Chapter 30: Jackpot

The ball of fire flew toward Steven and Jack, who were unaware of the danger. They were too focused on finding more beasts, and they didn't notice the attack until it was too late. The ball of fire hit the ground near them and exploded and the blast sent them flying in opposite directions.

Steven felt a sharp pain in his side as he hit the ground. He groaned and tried to get up, but his vision was blurry and his ears were ringing. He looked around, but he couldn't see Jack anywhere. He wondered if his friend was still alive, or if he had been killed by the ball of fire.

"No, Jack could not have been killed by that. And how the hell were we attacked by a fireball" Steven said as he decided to look for him, hoping that Jack would be okay

He grabbed his sword and ran towards a direction thinking Jack would be there. He walked around for a while and he did not find any luck.

He ran for a few minutes, but he didn't find any sign of Jack. He started to worry that he had lost his way. "Shit where is the map we were given," Steven said as he searched his body. "damn I can't find it"

He felt a surge of anger and sadness, but he tried to suppress it. He knew that he had to survive and that he had to find a way out of this hellish place.

He was about to give up and change his direction when he heard a roar. He turned his head and saw two beasts fighting each other. Immediately, his system showed him a notification saying that they were both intermediate beasts, but they looked different. One was a giant lizard with scales and claws, and the other was like a huge wolf with fur and fangs. They were both covered in blood and wounds, and they seemed to be evenly matched.

Steven saw an opportunity. He thought that if he waited for them to fight until one of them died, he could kill the other one easily and take their beast crystals. "I guess I will give one to the academy and absorb one. I need to improve my strength so that I can be as strong as Jack and Liam or even stronger"

He hid behind a small rock and watched the fight. He saw the lizard bite the wolf's neck, and the wolf claw the lizard's belly. He saw the blood spurt and the flesh tear. He heard the screams and the growls. He felt a mix of fear and excitement. He waited for the right moment to strike.

Steven waited for the right moment to strike. He saw the lizard and the wolf exchange fierce blows, and he saw an opening. He dashed out of his hiding spot and ran towards the beasts. He raised his sword and aimed for the lizard's neck. He hoped to kill it with one swift strike.

But the lizard was faster than he expected. It sensed Steven's approach and dodged his attack. It turned its head and snapped its jaws at Steven, who barely avoided the bite. He felt the lizard's hot breath on his face and smelled its foul odor. He swung his sword again, but the lizard blocked it with its tail. The impact made Steven's arm numb and his sword fell to the ground.

Steven cursed and backed away. He looked for his sword, but he couldn't see it. It was buried under the dust and debris. He was unarmed and vulnerable. He glanced at the wolf, hoping that it would help him, but the wolf was too busy fighting for its own life. It was bleeding from multiple wounds and it looked exhausted. It was losing the fight.

The lizard saw that Steven was defenseless and decided to finish him off. It roared and charged at him, its claws ready to tear him apart. Steven covered his hand with Ki's energy and landed a blow on the beast.

He felt his fist sink into the lizard's flesh and he heard a crack. He had broken one of its ribs. The lizard hissed in pain and recoiled. Steven seized the chance and ran towards his sword. He picked it up and turned around, ready to fight again.

But the lizard was not done yet. It recovered from the shock and lunged at Steven, who barely had time to raise his sword. The lizard's teeth clashed with the metal, creating sparks. Steven felt the pressure on his arms and he struggled to push the lizard back. He kicked the lizard's chest, but it didn't budge. It was too heavy and strong.

Steven knew that he was in trouble. He couldn't match the lizard's strength and speed. He needed to use his brain and his skills. He remembered what he had learned in the Ironclaw about fighting beasts. He had to find their weak spots and exploit them. He had to use his Ki energy wisely and efficiently. He had to be calm and confident.

He looked at the lizard's eyes and saw its rage and hunger. He also saw its fear and doubt. It was afraid of losing the fight and becoming prey. It was doubtful of its abilities and its chances of survival. Steven realized that the lizard was not invincible. It had flaws and emotions. It could be defeated.

He infused his sword with his Ki energy, making them sharper and more powerful. He also used his Ki energy to create a faint aura around his body.

He smiled and said, "Now, die." He swung his sword and slashed the lizard's throat. He felt the blood spray and the life fade. He heard the lizard's final gasp and the silence. He had killed the lizard.

He dropped his sword and fell to his knees. He was exhausted and injured. several cuts and bruises around his body but he didn't care. He felt a mix of relief and joy. He had won the fight.

He looked at the lizard's corpse and saw its beast crystal. It was a red and round stone that glowed faintly. It was the source of the lizard's power and the reward for Steven's victory. He reached out and grabbed the beast crystal. He felt its warmth and its energy. He felt a surge of strength and satisfaction. He had obtained the beast crystal. An intermediate one at that.

He looked at the wolf and saw that it was still alive, but barely. It was lying on the ground, breathing heavily and bleeding profusely. It had many wounds and it looked weak and helpless. It had lost the fight.

Picking up his sword, he walked up to it and then killed it. and picked up the second crystal. and placed it in his pouch. " Now I have two common tier crystal and two intermediate crystals. I will absorb one intermediate crystals and give the rest to the academy. I wish I can absorb them all, but I can kill more beast in the future"

Hmm, I feel like someone is looking at me. Steven said as he looked at the direction where Elijah and Lucas was.