Chapter 13: Awakening of the Mantle Power
Chapter 13: Awakening of the Mantle Power
The dense wilderness stretched endlessly before me, the thick canopy of trees casting eerie shadows as the wind howled through the branches. Three days had passed since I ventured out into the wild, and I had already slain twenty Foundation Stage Level 1 beasts, securing an additional twenty years of lifespan. My body had grown accustomed to the rhythm of battle, the precision of my strikes sharpening with every encounter.
However, as my confidence grew, so did the challenge. I was no longer content hunting low-level beasts—I needed to push my limits.
On the morning of the fourth day, I ventured deeper into the wilderness. The air was thick with the scent of blood and damp earth, a constant reminder of the dangers lurking around me. Soon, I spotted my next target—a Foundation Stage Level 2 beast, a massive Iron-Tusk Boar. Its eyes gleamed with a savage intelligence as it charged forward, tusks aimed at my torso.
I leaped to the side, narrowly dodging the deadly strike, and slashed my blade across its thick hide. Sparks flew as my weapon barely pierced its tough defenses. The beast roared in fury and lunged again. This time, I met its charge head-on, using my enhanced strength to parry its tusks and drive my blade into its throat. With a final, gurgling cry, the beast collapsed.
+2 years of lifespan obtained.
The thrill of victory surged through me, but I had little time to celebrate. Another presence loomed nearby—a Foundation Stage Level 3 beast. It was a Crimson Fang Panther, its sleek body coiled and ready to strike. Unlike the boar, this creature was built for speed and agility.
The panther moved like a shadow, weaving between the trees before lunging at me with razor-sharp claws. I barely managed to block in time, feeling the sheer force behind its attack. This was different—this was a real challenge.
I relied on my instincts, dodging its strikes and looking for an opening. My breathing steadied, my grip on my blade tightened, and in one fluid motion, I feinted to the right before spinning and delivering a decisive slash across its neck. Blood sprayed, and the panther let out a dying hiss before crumbling to the ground.
+3 years of lifespan obtained.
For the next several hours, I tracked and hunted several Foundation Stage beasts, including another Level 2 and Level 3 creature. With each battle, my skills sharpened, my reactions honed.
+2 years of lifespan obtained.
+3 years of lifespan obtained.
Then, as dusk settled over the forest, I encountered my toughest opponent yet—a Foundation Stage Level 6 beast.
This wasn't just any monster. It was a Shadowflame Serpent, its obsidian scales glistening in the moonlight, its forked tongue flicking in and out as it studied me. The beast was over six meters long, its body coiled around a massive rock as it stared at me with glowing red eyes.
The pressure it exuded was overwhelming. This was the strongest opponent I had ever faced.
The moment our eyes met, it struck.
It moved with blinding speed, a streak of black flames shooting toward me. I barely had time to dodge as its flaming fangs snapped shut inches from my face. The sheer heat radiating from its body made the air shimmer, and I could feel my armor heating up from just being near it.
I rolled to the side, gripping my blade tightly, and slashed at its exposed underbelly. But the moment my weapon made contact, it was as if I had struck solid iron. Its scales were nearly impenetrable.
The serpent hissed and retaliated, its tail whipping toward me with terrifying force. I raised my arms to block, but the impact sent me flying backward, crashing into a tree. My vision blurred for a moment, and a sharp pain shot through my ribs.
This beast was on a completely different level.
But I couldn't back down now.
Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself up and activated every ounce of my strength. My muscles tensed, my senses sharpened, and as the serpent lunged again, I dodged at the last second, slicing my blade along the soft flesh beneath its jaw.
A thin line of blood appeared, but the wound was shallow. Not enough.
The serpent roared in fury, its body erupting into black flames. The fire spread across the ground, turning the area around us into a burning inferno. My breathing grew heavy as the heat sapped my energy.
I needed a different approach.
Clenching my jaw, I focused entirely on dodging. The serpent struck again and again, but this time, I didn't counter—I observed. I studied its movements, looking for any weakness.
Then I saw it.
Each time it lunged, there was a brief moment—a fraction of a second—where it left the base of its skull exposed.
I only had one chance.
Taking a deep breath, I let the serpent come at me one final time. I stood completely still, waiting until the last possible second—then I leaped.
The serpent's fangs missed me by mere inches, and before it could recover, I twisted my body mid-air and drove my blade deep into the weak spot at the base of its skull.
The blade sank in completely.
The serpent thrashed violently, but I held on, twisting my weapon deeper, severing its spine. The flames around us flickered and died as the beast let out one final, ear-splitting shriek before collapsing.
For a moment, I just stood there, panting, my body drenched in sweat and blood.
Then, something inside me shifted.
A sudden surge of raw power exploded from my core, spreading through my limbs like wildfire. My vision sharpened, my muscles felt reinforced, and an overwhelming sense of strength filled me.
Mantle Power Awakened!
I clenched my fists, feeling the surge of energy coursing through me. My body felt lighter, stronger, faster. It was as if a new door had opened inside me, unlocking potential I never knew existed.
The battle had pushed me beyond my limits.
And in doing so, it had changed me.
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Rewards from the Battle:
+12 years of lifespan obtained.
Mantle Power Unlocked.
Realization that he can also break through mental power using the system.
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END OF CHAPTER 13.....
This chapter gives more weight to the battle, making it feel intense, life-threatening, and a true milestone in the protagonist's journey. Let me know if you liked the Chapter.