Chapter 17: Into the Depths of the Wilderness

Chapter 17: Into the Depths of the Wilderness

The wilderness stretched endlessly before me, a vast, untamed land teeming with danger. My grip on the flying knife tightened as I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my accumulated strength. It was time to push my limits even further.

Breaking Through: Foundation Stage Level 6 (Mental Power)

I sat cross-legged atop a large boulder, my eyes closed as I focused inward. My mental power had already reached Foundation Stage Level 5, but I needed to be stronger.

"System, use 60 years of lifespan to advance my Mental Power to Level 6."

A familiar warmth spread through my mind, but this time, it wasn't just a subtle change—it was an eruption of raw power.

My perception expanded from 200 meters to 300 meters in an instant. The world around me sharpened—I could sense every movement in the air, every shift in the wind, and even the smallest vibrations beneath the ground.

More importantly, my control over my flying knife had improved drastically. It felt like an extension of my will, responding to the slightest thought with terrifying precision.

I stood up, testing my ability by making the knife hover and dance around me at blinding speeds. It could now cut through the air with the force of a bullet, its lethality enhanced manyfold.

I was ready.

Hunting the Level 7 Beasts

After venturing deeper into the wilderness, I found my next targets—two Foundation Stage Level 7 beasts.

One was a massive, dark-furred creature, resembling a cross between a panther and a bear. Its razor-sharp claws glinted in the sunlight, capable of rending steel apart.

The other was a serpentine beast, covered in shimmering red scales. Its piercing golden eyes locked onto me, sensing the predator I had become.

This was going to be a tough battle.

I initiated the fight with a swift strike, sending my flying knife hurtling toward the panther-bear beast. It dodged at the last second, its movements far faster than I anticipated.

The serpent lunged at me, its body coiling like a whip. I barely managed to leap aside, rolling across the ground as it slammed into a tree, shattering it upon impact.

This wasn't like fighting weaker beasts. They were faster, stronger, and far more durable.

I activated Titan Body, my muscles bulging as power surged through my veins. With a burst of speed, I closed the gap and delivered a powerful punch to the panther-bear's ribs. It staggered but recovered instantly, swiping at me with its massive claws.

I barely had time to react—pain erupted in my side as I was sent flying, crashing against a jagged rock. Blood trickled from my lip, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself up.

"Fine," I muttered, wiping the blood away. "You want a real fight?"

My flying knife shot forward, moving at blinding speeds, faster than even I expected. This time, it struck true—piercing the beast's left eye before twisting inside and exploding out the back of its skull.

The panther-bear collapsed instantly, dead.

The serpent, enraged, lunged once more. But now, I was prepared.

I channeled my mental power, seizing its head mid-attack. It thrashed violently, its sheer strength making it difficult to control. But I pushed through the resistance, keeping its fangs away from me.

With a swift motion, I drove my flying knife into the soft underside of its jaw, slicing upward. The serpent let out a final, ear-piercing hiss before its massive body went still.

I had won.

Lifespan gained: 28 years × 2 = 56 years.

My total lifespan now stood at 271 years.

Hunting a Group of Level 6 Beasts

With my confidence high, I continued my hunt, soon encountering a pack of three Level 6 beasts.

They weren't as strong as the previous two, but they were numerous and coordinated. Each time I attacked one, the others would try to flank me.

This time, I didn't give them the chance.

Using my newly enhanced mental power, I manipulated my flying knife with extreme precision, striking one beast directly in the throat while dodging the attacks of the other two.

The fight lasted only minutes. My knife danced through the air, carving through them one by one.

Lifespan gained: 12 years × 3 = 36 years.

My total lifespan now stood at 307 years.

Sudden Danger – A Level 8 Beast Appears

As I finished looting the bodies, an ominous presence made my skin crawl.

I turned slowly.

Standing just beyond the trees, a massive creature loomed over me.

Its blood-red eyes locked onto mine, exuding an aura of raw killing intent.

This was a Level 8 Beast.

The earth trembled beneath its feet as it took a step forward, muscles rippling with terrifying power.

This was no ordinary beast.

This… was a predator at the top of the food chain.

END OF CHAPTER 17...

The chapter ends on a cliffhanger.