Mana Channeling activated...
Passive Skill: Speed Up
Passive Skill: Instant Cast
Javier grinned as the largest wolf charged toward him, saliva dripping from its snarling jaw. With a flick of his wrist, his mana surged. The ground beneath his feet cracked as he leaped back, effortlessly dodging the attack.
"Fire Burst!"
A ball of fire erupting from his palm and slamming into the wolf's flank.
The sharp stink of burned fur filled the air as the beast yelped in pain. Without waiting, Javier followed up with another attack.
"Wind Slash!"
A sharp, crescent-shaped wind tore through the air, slicing through the creature with precision. It fell, lifeless.
"Two down…" Javier muttered, turning his attention to the remaining wolves, their red eyes glowing with feral hunger. "...five more to go. Too easy!"
The remaining wolves charged, eyes burning with rage.
"Lightning Bolt!"
A streak of crackling electric shot from his hand, striking one wolf square in the chest and knocking it flat.
"Earth Vine!"
Thick vines burst from the dirt, tangling two wolves in mid-air. Their snarls twisted into frightened whimpers as the vines squeezed.
"Earth Spike!"
He stomped. Sharp spikes of rock shot up from the ground, spearing one of the trapped wolves through the belly.
"Blinding Light!"
A searing white flash exploded in the clearing, leaving the last wolf shaking its head, stunned and blind.
The final beast,a massive, muscular beast, shook its head and growled lowly, refusing to retreat.
Javier's smirk widened as he canceled his skill.
"Now let's test my physical skills,"
He sank into a low crouch and waited.
The wolf lunged, jaws snapping shut where he had stood a moment before. He leaped over the beast, spun mid-air, effortlessly evaded the attack, and delivered a powerful back kick to its head. The impact was like thunder, sending the wolf crashing to the ground, lifeless.
"Too easy,"
He walked over to the fallen creatures, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Stretching out his hand, he activated his Magical Storage Skill, a glowing portal appearing at his side. One by one, the wolves' remains disappeared into the storage.
Javier chuckled. "Woo...My first loots! I can sell this later~"
He glance around. "Alright, what's next on today's adventure?"
His eyes lit up as he spotted the bustling village in the distance. "Ohh! A big village! Finally!"
He walked slowly down the road toward the village gate, enjoying the morning sun and the feeling of freedom, his steps light and unhurried.
A guard stationed there noticed a boy approaching the gate and furrowed his brows, puzzled by the sight of a child wandering alone. He stepped forward, cross his arm and narrow his eyes toward the boy.
"Hey, kid! I don't think I've seen you around here. Are you lost?"
Javier tilted his head and flashed an innocent smile. "Oh, me? No."
"Where's your house, boy?"
Javier casually pointed back down the road he had come from. "There!"
The guard raised an eyebrow. "And your parents? Where are they?"
"Probably still asleep," Javier replied with a shrug, keeping his voice light and carefree.
The guard let out a heavy sigh. "Don't tell me you came here alone without your parents?"
Javier rubbed the back of his head and flashed an innocent smile. "I already have permission from my parents. Besides, I just wanted to look around."
The guard rubbed his chin.
Should I let this boy come inside?
He glanced at Javier, who flashed his innocent smile again.
Well… I guess there's no harm in letting a boy come inside the village.
"Alright. You can come in, boy. But honestly, kids like you shouldn't be wandering around without your parents."
Javier grinned while scratching the back of his head. "I know, I know. Eheheh."
The guard shook his head. "Go on, but stay out of trouble, alright?" He leaned forward, his expression stern. "If you cause trouble, you know the village jail isn't a good place for a kiddo like you."
"Okay! Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble, mister." Javier replied with an innocent grin as he darted past the gate.
Inside, the village was alive with activity, merchants selling their goods, children playing in the streets, and the folk bustling about their daily routines. Javier's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Now… where should I start exploring?" He rub his hands with an excited grin. "Eheheh… this is going to be fun."
Javier walked further into the village when something caught his eye, a short, stocky man with pointy ears and a beard as thick as a forest, setting up a temporary shop filled with tools, weapons, and trinkets.
Uwoohhh!! Is that a Dwarf? Man! Lucky!! I never thought I'd see one with my own eyes. Well… not too surprising, I guess, since my beautiful Liana is an Elf. The most beautiful one… ehehehe~
He slowly walked toward the stall and stood in front of him.
"Yo, what's up, old man!" Javier greeted cheerfully, raising one hand in a casual wave.
The dwarf squinted at the boy. "Huh? What's a kid like ye want? Shouldn't ye be off chasin' butterflies or somethin'?"
Javier smirked. "Do you buy raw materials?"
The dwarf raised an eyebrow, then let out a loud snort. "Raw materials? From a wee lad like ye? Hah! Listen, kiddo, I don't deal in small stones or pebbles fer yer lil' toy collection."
Javier shook his head, still smiling. "Ah, no, old man. Not toys. Raw materials."
The dwarf groaned and scratched his head. "Why do I always end up entertainin' kiddos who think they're traders? Fine then, show me what ye've got, boy. Let's see if ye ain't wastin' me precious time."
Javier grinned and reached into his magic storage, pulling out five wolf bodies. "How about these?"
The dwarf's eyes went wide. He leaned in, looking over the bodies, then rubbed his chin. "Where in the blazes did ye get these?"
Javier shrugged, trying to sound casual. "I had a little run-in with a pack of them out in the woods. Took care of the lot, wasn't too hard."
The dwarf shot him a suspicious glare. "A run-in, eh? Ye ain't lyin', are ye, lad?"
"Nope."
The dwarf let out a hearty laugh, his voice rumbling like distant thunder. "Alright, kid. I'll give ye credit where it's due. This ain't bad at all. Ye might not be as useless as ye look!"
"So… are you buying or not?" Javier asked, his tone playful but firm.
The dwarf let out another hearty laugh, impressed by the boy's boldness. "Ye've got spirit, lad. Alright, I'll buy 'em. But don't think I'll be overpayin' just 'cause ye've got a baby face!"
Javier smirked, crouching in front of the stall. "Good! Then let's talk prices, old man. I'm sure you won't mind paying a little extra for the convenience of a full-body delivery."
The dwarf's booming laughter echoed through the village as the two began haggling. Villagers passing by stopped to watch the strange sight, a young boy bargaining with a grizzled dwarf like they were old partners.
( End of Chapter )