The Ashenwild Expanse was alive with chaos. Dawnfyr stood amidst the scorched terrain, his hulking figure illuminated by the glow of molten cracks. The morning grind was well underway, and Marcus had already eliminated dozens of Charred Gnarlfiends, his kill count rising steadily with each encounter.
But as the embers cooled from another fallen Gnarlfiend, Marcus couldn't shake the thrill of his latest discovery—the strategy behind Slayer titles. His success as Cinderstalk Slayer had sparked a new resolve, inspiring him to refine his approach and dominate yet another species.
"That was just the beginning," Marcus muttered, his grin sharp as he adjusted Crimson Fang on his back. "Now let's see how far I can push this."
Marcus scanned the bestiary menu, considering his options for the next Slayer title. He needed a species with high spawn rates, manageable difficulty, and most importantly, the chance to grind efficiently. The Charred Gnarlfiends, though plentiful, were losing their edge—he needed something stronger.
His search led him to a mob type nestled deep in the Ashenwild Expanse: Infernal Hounds, fiery creatures that roamed in packs near volcanic ridges. Their flame-coated fur and sharp claws made them formidable foes, but Marcus wasn't deterred.
"Perfect," Marcus said, marking their location on his map. "Infernal Hound Slayer, coming right up."
As Dawnfyr approached the volcanic ridge, the air grew heavier, the ground trembling faintly with the heat of the nearby lava flows. The unmistakable snarls of Infernal Hounds echoed through the rocks, signaling their presence.
Marcus crouched behind a jagged boulder, surveying the pack of six hounds roaming the area. Their glowing orange eyes flickered like embers, their fur crackling with fiery energy.
"Time to test the waters," Marcus muttered, unsheathing Crimson Fang.
He stepped into the open, drawing the attention of the hounds immediately. They charged as one, their speed and coordination impressive for a mob type. Marcus braced himself, activating Fearsome Aura to reduce their Agility.
The first hound lunged, its flaming claws slicing through the air. Marcus sidestepped, countering with Quick Slash and landing three precise hits.
Damage Dealt: 75 Physical ATK per strike.
Damage Taken: None (dodged attack).
Another hound flanked him, swiping at his back with fiery claws. Marcus grunted as the attack connected, scorching his green-marked skin.
Damage Taken: 40 Physical ATK (fire damage applied).
Activating Blossom Shield, Marcus reduced incoming damage as he swung Crimson Fang in a wide arc, catching two hounds at once.
Damage Dealt: 85 Physical ATK per target.
The battle raged on, Marcus cycling through his skills and spells to adapt to the hounds' relentless aggression. He used Verdant Cascade to weaken their pack coordination, the magical vines tangling their movements and dealing consistent AoE damage.
Damage Dealt: 80 Magic ATK per target.
MP Cost: 60 MP.
One by one, the hounds fell, their bodies dissolving into fiery ash. A notification popped up:
Experience Gained: 950 XP.
Marcus checked his HP, noting the strain from the fire-based attacks. "Guess I'll need to stock up on fire resistance gear," he muttered, downing a Healing Elixir to recover.
As the hours passed, Marcus began to notice patterns in the Infernal Hounds' behavior. Their pack mentality made them predictable, but their fire-based attacks demanded constant awareness. To maximize his efficiency, Marcus adjusted his approach:
Focus on Agility: Utilizing Fearsome Aura early in each fight gave him the edge against their speed.
Mana Management: He relied on Sylvan Strike for single-target damage, conserving MP for critical moments.
Environmental Advantage: Though the volcanic terrain limited his subclass effectiveness, Marcus exploited the rocky outcroppings for cover and positioning.
With each battle, Marcus's mastery of the hounds grew, his kill count climbing steadily.
Midway through his grind, the familiar chime of a system announcement rang out. Marcus paused, glancing at the glowing banner that appeared on his screen.
System Announcement: Player Silverfang has received the title Nightclaw Slayer for being the first to slay 100 Nightclaw Panthers on Alfheim Server. Congratulations!
Marcus raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Another Slayer title," he muttered, a thoughtful grin spreading across his face.
The announcement sparked an idea in Marcus's mind—an opportunity to take his strategy further. If different species offered unique Slayer titles, then perhaps targeting lesser-known mobs could yield even rarer rewards.
"Looks like I've got some competition," Marcus said, his tone sharpened by ambition. "Time to step it up."
Inspired by the announcement, Marcus opened the bestiary again, searching for obscure mob types within the Ashenwild Expanse. His eyes landed on an entry called Emberfang Crawlers, small but dangerous creatures that resembled scorpions with molten tails.
Though their spawn rates were low, Marcus saw potential in their fire-resistant armor and venom-based attacks. If he could clear enough of them, the Emberfang Slayer title would be within his grasp.
"Let's see how tough you really are," Marcus said, marking their location on his map.
As Dawnfyr ventured deeper into the Ashenwild Expanse, Marcus's determination burned brighter than ever. Between the Infernal Hounds and the Emberfang Crawlers, his grind was far from over—but he welcomed the challenge. With every step, Marcus felt closer to the hidden quest waiting for him, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together.
"Six months to level up," Marcus muttered, gripping Crimson Fang tightly. "Let's make every day count."
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