Chapter 9: Black Fang Leopard

Chapter 9: Black Fang Leopard

The jungle held its breath.

Before Mike and Jek, the Black Fang Leopard loomed with primal grace, its obsidian fur shimmering beneath the filtered mana light.

The last echo of its thunderous roar lingered in the air, silencing birds, bugs—even the wind itself.

"I think they're starting to notice us," Jek whispered, crouched behind a thick tree root. His breaths came fast, shallow. Sweat trickled down his temple.

Mike didn't reply. His gaze was locked on Barn—the axe-wielding student from Great Fire High—who now stood face-to-face with the monster.

"He's not backing down…" Mike muttered. "He's going to fight it."

Barn slammed his fists together. A metallic sheen rippled across his skin. His native skill, Metal Skin, activated in full force. His two-handed axe pulsed with earthy mana as he planted his stance, solid as stone.

"Watch closely," Mike said, narrowing his eyes. "We'll learn something from this."

Behind Barn, the bow-user Dais nocked another arrow. She murmured coldly, "We weaken it, then finish off those two watching in the trees."

She means us, Jek thought, anxiety clawing at his gut.

The Leopard moved first. With a blur, it vanished.

"Phantom!" Mike gasped.

"Where did it—"

CLANG!

Barn instinctively raised his axe. Sparks exploded as dark claws met hardened steel. He grunted, holding his ground.

"HAH!" Barn roared, swinging his axe in a wide arc.

The Leopard backflipped off a tree trunk and disappeared again.

"Don't lose it!" Dais yelled, releasing a glowing Wind Arrow. It whizzed through the foliage—harmless.

Suddenly—

"RAAHH!!"

The Leopard reappeared behind her.

SLASH!

Blood sprayed as its claws tore across her back. Dais screamed and collapsed, rolling away. Her bow hit the dirt.

"DAIS!" Barn charged, his axe burning with mana. "Earth Bind!"

Thick roots burst from the ground, trying to trap the beast.

But the Leopard was too fast. It ducked low, countering with Dark Slash. A shadowy wave slammed into Barn, knocking him back, his armor cracked and smoking.

"He's losing!" Jek hissed.

Mike's mind raced. "It fights from stealth and speed. Barn's built like a wall—but that's a problem here."

He activated Mana Sensing. "It's circling right."

"I can use Earth Bind too," Jek offered. "If I time it right—"

"No. Not yet," Mike whispered. "Wait for the right moment."

Barn wiped blood from his mouth. "Tch… So this is what a real elite monster is like, huh?"

He stomped the ground. "Metal Manipulation!"

A shimmering steel coat wrapped around his axe. "Let's see how you like this!"

The Leopard pounced again, a shadowy blur. This time Barn swung with all his might.

BOOM!

The shockwave sent leaves flying. The Leopard was knocked back, a deep gash carved into its flank.

"It's bleeding!" Jek exclaimed.

The beast growled low. Its eyes locked onto Barn, now blazing with malice. It vanished again.

"No—"

SLASH!

A claw tore through Barn's side. His Metal Skin cracked. Blood gushed. He dropped to one knee.

Dais, trembling, raised her bow. "Wind Arrow – Piercing Shot!"

The arrow struck the Leopard's shoulder.

It roared in pain. The forest trembled.

But it wasn't enough.

The Leopard turned, eyes glowing with hatred.

"She's not going to survive the next hit," Jek said, tense.

"Aaaahh!" Dais cried, writhing in agony.

Barn's eyes flared red. His rage boiled over as he glared at her. Something inside him was awakening.

He raised his arm. A massive metal fist formed in the air and slammed toward the Leopard.

A new skill—Metal Binding—an advanced form of Earth Bind.

It worked. The beast froze, momentarily bound.

"You're strong… an elite monster worthy of the name—but this ends now," Barn gasped.

He charged to strike—

But the Leopard's body glowed dark.

It split. Two Leopards stood where one had been.

"The bind… it's useless?!" Barn muttered, stunned.

"Sh*t, you damn monster…" Barn grinned bitterly.

WHOOSH!

Blood spurted from Barn's body.

The enraged Leopard struck again, both clones attacking at once. Barn barely managed to activate his token—teleporting out, body broken. He was eliminated from the exam.

