Chapter 16: Into the Depths of the Wilderness

Chapter 16: Into the Depths of the Wilderness

After looting the corpses of his attackers, Veer didn't waste any more time in the border city. With his new flying knife secured and his mental power honed to a new level, he stepped outside the protective walls once again. The vast wilderness stretched before him—untamed, chaotic, and filled with unknown dangers.

He moved cautiously at first, his heightened senses stretching out over 200 meters. Every subtle shift in the wind, every rustling leaf, and every distant growl painted a vivid picture in his mind. He was no longer the same warrior who had left the city a few days ago—his mental power had transformed him.

His plan was simple: hunt, grow stronger, and accumulate lifespan.

First Battle: The Shadow Panther (Level 5)

A rustle in the underbrush made me freeze. In an instant, a Shadow Panther, a Foundation Stage Level 5 beast, lunged at me with incredible speed. Its dark fur made it blend seamlessly into the shadows, and its glowing yellow eyes were locked onto me like a predator staring at its prey.

I barely had time to react before it swiped its claws toward my throat. Instinctively, I dodged to the side and retaliated with my flying knife, sending it slicing through the air. The beast twisted mid-leap, narrowly avoiding my attack.

This thing was fast. Too fast.

I steadied my breathing and activated my mental power, guiding my flying knife with precise control. The panther lunged again, but this time, I was ready. My flying knife curved in mid-air, piercing the beast's skull from behind. It let out a final, agonized screech before collapsing.

Lifespan absorbed: +5 years.

Total Lifespan: 201 years.

Second Battle: The Armored Lizard (Level 6)

Not long after my first battle, I sensed something massive approaching. The ground trembled slightly beneath my feet. Then, from the dense undergrowth, a Foundation Stage Level 6 Armored Lizard emerged.

Its dark green scales gleamed like metal under the sunlight, forming an impenetrable defense. Its eyes were cold and calculating, and the sheer size of the beast made it look like an unstoppable tank.

I didn't hesitate. I sent my flying knife straight for its eye, the only weak spot I could see. But the lizard was smarter than it looked. It swung its tail with incredible force, smashing the knife away mid-flight.

Damn.

The beast charged at me, its claws tearing through the ground. I barely rolled out of the way in time. A single direct hit from that thing could crush me like an insect.

I had to change my strategy. Instead of attacking its head, I focused on its joints. My mental power surged, controlling the flying knife with unmatched precision. It weaved through the air, slicing at the softer areas behind its legs.

The lizard let out an enraged roar and tried to counterattack, but I was one step ahead. I manipulated the knife in a sharp, unpredictable motion, piercing through its open mouth and into its brain.

The beast shuddered violently before collapsing with a heavy thud.

Lifespan absorbed: +12 years.

Total Lifespan: 213 years.

Third Battle: The Twin Blade Serpents (Level 4, Two Enemies)

I continued moving, pushing deeper into the wilderness. Soon, I found myself near a murky river, its surface unnaturally still. My instincts screamed at me to be cautious.

Suddenly, the water exploded as two massive Twin Blade Serpents lunged at me. Their long, black bodies glistened under the sun, and sharp, curved blades protruded from their tails.

These creatures were Foundation Stage Level 4, not as strong as the previous beasts, but dangerous nonetheless. I didn't wait for them to attack first. I split my mental power, controlling my flying knife with two separate trajectories—one for each serpent.

One of them struck, its bladed tail slicing toward my head. I dodged just in time, feeling the wind from the attack against my skin. At the same moment, my flying knife tore through its underbelly, slicing it open.

The second serpent screeched and lunged at me in retaliation. But I had already anticipated its movement. I redirected my flying knife, severing its head from its body in one clean strike.

Lifespan absorbed: +8 years (4+4).

Total Lifespan: 221 years.

Final Hunts: Accumulating More Lifespan

Over the next few hours, I hunted and killed several more beasts.

Two Foundation Stage Level 5 beasts → +10 years (5+5)

One Foundation Stage Level 6 beast → +12 years

Three Foundation Stage Level 4 beasts → +12 years (4+4+4)

Final Total Lifespan: 275 years.

A New Resolve

I stood amidst the fallen bodies, panting slightly. The battles had been intense, but I could feel the difference. My control over my mental power had grown sharper, my reflexes were faster, and my instincts had become even more refined.

But this was only the beginning.

I clenched my fists, staring into the horizon. The real challenges still lay ahead.

And I would face them all.

End of Chapter 16....