Chapter 16: Battles Upon Battles. Reaching Level 5 (2)
"Silver Rank beast! Fuck!" Ethan cursed under his breath. The battle with the Wolf Drake had drawn the attention of something much more formidable. He sprinted away, heart pounding, but the ominous system notification kept ringing in his ears, echoing the impending danger. After two frantic minutes, the notification finally ceased, but a gut feeling told him that he was far from safe.
His instincts screamed DODGE! and Ethan barely had time to react. He rolled to the side just as a massive shadow loomed over him. He scrambled to his feet, dread coursing through him as he faced the beast now towering before him.
A Silver Rank Wolf Drake stood imposingly, its 4-meter frame bristling with power. Its brownish-red fur indicated an Earth affinity, and Ethan could see the glint of sharp, hardened scales along its back. His heart sank; he had drawn the attention of a Silver Rank beast with dual affinities. He was outmatched in every respect—except for his aura skills.
They locked eyes in a silent standoff, evaluating one another. Without warning, the Wolf Drake roared, sending tremors through the ground. The earth split apart, sharp rocky spikes shooting toward Ethan with deadly precision. He refused to let fear paralyze him; instead of running away, he charged toward the spikes, activating both his Perception and Speed.
With a flurry of movement, he dodged each spike, closing the distance between him and the beast. The Wolf Drake, infuriated by Ethan's audacity, unleashed a fireball from its mouth. Ethan braced himself and activated Face Of Terror, creating an invisible barrier that blocked the blast but sent him hurtling six meters away.
He managed to control his landing, dashing away as the beast recovered from its surprise. It roared in pure fury; this insignificant creature had dared to evade its wrath. With a speed that belied its size, it charged after Ethan, flames licking at its jaws as small fireballs erupted in its wake. Ethan dodged and twisted, feeling the heat singe his skin, but he kept moving, adrenaline pumping through him.
The ground around him began to shift, turning into mud, a trap designed to ensnare him. Reacting instinctively, he grabbed a sturdy branch and swung away just in time, feeling exhilaration at the near-misses, but the relentless pursuit took its toll. Earth spikes occasionally grazed him, leaving painful welts, but he refused to relent.
After half an hour of this cat-and-mouse game, Ethan realized that this beast would stop at nothing to kill him. Desperation fueled his creativity; he gathered aura in his legs and hands, mentally crafting a new speed skill. He leaped onto a sturdy branch, bent his knees, and launched himself into the air.
WHOOSH!
The world blurred around him as he soared through the trees, feeling like he was flying. He covered two kilometers in mere seconds, swinging onto another branch to regain his footing. Glancing back, he saw the Wolf Drake far behind him, a massive silhouette against the canopy.
"Boost!" he shouted, naming his new skill as the system chimed in acknowledgment.
DING!
[First Part Of Quest Completed]
[Finish Second Part To Gain Rewards]
"Oh! I almost forgot about that." He took a deep breath, a mixture of fear and determination igniting within him. "Yo, Zark. Do you think I can kill that beast?"
"It's possible," Zark replied. "You'll need to catch it off guard and rely on your aura skills, but remember, you only have two uses left."
"Okay, let's see." Ethan's mind raced with possibilities, but he had to act quickly. With **Boost** still activated, he would need to make every move count.
"By the way, can I stack more skills?" he asked.
"Yes, but it will still count against your number of uses. That may change once you level up the skill."
"Damn!" he muttered, frustration bubbling. "Focus!"
He locked his gaze on the approaching beast, determination hardening his resolve. With dark gold lightning flickering around his hands and legs, he sprinted toward the beast, activating Razor and Aura Shell. A dark silver machete materialized in his hands, accompanied by a protective black shield.
As the Wolf Drake unleashed another fireball, Ethan met it head-on. The Aura Shell absorbed the impact, allowing him to slide beneath the beast as he slashed upward, blood gushing from the wound. The Wolf Drake howled in agony; a sound filled with rage.
Ethan seized the moment, dancing around its attacks with newfound speed, Razor in hand. He evaded and countered, striking its legs and eyes with precision. The beast faltered, unable to keep pace with his relentless assault. Blood poured from its wounds, the once-mighty creature weakening beneath Ethan's onslaught.
Finally, with one last surge of determination, he leaped onto its back, driving his machete into the top of its skull, piercing through to its brain. The Wolf Drake shuddered and fell silent.
[Level Up!]
Ethan leapt off the beast, exhilaration flooding through him, but his triumph was short-lived. As he turned to catch his breath, two more Bronze Rank Earth Hyenas lunged at him, their bodies cloaked in earthy camouflage.
With a burst of adrenaline, he faced them. The lingering effects of Boost and his newly leveled-up skills made the battle feel almost effortless. He wielded Razor with precision, dispatching them quickly before they even knew what hit them.
DING!
[Aura Control Level Up]
[You Can Use Aura Control Skills For 5 Times A Day]
"Finally!" Ethan shouted, a grin breaking across his face. He dashed deeper into the forest, excitement and hunger for battle fueling his next hunt. Time was running out, and he was determined to make the most of it.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone