A week had slipped by since Knox gleaned knowledge of the fabled level 10 zone, a realm of peril and promise that beckoned to his ambition. With a newfound sense of urgency, he threw himself into his training, pushing the boundaries of his abilities with relentless determination. Each day brought fresh challenges and opportunities, and Knox seized them with an enthusiasm that bordered on recklessness.
Gone were the days of cautious calculation and measured advancement. Now, Knox sought out danger with a single-minded focus, throwing himself into battles against formidable foes with abandon. He took risks that would have made even the most seasoned warriors balk, his thirst for strength driving him ever onward.
Despite the warning of his companion and the lingering doubts that whispered in the recesses of his mind, Knox pressed forward undeterred. His progression was nothing short of astonishing; in the span of just seven days, he had ascended to level 59, a testament to his unwavering resolve and unyielding spirit.
But with each victory came a sobering reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. The level 9 zone loomed on the horizon, a tantalizing yet treacherous realm that promised glory and peril in equal measure. Knox knew that he had to be prepared mentally and physically if he hoped to survive the trials that awaited him.
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Knox found himself nestled among the branches of a sprawling tree, the rustle of leaves and the gentle sway of the branches lulling him into a peaceful slumber. But his rest was short-lived, shattered by the sudden intrusion of Ethos's urgent voice in his mind. With a start, Knox jolted awake, his senses sharpening as he scanned his surroundings for any sign of danger.
“What is it, Ethos?” Knox's thoughts raced with apprehension, his mind already conjuring visions of monstrous creatures lurking in the shadows.
“I sense a dangerous presence,” Ethos replied, his words laden with a sense of foreboding that sent a shiver down Knox's spine.
Knox's brow furrowed in confusion. “What kind of monster could pose a threat to me now?” he wondered silently, his mind racing to piece together the puzzle.
“It's no monster, Knox. I sense a Human,” Ethos's words hung heavy in the air, casting a pall of unease over Knox's thoughts.
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Knox's heart skipped a beat at the revelation. “My father has already sent another soldier after me?” he mused, his mind whirling with questions. “But how did the news travel so quickly, and how did this person manage to find me?”
“The individual is quite high level… Higher than you,” Ethos's voice quivered with a rare sense of fear, a stark departure from his usual calm demeanor.
His eyes widened in alarm, his mind racing to comprehend the gravity of the situation. “An elite?” he breathed, the weight of the word heavy on his tongue. “But there are rumors that elites can level between 80 and 100.”
“Hide your mana signature immediately,” Ethos's urgent plea jolted Knox into action, the urgency in his companion's voice driving home the severity of their predicament. With a swift nod, Knox complied, his thoughts racing as he braced himself for the impending confrontation with the formidable adversary that now hunted him.
The forest seemed to hold its breath as Knox remained hidden among the dense foliage, his heart pounding in his chest like a drumbeat echoing through the silence. He strained his ears, listening intently to the rhythmic cadence of approaching footsteps, each one sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through his veins.
As the sound drew nearer, Knox's muscles tensed, his mind racing with desperate thoughts of escape. But before he could formulate a plan, a voice pierced the stillness, cutting through the oppressive silence like a blade.
“Knox, I know you’re here somewhere. Reveal yourself.”
The words hung in the air, heavy with implication, and Knox's breath caught in his throat. His pulse quickened with a surge of panic. He pressed himself further into the shadows, willing himself to remain perfectly still lest the slightest movement betray his presence.
Minutes stretched into eternity as Knox waited in breathless anticipation, the weight of the man's words bearing down on him like a suffocating shroud. Each passing moment felt like an eternity, the tension in the air palpable as the forest held its collective breath, waiting for the inevitable reveal.
“If you don't reveal yourself, I’ll destroy this whole forest and kill everything to get to you.”
Knox remained silent, his grip tightening on the branch beneath him as he weighed the man's words. The threat of destruction hung heavy in the air, a menacing promise of violence that sent a shiver down Knox's spine. While the fate of the forest held little weight in his mind, the prospect of drawing the attention of nearby monsters filled him with a sense of unease.
The man's ultimatum echoed through the stillness of the forest, each word laden with the weight of impending destruction. Knox's mind raced, considering his options with a sense of urgency born of necessity. He knew that revealing himself would only invite further danger, but remaining hidden carried its own risks.
As the seconds ticked by, Knox grappled with the choice before him, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him like a suffocating weight. With a heavy heart, he made his decision, steeling himself for whatever consequences may come.
With determination coursing through his veins, Knox decided to confront the man head-on. He knew that hiding any longer would only prolong the inevitable, and he couldn't afford to let the threat to his safety linger any longer. As the man's footsteps drew closer, Knox prepared himself mentally for the coming confrontation.
As the man passed beneath the tree once more, Knox leaped down from his hiding spot, landing gracefully on the forest floor with a determined look in his eyes. The man's surprise was evident as he turned to face Knox.
Without a word, Knox summoned his Eternal Flame, the white flames dancing ominously around his clenched fists. The air crackled with tension as the two adversaries faced off, each one sizing up the other in anticipation of the impending clash.