member of the group stepped forward. "Brother John, deal with him."
"Alright," John sneered, his fist crackling with blue nexus energy. "People who don't know their place, especially newcomers, should learn their lesson early."
As John lunged with his punch covered in Nex, Lennox swiftly dodged, retaliating with his own fiery fist to his ribs . Yet, to his surprise, John remained unscathed, having already fortified himself with nexus energy. Lennox swiftly adapted, redirecting his attack to incapacitate John slamming his fist into his face, sending him flying back into a tree instantly leaving him unconscious.
The leader, Boss Bai, taken aback by Lennox's strength, signaled his men to attack. "Finish him off, quickly!"
The three other members, also infused with nexus energy, closed in on Lennox surrounding him . quickly he felt he had to end these Nexus Spirt to save energy for Boss Bai, he summoned his Inferno Shuriken, launching them in a deadly arc throw the air toward them all while unleashing a barrage of fireballs. Despite their combined assault, Lennox's onslaught overwhelmed them, sending them reeling back, bloodied and defeated.
Boss Bai surveyed his men hurtling back, half their bodies engulfed in flames. "Such strong fire," he muttered in shock.
With a burst of strength, Boss Bai unleashed a powerful surge of silver Nex , summoning forth his notorious weapon, the Crimson Razor, a machete renowned for its deadly efficiency in his hand whoever was his target always died from it.
Pointing the blade menacingly at Lennox, he declared, "I'm going to kill you!"
Lennox unclasped his FlameWood Enigma staff from around his neck, a gift from Nadia upon his return. Despite never having had the chance to use it before, he realized, "I guess it's time." With a focused intention, he allowed the staff to expand, matching the size of his own body.
Boss Bai leaped towards him, swinging his machete downward. Lennox, using his staff as a shield, met the blow, their clash emitting waves of energy. Despite Lennox's staff being made of resilient material and both were using a Heroic Grade as they are well-crafted with magical properties, imbued in them, While not as powerful as higher grades, they are respected on the battlefield.
Boss Bai's superior strength sent Lennox flying a few feet off the ground. Simultaneously, Boss Bai swung his up as he launched sharp metal spikes from the ground up towards Lennox, who managed to extend his staff to block them at maximum height, deflecting the metal spike just in time.
In midair, Lennox retaliated by hurling a shuriken infused with his nexus energy towards Boss Bai, who also infuse his machete with Nex slash toward the shuriken, as the two collided and neutralizing each other in an explosion. Lennox gracefully landed on the ground.
"For a bandit, there really isn't anything special about you," Lennox remarked with a smirk.
"I want to see you continue being so arrogant," Boss Bai retorted, unleashing his machete technique known as "Crimson Surge." at the same time sis blade glowed with a crimson light as he unleashed a flurry of devastating slashes towards Lennox, the destructive power surpassing even his nexus energy.
Lennox evaded the onslaught, leaping away from the exploding slashes. However when the explosions cleared it appeared, he wasn't unscathed, as it had blood dripping from a deep slash on his left hand, the force of the Crimson Surge as it also caused weakening of anyone flesh.
Boss Bai chuckled confidently, then swiftly dashed towards Lennox, leaping into the air and slashing downward with his gleaming blade before Lennox eye he disappeared. Lennox, taken aback by Boss Bai's sudden disappearance, but then he felt a sudden impact against his Pyroclasm cloak, a reward for his physical endurance trial, Boss bai almost breaking his defense. Reacting quickly, Lennox turned around, his feet ablaze with fire.
With a sudden burst of agility, Lennox executed a low, incendiary kick towards Boss Bai's legs. The impact broke his opponent's leg while igniting it in flames. Recoiling from the attack and searing in pain, Boss Bai's focus wavered momentarily, allowing Lennox to spring into action. Harnessing the momentum of his initial kick, Lennox propelled himself into a spinning arc, becoming a whirlwind of flames and motion. In a fluid motion, he executed a 540 kick, his leg connecting with devastating force, sending Boss Bai crashing to the ground. This was another technique Lennox had honed during his training with Nadia in the forest, aptly named "Scorch Spin."
Boss Bai, though surprised by Lennox's defense, augmented his blade's sharpness and strength with his Adamantite Bloodline. Despite the enhanced attack, Lennox managed to push through and retaliate, ignoring the burning pain in his shoulder and leg.
This bloodline traces its origins to ancient times when legendary warriors and smiths forged their destinies amidst the clang of hammer on anvil and the roar of battle. Those born with the Adamantite Bloodline possess an innate affinity for metal manipulation, allowing them to shape and control metallic elements.
The Adamantite Bloodline is renowned for its versatility and strength, with warriors wielding weapons and armor of unparalleled quality and durability. They can transmute base metals into precious alloys, fashioning artifacts of great power and significance. In combat, they are formidable Nexarc, wielding swords of living steel and shields of unbreakable resilience.
"How?!" Boss Bai roared, bewildered by Lennox's prowess.
Lennox approached Boss Bai with measured steps. "You aren't so confident anymore," he remarked calmly.
"Killing you would have given me a wonderful reward," Boss Bai mourned.
"I won't be killing you, but I need to ensure you won't be a bandit anymore," Lennox stated firmly.
"What—"
Boss Bai's protest was cut short as he witnessed Lennox's fist descending towards him, imbued with fire and a hint of nexus energy. Landing on the right side of Boss Bai's chest, the energy penetrated into his core, shattering into glowing pieces of dust. Instantly, Boss Bai collapsed, unconscious.