He didn't think it would be this hard, especially since he was already in the air.
Logan had just finished exploring a stretch of forest where a wide river cut through when he heard the call of a creature.
It sounded like a large stag.
At first, he was excited — maybe this was the kind of light-elental beast he was looking for. But the excitent faded as he rembered he already owned a deer-type creature. He didn't need another.
What did interest him, though, was why the stag was calling out.
Then he saw it.
Behind the glowing stag was a massive saber-tooth-like creature.
It was huge — at least two ters tall — with a thick coat of white fur streaked with dark golden stripes.
It reminded him of his maned leopard back in Rosethorn… but this one looked far more fierce. More primal.
Sothing about the way it moved told him this wasn't just a random predator.
This might be worth chasing.
He set up his strongest light-based attack skill.
The tiger's striped fur began to glow faintly, the energy pulsing in bright golden hues. It shifted its stance, claws still retracted but ready to strike, building up power for a single burst of energy.
All of it happened within seconds.
Above, Logan crashed through the final layer of branches, diving toward the creature below with explosive force. His body twisted mid-air, foot angled perfectly for a crushing dive kick aid directly at the tiger.
The beast, however, was ready.
It shifted slightly, raising one heavy paw in preparation to swipe—not just to block, but to slice. Its claws extended, prepared to split its opponent into four pieces with a single, precise strike.
The tiger's pupils narrowed. It gulped once, wondering briefly how the at of it's new prey would taste.
But Logan had no intention of making it easy.
In one fluid motion, he tossed a small blade—a scalpel—quickly brought out from his ring. It wasn't ant for combat, but one of the sa tools he once used to cut his own skin during taming rituals.
These blades had trouble piercing his toughened skin now. As they kept on breaking, he started using his teeth instead.
But for this mont, the scalpel served a different purpose.
Logan hurled it behind the tiger, using one of his new skills to create an illusion of himself that kept spiraling forth as he activated Kage Aruki.
The tiger swiped at the target in front of it with lethal precision—only for its claws to cut through mist.
The body it aid for split into four swirling remnants of light, vanishing into smoke that scattered in every direction, clouding the tiger's vision completely.
Logan on the other hand now stood behind the creature, hidden in the swirling haze.
He had used Gensa Jutsu, and briefly wondered how cool he must've looked from the side.
The skill worked best when cast from within shadows, or in situations like this—shrouded by darkness or surrounded by the blinding fog which covered the tiger.
Dark chains materialized from the mist, coiling tightly around the tiger's limbs. The beast froze, locked in place.
Three seconds.
It would've been longer if Logan had poured more mana into the technique, but for a quick test, three seconds was enough.
Ti to try the next one.
"Hisomu Kiba" Logan called out as if he wanted to get the tiger's attention.
A fast, lee-based skill—just the kind Logan needed and liked. He rushed forward and threw a single, sharp punch. It was strong, precise, and aid at the creature's shoulder.
He didn't want to kill it.
He didn't even want to hurt it too badly.
Of course, he planned to ta it.
But what he didn't expect was the tiger's reaction.
The creature let out a pained cry as it was launched to the side, tumbling three full tis before it managed to stop, its paws scraping against the mossy ground.
It hissed in pain, struggling to get back on its four feet—one leg clearly limping.
"Ah, damn it…" Logan muttered, watching the beast try to steady itself. "You really disappointed there…"
Then he paused, smirking slightly.
"…but then again, I am probably twice your level."
He walked over, retrieved the scalpel from where it had embedded into the ground, then casually tossed it again—this ti, so it landed with a light thunk near the tiger's feet.
The creature's gaze flicked toward the woods. It was thinking about running.
And Logan…
Well, he was thinking about subduing it before it took off.
Using Kage Aruki again, Logan teleported behind the creature.
This ti, he activated Voice of Authority, his words infused with power.
"Stop, and stay down!" Logan commanded.
The tiger shuddered at the command from close proximity, its muscles locking against its will. Its limbs quivered as it obeyed, slowly lowering itself to the ground.
Suddenly, its eyes widened. In front of it were crystals of light elent, glowing softly — and beside them, several large steaks, their scent making its stomach growl uncontrollably.
Logan didn't stop.
He stepped forward, eyes narrowing as he inspected the fracture he'd caused with his earlier blow. Then, with practiced care, he placed a blood mark near the tiger's shoulder. He avoided overlapping it with any of the other marks already etched across his body.
He was starting to run out of space. Each creature he tad left its unique mark, and his skin was becoming a filled of these strange tattoos.
Now ca the hard part — the ntal battle.
Logan reached out, linking his mind to the tiger's. He had expected it to be easier than with his previous tas, but this one resisted.
The tiger's will was strong.
Logan picked up one of the steaks and placed it near its nose before making it disappear back into his storage. The scent overwheld the beast's thoughts, and its resistance faltered slightly.
He paused before continuing — putting a steak in front of its nose before storing it again — each ti he did this, he felt the weakening of the tiger's ntal defenses.
Eventually, the food was gone.
"Damn it why didn't you just give in!"
The tiger's eyes quickly darted to the mana crystals, their glow reflecting in its golden irises.
It wanted them.
It wanted to grow stronger to defeat the prey that held it down.
Logan saw the desire, saw the weakness in the creature's ntal defenses, and mirrored the sa tactic. He picked up a crystal, letting it vanish into his palm as he stored it into his ring.
He took another. Then another.
The tiger remained still, unable to move due to its injury, its mind caught in a whirlpool of pain, confusion, and temptation.
And Logan smiled.
Now it was only a matter of ti.
Logan then got close to the creature's ears. His foot was on the creature's neck, holding it down, as the skill Voice of Authority was already waning.
The boy then activated Persuasive Speech, his soft voice making the large feline's ear twitch as the words entered.
His voice dropped to a whisper — smooth, soothing, almost lodic.
"Co on, just let yourself be tad."
Logan stepped closer, his foot pressing gently but firmly against the tiger's neck, keeping it pinned as the strength of Voice of Authority faded completely.
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