Chapter No.23: - Fortune.

Continuing the hunt, Simon moved swiftly through the forest, his sharp gaze scanning the terrain. In the past few hours, he had managed to hunt three more level-3 Dreadbeasts, each battle refining his technique further.

But as if the misfortune was upon him.

A rumble.

The sky darkened, the wind howled, and moments later, the rain fell cover the whole forest in it. within minutes, it become relentless downpour.

"Damn it!"

Simon cured under his breath.

Because this was bad news for him.

As a Fire user, his abilities thrived in dry environments. But now, rain suppressed his flames, and the cold seeped into his muscles. Worse still, his Ember Cleaver which relied on for devastating explosive strikes now had hard time retaining the heat in it, and even his Ignis Fangs, which used the high temperatures to enhance its sharpness was struggle to maintain the heat in this drenched environment.

Simon clenched his fists.

"Hunter should fight with upper hand in battle!" that was his creed. If the battlefield wasn't in his favor. He did not mind not fighting.

His eyes darted through the terrain, searching for a dry place. After few minutes of running through mud ground and weaving past soaked trees, he found it –a cave, located between jagged cliffs.

It wasn't ideal.

Because, if a fight broke out inside, have his back against the wall before he knew it. which will limit his maneuver. But he needed to make do with this as the relentless storm left him no choice.

He moved cautiously inside, the air growing colder as the darkness swallowed him. He settled near the edge of the cave, keeping this back close to the entrance while still maintaining. A cleat view of the outside.

Simon started a small fire –Just enough to cook, not enough to draw unwanted attention. The roasted Dreadbeast meat helped restore his strength, but as time passed, the rain only worsened.

Water began dripping from the ceiling, forcing him deeper into the cave.

Looking to the deeper part of the cave, Simon gave reluctant sign, because the more he moved in, the more dangerous his situation will become when he is ambushed.

Yet, if he stayed near the entrance, he'd soon be sitting a puddle. Simon picked up his gear and moved further inside.

As he stepped deeper into the cave, he felt it –a shift in the air.

A sudden increase in Astral energy as if had crossed some invisible barrier that kept the enormous Astral energy hidden.

"Something was wrong!"

Then—

A sudden chill ran down his spine.

Danger!

Before he could react, fangs the size of spears lunged from the darkness.

Simon twisted his body on instinct. Aerial surged; a thin layer of hardened air guarded his waist just as the massive serpent's fangs stuck.

CRACK!

The impact sent a tremor through his bones. The Aerial layer blocked the attack— but barely. Two of its lower fangs slid of harmlessly, but the upper fangs pierced through his skin into his muscle.

He felt immense pain on his side.

The giant serpent coiled around him, it scales as dark as the cave itself, its yellow eyes glowing with hunger. It hissed, trying to sink it fangs deeper.

But Simon wouldn't let it.

With a growl, he locked his arms around the serpent's jaw, holding them apart with sheer strength.

"Die!" Simon screamed.

Flames roared to life in Simon's palm.

He poured everything into a single strike –aiming straight into the serpent's open maw.

BOOM!

The explosion erupted inside the Dreadbeast's mouth. The cavern shook as flames tore through flesh and bone. The serpent let out a deafening hiss before collapsing, its charred body twitching violently before finally falling still.

Simon staggered backward, clutching his injured side.

But then—

A new pain. A searing burn spread through his veins.

Venom.

Simon clenched his teeth. the poison was working fast. But his reinforced muscle, was slowing its process.

Even so, he knew he had little time.

With shaky hands, he pulled an antidote shot from his space belt and stabbed it into his arm. The cooling sensation spread through his bloodstream, fighting back the poison.

His breathing steadied.

His gaze swept across the cave.

"Why did that serpent attack so aggressively?"

When it fought, it was reckless, with no intent to retreat.

Then he saw it

Tucked against the far wall, hidden beneath loose rubble –

A Dreadbeast egg.

A slow grin spread across Simon's face.

Because unlike adult Dreadbeasts that had a psyche who were hard to control, a hatchling could be tamed If raised properly. A tamed Level-3 Dreadbeast could become a powerful companion in battle.

This was a rare find. A fortune.

he grinned.

Simon carefully lifted the black egg. Feeling the warmth beneath its shell putting it away in his Space belt.

But then his gaze was drawn deeper into cave— to the center of a glowing pool.

There, suspended above the water, was a plant with ten leaves.

Simon's breath roughed.

"No way…"

He stepped closer, carefully observing its structure, its unique glow.

He knew what this was.

"Enlighting Leaves!"

A rare Astral plant capable of enhancing one's strength, allowing them to breakthrough without any side effects. However, its effect diminished with each use—the first consumption was the most powerful, but every time afterward, its benefits were halved.

It effects were more powerful when the Astral Lord was under 2-Star. After consuming it his strength will skyrocket to 3-star.

Simon's mind raced.

If he ate this now, he could breakthrough to 3-Star.

But he hesitated.

Because the environment was not that safe for him, if he were to be attacked in the process of breaking through. It was risky, even his life might be in danger.

Then the herb itself was powerful shouldn't be wasted recklessly. The smart move would be to save it for a breakthrough point later.

And yet…

He clenched his fist.

If he wanted to survive in level-3 territory, if he wanted to reach even greater heights, then he needs to take the risk.

Simon reached out, plucked a single leaf, and swallowed it.

The moment it entered his system—

His vision went black.