The Leopards turned toward Mike and Jek.

Mike stood. "It's now or never."

"Wait—what are you doing?!"

"It already noticed us," Mike said. He stepped from cover.

"Crystalline Sword!" A translucent blade shimmered in his hand.

Grrrr... The Leopard growled, still bleeding heavily.

"Let's end this now," Mike urged Jek, who nodded.

FWIP!

Mike's blade slashed across the Leopard's side, drawing fresh blood.

SKRRREEE!!!

The beast howled and lunged.

Then—two of them again. Clone.

"Current Surge!"

Mana burst under Mike's feet. He slid back, dodging claws. The two Leopards tangled briefly.

"Jek, now!" Mike shouted.

Jek sprang out. "Earth Bind!"

The jungle floor erupted. Roots wrapped the two beasts, binding them in place.

"Nice!" Mike dashed forward. "Crystallization!"

Mana surged into his blade. He slashed at the wounded Leopard—

Only to cut through air. A clone.

The real one shrieked, then Phantom-stepped out. Slower this time.

"Mike!" Jek cried. "Behind you!"

Too late.

SLASH!

Agony ripped through Mike's shoulder. He hit the ground, bloodied.

"MIKE!!"

Mike gritted his teeth. "Not yet…"

He rose, pouring every drop of mana into Crystalline Sword + Current Surge.

The Leopard turned—too slow.

BOOOOM!

The sword struck its spine. A deep crack echoed. The Leopard howled—then dropped.

Dead.

Silence fell.

Mike's vision swam. Jek caught him.

"You crazy bastard," Jek said, voice shaking. "You nearly died!"

"I'm fine," Mike coughed. "We won."

Dais sat slumped against a tree, clutching her ribs. She said nothing, but her glare was venomous.

Mike looked at her coldly. She wasn't gravely wounded—but she needed to be taken out.

"Stop. I surrender," she hissed, crushing her token. A beam of light whisked her away.

Ding!

– Monster Defeated –

Black Fang Leopard (Elite) slain!

Points gained: +50

A crystal dropped, glowing with potent energy. They absorbed it—mana flooded their veins.

– Level Up –

Mike – Level 5 (13 → 37/100)

Jek – Level 4 (50 → 82/100)

Their total now: Mike had over 350 points. Jek had 300, thanks to earlier Lumi Rabbit kills.

Mike checked his watch.

Ranking:

Dane [Great Fire High] [Level 7] – 780 points

Grace [Great Fire High] [Level 6] – 600 points

Luis [Blue Bird High] [Level 5] – 520 points

…

Mike [Green Ant High] [Level 5] – 350 points

Just a small ripple in a vast lake. Great Fire High still dominated.

"Don't worry. It's only day one," Jek reassured him.

"Let's grab the Blood Root Flower and get out of here," Mike said.

Jek moved cautiously. The crimson flower pulsed with mana. He plucked it gently.

"You taking it?" he asked.

Mike shook his head. "You used your skills perfectly. It's yours. And maybe your bloodline… will awaken."

Jek's eyes widened. "Seriously?"

Mike nodded.

Jek swallowed hard, then consumed the herb. Mana surged through him. His veins lit up, golden light pulsing.

Ding!

– Native Skill Awakened –

Name: Earthborn Lineage

Effect: Increases knockback resistance and affinity with earth-based skills. Unlocks potential for future Bloodline Awakening.

– Data Panel –

Name: Jek

Race: Human

Realm: Tier 1 [Level 4: 82/100]

Mana Heart: Earth Mana [Bends to Nature]

Scripture: Mountain Strength

Strength: 55 | Physique: 50 | Agility: 42 | Mana: 45

Native Skills: Nature Absorption (Passive), Earthborn Lineage

Skills: The Way of Nature, Earth Bind

Jek gasped as the power faded. "That… was insane."

"We'll need every edge we can get," Mike said grimly. "Stronger monsters—and rivals—are out there."

He stared into the deepening jungle.

"If that was just the beginning… what horrors are waiting deeper inside?"

Jek nodded slowly. "Let's be ready."

Together, they disappeared into the thick foliage, leaving behind the bloodstained grass and shattered earth—heading deeper into the heart of the Verdant Gate.