Free Web NovelChapter 37: Chapter 37: Bloodclaw Panther
Chapter 37: Bloodclaw Panther
Andras glanced at the corpse of the Horned Boar lying at his feet.
The smell of blood spread through the forest, mixing with the scent of damp earth and crushed vegetation.
Without hesitation, he called out to the system.
"System. Devour its talent."
A familiar metallic notification echoed inside his mind.
[Ding!]
[Devouring Talent — Hardened Hide (E-Rank)]
[Devouring Complete.]
[Host has acquired Talent: Hardened Hide (E-Rank).]
A faint smile appeared on Andras’s face.
An E-Rank talent.
Under normal circumstances, it would be considered worthless to someone like him.
However, Andras no longer viewed talents the same way as the people of this world.
He possessed Talent Fusion.
Even weak talents could become useful if combined properly.
A mediocre ability today could become the foundation of something extraordinary tomorrow.
As he contemplated the possibilities, a sudden sound echoed from deeper within the forest.
Rustle.
Crunch.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Andras slowly lifted his gaze toward the source of the sound.
Something was approaching.
Beside him, Evelyne also turned her attention toward the trees.
A moment later, a massive black figure emerged from the shadows.
It resembled a panther.
But only at first glance.
Its body was nearly three meters long, covered in dark crimson fur streaked with black patterns resembling dried blood. Razor-sharp claws extended from its paws, each one glimmering beneath the sunlight filtering through the trees.
Its crimson eyes fixed themselves upon Andras.
Predatory.
Cold.
Intelligent.
Evelyne observed the creature calmly.
"A Bloodclaw Panther," she said.
"A D-Class monster."
Her expression remained relaxed.
"It is considerably stronger than the Horned Boar."
After a brief pause, she added,
"But you should still be able to handle it."
Andras nodded.
Then he called out to the system.
"Show me its status."
[Ding!]
[Name — Bloodclaw Panther]
[Rank — D-Class Monster]
[Talent — Blood Shadow Instinct (D-Rank)]
Interesting.
A D-Rank talent.
Without another word, Andras stepped forward.
The Bloodclaw Panther lowered its body.
Its muscles tightened.
Then—
It vanished.
Andras’s pupils contracted.
Fast.
Far faster than the Horned Boar.
His body reacted on instinct.
He twisted sideways.
Clang!
A sharp impact exploded against his mana reinforcement.
The force sent him sliding backward several meters across the forest floor.
Leaves scattered around him.
He stabilized himself and slowly looked up.
The Bloodclaw Panther had already retreated.
Its crimson eyes remained fixed on him.
Studying.
Calculating.
A faint smile appeared on Andras’s lips.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Unlike the Horned Boar, this creature wasn’t relying on brute force.
It was hunting.
Andras adjusted his stance.
The Bloodclaw Panther circled him slowly.
Neither side attacked.
Predator.
Predator.
Both were observing.
Waiting.
Then the monster disappeared again.
This time, Andras activated Echo Resonance.
Mana flowed through his body.
The world shifted.
Vibrations.
Breathing.
Movement.
Heartbeat.
Everything around him became clearer.
Then—
Behind him.
Andras turned instantly.
Boom!
His fist collided with a crimson claw.
The impact sent shockwaves through the surrounding forest.
Several nearby trees shook violently.
The Bloodclaw Panther landed several meters away.
Its eyes narrowed.
Andras smiled.
"So that’s your talent."
The monster remained silent.
But its killing intent intensified.
Then it moved again.
One body.
Two bodies.
Three bodies.
Afterimages filled the forest.
Blood Shadow Instinct.
A D-Rank talent specialized in speed and predatory movement.
Even Andras struggled to identify the real target.
A claw flashed toward his throat.
He ducked.
Another appeared beside him.
He twisted.
Too late.
Slash.
A shallow wound opened across his shoulder.
Blood dripped onto the ground.
The Bloodclaw Panther landed gracefully several meters away.
A low growl escaped its throat.
It had drawn blood.
Andras stared at the wound.
Then he looked at the blood staining his fingers.
A smile spread across his face.
"Good."
Mana erupted from his body.
Warborn Limit Release.
Boom.
Power surged through every muscle.
Every nerve.
Every fiber of his body.
The earth beneath his feet cracked apart.
The pressure radiating from him transformed instantly.
For the first time since the battle began—
The Bloodclaw Panther hesitated.
It sensed danger.
Real danger.
Then Andras vanished.
Echo Step.
The Bloodclaw Panther reacted instantly.
Boom!
Their collision generated a shockwave powerful enough to uproot nearby trees.
The monster was thrown backward.
Not because it lacked strength.
Because it hadn’t expected Andras to become so much faster.
Andras pursued immediately.
He refused to give it time.
His fist descended.
The panther dodged.
A second strike followed.
The panther blocked.
The third landed.
Boom!
The impact struck directly against its ribs.
Crack.
Bones shattered.
The Bloodclaw Panther screamed.
But instead of retreating, its body changed.
Its muscles expanded.
Its crimson eyes glowed brighter.
Its killing intent exploded outward.
Blood Shadow Instinct.
Awakened state.
The wounded predator attacked.
Claws.
Fangs.
Speed.
Violence.
The forest transformed into a battlefield.
Trees collapsed.
Blood stained the ground.
The Bloodclaw Panther attacked with everything it possessed.
Andras met every strike head-on.
He dodged.
Countered.
Adapted.
A claw tore through his sleeve.
His fist shattered one of the monster’s fangs.
The creature lunged again.
Andras sidestepped.
The monster twisted midair.
Its claw sliced across his chest.
Pain.
Sharp.
Real.
Andras found himself smiling.
Not because he enjoyed violence.
But because he found the experience fascinating.
This creature wasn’t fighting for pride.
Or glory.
Or honor.
It was fighting because it wanted to survive.
Fear.
Instinct.
Desperation.
Such simple emotions.
Yet they created such beautiful brutality.
Then the Bloodclaw Panther made a mistake.
It attacked too aggressively.
Too emotionally.
Andras stepped forward.
Not backward.
Forward.
The claw pierced his shoulder.
He ignored it.
His hand shot outward.
And grabbed the monster’s throat.
The Bloodclaw Panther froze.
For the first time since the battle began—
It understood.
It had lost.
Its crimson eyes widened.
Fear.
There it was again.
That fascinating emotion.
Andras stared into its eyes.
Then he activated Echo Resonance.
Vibrating mana coated his fist.
The monster struggled desperately.
Too late.
Boom.
The first punch shattered its jaw.
Boom.
The second crushed its ribs.
Boom.
The third ruptured its heart.
Silence.
The Bloodclaw Panther collapsed.
Its body twitched once.
Then became still.
The forest fell silent.
Only the wind remained.
Andras stood over the corpse.
Blood dripped from his shoulder.
His breathing remained steady.
His heartbeat remained calm.
He looked down at the dead predator for several moments.
Then he reached a conclusion.
Yes.
This had been far more interesting than the Horned Boar.
