Chapter 715 Night Attack
Erik cautiously approached the entrance of his shelter. With a deft touch, he tapped the wooden knob, and moving the door just enough to survey the scene outside.
What he saw sent a jolt of fear down his spine. In the branches above, at least ten Galewings were settling in, making themselves comfortable over the sprawling branches of the giant tree. Their massive forms were easily visible.
"Damn it. I was right all along. They came here to claim the tree as their nesting place. I can't blame them, but they are right above where I'm hiding."
The situation was problematic, with the Galewings perched so close, their wings rustling and creating a constant, unnerving sound. The desert beyond now seemed an unreachable territory with these predators nearby.
He realized that leaving the safety of the tree would be like walking into a death trap. The Galewings would pounce at the first sign of movement.
Yet, remaining hidden inside the tree was not a sustainable solution. He needed food, water, and freedom to move. Freedom to hunt.
Erik's brain worked feverishly, assessing the predicament from every angle. It was clear he had to take care of them somehow. But a direct assault on the creatures could provoke an all-out attack from the flock, a risk too great to take.
He retreated into the tree, contemplating his next move. The Galewings, while currently at rest, wouldn't stay passive for long. He needed to hunt as soon as the moon was high.
"Think, Erik, think. How do I approach this mess?"
Stealth was key. He needed to leave the tree without drawing attention. A plan formed in his mind, one that required precision and timing.
As he waited in the relative safety of the tree, Erik prepared himself mentally and physically for the critical moment to make his attack.
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Erik, having spent the entire day training inside the tree, paced in the hollowed trunk as darkness enveloped him. He muttered to himself, wrestling with his strategic options.
"Maybe I should use the Xeridon Anteris brain crystal power."
But then he shook his head, dismissing the thought. "No, it's too risky. The vines... yes, that's it. I can use them to crush the Galewings while they sleep. If I'm careful and quick, I can take out several pairs before they even realize what's happening."
He stopped his restless walking, repeatedly gripping and releasing his hands. "The key is silence. I can't afford any of them to shriek and alert the others. This has to be precise, silent, and deadly."
Erik knew the plan was dangerous, the margin for error was nearly nonexistent. A single mistake could spell disaster, but it was a risk he had to take. He couldn't leave the monsters there.
He checked his gear one last time, feeling the familiar weight of his equipment. His shoulders squared as he prepared for the task ahead.
"I should keep resting for now." He sat down against the rough inner wall of the tree. "As soon as the moon is at its highest, that's when I strike."
Leaning back, Erik exhaled a long breath. He closed his eyes, visualizing the upcoming night. The tension in his body eased as he focused inward, gathering his mental and physical strength for the challenge that lay ahead.
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Night fell over the White Desert, blanketing the windswept dunes in darkness. Inside the hollowed trunk of the ancient tree, Erik lay awake, unable to rest.
Steeling his nerves, Erik crept to the concealed entrance and peered out. The moon bathed the sprawling branches in pale light. Erik could make out the slumbering forms of the Galewings nestled throughout the canopy. Now was the time to strike.
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<Quest: Night Killer. >
-Description: Kill the Galewings and survive.
-Rewards for completion: 15,000 experience points per kill, 3,000 DNA points per kill, and 5 stats each in strength and Dexterity.
-Failure Penalty: Death.
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"Really? This had been a generous week, right system?"
[I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. HOST.]
Erik crept out of the trunk with the stealth of a ghost. He began his ascent up the massive tree, using the rough bark as handholds. With each movement, he monitored the flock nesting above.
Reaching the lower branches, Erik crouched, his body tense and motionless, barely allowing himself to breathe.
Only ten meters away, nestled among a tangle of branches, lay the first nest of the Galewings. Two of the formidable creatures were asleep, oblivious to the looming threat.
Erik could feel his heart pounding against his chest, yet his hands remained steady. The silence was crucial; any slight noise could spell disaster.
Although he possessed considerable strength, Erik knew he was no match for ten Galewings at the same time. He would not have the space to even dodge.
