Chapter 10 - Chapter 10:

Chapter 10: Killing the Herd (2)

Considering that the herd was composed of 12 saber tooth moose lions of which 4 were cubs, I can earn around 16 MP just from killing the cubs.

Of course they were previously 13 in size but due to my recent escapade their numbers were reduced and we're gonna keep it that way.

"Mom! I'm going out to play!" I said at Kersha.

"You know the rules young man, be back before-"

"Before sun down," I finished and she smiled.

"That's right, before the sun goes down."

"Thanks mom!" I said and ran out of the house. I felt a pang of pain from lying but my subconscious mind kept saying to myself 'it is for your greater good, you are not doing anything wrong,'.

It has been three days since my last visit to the forest, it was enough time for the herd to slightly forget about what happened and let their guards down again.

And I'm there to reap their ignorance. And so I jogged with a light step towards the forest. My destination is the same as the last.

The far south of the forest where the river diverges. As my feet wandered off and reached my destination I once again saw those naive creatures sipping the river water.

Four cubs were separated from their parents, playing on their own without care for the world. Although they seem to be slightly agitated by their recent loss, their primitive cognitive and emotional capability have already forgotten why they were so upset.

I observed the herd from a distance, hiding in the thick underbrush. 

The cubs played near the riverbank, blissfully unaware of the danger that lurked in the shadows. 

Their playful squeals echoed through the forest.

My heart pounded, a mixture of anticipation and guilt overwhelming me. But I forced myself to focus. I wasn't here to dwell on my emotions—I was here to become stronger.

"Phoenix Breathing," I whispered, feeling the familiar surge of energy as I activated the technique. The qi within me flared to life, spreading through my body like wildfire, heightening my senses and sharpening my reflexes.

Slowly, carefully, I crept closer to the cubs. My breathing was controlled, each exhale releasing a small plume of steam as my qi circulated with precision. 

I approached the first cub, its back turned to me as it pawed at the ground, unaware of its fate.

With a swift, fluid motion, I struck. My hand, infused with the power of Phoenix Breathing, plunged into the cub's side, sending a shockwave of qi into its body. The cub let out a startled cry, its legs buckling as it collapsed onto the ground. I felt a pang of guilt, but I steeled myself—there was no turning back now.

DING!

[You have been awarded 4 MP!]

The sound of the system's notification spurred me on. I moved to the next cub, executing the same maneuver. This one barely had time to react before it, too, fell lifelessly to the ground. My heart ached, but I pushed the feeling aside.

DING!

[You have been awarded 4 MP!]

The third cub was further away, near a cluster of trees. It glanced up as I approached, sensing something was wrong. But it was too late. My hand struck out, and the cub slumped to the ground, its eyes glazing over.

DING!

[You have been awarded 4 MP!]

I was about to move on to the fourth and final cub when a sudden shift in the atmosphere made me freeze. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I felt the ground tremble beneath my feet.

I turned, eyes widening in horror as the entire herd of saber-tooth moose lions rushed toward me, their eyes blazing with fury. They had sensed the deaths of their young, and now they were out for blood—my blood.

"Damn it!" I cursed, turning on my heel and sprinting into the forest. My heart pounded in my chest as I heard the thunderous roar of the herd behind me. Trees crashed to the ground as the massive beasts charged after me, their heavy footsteps shaking the earth.

Branches whipped at my face as I ran, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I could feel the heat of the Phoenix Breathing technique still coursing through me, but it was little comfort against the overwhelming force of the herd. I needed to escape—and fast.

I zigzagged through the trees, trying to lose them in the dense underbrush, but they were relentless. I could hear them closing in, the snapping of jaws and the pounding of hooves growing louder with each passing second.

A sharp pain lanced through my side as one of the moose lions clipped me with its massive paw. I stumbled, barely catching myself before I hit the ground. Blood trickled down my side, and I gritted my teeth against the pain. There was no time to dwell on it—I had to keep moving.

I pushed myself harder, my legs burning with the effort. The edge of the forest was in sight, but the herd was too close. I could feel their hot breath on my back, hear their snarls of rage.

Just as I thought I was done for, I spotted a narrow gap between two massive boulders up ahead. With a burst of speed, I dove for it, squeezing through just as the lead moose lion snapped its jaws inches from my leg.

I collapsed on the other side, panting heavily as the herd slammed into the boulders behind me. Their roars of frustration echoed through the forest, but they couldn't reach me. I was safe—barely.

I lay there for a moment, catching my breath, my body aching from the exertion and the injuries I had sustained. Blood oozed from the gash in my side, but it wasn't life-threatening. I could still make it home.

Slowly, I pushed myself to my feet, grimacing in pain. I had underestimated the herd—and now I had the wounds to prove it. But I had also gained something valuable: more MP, and the knowledge that I needed to be even stronger if I wanted to survive.

"I'll be back," I whispered, casting a glance at the forest where the herd still raged. "And next time, I'll be ready." 

(Please bear with him for a while. He is still quite immature and emotional since this is his initial phase)

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Pls give stone :)

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