Xavier retreated from the trapped beast's reach and began conjuring a fiery orb in his hand. It was time to finish what he had started, to end the relentless pursuit of the massive beast once and for all.
Xavier advanced cautiously toward the Dihorn Rhinox, who could do little more than watch him with enraged and helpless eyes. The fiery orb grew brighter and hotter as Xavier approached, the flames dancing with a malevolent intensity.
With a final, determined step, Xavier thrust the fiery orb into the beast's thick, tough hide, directly over its powerful heart. The flames erupted with a fierce intensity, enveloping the immobilized creature in a blaze of searing fire.
The Dihorn Rhinox's agonized screams echoed through the forest as the flames consumed it. The smell of burning flesh and the heat of the blaze were overwhelming, but Xavier did not falter. He watched as the creature's struggles grew weaker, its enormous body slowly succumbing to the relentless flames.
Finally, with a final, defiant roar, the Dihorn Rhinox collapsed, consumed by the flames. Its body burned fiercely for a few moments more before the flames died down, leaving only charred remains and a lingering smell of victory in the air.
Ding.
[Dihorn Rhinox killed]
[+100 exp]
[Name: Xavier]
[Race: Human]
[Level: 4]
[Number of Lives: 1/3].
[Abilities]
[Enhanced Vision: Host's sight is superior to that of the average human.]
[Territory: Host gains strength in hotter environments]
[Basic Fire Manipulation: Host is capable of generating and manipulating a fairly limited quantity of fire.]
[Experience points: 040/400]
"Stingy piece of shit." Xavier cursed the cosmic phoenix upon seeing the number of Lives remain the same even after another level-up.
Knowing he had only one extra life which made him anxious and eager to level up. Xavier was already aware of the way his bad luck worked and knew death could come at any time, he needed more lives.
Xavier stepped back, his chest heaving as he watched the last embers of the blaze flicker and fade. The relentless pursuit of the Dihorn Rhinox was at an end. Xavier had emerged victorious once more, and his cunning had paid off in this deadly game of survival.
As the forest fell into a stillness disturbed only by the soft crackling of the dying embers, Xavier knew that he could not afford to linger. He knew that time was of the essence. His past experiences had taught him that the scent of blood and burning flesh could attract other predators in this perilous wilderness.
With swift, practiced movements, Xavier set to work, extracting the valuable parts of the beast as quickly as he could. He had learned the importance of efficiency in the art of survival, and he was determined not to let his guard down in this critical moment. Especially when he has bags filled with materials worth a lot of coins.
His blade, gleaming in the dappled forest light, sliced through the beast's tough hide. The creature's massive size meant that there was a bounty of resources to be gathered, from its thick, durable hide to its formidable horn.
Xavier methodically worked to detach the beast's horn, knowing that it held significant value. The Dihorn Rhinox's horn could be fashioned into a formidable weapon or traded for valuable resources in the world he now inhabited.
As he worked, he carefully collected the horn's shards and placed them in a leather pouch he carried for such purposes. He also collected the beast's hide, as well as other valuable parts such as its meat, bones, and teeth.
Every resource was a potential asset in this unforgiving environment.
Throughout the process, Xavier's senses remained sharp, and he kept a watchful eye on his surroundings. The forest was eerily silent as if the creatures that inhabited it were keenly aware of the deadly events that had transpired. Xavier's instincts told him that he was not alone, and he trusted those instincts implicitly.
He didn't have the luxury of thoroughly cleaning or preserving the resources he collected. Time was against him, and the longer he stayed in this location, the greater the risk of attracting more predators. Xavier worked quickly and efficiently, stripping the beast of its valuable parts as best he could.
Once he had extracted what he considered the most valuable resources from the fallen Dihorn Rhinox, he bundled them together in his pouches and tied them securely to his person. Satisfied with his haul, he took one last, cautious glance around the forest before turning to leave.
---
Xavier's arrival at the black market was marked by caution and a mask that concealed his identity. He entered the dimly lit shop with bags filled to the brim with the valuable parts of the beasts he had slain, the secrets of their powers hidden within. The crowded atmosphere of the black market created an almost suffocating ambiance, the air thick with whispered conversations and the scent of contraband goods.
As he approached the vendor's counter, Xavier noticed that the hooded figure was still attending to another customer, their clandestine dealings obscured by the shadows. His patience was tested as the minutes ticked by, but he knew that patience was a valuable asset in this hidden world of illicit trades.
Amid the murmur of hushed conversations, Xavier couldn't help but feel the curious eyes of another man on him. This stranger, a grim and disreputable character, took notice of Xavier's presence and couldn't resist the urge to approach the mysterious figure.
Leaning in close, he addressed Xavier with a sardonic smile that spread across his untrustworthy face.
"This is no place for a child," the man hissed, as his fingers playfully danced around the hilt of a wicked-looking dagger hanging at his waist. "So why don't you let go of those bags and be on your way before someone gets hurt?"
Xavier remained silent, his masked face concealing any fear or apprehension. Instead, he calmly extended his open palm, igniting a flickering flame in his hand. The mesmerizing dance of firelight instantly captured the attention of the menacing stranger, who had likely never seen such a display before.
In a world where the arcane and the mysterious were shrouded in myth and legend, the sight of Xavier conjuring fire seemed like the work of a dangerous sect.
Panic and alarm washed over the man's features as he quickly retracted his warning, his complexion paling. He stuttered an apology before hastily retreating from the shop, his earlier cruel smile now replaced by terror.
Xavier's uncanny ability to command fire had proven to be a fortuitous trump card. It had spared him from a potentially dangerous encounter and from the look of it, the way people looked at him had become different.
With a quiet sigh of relief, Xavier continued to wait patiently for his turn, knowing that his transaction within the black market was still ahead.