A Fortuitous Opportunity (1)

Abundant falls of rain caused the forest floor to become completely saturated and intensified the sound of thunder, creating a suffocating atmosphere that could cause the air to tremble with fear.

In the darkness of night, lightning was the only source of illumination. Its bright, flickering glow illuminated everything around them with an intense, iridescent light – followed shortly by a roaring crash that sent tremors through the ground as two gigantic beast collided with each other creating a gigantic blast of lightning energy that flashed and leapt into the sky – hitting the forest with explosive force.

A great blue flame shot from a horned Wolf's demonic essence-enhanced fur, turning one of the several dozen surrounding trees to charcoal.

The wolf had blue eyes that was now brimming with malice – not sparing attention to its ruined ear its kept rapt attention on its opponent.

On the one side of the forest was a red bear-like beast with strong muscles, its chest the size of a wagon and hide covered in thick brownish dark red scales that resembled armor plate. Its back looked strangely smooth, a sign of the creature's defensive capability, but it did not compare to its own beauty.

The anger in the beast's beautiful azure and blood-red eyes would shine like the two colors were reflecting upon its whole being. Its muscles rippled every time it moved or even breathed. It stood with pride and respect, exuding an aura of absolute dominance.

Still, this attacker — regardless of size — showed no signs of weakness or fear.

Rather, the bear was having difficulty breathing, and the wound on its shoulder appeared to be fatal. Blood dribbled down its sides, staining its once-beautiful fur with deep pools of redness that glistened in the rain.

The wolf turned to face the bear, opening its jaws and releasing a long, bloodcurdling roar filled with anger and ferocity.

Fire rose from its gullet, flames leaping into the air with incredible heat, scorching everything around it, illuminating the forest in a glorious blaze and melting the very air itself.

The atmosphere vibrated, pulsing with tension. All around the jungle grew strangely quiet and still, only the sounds of thunder booming overhead breaking the eerie silence.

The two beasts appeared to be unaware of a pair of hazel eyes that were shining in the shadows, observing them as if they were predators. The eyes were just a shadow in a sea of darkness – observing and contemplating.

What it saw, what it was seeing, made it incredibly excited and it grinned as it observed the bear and the one horned wolf like creature tore apart each other bodies piece by piece, like some sort of bloodthirsty beasts without any rationality.

Suddenly, the wolf jumped onto the bear with an enormous force and sharp claws bared.

Claws and teeth ripped at the skin as the bear let out a groan and smashed its paws into the wolf, sending it reeling.

Then before the wolf like beast could react, the bear appeared beside it, swiping claws outstretched and fangs bared, aiming for a blow aimed at ripping apart any resistance the wolf might possess.

Because of the previous wounds, it was already in a difficult position and could not react in time to critical strikes that completely destroyed its skull's left side, half of its face was gone, and its neck was torn open. It lost much of its previous strength, leaving only a weakened body.

Given the opportunity, the bear killed the wolf directly and without mercy.

Blood splattered the trees and forest, littering the ground with a crimson red liquid which then washed away in the rain and turned into rivers of flowing water.

The scent of blood hung thickly in the air, coating the leaves and the grass which soaked up the blood as though they were dying of thirst.

The victor let loose a cry of victory, a long mournful howl that carried far throughout the jungle. Its voice seemed to travel throughout the land, reaching far into the distance and permeating every corner.

However at this moment, something appeared in its field of vision. It was a pair of amber eyes brightly shining amidst the surrounding gloom.

Everything seemed to slow down, and a series of attacks rained down on it, hitting every inch of the bear's weakened body and leaving bloody holes before it breathed its last, its corpse lying on the muddy ground of the wilderness, its azure and crimson eyes forever closing.

It did not even understand how it died before darkness swallowed it.

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"To think I would come across such fortune! In normal circumstances, I would never be able to catch up to such a treasure with my current strength. Who would have thought that this unknown fruit would provide me with such a wonderful opportunity, which I had previously thought was impossible. Such good fortune is really a first since I reincarnated into this world!" Said a purple creature.

In contrast to the lifeless bear and wolf, the diminutive purple creature seemed both out of place and insignificant.

Yet, this little entity possessed its own remarkable qualities. Its body was adorned with regal purple scales, and its claws appeared menacingly sharp and dangerous-looking.

Its miniature wings were intricate and delicate, like finely crafted pieces of amethyst, shimmering with an otherworldly iridescence.

Its lips curled to reveal a feral smile that gleamed menacingly beneath its small chin.

Who else could it be besides Zephyr?

Staring at the beast's corpses, Zephyr could not help but reflect on his wise decision to wait in the darkness.

This bear was not an ordinary creature, its appearance was simply extraordinary. Zephyr really realized that if he had attacked it to take the red fruit that the bear was guarding, he might have perished, having just witnessed its strength now.

Indeed, the reason the bear and wolf fought to death in the first place was because of a red-coloured fruit it was guarding in its cave.

This fruit was also the real reason Zephyr waited, reflecting, looking around, and making his decision, even though it was extremely dengerous.

All of that caution had finally paid off.

He could tell by simply glancing at the dead beasts that their flesh, bones would be of great assistance to him in his own development.

Even more than the bodies of these two massive predators, the unknown red fruit instilled in him an insatiable desire and instinct to consume.