Additionally, the probability of gaining a new echo or aspect from such concentrated combat was high. Mass elimination events often triggered bloodline evolution responses that single fights couldn’t match.
’A mosquito’s leg is still at, no matter how small,’ I reminded myself with grim satisfaction.
Every Elite-rank Thornback represented incrental progress. Every high-Elite specin added aningful soul power. And the three Transcendent defenders would provide substantial advancent once I possessed the strength to defeat them.
This nest was a treasure trove waiting to be harvested, I just needed to beco strong enough to claim it properly.
I left the Thornback nest area and continued deeper into the hunting grounds, searching for suitable prey that would provide aningful soul power without requiring to engage entire colonies or overwhelming numbers.
The forest grew denser as I moved further from civilization, the ambient mana concentration increasing to levels that would disorient inexperienced awakeners.
My senses detected various beast signatures throughout the territory. Though so were too weak to bother with, others already engaged in their own hunts. I needed sothing specific: a solitary Transcendent-rank creature that I could defeat through skill and tactics rather than overwhelming power.
After approximately twenty minutes of careful searching, I detected exactly what I needed.
This one gas a distinct aura... it’s powerful...
The magical signature emanated from a clearing ahead, carrying the unmistakable density of Transcendent rank but lacking the cooperative pack ntality that made group hunts so dangerous.
I approached cautiously, using the dense vegetation as cover while assessing my target.
What erged into view was a massive wild yellow boar and "wild" barely captured its formidable nature.
The creature stood nearly six feet tall at the shoulder, its body covered in coarse yellow fur that seed to shimr with energy. Six powerful legs supported its massive body, each one ending in hooves that had carved deep gouges into the surrounding earth.
Two wickedly curved horns protruded from its skull, each one glowing faintly with the sa yellow energy that perated its fur. The beast radiated an aura of low Transcendent rank - strong enough to be dangerous, but within the range I could potentially defeat without complications.
With the assessnt complete... I was ready to engage.
I stepped into the clearing deliberately, no longer concealing my presence. The yellow boar’s head snapped toward imdiately, its small eyes reflecting vigilance as it recognized a challenger.
SNORT!
The creature pawed at the ground with its front legs, creating small craters as it prepared to charge. Steam emanated from its nostrils, and the yellow aura around its body intensified visibly.
I drew my rare-rank sword and activated my blood enhancent, feeling the familiar surge of power flood through my system.
CHARGE!
That’s a bloodline trait!
The boar launched itself forward with explosive speed, its entire body engulfed in blazing yellow aura that left scorched earth in its wake. The charging skill transford it into a living battering ram, capable of shattering stone and crushing steel.
I threw myself sideways at the last possible mont, the boar’s massive form thundering past my previous position. The displaced air felt like a physical blow, and I could sll the acrid scent of burned vegetation from its aura trail.
I counterattacked while it was recovering from the missed charge, my blade carving a deep gash along its flank. Blood sprayed from the wound, but the creature’s thick hide and supernatural constitution prevented it from being a critical injury.
ROAR!
The yellow boar spun with surprising agility for its size, and I saw energy gathering in its twin horns. The glow intensified dramatically as it prepared its second bloodline skill.
BLAST!
Twin beams of concentrated yellow energy erupted from the horns, converging on my position with devastating force. The attack carved through trees behind where I’d been standing, leaving smoking craters and shattered wood.
I barely avoided the energy blast by channeling maximum blood enhancent into my legs, moving faster than the boar could track. The beams swept across the clearing, searching for as the creature tried to adjust its aim.
While the beast was focused on its energy attack, I activated my Blood Control trait with a goal in mind. Reaching out with invisible manipulation, I targeted the blood vessels behind one of the boar’s eyes and commanded them to rupture.
Pop
The yellow boar’s roar of pain echoed through the forest as its left eye exploded from internal pressure. Blood stread down its face, and the energy blast from its horns cut off abruptly as the creature staggered from the sudden trauma.
But I wasn’t finished with my blood manipulation assault, with its body in shock, I doubled down on the effects.
I targeted the major blood vessels near its brain, creating temporary clots that disrupted circulation and oxygen flow. The technique was difficult, requiring precise control to create the stroke effect.
Stumble!
The boar’s legs buckled slightly as the artificial stroke took effect. Its movents beca uncoordinated, its remaining eye unfocused as its brain struggled to function with disrupted blood flow.
That’s the opening! Strike Now!
I charged forward with my blade, targeting the creature’s exposed neck. This was my opportunity to land a decisive blow while it remained vulnerable.
SLASH!
My rare-rank sword carved through thick hide and muscle, opening a massive wound that sprayed Transcendent-rank blood across the clearing. The boar’s roar beca a gurgling sound as the blade damaged critical structures.
But Transcendent beasts didn’t die easily. The yellow boar’s survival instincts kicked in, and it began channeling its bloodline power for another devastating charge despite its injuries. The yellow aura flared even brighter than before.
This is an all-or-nothing attack. It’s trying risking everything, it felt its impending doom.
The creature launched itself at with suicidal determination, its entire body becoming a projectile of compressed energy and physical mass. Even with one eye destroyed and blood pouring from multiple wounds, the attack carried enough force to pulverize anything it connected with.
I could dodge again, but that would just prolong the fight.
Ti to end this decisively.
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