Chapter 12 : Soul-Stirring Roar

Ethan was slightly taken aback as he observed the aftermath of the battle.

The Scimitar Mantis, despite being of the same level as the Black Goat, had been utterly defeated. Given that the Black Goat had no prior combat experience, Ethan had expected a drawn-out fight. Yet, the Scimitar Mantis had barely struggled before being overwhelmed and strangled to death by the goat's tentacles.

With the fight concluded, Ethan approached the corpse of the Scimitar Mantis to salvage the spoils.

The mantis's scythe-like arms were valuable materials for crafting weapons, commanding a high price in the market. Not one to waste resources, Ethan carefully collected the scythes, which were fortunately intact despite the battle.

As Ethan finished harvesting the blades, the Black Goat trotted over, its eerie presence palpable. Without hesitation, it lowered its head and began feasting on the Scimitar Mantis, consuming the flesh and blood near its chest, including the heart.

The moment the Black Goat devoured the heart, its aura surged. Ethan's mind buzzed with the voice of his talent system:

[ Your Beast has reached E++ Rank ]

[Your beast, the Divine Black Goat, has gained insight from the recent battle and comprehended a new skill: Soul-Stirring Roar.]

[Soul-Stirring Roar (Special): The Black Goat reveals its true form and lets out a terrifying roar, significantly disrupting the enemy's spirit and reducing their strength by 30%-50%.]

Ethan's surprise deepened as he noticed the goat's strength advancing to the E++ Rank

"Can the Black Goat grow stronger by devouring its enemies' hearts?" Ethan wondered aloud.

The revelation aligned with his understanding of the Black Goat's mythological background. In the stories of Cthulhu mythos, the Black Goat cub acted as an agent of the "Supreme Mother Goddess," accepting sacrifices and spreading her influence. Its behavior seemed in line with that lore—devouring its enemies and becoming more powerful.

"plus , this new skill sounds great!"

Skill levels, like human rankings, had their own names and were divided into five ranks: F Rank, which was known as Mortal, C Rank as Rare, B Rank as Special, A Rank as Divine, S Rank as Heavenly, and above S Rank as Godly.

The new skill was equally fitting. It likely stemmed from the fear the Scimitar Mantis had displayed during their confrontation. The goat's ability to spread terror and dominate spiritually resonated with the indescribable, otherworldly traits of its origin.

Ethan's goals for this expedition became clearer. He needed to push the Black Goat to grow as quickly as possible, aiming to advance it to the S Rank and even demigod!. At its current rate of progress, this goal seemed achievable.

Additionally, he planned to gather the materials scattered in this gate. Poison-type beasts thrived on the energy of these stones, and Ethan suspected the Black Goat would benefit from them as well.

However, another crucial aspect loomed. The Black Goat had already performed its Divine Blessing during the Awakening Stage. It couldn't evolve again until it reached the peak of the B Rank. This meant Ethan needed significant funds to gather rare evolution materials for its next transformation.

While Ethan contemplated his next steps, a menacing howl echoed from deeper within the forest.

He turned his attention toward the source of the sound. A pack of Shadow Wolves, led by a massive Wolf King, had surrounded him.

The wolves were poised to attack, waiting only for their leader's signal. Ethan, however, remained calm, his posture steady as he addressed the Wolf King directly.

"With so many underlings, you must think highly of me," he said with a cold smile. "But don't worry—I'll make it worth your while."

Elsewhere in the Black Forest, Emma had just finished her own battle. Before her lay the corpse of a Black-Horned Boa, a beast of extraordinary strength.

However, the distant howls of wolves made her pause.

Her expression darkened. That direction…

Could Ethan be in trouble?

She quickly pulled out her communicator and contacted Marcus.

"Amber, what's the situation with Ethan?" she asked, her voice sharp with worry.

Amber's voice came through promptly, steady but tinged with urgency. "Everything was calm earlier, but I've noticed the commotion. That kid must have provoked the Shadow Wolves. Don't worry—I'm almost there. The wolves haven't attacked yet."

Emma let out a breath of relief, though frustration bubbled beneath the surface.

"That idiot," she muttered. "Why didn't he just stick with me in the first place? Now I have to worry about him."

After a moment's thought, she added, "Amber, when you get there, don't intervene right away. Let him suffer a bit. Maybe it'll knock some sense into him."

Her tone was calm but firm. This wasn't out of spite—Emma genuinely wanted Ethan to grow stronger and more cautious. His decision to contract the Black Goat puzzled her. Why not choose a beast with proven bloodline strength?

"Understood," Amber replied.

With that, Emma ended the call, returning the Spirit Snake to its space and setting off toward Ethan's location.

Amber, soon arrived at the scene. From a high vantage point in the trees, she observed Ethan and the Shadow Wolves.

The pack was on edge, their formation tight as they awaited the Wolf King's command. Ethan, standing calmly at the center, seemed unfazed by the imminent danger.

Amber couldn't help but admire his composure. "Not bad," she muttered. "He's not panicking. But how does he plan to handle this? Running isn't an option, and relying on that… thing?"

Her gaze shifted to the Black Goat.

The sight stunned her. "That's his beast? A Black Goat cub?"

Her disbelief lingered as she watched Ethan prepare for the confrontation. The wolves, too, seemed unnerved by the strange creature by his side.

"This is going to be interesting," She murmured, settling in to watch how events would unfold.