He needed to take care of the Galewings and move on with his training. However, he also decided to place the Thaid repelling plant all over the giant tree as soon as he was done. So that he wouldn't have the same problem in the future. The tree would still attract other Thaids, but at least they would not stay so close to the place.
Erik inched closer to the first nest. The Galewings, nestled in their nest, exhibited the motions of deep sleep.
Their massive forms shifted from time to time, scaring Erik. Claws from time to time scraped against the branches, a sound that spoke of their predatory nature even in repose.
The rhythm of their breathing was steady and deep, each exhale a soft whoosh that melded with the nocturnal symphony of the desert. In this state, they were vulnerable, their usual vigilance surrendered to the embrace of dreams.
However, at each movement, Erik remained still, becoming one with the tree until they calmed down. Sweat formed on his forehead due to how tense the situation was.
His progress was slow. Every inch he advanced brought him closer to his goal, yet also closer to potential death. The night was quiet, the only sounds being the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures.
Erik closed in on his target, now directly beneath the Galewing's nest. He observed the monsters above. Their wings twitched occasionally, betraying dreams filled with predatory instincts.
With silent movements, he retrieved a pouch containing Dune Blossom powder, a substance known to mask human scent. He applied it over his skin and attire, ensuring he was undetectable even to the keenest of Thaid senses.
Then the moment arrived. Erik's mana moved. Harnessing the power of his Plant Master Brain Crystal, summoned the vines to life with a silent command.
They crept forward, slithering across the bark with stealth and purpose. Like serpents in the night, they moved with a fluid grace, inching closer to the sleeping Galewings.
The vines wound their way up the tree, twisting around branches and leaves, their movements almost imperceptible in the moonlit darkness.
As they approached the Galewings, the vines paused, as if sensing the slumbering creatures. Then, with a delicacy belying their lethal intent, they encircled the beasts.
The tendrils coiled around the Galewings, looping around their massive forms without disturbing their rest. Each vine found its place, weaving a web of entrapment that left no avenue for escape.
Erik watched, controlling the vines' every move, ensuring they did not so much as brush a feather too harshly. The silent encroachment continued until the Galewings were surrounded, ensnared in an embrace that was poised to tighten at the slightest sign of awakening.
However, Erik knew the mana required to maintain this entrapment was a lot. He couldn't kill them using that power. At best, he could trap them and prevent them from screeching.
Acting with a swiftness that defied his earlier caution, he ascended the trunk and rolled into the nest.
The vines, responding to his command, burst forth with renewed vigor, ensnaring the Galewings in an unyielding grip.
They tightened around the creatures, immobilizing them. The Galewings, awakening to their predicament, attempted to screech and struggle, but the vines constricted their beaks, muffling their cries and rendering them helpless.
Erik focused his energy, channeling mana into his fist using Nathaniel's Brain Crystal Power. His hand glowed with a concentrated energy, primed for a lethal strike.
He then delivered two devastating blows, one to each of the trapped Galewings. His powered fists connected with their skulls.
The Galewings' bodies jerked under the impact before falling still, life extinguished by Erik's assault. He stood there for a moment, catching his breath, his heart pounding from the adrenaline. The once-threatening creatures now lay motionless.
Erik knew he had to move. He began harvesting what he could from the fallen Galewings, aware that his time in this nest was limited.
[GALEWINGS KILLED: MANA ABSORBING PROCESS STARTING.]
[0%...1%....5%...30%...70%...100%]
[MANA SUCCESSFULLY ABSORBED, STARTING CONVERTING PROCEDURE.]
[3...2...1...0]
[MANA SUCCESSFULLY CONVERTED INTO EXPERIENCE. 10642 EXPERIENCE POINTS AWARDED TO THE HOST.]
<Fantastic! >
Erik leaped from the nest and dropped into the concealing shadows below, not before having taken a bottle of the Galewing's blood. He was going to use it for the next part of his plan.
He was hoping the flock didn't hear the commotion. Erik held his breath, listening to any sound that could give him a hint. Only silence greeted him. He could keep moving.
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