His kill point counter steadily climbed. 100… 200… 350… He was moving much faster than any ordinary freshman could dream of. The 15-kilometer boundary approached. Here, the environment shifted again. The forest thinned slightly, opening into rocky hills and sparse, tougher vegetation. The air felt heavier, charged with a more potent ambient energy.
He spotted movement high above. A creature with leathery wings, a sharp beak, and stony grey skin circled overhead.
[Level 15 Stone Gargoyle]
The Gargoyle shrieked, a grating sound like rocks grinding together, and dove towards him, claws extended. Lucian didn't wait for it to reach him. He channeled energy into his legs, crouched slightly, and launched himself upwards.
"Bang!"
