"Not only is there a possibility, but a significant one."
When he spotted the Level 9 Transcendent hiding in the corner, he was sure it was indeed a [Hunter].
Tuck felt reassured.
"During the 'Grey Night period', I often went out, never expecting to really be targeted."
Tuck rubbed his temples.
Being targeted by this Level 9 Hunter wasn't the problem itself.
But the underlying issues were troublesome.
"No matter what, you need to eat and drink well to have the strength to solve problems."
At that moment, the black horn beef bread soup was served.
Tuck first sipped the thick soup, then bowed his head to enjoy the delicacy.
With the warm food and soup entering his stomach, Tuck began to feel his body warming up gradually.
About half an hour later,
Having eaten his fill and absorbed enough heat with the Red Flame Bracelet by the tavern's fireplace,
Tuck finally stood up and walked outside.
And this time,
The stealthy Hunter quietly followed behind.
"Last time, it was Carlos and I as a pair; the guy didn't dare to make a move."
"Seeing me alone, he came sneaking up?"
"Even before, I could pin and beat you, a Level 9 Hunter."
"Now, I could scatter your ashes in minutes."
On the deserted streets,
He felt the Hunter about twenty meters behind him, tracking his movements.
Amidst a leisurely stroll, Tuck opened his attribute panel.
[Transcendent Sequence]
Wizard: Level 9.
...
[Transcendent Talent]
Precision (S Level): 478%.
...
[Transcendent Witchcraft/Ability]
Spiritual Perception (Ability): Level 9.
Bullet Tentacles: Level 9.
Bloodthorn Vine: Level 9.
Origin Scale Shield: Level 9.
Fire Oil Technique: Level 9.
Wind Sprint: Level 9.
…...
Normally, it's quite difficult to raise the level of Transcendent Witchcraft/Abilities.
Many Level 9 Transcendents usually have only Level 4 or 5 spells and abilities.
Even the "Sequence Abilities" that come with their Transcendent Sequence are typically only around Level 6 or 7.
Tuck, however, with the continuous development of "Origin Energy Experience" from the system,
had long elevated all his wizard abilities and witchcraft to Level 9.
And this was exactly why Tuck was more formidable than other Level 9 Transcendents.
"Bullet Tentacles, one precise hit, might take that guy out on the spot."
"Hmm... let's test with Bloodthorn Vine first."
"Bloodthorn Vine, though highly controlling, is a bit slow to attack, and the wrapping and whipping efficiency isn't that high."
"It's practically useless against nimble opponents."
"Now with the boost of an S-Level Transcendent Talent, let's test its effect on that Hunter."
...
Under the cold moonlight,
[Hunter] Nelson was following the low eaves of the Cave House,
hiding in stealth much like an agile cheetah, tracking the young wizard.
To ensure his quarry wouldn't notice him, Nelson deliberately kept his distance.
"So young."
"Discussed some forbidden place with another assassin before, ha..."
Nelson let out a slight chuckle.
"These young ones all have their heads filled with treasures, relics, and forbidden zones."
"How naive!"
"One slice!"
Nelson's eyes flashed fiercely.
This young and dream-filled wizard would only need one slice.
"And a painless one at that."
Seeing the wizard turn into an alley,
Nelson quickened his pace.
The opportunity had arrived.
Just as he entered the alley.
Nelson's step suddenly stiffened.
He saw,
the young wizard wearing grey wizard robes, calmly basking in the moonlight, gazing at him.
And the crimson glow of witchcraft was already drawing to an end.
"Not good!"
The hunter's instincts instantly maxed out Nelson's alertness.
The changeover between hunter and prey was something he knew all too well.
Nelson rolled backward in an unbelievably agile maneuver.
At the same time, on the low wall that Nelson had been relying on, a blood-colored ripple appeared, and a thorny vine burst forth.
"Vine witchcraft?"
Nelson caught sight of the vine witchcraft and felt a hitch in his chest.
"Is this it?"
The wizard's performance had indeed taken Nelson by surprise; he was quite wary of him.
But the way his opponent now struck was completely below Nelson's expectations.
Such a slow-moving vine wouldn't have any effect in front of a hunter.
I thought he was a master, turns out he's a noob?
"Perhaps, I should have rolled forward instead of fleeing backward."
Just having landed from his backward roll, Nelson immediately sprang forward.
Nelson wanted to correct his mistake, close the distance to that wizard, and quickly finish the fight.
But just as Nelson leaped high, sculpting a perfect trajectory under the moonlight,
"Whoosh—"
a sharp and piercing sound of something cutting through the air rose.
"What?"
Before Nelson could react,
he felt a severe pain in his left lower leg.
His perfect arc of a jump was suddenly yanked towards the ground.
With a muffled "thump!"
Nelson's face and the cold ground made intimate contact, and blood from his nose flowed unstoppably.
Agonizing wails echoed under the moonlight, struggling to rise.
In the back alleyway,
watching the unfortunate hunter, Tuck exhaled lightly.
"The S Level 'Precision' boost to Bloodthorn Vine... seems a tad bit too strong!"
"The casting process was normal."
"But the Bloodthorn Vine that formed afterward was a whole different story."
Tuck recalled the patterns and trajectory of the Bloodthorn Vine just now.
"The Bloodthorn Vine followed the opponent's trajectory, explosively propelled itself, hit the target perfectly, and even entangled him in the process."
"Homing, striking, entwining, done all in one go."
"The 'Precision' attribute perfectly expressed itself on the vine."
Tuck's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What used to be a sluggish vine,"
"became a crazed 'Demon Vine' in an instant."
"No... this is even more terrifying than the advanced witchcraft 'Demon Vine'."
"S Level Transcendent Talent, no wonder the rumors about it are so hazy; it truly is somewhat heaven-defying."
Having briefly tested the Bloodthorn Vine, Tuck refocused on the hunter.
Anguished moans, despairing struggles,
all seemed like they were about to die.
"Such a poor act!"
For a hunter with the ability to "disguise", Tuck wouldn't believe it, not one bit.
Under Tuck's "Precision Vision", it was clear, not only was the hunter feigning death, but he also had a counterattacking plan.
"Like to play dead, huh!"
With a gesture, Tuck once more unleashed the Bloodthorn Vine Witchcraft.
The hunter who seemed nearly dead sprung up instantly.
The pain from before, half real, half feigned.
The goal was to lure the wizard in.
Who would have thought that not only did the wizard not take the bait, but he also intensified his efforts and cast the vine spell again.
Nelson had wasted so much time for nothing, letting that damned vine drain quite a bit of his blood.
"I hate these ranged spellcasters; fight like a man if you dare."
Nelson, having sprung up, roared violently, a complete flip from his near-death demeanor.
His Hunting Blade slashed fiercely at the vine wrapped around his lower leg.
"Boom!"
A gunshot rang out.
The Hunting Blade flew from Nelson's hand, his whole palm numb from the shock.
"Clang..."
As the blade hit the ground, a second vine wrapped itself around Nelson's right leg.
And Nelson, listening to the sound of the falling blade, was utterly dumbfounded.
"How... how is this possible?"