Chapter 29: Chapter 29:- Hunting [II]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished a Level 1 Dire Wolf. A reward of experience points has been awarded.]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished a Level 1 Dire Wolf. A reward of experience points has been awarded.]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished a Level 1 Dire Wolf. A reward of experience points has been awarded.]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished a Level 1 Dire Wolf. A reward of experience points has been awarded.]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished a Level 1 Dire Wolf. A reward of experience points has been awarded.]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished a Level 1 Dire Wolf. A reward of experience points has been awarded.]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully vanquished a Level 1 Dire Wolf. A reward of experience points has been awarded.]
With a determined nod and the words "Let's press on," William signaled his intent to continue his hunting spree. The scent of blood from the fallen Dire Wolves was now an even more powerful beacon, attracting even more predators who were lured in by their hunger and the promise of an easy meal.
Meanwhile, hidden amidst the towering trees, a lone figure had been observing the events unfolding below. He stood high above on one of the sturdy branches of an enormous tree, his keen eyes scrutinizing every move of the young man down below. "Intriguing. His skills need refining, but he shows potential. I'm curious to see what more he can accomplish," he murmured to himself.
The man had originally ventured into the forest for his own reasons and was about to take his leave when the faint sounds of battle had reached his ears. Stirred by curiosity, he followed the sounds, and stumbled upon William battling a Shadow Wolf. The fight had impressed him, and he decided to stick around and observe this interesting individual further.
Pondering on what he had witnessed so far, the man mused, "It's rare to find a young man possessing not one, but two uncommon abilities. I don't even have the night vision that he does." He reached up to touch a small artifact pinned to his chest, an item he relied on to navigate through the darkness. "And as for his Shadow Manipulation skill," the man continued, "I've never encountered anyone else capable of such a feat."
This combination of rare talents sparked a growing interest in William. To the old man, he was not just another young adventurer; he was an anomaly, a fascinating enigma that warranted a closer look. His observations would continue, his curiosity growing with each passing moment as he watched William continue his exploits in the dangerous forest below.
Over the next ten minutes, William moved like a shadow, engaging in a swift dance of death with the creatures of the night. Another pack of werewolves fell to his prowess, fifteen in total this time. After that, it was a group of lightning foxes, their electrical abilities snuffed out as quickly as they had been released. He didn't stop there. Other forms of monsters also met their end at his hands, and not one of them had been able to provide him with a challenge worthy of his abilities.
The mysterious old man, observing from his lofty vantage point, was increasingly impressed with what he saw. "His skill is growing at an incredible pace," he observed, his brows furrowing in thought. With every monster William dispatched, the old man noted a significant increase in his efficiency and speed. He wasn't grandstanding or using flashy moves for the sake of appearance. Instead, William had begun to display a knack for quickly identifying a monster's weaknesses and striking it down with a single, lethal blow.
Watching this spectacle was causing the old man's pulse to quicken, his heart pounding with exhilaration. "Such immense potential... it's staggering," he breathed out, hardly able to contain his enthusiasm at the prospect of taking William under his wing. In his view, William was a natural, a born fighter. He was picking up combat techniques and strategies that would normally take an ordinary warrior months, if not years, to master. And he was doing it all at a blisteringly fast pace, adapting and learning with each new encounter. The idea of being able to foster this innate talent excited the old man to no end. His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he continued to watch William's remarkable progression unfold.
William stood in the center of a macabre scene, surrounded by the carcasses of the monsters he had brought down. His arms were smeared with the blood of his fallen enemies, a grisly testament to the intense battles he had just been through. A potent, metallic scent of blood permeated the air around him, painting a vivid picture of the fierce battles that had just taken place. Yet, despite the back-to-back clashes with an array of formidable beasts, he didn't exhibit any signs of fatigue or weariness. His vigor seemed inexhaustible.
"Wish I could get a crack at a level 2 monster," he mumbled to himself, not realizing that his wish was about to be granted. Almost on cue, the rumbling sounds of thunderous footsteps filled the air. A colossal Thornback Boar, far mightier than any of the creatures he had encountered so far, emerged from the underbrush, slowly lumbering towards him.
"Well, would you look at that, a level 1 Thornback Boar," the old man muttered to himself, a flicker of interest igniting in his eyes as he watched the formidable creature approach. The young man's calm demeanor in the face of this new adversary intrigued him. Despite the stark difference in their power levels, the old man sensed that the lad might actually be able to hold his ground against the Boar.
He pondered, "Should he fall into danger, I'll intervene." The old man felt a sense of responsibility toward the young warrior. After witnessing his rapid growth and unique potential, it would be a terrible loss if this young life was snuffed out prematurely. With his mind made up, he continued to watch the unfolding drama from his treetop perch, ready to step in at a moment's notice if the situation called for it.
