“Clash in the Moonlight Wilderness”

The forest was eerily silent, There was a low growl that rumbled through the air. Saaransh's breath hitched as he gazed at the monstrous creature before him it was a mythical creature known as a colossal white tiger, its fur shimmering like freshly fallen snow, streaked with ethereal blue flames that licked along its back. Its piercing azure eyes bore into him, radiating both intelligence and primal fury

Saaransh thinks "This is not just any random beast. It is something ancient. Something powerful.

The tiger lowered its head slightly, its muscles started tensing. Saaransh instinctively raised his spear, his heart started pounding. He had encountered many creatures in his past life, but this one felt different like it belonged to a forgotten legend

Then, without warning, the tiger lunged.

A blur of white and blue flames rushed at him, faster than he expected. Saaransh barely managed to dodge its attack, the beast's massive paw sliced through the air just a few inches from his face. A wave of scorching heat followed the attack. The force of the near miss sent him skidding backward, his feet were digging into the dirt

Saaransh gritted his teeth "It is so fast"

The beast wasted no time, it started closing the distance between him and Saaransh with terrifying agility. Another swipe came this time, and Saaransh ducked, rolling beneath its belly and striking upward with his spear. His weapon barely pierced its thick hide before the tiger twisted its body midair and slammed its tail into him

The impact was like being hit by a war hammer.

Saaransh was sent flying away, he crashed into a tall tree. The pain started exploding in his ribs, his lungs started struggling for air. He coughed, and blood started coming out from his mouth, the blood dripped from his lips

Panting "Damn, this thing, this thing is a monster"

The tiger dashed towards him, its growl was deep and resonant, and it started shaking the ground beneath them. It was not just attacking him, it was hunting him

Saaransh forced himself to stand back up. His body was not strong enough to match this beast, not yet at least. He had not even awakened his mana circuits. But he still had his experience, his past life experience

Thinking "My body may be weak right now, but my mind remembers how to fight"

He adjusted his grip on his spear. The tiger charged again, and this time, Saaransh moved with calculated precision. He sidestepped at the last second, then he started jabbing his weapon at the beast's exposed flank. The spearhead dug in, drawing a pained snarl from the tiger, but before he could capitalize, the creature twisted, its claws started raking across his chest

A sharp, searing pain shot through him as blood splattered onto the forest floor. Saaransh staggered but refused to fall. He spun his spear, keeping his eyes locked on the tiger

The battle continued a relentless exchange of speed and skill. Saaransh landed strikes where he could, but the beast retaliated with brutal efficiency. Each attack pushed him closer to his limit. His arms started to ache, his legs were burning, and his wounds were bleeding freely

Minutes started to feel like an eternity. The once serene forest had now become their battlefield, it was now marked by claw marks, burned foliage, and splintered trees

Then, Saaransh's movements slowed. His vision blurred. His strength was fading

Thinking, while his breath is ragged "No, not yet. I have to win. I have to survive this battle"

The tiger, too, was wounded, blue flames flickering weakly along its back. But unlike Saaransh, it had the advantage of sheer endurance. It crouched low, preparing for a final strike

Started panting, gripping his spear tighter "If I fall now, then I'll die."

Suddenly, just as the beast lunged

A whisper echoed in his mind

??? Said "You are not ready yet but still I will lend you a fraction of my power. Use it wisely human or be consumed by this beast"

A chill ran down Saaransh's spine. His vision started to darken for a split second, and then a surge of raw, dark energy flooded his body

His wounds were numbed. His exhaustion had faded away. The air around him started to break with unseen force. He exhaled, and he started to feel like something had awakened inside him. His grip on his spear tightened

The tiger also noticed the change, its movements slowing as if sensing something unnatural, it took dew steps backward

Saaransh's voice started to get deeper, his eyes darkening "Let us see if you can handle this"

In a blurred second, Saaransh shot forward, his body was moving faster than before. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he closed the gap between them in an instant. His spear lashed out, it was now coated in a strange, shadowy aura

The weapon struck true.

A deep slash tore across the beast's side, dark energy was seeping into the wound of the beast. The tiger howled, it was staggering backward, and its blue flames were flickering wildly

Saaransh wasn't done.

Fueled by the newfound power, he unleashed a flurry of attacks, pushing the mythical beast back with each strike. The tiger struggled to keep up, its once overwhelming strength was now barely keeping up with Saarans

Then, just as quickly as it came the dark energy faded.

A sharp pain stabbed through Saaransh's skull and his entire body was paralyzed. His limbs felt like stone. His vision started to dim

Weakly, eyes widened "W-what?"

The sudden loss of power left him vulnerable. His body overexerted, and he finally gave in. He collapsed to his knees, struggling to stay conscious

The tiger, though heavily injured, saw its opportunity. With a final growl, it pounced, claws outstretched

And then, a streak of light flashed through the trees

Something fast.

Before the tiger could land its strike, a force slammed into it in mid-air, knocking it away from Saaransh's paralyzed form. The beast rolled over the ground, it let out a pained snarl

A new presence stood between them

Saaransh's hazy vision made out a tall figure, cloaked in shadows, their aura exuding undeniable power. The newcomer's stance was firm, their weapon a gleaming, crescent-shaped blade radiating a faint silver glow under the moonlight

He was barely whispering, his vision was fading "Who?"

The last thing he saw before the darkness took him was the tiger baring its fangs at the mysterious warrior, a battle about to unfold

And then blackness