Chapter 635: Hunt
"In this competition centered on seizing, defeating other holders is the fastest way to accumulate resources," Duke pondered as he watched the two bodies on the ground gradually dissipate.
Exploring ruins might yield unexpected rewards, but it involves high risks, takes a long time, and comes with uncertainty.
The main issue is that there are too few ruins, and even if there are any left, they wouldn’t be in this area.
When the officials set up this competition venue, they wouldn’t place all the important resource points together; that would clearly be unreasonable.
Hunting other contestants, especially those who have already gained some rewards, is like efficient harvesting, directly converting others’ exploration results into one’s own points.
Previously, because he needed to heal, he chose a relatively conservative stealth strategy.
Now that he’s back to peak condition and even slightly improved, it’s time to change strategy and take the initiative.
Duke quickly made up his mind, and with his current strength, he fears no Level 1 Mage.
In this competition venue, he should be the hunter.
Though these contestants are excellent Level 1 Mages from various places, they are still inferior to him.
The competition has been going on for almost half a month now; those who have survived until now must have some resources on them.
Directly hunting these contestants is the quickest way to obtain resources.
As for whether enmities would form, that was not within Duke’s consideration.
After all, he doesn’t hang around the East Coast, and many contestants are not even from the Appalachian Continent. Even if enmities do form, they would probably rarely meet again.
It’s hard to hide one’s identity in such enmities, even if Duke had changed his appearance to someone else’s. However, the characteristics of his actions can’t be concealed.
But most people would have few chances to meet again in the future, so there’s no need to think too much about it.
...
Three days later, dusk.
Duke, like the most patient hunter, lurked by a mountain path leading to a valley known for its rare luminescent moss.
The terrain here is elevated, with dense woods, and it’s the convergence point of several paths, offering an open view, suitable for observing and selecting targets.
He chose to enter the Dark Form for constant stealth, the deep shadows and night almost completely engulfing him, while his Shadow Perception Ability, like an invisible spider web, covered the mountain path for hundreds of meters around.
A lion uses all its strength even when hunting a rabbit.
Having chosen to rob, he couldn’t hold back; otherwise, turning the tables in the gutter would be unfavorable.
Duke didn’t attack every passerby blindly but quickly assessed the target’s strength, number, and condition using his enhanced perception.
He opted to pass on a team of five who appeared cohesive and well-coordinated to avoid getting into a difficult battle.
His targets were those who seemed to have some confidence and strength, teams consisting of two to four people, not entirely united.
One glance was enough to tell if a team was harmonious and cohesive, determining this from their formation and the distance between them on the road.
After waiting for about two hours, a target appeared.
A three-person team approached from below the mountain path: two men and one woman, dressed differently, appearing to be a temporary group, maintaining a slight distance among themselves.
The leader was a burly man with a massive sword on his back, exuding a fierce aura, nearing Level 1 Crystalization.
The other two: a tall, thin figure wielding a magic wand and a short, stout one with many bottles and jars hanging from his waist, possibly skilled in Magic Potion Refining or Alchemy.
All three bore traces of battle, yet their Spirit was still adequate. Crucially, Duke faintly sensed distinct elemental fluctuations emanating from them, indicating they likely recently gathered resources.
After careful observation, Duke decided to target these three.
As Duke lurked, Metallic Yellow Sand advanced silently as the most patient sappers would, spreading through rock crevices and beneath soil layers to its predefined position below the mountain path.
With the perfect cover of Earth Element aura, these three were completely unaware of the impending danger beneath the ground.
As soon as the team stepped into the optimal attack range, what appeared to be solid ground beneath their feet suddenly softened and collapsed.
A five-meter diameter, three-meter-deep quicksand pit instantly formed, bringing a terrifying suction force, and simultaneously countless barbed tentacles formed of sand and gravel extended from the pit walls, wrapping around their legs.
"It’s an ambush!" The burly man reacted the fastest, roaring as an earthy yellow Fighting Spirit burst from him, thrusting his massive sword into the ground, trying to stabilize himself and cleave through the quicksand.
Almost at the same time the ground trap was sprung, Duke revealed himself from his hiding spot, Wind Wings flapping behind him as he dived like an eagle, moving at incredible speed.
An expansive Tornado, infused with the fierce storm traits, instantly formed. The violent airflow and sharp Wind Blades disrupted and trapped the three alongside the surrounding air, countless thin cuts swiftly appearing on their shields and robes.
Duke then flung three Fireballs in a triangular formation, sealing the trio’s escape routes, and the searing heat and explosive impact combined with the Tornado, forming a Fire Dragon Tornado.
As he landed, Duke’s feet touched the edge of the quicksand pit, his right hand clutched in the air, conjuring the Blazing Sun Judgment Light Saber instantly. Its blade’s glow was subdued, yet it carried an intimidating sharpness.
A simple, direct thrust transformed into a blazing white streak, targeting the gap left by the burly man hastily defending against the quicksand and Fire Dragon Tornado.
The burly man’s pupils contracted, sensing the fatal threat.
He roared, channeling most of his Fighting Spirit into his massive sword, blocking it in front of his chest.
The Light Saber clashed with the massive sword, producing a piercing screech.
Though the massive sword was of fine quality, the power concentrated in Duke’s strike far exceeded the burly man’s expectations.
The massive sword bent backward, cracks appearing on its blade.
The residual impact struck the burly man’s chest brutally; he let out a muffled groan, blood trickling from his mouth, his form sinking deeper into the quicksand.
Not giving them any respite, Duke twisted his sword’s motion from a thrust to a sweep, the Blazing Sun Judgment’s arc of light flaring toward the burly man’s neck.
Simultaneously, with a flick of his left hand, two Ray of Lights shot silently towards the backs of the other two Wizards, who were drawn and struggling against the Fire Dragon Tornado.
The burly man barely managed to raise his arm for a block, but with a puff, his armguard was sliced open, his arm left a bloody mess.
The other two Wizards were pierced through their backs by the Ray of Lights, their screams abruptly stopping, their bodies instantly torn apart, consumed, and annihilated by the Fire Dragon Tornado.
Duke didn’t slow down, as the Blazing Sun Judgment emitting a strong Light Element aura flashed white, and the burly man’s head soared high into the air.
This all occurred in but an instant, leaving three corpses in its wake.
Duke’s actions were seamless, every step pre-planned without the slightest pause or delay.