Reyansh’s thoughts were a mess, he always had to keep calculating, as to not end up empty handed. Before he could lose himself further in this stupendous donation, a loud pop of lava bubble nearby brought his attention back to screen.

’An Emperor will always be Emperor,’ Reyansh thought internally.

"Thanks Stellar Emperor Sir for your donation," he appreciated the gesture and moved deeper into dungeon while exploded on the donation.

[Daoist_kun: We have a big shot amongst us, behave guys.]

[Diamond_King: Well that’s one shiny donation, even if I say so.]

[Storm_Knight: Befitting of an Emperor.]

Reyansh moved his eyes from the chat as the way ahead became more tumultuous. The size of the lava pools increased exponentially moving forward and lava stream shoot upwards from those extended pools.

He focused on his steps to not slip into the pool by any accident. Few steps further he encountered a small group of 5 Cinderlings.

Already having dealt with 8 Cinderlings together, they didn’t pose much of threat and Reyansh killed them without any surprises.

The chat also having expected such didn’t react much. However, after eliminating the small group, Reyansh was confronted by a narrow bridge made of burned rocks while a river of lava flowed beneath it.

"Okay, that could spell danger," Reyansh remarked as checked for any monster in the back then focused his perception to maximum limit to look for any monster in front.

[Sardina_Rohaj: Why did you stop? There’s nothing in front.]

[Ellise: For all your questioning mind, can’t you see this could be a trap bridge.]

[Sardina_Rohaj: Oh, now that you mention it.]

After confirming no presence of any monster, Reyansh should have felt relief. But he couldn’t be sure as his instincts were warning him about a possible danger.

[Storm_Knight: Just go for it.]

[Fiery_Redina: Yeah, just run like a bird in danger and don’t look back.]

’That’s actually solid advice,’ He praised internally.

"Thanks guys, I will do just that," Reyansh commented as he looked at the bridge.

The only saving grace was that the bridge was straight but that also fueled his suspicion of this being a trap.

Planting his feet on the ground, Reyansh put all his strength in his leg and using the agility at its full. He made a run for the bridge, leaving behind a small trail of dust.

He kept his eyes focused on the other end of the bridge, while pushing his senses to the max as lava-touched air breeze past him.

Despite warning of his instincts, his sense didn’t caught any movement. However, just as he crossed the half mark of the bridge, his senses rang.

His eyes caught monsters, different from the Cinderlings, with rock hard bodies running towards him at front.

There were also footsteps from behind, essentially putting Reyansh in a boxed situation.

’Keep yourself calm and see the end,’ Reyansh assured himself. While still keeping his eyes on the thing that mattered most right now, reaching the other end instead of falling into lava.

[Ellise: Told you, it was Trap bridge.]

[Sardina_Rohaj: With so many secrets he is hiding, it will be easy.]

[Storm_Knight: I will stop you right there @Sardina_Rohaj, we all get it you have a nosy brain but keep your rabbit ears in control.]

[Storm_Knight: Didn’t you know this much that prying into a Hunter’s secret is worst that stabbing in the back.]

[Fiery_Redina: Guys, fight later. Look, the monsters are just ahead.]

While Reyansh missed this exchange as he was more focused on what to do next. Just as Reyansh was about to reach the other side of bridge, 4 rock skinned humanoids stood just a step away.

’This is not a favorable position to fight,’ Reyansh concluded, deciding his next move.

The monsters not seeing a sign of Reyansh stopping, punched their rocky hands on the ground. As two monsters punched the ground, causing a shockwave.

Feeling a sense of danger, Reyansh pushed his legs further as shockwave reached the bridge, initiating a collapse. He was almost the end when rocks started breaking.

Reyansh jumped just before the collapse could cause him to stumble. When his feet were about to touch the ground, he used the monster bent to punch the ground as a step instead, pushing himself further in air.

[Fiery_Redina: Ohh Yeah! Sometimes it feels like I am watching an experienced hunter.]

[Daoist_kun: Damn! You are right. I am pretty sure I didn’t had such presence of mind when I was at E-rank.]

[Diamond_King: This hunter sure have a shining future like diamonds.]

[Red Falcon has donated 10 Cosmic coins for your instincts.]

[You have gained 1000 Cosmic coins due to perk 1]

[Mr_Blue_Volcano: He was this close taking a dip in the lava stream below. Phenomenal.]

He landed behind the monsters back, having just escaped a danger situation with a hair breadth. He didn’t had time to felt relieved as his perception warned him again.

