After three hours of nonstop fighting and wandering through the rift, Nyx felt his body growing heavier and his breathing deepening.
The exhaustion was clear, and the mana in his body had dropped dangerously low.
He decided to stop.
He moved toward a narrow space between the rocks, surrounded by trees on three sides—a suitable spot to rest.
Sitting on a slanted tree trunk, he closed his eyes and allowed his body to recover.
About half an hour passed…
Nyx opened his eyes, feeling warmth return to his muscles.
His mana reserves had recovered to a decent level, and the minor wounds across his body had already healed.
He stood up, brushing dust off his clothes.
"Alright… time to get back to hunting."
He walked quietly between the trees…
But only a few steps in, something felt off.
A faint shift… a pressure in the air… a subtle movement from the right.
Nyx stopped immediately.
He glanced toward the bushes and said in a cold tone:
"Come out."
The leaves rustled.
Suddenly, five candidates stepped out from the shrubs, forming a half-circle around him.
Their clothes were dirty, some carried small injuries—they looked like a group used to ambushes.
One of them, a short-haired redhead, grinned.
"Oh? You actually sensed us? Impressive."
Nyx tilted his head slightly, unfazed.
"Even an idiot could sense you."
He pointed to the ground.
"The sound of your footsteps gave everything away. You're terrible at hiding."
The candidates immediately bristled with irritation.
Another one, tall and furious, stepped forward.
"If you hand over your points… we'll let you live."
Nyx smirked.
"Make me."
Seconds later—
All five charged at once—a coordinated group assault, despite their stupidity.
Two from the left ignited their fists, launching small fireballs toward him.
Nyx raised his arm, lightning flickering around it.
"Lightning Pulse."
A wave of electricity burst outward, blocking the attack and halting their advance for a moment.
He leapt over a fallen trunk, landing behind the two before they could turn.
– A sharp lightning strike to the first one's back
– A charged kick to the second's thigh
Their bodies convulsed and collapsed silently… then faded into light.
The third candidate placed his hand on the ground, muscles tensing.
Chunks of stone rose from the earth, shooting toward Nyx like hardened spears.
Nyx turned, lifting his hand.
"Lightning Bolt!"
The electric projectile tore through the stones and struck the man's arm directly.
He screamed, stumbling back—only for Nyx to appear in front of him instantly.
A lightning-infused punch to the gut…
A fall…
And then he vanished like the others.
The fourth stood on a branch overhead, gathering wind around him, preparing a slicing air blade.
Nyx didn't even look up.
He fired a precise spark at the branch.
It snapped.
The candidate fell, losing his balance.
Before he hit the ground, a bolt of lightning tore through him, reducing his form to nothing but a bright flash.
The last candidate was the smartest of the group.
He raised both hands, summoning wooden roots from the ground to bind Nyx's legs.
Nyx held his breath—
A short electrical burst exploded around him, shredding the roots instantly.
The candidate tried to run.
But Nyx appeared behind him in a blink, propelled by a lightning-charged step, placing his hand on the man's shoulder.
"It's over."
A clean electric shock followed…
and the last attacker disappeared like the rest.
After the fight—
Nyx looked around the area where the five had stood.
Nothing remained except faint marks on the dirt.
He sighed.
"So… this is the teleportation system they were talking about."
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