Chapter No.22: -Ember Cleaver Showing It Might

Simon stood atop a rocky cliff, gazing over the vast wilderness that had shaped him in mere days. The week of relentless hunting had honed his instincts, sharpened his skills, and reinforced his body to its limits. But he knew -this was only the beginning.

For the next week, Simon lived as a true hunter.

By day, he hunted -not just to survive, but to sharpen his edge. He no longer sought single prey; instead, he deliberately lured multiple Dreadbeast into battle, forcing himself to fight against overwhelming odds. His movements grew sharper, his reflexes keener, and his instincts deadlier.

The space belt that once felt empty was now filled to its limit, packed with the carcasses of his fallen prey. Each kill was a lesson, each battle a step closer to mastering the hunt.

By night, he trained. Astral energy surged through his veins, feeding for the growth of his third core. Sitting beneath the open sky, he absorbed the energy of the wilderness, refining and expanding, pushing himself beyond his limits. He could feel it -his power solidifying, his control deepening.

But power alone wasn't enough. Reinforce Muscle, his greatest strength in battle, also threatened to be his greatest weakness. Without proper sustenance the strain on his body would consume him from within. If he didn't maintain a steady intake of nutrients, his own muscles -strengthened beyond normal limits -could start tearing his body apart.

So, he ate.

The flesh of Dreadbeast -tough, filled with raw energy -became his fuel. Every bite reinforced his body, every meal strengthened his endurance. He was no longer just training his Astral abilities; he was forging his body into a weapon.

By the end of the week, his physical strength rivaled that of a 3-star Astral Lord.

And yet…

Simon clenched his fists as he gazed at the distant horizon. It wasn't enough.

He had hunted countless level-2 Dreadbeast, pushing himself against greater numbers, faster opponents, and more dangerous ambushes. But it wasn't enough.

If he wanted to grow stronger, he needed to hunt something stronger.

His fingers instinctively brushed against the hilts of the Ignis Fangs at his waist. He could still feel the last hunt coursing through his veins -the thrill of the chase, the heat of battle, the rush of victory. But now, that thrill was fading.

"If this is my limit, then I'll never survive the real battles," he muttered, his eyes locked on the ominous expanse ahead.

The boundary between level-2 and level-3 territory.

That was where he needed to go.

Level-3 Dreadbeast were on an entirely different scale. Bigger, faster and infinitely deadlier. He wasn't foolish enough to charge straight into the heart of their territory. Not yet. Instead, he would start at the boundary -where the weaker level -3 Dreadbeasts roamed, preying on the strongest of the level-2s.

A dangerous zone.

Exactly what he was looking for.

Taking a slow breath, Simon adjusted the strap of his Space belt and stepped forward. The deeper he went, the thicker the air became -charged with an oppressive presence, the kind that warned any ordinary person to turn back.

______

Simon moved deeper into the boundary, his steps light, his senses razor-sharp. The air here was different -heavier, thick with an oppressive energy that warned lesser creatures to turn back. But Simon wasn't turning back.

Then, he saw it.

A lone Dreadbeast, prowling through the underbrush.

It was massive -at least four meter tall -its jagged, obsidian-black fur devouring the faintest light. Its limbs were connected to monstrous, hooked claws, each capable to tearing through steel. Its mouth lined with sharp fangs, and its deep black eyes, that pulled his enemy into the abyss.

A Shadowclaw.

A level-3 predator -fast, vicious, and far smarter than the lesser beasts he had faced.

Simon's lips curled into a grin.

"Now that's my pray."

He remained still, surveying his surroundings. A mistake here meant death. Level-3 Dreadbeasts weren't just stronger -they were cunning. He needed to plan his attack, wait for the perfect moment-

A sharp, bone-chilling feeling ran down his spine.

Simon's breath slowed.

The Shadowclaw wasn't wandering.

It had already sensed him.

Before he could react, its black eyes locked onto him.

And then it moved.

The ground shattered beneath it as the beast lunged, closing the distance instantly. Simon barely twisted his body in time, feeling the wind from its claw slice through the air where he had stood moments ago.

Fast.

the beast didn't stop. It whirled mid-air, its powerful limbs propelling it forward again with terrifying precision.

Simon kicked off the ground, forming an Aerial platform beneath his foot to push himself back. As he landed, flames surged to life around him, forming three blazing spears.

He hurled them.

The first spear shot through the air like a comet -but the Shadowclaw twisted unnaturally, dodging with terrifying agility. The second grazed its shoulder, burning some of its fur. The third –

Vanished.

Simon's eyes widened.

"Where -?!"

The air behind him shifted.

"Damn!"

Instinct screamed at him, and he spun just as a massive claw came crashing down.

Simon barely reacted in time. He twisted mid-air, summoning another Aerial platform beneath his foot to propel himself away -but he wasn't fast enough.

The Shadowclaw's claws raked across his side, sending shockwave of pain through his ribs. His reinforced muscles absorbed most of the impact, but the force still shocked his bones.

He crashed into the ground, rolling onto his feet in an instant. Giving him no time to breathe, the Shadowclaw was already upon him.

Its next strike came faster, deadlier -a blur of claws and raw power.

Too fast. Too strong.

Simon gritted his teeth. Understanding that Ignis fangs were not gone cut it. they are sharp, but they weren't enough -not against this. He needed something heavier. Something that could turn the tide.

His hand shot to his Space Belt.

Ember Cleaver.

With a flick of his astral energy, the massive crimson blade materialized in his grip. The moment it did, Simon felt its weight, as heat transferred from his grip to the blade, storing it for a single attack.

The Shadowclaw lunged again -but this time, Simon didn't retreat.

He charged forward.

The beast swung its claws, aiming to tear him apart, but Simon met power with power. He swung the Ember Cleaver with both hands, intercepting the strike. The impact shook the ground, but the Pyra-steel blade absorbed the heat generated, storing the energy like a rising inferno.

Heat pulsed through the sword.

Simon's grin tightened.

Perfect.

He kicked off the ground, weaving past another swipe, and in the brief opening, he poured all his Astral energy into the Ember Cleaver. The crimson blade glowed, its core storing the rising heat, the pressure building like caged explosion.

The Shadowclaw lunged again.

Simon let it.

At the last second, he planted his feet on the ground and swung the sword.

The blade cleaved through the air, and the moment it made contact—

BOOM!

The stored heat detonated, unleashing a fiery shockwave that ripped through the Shadowclaw's cheat. The explosion engulfed the beast in a roaring inferno, molten embers raining down like dying stars.

The force of the blast left a scorched crater on the earth.

Smoke curled from the Ember Cleaver as Simon exhaled, watching the Shadowclaw's massive body collapse, it charred remains motionless.

Silence.

Then, Simon let out a low chuckle, rolling his shoulder.

"That was close."

He looked down at the Ember Cleaver, its heat fading as it cooled in his grasp. He hadn't used it explosion ability in a real fight before.

But now?

Now, he knew it was exactly what he needed.

Tightening his grip, Simon glanced deeper into the wilderness.

Level-3 Dreadbeast were strong.

But he was stronger.