A dark orange hue coated a smaller Kobold. It was around 1.5 meters tall and was wielding a wooden staff that had a few trinkets tied to it through its length along with a few feathers. Its skin was pale gray that was hidden under fur of similar color and big beady eyes that reeked of malice. Just like its yellow teeth, they glinted malevolently while its pointy ears twitched restlessly. The Kobold gripped its staff tightly on seeing Xavier and hit it on the ground once to exert its dominion.

Kobold Shaman – 401 – Energy

Judgment determined that the smaller Kobold was a Kobold Shaman with a Foundation at 401. The Star of Energy was its strongest Foundation. That explained why it wanted to show its might to Xavier.

A little bit higher and this would have been a lot more difficult.

Judgment at Level 3 allowed Xavier to pinpoint the total Foundation of the target as long as it didn’t surpass his Foundation by more than 80 units. The Kobold Shaman was already close to that limit. Xavier was certain that its Star of Energy was already at the Basic Rank as well. It didn’t seem very bulky or agile either. Even its Vitality didn’t seem that high.

Xavier pinpointed the fragile physique of the Kobold Shaman and frowned deeply. It was likely that the Kobold Shaman had two Foundation Stars at the Basic Rank. If that was the case, it was likely that the Shaman had a Basic Rank Star of Wisdom and Star of Energy.

That was great for the Kobold Shaman, but rather difficult for Xavier to deal with.

They’re too close to Haven. If they find Dad or Leyla in today’s hunt, it can become…ugly.

Xavier didn’t want to take the risk. If he ignored the Kobolds and made a detour around them to venture further into the forest, they might hunt the Card Holders in Haven later. It was better to deal with them right now.

He activated Camouflage and Shadow Blade once again and sneaked up on the Shaman. Xavier’s steps were eerily silent. He could barely hear himself as the Kobolds continued to move through the forest with loud strides.

Upon inching closer to the Kobolds, Xavier noticed that the Kobold Shaman turned around and stared in his direction. Xavier held his breath and stopped moving at once. He was well hidden behind a tree trunk, but he didn’t want to risk it.

The Kobold Shaman said something in an incomprehensible language to its brethren and stepped closer to Xavier’s hiding spot. Xavier’s heartbeat quickened and he was ready to jump out and attack the Kobold group. Fortunately, that was not necessary.

Xavier heard the Kobold Shaman turning around. He nearly breathed out in relief when he noticed that the Kobold Archers had picked up something. Maybe it was his scent, or they noticed that something was off.

The Archers’ perception was high.

Well. Fuck.

Despite being about to get caught, a smile crept up on Xavier’s face. His Lesser Danger Sense tingled wildly, informing him about the incoming danger. However, Xavier was already aware of it. He knew what was about to come.

He waited impatiently, emptied his mind of distractions, and stared at the Greater Kobold Archer straight in the eyes as it circled the large tree.

Xavier erupted at once. He used Dash and Thunder Step simultaneously and shot forward. The Greater Kobold Archer was dexterous and highly perceptive, but its Agility wasn’t as high as the Superior Kobold Archer. Xavier had a slight head-start with Dash and Thunder Step. He used Stun to paralyze the Greater Kobold Archer for a quarter of a second to close the distance to the monster.

His momentum skyrocketed and the Ruby Katana sliced through the air. Xavier didn’t take any risks. He used Energy Blade and Coat of Fire on top of Shadow Blade to enhance the Ruby Katana’s lethality as he attacked his enemy.

The Greater Kobold Archer was about to regain control of its body and lift the tempered bow to block the incoming attack, but it was too slow.

The Ruby Katana cut through the Greater Kobol Archer’s chest with ease. A pained squeal escaped the monster’s mouth as it collapsed to the ground, blood spurting out of its half-torn chest. Soon, it stopped twitching and went completely still.

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Greater Kobold Archer has been slain +2 Soul Essence.

Xavier didn’t have any time to think about his next moves. He reacted instinctively. He used Stun repetitively to paralyze the Kobolds temporarily. That worked out decent enough thanks to the World Energy used to conjure the Stun Spell.

If he didn’t have World Energy, Stun wouldn’t have worked on the Kobold Shaman at all. Its Star of Wisdom was much higher than Xavier had initially assumed. However, with World Energy, Stun’s potency increased drastically. The Kobold Shaman was stunned for a quarter of a second.