The Thornback Boar is a fearsome and formidable creature that commands attention with its menacing presence. As its name suggests, its most distinctive feature is its back covered in a dense layer of sharp thorns and armored plates. These thorns, resembling jagged spikes, act as a natural defense mechanism, deterring potential threats and predators from approaching too closely.
The boar itself is massive in size, dwarfing ordinary wild boars. It possesses a robust and muscular build, with its hulking frame weighing several times that of an average human. Its dark, coarse fur provides additional protection against the elements and conceals the rippling muscles that lie beneath. Its eyes are sharp and intelligent, radiating a primal ferocity.
When it comes to its powers, the Thornback Boar possesses immense physical strength and resilience. Its charge is nothing short of devastating, capable of trampling through thick vegetation and toppling trees in its path. Its tusks, elongated and razor-sharp, can inflict grievous wounds upon its adversaries. The armored plates and thorny back not only provide defense but also amplify the impact of its charges, rendering it an unstoppable force.
The boar's endurance is remarkable, allowing it to sustain prolonged battles and shrug off most injuries. Its heightened senses, particularly its sense of smell, enable it to track prey from a considerable distance, making it a formidable hunter. It has a voracious appetite for flesh, consuming large quantities of meat to fuel its immense size and strength.
When threatened, the Thornback Boar can unleash a furious frenzy of attacks, using its tusks, hooves, and even its powerful head to bludgeon its opponents. Its sheer power combined with its protective thorns makes it a formidable adversary that few dare to challenge.
"If you want to win, you will need something decisive." The old man murmured while staring at the scene.
With a massive bulk and the momentum of a freight train, the Thornback Boar charged headlong towards William. Each thunderous step from the beast seemed to send vibrations through the forest floor, yet William stood his ground, not a hint of fear in his eyes.
Almost instinctively, over ten shadow tendrils erupted from the ground, seeking to bind the monstrous boar in its tracks. However, the Thornback Boar was a formidable adversary. As the shadowy tentacles wound around it, they simply snapped under the tremendous strength of the charging beast. They were like delicate spiderwebs trying to halt a gust of wind - utterly futile. The shadow tentacles didn't slow down the Thornback Boar in the slightest.
'This creature is truly a powerhouse,' William thought, quickly reassessing his approach. His initial plan of simply stopping the boar's charge wasn't going to work. The creature was just too powerful.
"But..." William's voice trailed off, a spark of an idea igniting in his mind. With perfect timing, just as the Thornback Boar was about to crash into him, a single, thick shadow tentacle sprang from his hand. It shot towards a sturdy tree some 8 meters away, the dark tendril winding itself tightly around the trunk.
Then, in a split second, as the boar was on the brink of reaching him, the tentacle retracted, pulling William's body away from the path of the rampaging beast and towards the tree trunk. It was like an acrobat using a swing rope, his body moving with such agility and precision that the boar's attack completely missed.
This battle was proving to be a rich learning ground for William. He was beginning to understand that his power of Shadow Manipulation wasn't just about launching attacks - it could also be used in defensive maneuvers and to provide tactical support. The possibilities were vast and exciting.
"Let's see how you deal with speed," William taunted, a playful edge to his voice. The Thornback Boar snorted in response, its eyes gleaming with anger. It had missed William once and it seemed determined to not repeat that mistake. With a tremendous burst of energy, it barreled towards him again, faster this time.
Yet, as before, William proved elusive. He summoned a shadow tentacle and changed his location with a quick jerk. This game of cat-and-mouse continued, William skillfully avoiding the boar's relentless charges. His eyes were glued on the beast, studying its movements, seeking out any weaknesses. The Thornback Boar, on the other hand, was growing increasingly frustrated. Each failed charge was adding fuel to its already burning anger.
Suddenly, the boar let out a deafening roar, an open challenge to its adversary. This time, instead of evading, William stood his ground, an inscrutable smile gracing his lips. After several minutes of intense observation, he had spotted a chink in the beast's armor, a weakness he could exploit.
Just as the Thornback Boar was almost upon him, a pair of large wings emerged from William's back. But these were no ordinary wings. They were fashioned out of shadows, an idea that had only just struck him. And just like that, he was airborne, leaving the boar charging at empty air once more. From above, William watched the baffled boar, its gaze following him up into the sky.
"Seems you're a one-trick pony," William said, shaking his head slightly. "All power, strength, and vitality, but no magical attacks. That makes this fight a lot easier than it could've been." His voice was barely audible, only the wind carrying his words.
With that, William extended his hand, a spear forming from the shadows. He swiftly coated the spear in darkness, enhancing both its speed and power. The weapon took on an eerie, almost ominous glow. Then, with precise aim, he hurled the spear, sending it hurtling towards the Thornback Boar's left eye.
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