### Chapter 72: Master Hunter Zod
In the world of **Evolution**, players are ranked according to the maximum level of each expansion pack.
- The **Plantagenet Empire**, the first expansion, caps at level 29, classifying levels 10-29 as first-order professionals.
- The second expansion raises the cap to 49, making levels 30-49 second-order professionals.
- The third expansion covers levels 50-59 for third-order professionals.
- Levels 60-69 are categorized as fourth-order.
- Levels 70-74 are fifth-order.
- Levels 75-79 fall into sixth-order.
- Levels 80-84 are seventh-order professionals.
- Levels 85-89 represent the eighth order.
Eighth-order professionals stand at the pinnacle of both in-game and out-of-game strength, with only 12 existing within the game and just 15 outside it.
Despite these ranks, the reality for most players is different; many struggle to reach even the third or fourth orders. A year after the previous life, the Skrulls launched an official attack, at which point the highest level had opened to 84, with the majority still lingering around the third and fourth levels.
Su Yu faced the formidable **Shadow Priest Sivan**, the chief advisor to Queen Elijah. At level 84, he was a seventh-order Shadow Priest, with fewer than 30 beings in the game matching his strength. Against such a powerful foe, even a mere breath could spell doom for Su Yu.
Yet, this was a game, and to maintain gameplay balance, the main storyline would not impose insurmountable challenges on players. Thus, Sivan's control over Su Yu became a "trial of the soul," simulating an NPC opponent that mirrored the player's strength while countering their class.
As a mage, Su Yu's opponent was an archer—a class known for its range that easily outdistanced a mage's attacks. Even as the battle commenced, **Master Hunter Zod** quickly retreated, putting distance between himself and Su Yu while summoning a **Molting Three-Headed Dog**.
"Face Garricks' anger face to face!" the **Molting Three-Headed Dog** roared, its three heads each capable of casting **Devouring Magic**, ready to consume any spells Su Yu attempted to cast.
Zod's feather arrows zipped through the air, already aimed at Su Yu. But Su Yu was undeterred. He glanced at the second-order spell scroll he'd acquired in the Scholar's Temple and smiled.
The lava-covered three-headed dog rushed forward, and Su Yu quickly consumed an **Intermediate Wisdom Potion**, boosting his intelligence by +20. He unleashed a **Frost Arrow**, striking the beast, then followed up with **Frost Nova** to freeze it in place.
Su Yu then activated **Blink**, dodging Zod's arrow and closing the distance between them. Once within range, he unleashed a barrage of spells: **Lightning Arrow** and the second-order spell scroll **Lianzhu Fireball** fired forth in quick succession, catching Zod off guard.
In a desperate attempt to evade, Zod activated **Back Jump**, retreating while laying down traps: blue **Freezing Traps**, red **Explosive Traps**, and green **Venom Traps** littered the ground, forming an almost impenetrable barrier.
Su Yu remained calm. He activated the first-order scroll **Summon Rock Element**, calling forth a sturdy rock element that moved resolutely toward the traps.
With a series of crackling sounds, the rock element endured the assaults of ice and fire, while Su Yu advanced behind it, unleashing a relentless stream of spells: **Lightning Bolt**, **Lightning Bolt**, **Lightning Bolt**, and **Ice Cone**.
Despite Zod's skills like **Back Jump**, **Deterrence**, and **Guardian of the Spirit Turtle** to avoid Su Yu's magic, these abilities had cooldowns, leaving him vulnerable.
---
- **306 damage**
- **142 damage**
- **311 damage**
- **132 damage**
Zod's health plummeted rapidly, dipping below 1000 as Su Yu's relentless assault continued. Zod retaliated with all his might, launching **Sniper**, **Aiming Strike**, and **Two Linked Arrows** at the rock element. Although the element had high physical defense, Zod's attacks were effective.
Eventually, the rock element succumbed, shattering into pieces. Zod, momentarily invigorated by his perceived advantage, prepared to attack. But Su Yu smirked, activating the second-order scroll **Summon Diamond Element**.
From the ground rose a larger, more imposing crystal-clear elemental, which struck despair into Zod's heart. Cornered, Zod had no choice but to engage in melee combat as the Lava Dog broke free from its traps, charging toward Su Yu under Zod's command.
Determined to fight to the death, Zod stowed his bow and readied a spear, executing a **Sliding Shovel** toward Su Yu.
Seeing Zod and the Lava Dog closing in, Su Yu cast **Frost Nova**, the massive ice ring erupting around him. Zod skillfully used **Back Jump** to interrupt his attack and evade **Frost Nova**.
However, he still had a dash skill available, dashing in with a **Harpoon Stab** right at Su Yu.
"Feel sorry," Su Yu's calm voice echoed in Zod's ears just as a massive fireball, the size of a washbasin, hurtled toward him.
**Tier 2 Epic Spell Scroll: Pyroblast!**
- **555 damage**
Flames engulfed Zod's vision, and the fireball blasted him away. As he flew through the air, unable to regain his focus, another **Lightning Arrow** struck him.
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- **311 damage**
- **313 damage**
With Zod's health bar depleted, he fell to the ground, defeated.
"You…you don't talk about martial arts!" he lamented in his final moments, realizing that his true strength would have bested this former human.
But he hadn't accounted for Su Yu's scrolls—each one a potent second-order spell that had overwhelmed him.
"If it weren't for these scrolls…" Zod's thoughts drifted into darkness as he succumbed.
The Lava Dog, witnessing its master's demise, erupted into a frenzy. Su Yu quickly resorted to ice spells, firing several **Frost Arrows** to pacify the beast. Finally, the Lava Dog calmed down and retreated alongside its fallen master.
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After dispatching his formidable foes, Su Yu let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, his soul form allowed him to utilize scrolls, or this battle could have proven much more challenging.
(end of this chapter)