That was not a lot, but it was enough for Xavier to conjure several Air Bullets with World Energy. He applied Coat of Fire, Pierce Armor, and Armor Break to further enhance the Air Bullets.

Xavier’s energy was drained fast, but the enhanced Air Bullets were powerful enough to inflict considerable damage. His aim was precise and the targets were unmoving – though not long enough to kill them all.

The Superior Kobold Archer was hit in the eye. The Air Bullet pierced the Superior Kobold Archer’s eyeball and continued penetrating the brain until it emerged on the other side of the Kobold’s skull once again.

Even the Greater Kobold Warrior was unable to block the attack. The Greater Kobold Warrior had the lowest Foundation, but his Vitality was still strong. Nonetheless, he was stunned and Xavier struck him with two enhanced Air Bullets.

Maybe it would have survived if the Air Bullets hadn’t been enhanced with Coat of Fire, Pierce Armor, and Armor Break or if none of the Cards had been used with World Energy, but the Greater Kobold Warrior was not that lucky.

Superior Kobold Archer has been slain. +3 Soul Essences +1 Common Card Shard

Greater Kobold Warrior +2 Soul Essence

Xavier had been hoping to kill the Kobold Shaman as well, but the Kobold Champion had an oddly high Perception and Wisdom. It sensed that Xavier would attack the Kobold Shaman and threw itself in front of the Kobold Shaman before the effect of his Stun Card affected them.

The Kobold Champion’s eyes splattered as the Air Bullets impacted upon its skull, but it didn’t die. However, that was something, Xavier could change quickly. He was already at full speed while continuing to charge forward after slaying the Greater Kobold Archer and the distance to the Kobold Champion was short.

Xavier used Elemental Aegis to conjure a fire Aegis shield to his right as he passed by the Kobold Giant. One of its eyes had been struck by three enhanced Air Bullets, barely destroying it. The Kobold Giant was going to be a tough opponent, but as long as the Kobold Champion, and maybe even the Kobold Shaman were dead…it would be fine.

It should be.

The Kobold Champion regained control over its body and roared out in pain. Losing its eyesight was bad, but the pain of having its brain pricked and prodded by some enhanced Air Bullets was worse.

Xavier used the Kobold Champion’s pain to his advantage. He activated Energy Blade, Shadow Blade, Coat of Fire, Armor Break, and Pierce Armor, while also adding a second use of Stun on the Kobold Giant and the Kobold Shaman.

Using the Stun Spell on the same target in quick succession deteriorated the effect, but it was still useful. The Kobold Giant was slowed down and the Kobold Shaman felt a bit groggy. That was enough for Xavier.

He jumped in front of the Kobold Champion, avoided the monster’s carnage when it went berserk from losing its eyes and cleaved through its neck neatly.

Even if your VItality is great, blocking the Ruby Katana after I amplified it with so many Cards is nearly impossible…even the lower numbers of the Basic Rank won’t be able to save your ass!

Kobold Champion has been slain +6 Soul Essences, +2 Common Card Shards

The Kobold Champion’s head slumped to the ground with a loud thud, spraying a fountain of blood on him.

Xavier flashed a thin smile at the notification, but the smile froze as the Kobold Champion’s body collapsed to the ground.

The Kobold Shaman was gagging loudly, saying something in a foreign language. However, the words seemed different than its earlier chants. The Kobold Shaman’s enunciation was different from before. His words possessed power.

Monsters didn’t possess any Cards, but Xavier and the others found out that monsters were more likely to awaken powerful abilities upon evolving. They were not weaker than most Card Holders.

However, the worst enemies were beings with intellect and the knowledge to use their traits to perfection.

Xavier could not understand a word but he sensed that the incantations that the monster was muttering held significance. Its tone was confident and its eyes closed as it concentrated on the spell. Winds began to howl around them and stray leaves were flung a few feet away as Xavier struggled to stay on his feet. He looked curiously at the Kobold Shaman who continued to chant loudly and soon wisps of energy appeared in front of the Kobold Shaman’s staff.

Xavier tightened his grip on the katana and took a step forward but was pushed back as a circle of energy formed around the Kobold Shaman while the strong wind currents made it difficult for Xavier to stand upright.

He knew he had to try once again to stop the Kobold Shaman. So, he tried again, lifting his leg to take a step forward when suddenly he felt a ripple of energy explode from the circle around the Kobold Shaman.

Xavier had no time to react as the power erupted and he was flung into the air. His back smacked against a tree and he fell to the ground.

“Fuck…”