First Quest

The roar of the engine echoed out along the Black Spine mountain range. A man wearing sunglasses and a red leather jacket appeared leading a cloud of dust as he rode on his mechanical beast. Flying alongside him was a women that only he could see.

"Man, even in a different world, nothing beats the wind on your back as you ride." Reiji grins as he speeds along the dirt trail.

"Elynra, how much longer till we reach the second mountain?"

"At our current pace, we should arrive within the hour." 

"Sweet. Being able to summon my motorbike whenever I need is really useful. I don't even have to spend money to borrow horses or carriages."

"Decreasing a full days journey, into just a few hours. I really am great."  Elnyra smiles cockily, praising herself.

"Yeah, yeah. It's all thanks to you mighty Elnyra." 

Normally, the distance between the start of the black mountain range, and Tristan would require half a days travel by cart, after that travelling further into the mountains would only be possible by foot or by a special breed of mountain horse. 

With their much slower speed, it was also impossible to avoid or outrun monsters. Most parties would have to stop to handle ambushes by wild monsters. Traveling alone by bike, Reiji could avoid all unneccessary combat.

To gain entry to the range, people would have to pass through a checkpoint at the foot of the valley leading into the mountain range. The checkpoint falls under the jurisdiction of the city of Tristan.

Using his newly minted adventurer's plate, Reiji was able to pass through for his quest with ease.

The mountain rose ahead, a row of eleven stone teeth and shadow, stabbing at the sky. Reiji squinted through his sunglasses, the glare of the sun reflecting of the glossy mountain tops.

The air was frigid here. Each breath dragged icy needles down his throat, contrasting heavily against the smoke and sweat of Tristan. The wind carried a bitter resin smell from the endless slopes of pine.

The ground under his bike crunched with gravel and frost. Every moment sent tiny echoes bouncing between the valley.

What struck him most though wasn't the sight or sound, but the weight of the mountains pressing down on him. A silent, crushing, presence. As if something ancient was waiting for him, watching him.

Arriving at the second mountain. Reiji disembarks from his vehicle, returning it to his inventory.

"So we're finally here. Remind me again what are the monsters in this mountain range that I have to be careful of?"

Sighing Elnyra once again repeated her warnings. "The second mountain range is home to three distinct monster groups, the Tempest Tiger, and it's boss Star Liger , the Roc birds and Cockatrice, and lastly the Taurus and its boss the Minotaur, which we are here to hunt."

"Ahuh. And I'm suppose to only fight the normal monsters and avoid the boss monsters, right?"

"That's right. At present you're too weak to be soloing a boss monster. The second mountain is typically an area for silver rank adventurers. But the bosses are for gold ranks. If you see them, you need to run away."

"Let's get this show on the road." Trekking further into the mountain, Reiji eagerly cracks his neck and knuckles, anticipating the upcoming hunt.

Reiji heard them before he saw them. No, it was more accurate to say he felt them before he saw them. Ever since unlocking Ki sense, Reiji has been able to sense living things around him up to 80meters.

Dodging backwards, a flock of Roc Birds appeared before him.

"One, two... seven. Alright, I'll consider this a warm up!"

Circulating Ki in his body, Reiji raising his senses for the upcoming fight. With his new Ki abilities, his feral instincts and fighting style was enhanced greatly.

Rushing in with Blitz, Reiji unleashes a barrage of punches at the nearest Roc Bird, his ki covered fist tenderizing it's rock hard body. Dodging it's counter attack, Reiji attempts to finish it of with a stomp.

"Sqwak!" 

The other Roc Birds didn't give him the chance. Forced backwards, Reiji parries with his hands, each blow heavy enough to punch a hole in the ground. 

Shaking feeling back into his hands, Reiji cuts through the nearest Roc Bird with a sharp kick, downing it, before finishing it off with Stunning Blow.

"Phew. That's one."

The other four Roc Birds shriek angrily at the death of their kind. Switching tactics, they instead circle around him from the sky, causing Reiji to click his tongue in annoyance.

"Tch. Get down here!"

As if understanding him, one of them dives down, shrieking angrily, it's rock hard talons tearing through the sky. Reiji counters attack with an uppercut, but his blow misses, as sharp feathers stab through his back. The other Roc Birds had shot feathers at him, throwing off his counter attack, injuring him.

"Gah."

Stumbling forward, sharp talons dig into his shoulder, drawing a trail of blood as it dived passed him. 

"Dammit!" 

Roaring in pain, Reiji spins around catching the retreating Roc Bird with his feet, his orange ki crushing it, it's path changing drastically, as it was smashed into the ground. Filled with rage, he unleashes a Rending Strike, tearing it's rock hard body apart, as his fist drilled through.

Two down.

Grabbing the remains of the Roc Bird, Reiji gathers ki into the feathers, he hurls them at the remaining birds flying above him. Drawing a beautiful red line, the feathers slice through the air. Despite missing the healthy birds, the previously injured one was riddled with holes, as it came crashing down.

"Just four left, hang in there Reiji."

"Tch. If only I had range skills, I could take out the others." 

Having lost three of it's group, the remaining four Roc Birds, refuse to swoop down. They continuously took turns bombarding Reiji with their feathers. 

Knowing their ability, Reiji was able to dodge the attacks, with the help of his Ki Sense. Yet he had no way to strike back.