Chapter 8: The Turning Point

Chapter 8: The Turning Point

The last ten days had been grueling. From sunrise to sunset, I engaged in countless battles against mutated beasts, pushing my body beyond its previous limits. Every encounter sharpened my instincts, refined my technique, and forced me to develop new strategies.

At first, my combat style was rough, relying mostly on brute strength and basic swordsmanship. But as the days passed, I adapted.

I learned how to read a beast's movements, predict their attack patterns, and exploit their weaknesses.

I learned how to conserve stamina, striking with precision instead of wasting energy on unnecessary movements.

I learned how to endure—how to fight through exhaustion, hunger, and pain.

By the tenth day, I had slain over 400 beasts, accumulating a total of 107 years of additional lifespan.

My total lifespan now stood at 215 years.

The Evolution of Battle

At the start of my hunting spree, I relied heavily on straightforward attacks, overpowering my enemies with sheer force. But that approach only worked against weaker beasts.

The more I fought, the more I realized that raw strength alone wasn't enough.

For instance, when I faced the Shadowfang Panthers, I struggled initially. These creatures were incredibly agile, their black fur blending seamlessly with the environment. Every time I swung my sword, they would dodge effortlessly, counterattacking with razor-sharp claws.

But after a few battles, I adapted.

Instead of chasing them, I baited them into attacking first. I studied their movements, noted the slight tensing of their muscles before they lunged, and countered with precise slashes before they could react.

[Ding! You have killed a Level 8 Shadowfang Panther.]

[80 days of lifespan absorbed!]

Then came the Crimson Clawed Bears—towering beasts with immense physical strength and a thick hide that rendered my usual attacks ineffective. My sword barely left a scratch on their bodies, and a single swipe from their massive claws could send me flying.

I realized brute force wouldn't work.

So I changed my approach.

Instead of attacking their reinforced hide, I targeted their joints. Their massive size made them slow to turn, and I used that to my advantage, striking behind their knees, forcing them to collapse under their own weight. Once they were down, I went for the eyes and throat—one precise stab was all it took.

[Ding! You have killed a Level 9 Crimson Clawed Bear.]

[90 days of lifespan absorbed!]

By the end of the tenth day, I was no longer the same warrior who had started this hunt. My combat style had transformed, my skills refined to a razor's edge.

I wasn't just fighting anymore—I was hunting.

A Beast Breaks Through

As I prepared to return, a sudden uproar spread across the hunting ground. Warriors gathered in small groups, their voices filled with shock and disbelief.

I caught snippets of their conversation.

"A beast actually broke through?"

"It went from Level 9 Body Training Stage to Foundation Stage Level 1!"

"No way! That shouldn't even be possible inside the hunting ground!"

My heart pounded. A mutated beast breaking through to the Foundation Stage was incredibly rare. More importantly, it was the perfect opportunity to test my limits.

I moved through the crowd, gathering information. The beast in question was a Scarlet-Eyed Lion, a predator with enhanced strength and endurance. Unlike the other creatures, it had defied natural boundaries and evolved into something even deadlier.

Excitement coursed through me.

I had spent ten days honing my combat skills, refining my techniques—now, I had a chance to put everything to the test.

I wanted to see just how big the gap between Body Training Stage Level 9 and Foundation Stage Level 1 truly was.

The Decisive Battle

Tracking the Scarlet-Eyed Lion was easy—it had left a trail of destruction in its wake. Shattered trees, crushed steel barriers, and the bloodied corpses of warriors who had tried—and failed—to take it down.

When I finally found it, the beast was feasting on a fallen warrior. Its crimson eyes glowed with predatory hunger as it slowly turned to face me.

A deep, guttural growl rumbled from its throat.

I tightened my grip on my sword.

Then it moved.

The lion lunged with terrifying speed, covering the distance between us in an instant. I barely dodged in time, feeling the rush of wind as its claws sliced through the air where I had stood a moment ago.

I retaliated with a downward slash, but the beast twisted mid-air, avoiding my attack with inhuman reflexes.

This wasn't like the previous battles.

For three relentless hours, we fought.

The lion was unlike anything I had faced before. Its attacks were fast and devastating, forcing me on the defensive. Each swipe of its claws sent shockwaves through the ground. Its muscles coiled like steel springs, ready to pounce at any moment.

I pushed myself harder than ever.

My body screamed in exhaustion, my breath came in ragged gasps, but I refused to fall.

I dodged, countered, endured. Every second, every movement was a battle for survival.

Finally, I saw an opening.

The beast's attacks had started to slow—just slightly, but enough for me to exploit.

Summoning every last ounce of strength, I feinted to the right, forcing the lion to adjust its stance. Then I spun and drove my sword deep into its skull.

The beast let out one final, deafening roar before collapsing.

It was over.

A Huge Reward

[Ding! You have killed a Level 1 Foundation Stage Scarlet-Eyed Lion.]

[10 years of lifespan absorbed!]

Because the beast was a level higher than me, my Lifespan Devouring System granted me 10 times the original reward. Instead of the standard 1 year, I received 10 years.

My total lifespan now stood at 225 years.

I staggered back, my body aching but victorious.

This battle had shown me the immense gap between the Body Training Stage and the Foundation Stage.

But I had done it. I had won.

And soon, I would reach that next stage myself.

Tomorrow, the hunt would continue.

END OF CHAPTER 8.....