Tales of the Endless Empire Chapter 73: Solo Hunt

Thorwald was out hunting alone. The solitary expeditions had beco necessary. His influence in Steven's base had waned sowhat, though many still revered him for having baptized them. At first, the ritual had seed like a ploy to gain more followers, a strategic move to cent his power. But it had beco sothing much greater.

The blessing he bestowed was transformative. Those who received it gained far more strength than anyone. Nearly everyone in Steven's base was now over Level 40, and they hunted beasts with relentless efficiency, their rapid progression bringing them dangerously close to his own level. To maintain his edge, Thorwald resorted to solo hunts. The experience gain from killing beasts alone far outstripped that of group endeavors, and he needed every advantage to stay ahead.

Steven, ever the strategist, had foreseen this necessity. He had started solo hunting long before Thorwald, and his level now approached 50. Thorwald was determined to catch up. He hadn't encountered a beast yet that could pierce his armor, nor one strong enough to withstand the devastating power of his spirit tool. His axe—a weapon that seed almost alive—grew in strength daily, fed by enchanted materials and elixirs crafted by the base's artisans. Thorwald's physical strength was unmatched; it allowed him to shred most beasts with ease, and the combination of his skills and his growing arsenal made him a formidable force.

But challenges lood. The alliance with Kael and the water princess was on the horizon—a precarious balancing act for Thorwald. He had to resist his instincts, no matter how tempting it might be to take out Kael, Kai, Sylas, and Thalion all at once. Thorwald suspected this was exactly what Steven was counting on—a test of patience, a ga of restraint.

For now, Thorwald would play along. They needed to deal with the undead in the next stage first. After that, all hell would break loose.