Without looking back, feeling something heated aimed at him. He trusted his perception and instincts, he ducked and rolled further, increasing distance between him and monsters.

He stood back up as four monsters with lava and rock for bodies moved towards him. As his eyes landed on them, a 8 glowing spots appeared on them, two on each.

’So these are the elites, Magma Brutes,’ He concluded remembering the information.

Taking the moment, he looked past the monster to see if he is going to have more guest, but the other side was rather empty.

’Did they fall into stream? Whatever, let’s just face this guys first.’ With his mind made up, he charged forward.

His plan was simple, following the same method with one just more strike, at least that’s what he thought.

However, just as he threw his dagger at monster in middle, just as the dagger was about to strike the weak point, a layer of rock appeared in between dagger and weak point.

’Shit,’ He cursed internally, now he had one less weapon in hand.

[Anonimus_Assassin: Oh, that didn’t work.]

[Raisena_Forge: They are probably elite monsters. He would have to improvise.]

[Daoist_kun: And our hunter here, if he is proficient in one thing, then it is Improvisation. Just wait and watch.]

If Reyansh could see these messages, he would have smiled but he didn’t have that luxury. Knowing they poses a sturdy defense, Reyansh decided to clash with them to find something he can use.

He pivoted to right to get past the punch thrown by first monster, as he stabbed it with his Katana. His sword almost pierced the weak point but the defensive rock layer slowed down the thrust.

His katana, now stuck between rocks, was lodged in right chest. Unable to pull out the sword, he left it in as he backed away.

’Well done, I am empty handed now,’ he remarked at his own situation.

But he didn’t stood idle, he charged in empty handed with an idea in mind.

[Raisena_Forge: What’s he doing? Shouldn’t he retrieve his weapons first?]

[Ellise: You are new to the stream so just watch him do the work.]

[Storm_Knight: My brother always act with something in mind. Just enjoy his brilliance.]

Reyansh’s eyes caught this message, he didn’t respond and just smiled. ’Thanks for the confidence, guys. I hope it works,’ He thought mentally.

Just as he reached the first monster, he didn’t go for his Katana. Instead, he curled up his finger into a fist and punched the second weak spot at the abdominal side with full strength.

Heat tore through his knuckles as he drove his fist forward, even if it was a weak point, it was coated in lava. Directly punching them caused a burn on his skin.

The punch caused the monster to stagger a bit but the second monster was already in front of Reyansh with a punch.

He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain of his skin burning. He deflected the monster’s fist with his hands and punched it in the left shoulder, hitting its weak point.

Third and fourth monster also attacked simultaneously, pivoting from one’s attack while deflecting another. He punched both of them simultaneously in their weak points.

[Anonimus_Assassin: Isn’t he just attacking with his bare hands on a monster with rocky bodies? What kind of plan is that?]

[Raisena_Forge: It’s painful to watch.]

[Storm_Knight: As I said, wait a bit.]

[Daoist_kun: You guys will see the result soon.]

[Red Falcon: He is not attacking arbitrarily, he is punching their cores.]

[The Stellar Emperor: True.]

While the chat debated his reasoning for punching the Magma brutes, he landed more punches on them. All four monsters were already slow due to their rocky bodies.

The knuckles on his both hands were burned and bleeding but amidst the pain he noticed their body slowing slightly.

The monsters unable to counter the recurrent punches of Reyansh had become a standing target. Just then one monster, instead of aiming at Reyansh, punched the ground, releasing a shockwave.

Already seen this, Reyansh jumped to where his dagger had fallen and picked it up. He stumbled slightly due to the shockwave, but he stabilized himself as he focused on the nearest monster.

Sensing the opportunity due to shockwave by monster, he stabbed the monster’s weak point with a dagger.

Due to slow reaction, the monster was unable to form a defensive rock layer as the dagger pierced it cleanly.

Now the monster became almost still, without a second thought, Reyansh pierced the second weak point too.

The monster crumbled away just like the Cinderling.

’One down, three more,’ Reyansh stated internally as smile appeared on his face as he eyes the three monsters.

[Daoist_kun: What did I say? He can improvise even empty handed.]

[Ellise: This was one hell of Improvisation.]

[Ramon_Night: Oh, it seems I am a bit late to the stream.]

[Ramon_Night: Are you ready for another bet, human?]

[AN: Please help the story grow by supporting the Chapters with powerstones and golden tickets.]