Chapter: A timely rescue
Mori stood her ground, her body covered in cuts and bruises, resolve etched across her face. Her hunter's dagger trembled in her grip as she faced the formidable Shadow Reaver. She knew this could very well be her last stand, but she refused to back down. Behind her, Neres was still out cold, with Boreas still unconscious.
As the Shadow Reaver lunged at her, its claws poised to strike, Mori prepared for the inevitable. But just as she braced herself, a thunderous sound reverberated through the air, causing the very ground to shake. In an instant, the Shadow Reaver burst into pieces, leaving Mori stunned and bewildered.
Her eyes darted around, searching for the source of the commotion. And there, standing before her, was a stranger. He emanated an air of intensity, his presence commanding attention. Mori's instincts told her that this was no ordinary individual.
She instinctively used her Identify skill, a skill that allowed her to discern the level and attributes of other beings. As the information flooded her vision, Mori's eyes widened in disbelief.
Celestial Fist Level 25
The stranger before her was a level 25, a realm of power that was reserved for legends and the elite few.
In her mind, Mori made connections, drawing upon the tales she had heard. The three famed army generals of her country, Verena, were rumored to possess levels ranging from 25 to 30. Boreas, her mentor, had reached level 15 after a lifetime of service in the feared ranger squad. The stranger's presence and power could only mean one thing: he was someone of great importance.
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Meanwhile, in a different part of the forest, Midas had heard the distinct sound of battle and rushed toward it, driven by a curiosity he had never felt before. Little did he know that his arrival would coincide with Mori's desperate struggle.
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As he raced through the trees, his senses heightened by his newfound strength, Midas was suddenly ambushed by a pack of Lightning Hyenas. These fierce creatures, all level 25, surrounded him with their crackling energy, their eyes filled with hunger.
Unfazed by the danger, Midas unleashed his star-wrought fists, his movements fluid and precise. Each strike landed with devastating impact, sending shockwaves through the bodies of the Lightning Hyenas. As their lifeless forms fell to the ground, Midas felt a surge of exhilaration, his battle instincts sharpened by the intensity of the fight.
With the immediate threat neutralized, Midas's attention shifted to the source of the earlier battle. He followed the echoes of clashing weapons and raised voices, his heart pounding with a mixture of curiosity and concern. And once there, he had quickly dispatched the nightmarish creature, who he assumed was weakened from the earlier battle.
Amidst the aftermath of the battle, he laid eyes upon the young woman.
She stood there, wounded but resolute, her gaze meeting his for the first time. Midas couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for this immense brave young woman who had faced the Shadow Reaver with unwavering courage.
Midas, looked at her and then at two men lying on the forest floor behind her. They were both breathing, he could see. Clearing his throat, he addressed her, his voice still scratchy for days of unuse," Hello, I am Midas. Are you alright?"
Mori blinked in surprise, her mind still reeling from the recent battle. She assessed Midas with a mix of wariness and curiosity. His presence alone commanded attention, and the power he had displayed against the Shadow Reaver left her in awe. Slowly regaining her composure, she nodded in response to his question.
"I... I'm alright," Mori replied, her voice carrying a touch of exhaustion. "Thank you for your timely intervention. We were struggling against that beast."
Midas nodded, his intense gaze scanning the area, his senses keenly attuned to their surroundings. "I am just glad that I could help," he remarked, his voice carrying a quiet confidence. "But it seems you handled yourself quite admirably. Few would have stood their ground against such a formidable foe."
Mori offered a small smile, a mixture of pride and relief washing over her. "We're hunters, trained to face the dangers of this world. We've seen our fair share of battles, but that... that creature was on another level."
As the adrenaline began to subside, Mori's attention returned to her comrades lying on the ground. "My mentor, Boreas, and my companion, Neres," she gestured towards them. "They need medical attention. We were on a mission, and it took everything we had to defeat the Pyro Sabertooth Tiger. I fear Boreas may have contracted an infection."