Free Web NovelChapter 16: Encounter With A Higher-rank Species
Alex ignored the description as always.
He used the Spell again. As he had expected, the concentration needed to maintain it had dropped by nearly half.
The difference was obvious as soon as he activated it. The mana blade formed just as before, but controlling it no longer felt as difficult as it had during his first attempts.
Even so, the Spell remained exhausting to use. After testing it several times, he finally allowed the mana to disperse and took a deep breath.
The reduced concentration requirement helped, but it still demanded immense focus.
On top of that, the mana consumption was far higher than what Body Strengthening required.
Alex glanced toward Emma. She was sitting against a broken section of wall with her eyes closed.
Regular pulses of mana spread from her body, indicating she was practicing her Skill.
The last time they had rested, she had simply waited while he trained. This time, however, she seemed determined to make use of every available moment.
Perhaps watching Alex constantly improve had reminded her that every advantage mattered in the Land of Origin.
"Let’s distribute the spoils," Alex said.
Emma opened her eyes and looked at him before nodding. The distribution of the Gene Potentials was simple enough that neither of them expected an argument.
Alex took the Level 7 Gene Potential and one of the Level 4 Gene Potentials. Emma took the other Level 4 Gene Potential along with the two Level 3 Gene Potentials. Once the items were divided, Alex looked at her thoughtfully.
"Are you alright with this distribution? I’m only taking two Gene Potentials, but one of them is the Level 7. It’s probably worth more than even two Level 4 Gene Potentials. Considering I broke your spear, I’m willing to exchange our split if you think it’s unfair," he said.
There was a practical reason behind his generosity. Emma’s Taunt Skill dramatically increased their hunting efficiency, but using it also placed her in danger every time. If she didn’t trust him or felt that he was exploiting her, she would naturally become less willing to use it.
"I’m okay with it. Honestly, the spear accomplished a lot more in your hands than it would have in mine. I think you’re worrying too much about breaking it," Emma replied with a small chuckle.
Alex nodded before saying, "About this sword..."
He knew it had to be discussed as well. It was another valuable spoil from the battle, and ignoring the issue would only create problems later.
"You can keep it. Just give me a defensive item if we find one later," Emma said before he could continue.
"That’s fair." He nodded.
The conversation ended there. Alex could tell Emma understood their current situation. He was stronger, and his combat ability had a greater impact on their survival. From a practical standpoint, investing more resources into him made sense.
Still, Alex knew there were limits.
Emma was willing to accept the arrangement because it remained reasonable.
If he continued taking every valuable item they found, resentment would eventually appear no matter how practical the reasoning seemed.
’I should share the spoils with her if I get something good next time,’ he thought.
The two rested for a few more minutes before deciding to move. Alex stood and stretched his shoulders while Emma rose to her feet and picked up her broken spear. They had barely taken a few steps when movement appeared ahead.
A monster emerged from behind a pile of broken stone.
It resembled a badger, though far more dangerous than any normal animal. Its body was low to the ground and covered in coarse dark-gray fur.
Powerful muscles shifted beneath its hide, and long curved claws extended from its front paws. Its small black eyes calmly observed them without any trace of fear.
Alex immediately became alert.
The monster was relatively small. The sight triggered a memory, and his thoughts immediately returned to the injuries covering the Level 7 Netherclaw Prowler they had fought earlier.
Looking at the creature now, he suddenly felt certain he had found the source of those wounds.
Alex blinked.
The monster disappeared from where it stood.
For a fraction of a second, his brain struggled to process what had happened. Then he realized the creature hadn’t vanished at all. It had simply crossed the distance separating them so quickly that his eyes had failed to follow it.
His pupils contracted.
The monster was directly in front of him, and its claws were already descending toward his neck.
Alex reacted instinctively. Mana surged into his head first before flowing toward his arm. He raised it between his neck and the incoming attack, knowing there wasn’t enough time to do anything else.
Dodging was impossible. By the time mana reached his legs, the attack would already have landed. Strengthening his waist and attempting to twist away wouldn’t help either. The creature was too close, and any partial dodge would simply leave him vulnerable to a follow-up strike.
A pulse of mana suddenly expanded from Emma.
The monster’s gaze flickered toward her for the briefest moment. It was only a tiny distraction, but it created an opening.
Alex immediately changed his movement. Instead of maintaining a defensive guard, he drove his fist forward.
If he could kill the creature outright, there would be no need to block.
His punch connected.
The impact felt like striking a stone wall. Pain shot through his arm as the collision sent a shock through his entire body. The monster’s momentum weakened slightly, and it was knocked backward a short distance, causing its claws to miss his throat by mere centimeters.
The creature landed lightly on the ground.
Alex’s expression changed.
Without strengthening his back, his punches were still powerful enough to kill a Level 4 Netherclaw Prowler.
Yet this monster had taken the attack without suffering any visible injury. The difference in durability was immediately obvious.
Alex drew his sword with both hands.
Mana surged through his arms and back as he carefully adjusted the flow to maximize power.
Then he swung.
The blade cut through the air at incredible speed, producing the fastest strike he had ever delivered.
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