The calm prevailing in the woods was abruptly disturbed when the Mistlynx leaped at Erik from where it had been perched on a tree branch. Its eyes glittered with predatory intent, and its razor-sharp claws glinted menacingly in the sunshine filtered through the trees.
Erik, ever watchful, had readied himself for the impending aggression without batting an eyelid.
The Mistlynx was quick, and its first jump was a flurry of motion directed at Erik's throat. It was a potentially fatal blow designed to end the hunt immediately. But Erik could evade the attack by relying on his quick reflexes and heightened awareness. He felt the whoosh of air as the claws missed his throat.
<It is better than I expected, but not enough to threaten me,> the young man thought.
As Erik moved out of the way, the Mistlynx adjusted the trajectory of its assault and began advancing again using its muscular rear legs. However, it was time for Erik to move now.
He evaded another blow by pivoting, and the creature's claws tore into the ground nearby where he had been standing just a few seconds earlier.
Erik took advantage of this window of opportunity. He felt a surge of mana within himself as he ignited the brain crystal power associated with his Force Fist, the power he got from Nathaniel's brain crystal.
The tension in the air appeared to make the air thicker. A focused light of mana emanated from his fist when he drew back. He took a rapid and accurate shot at the Mistlynx's head, which was the target of his attack. The result was catastrophic.
The impact echoed throughout the woods, producing a dull thud that shook the air. The Mistlynx's skull could not take the impact and caved in quickly.
The creature's fur was unharmed, but the beast suffered severe brain injuries from the young man's blow. The thing stumbled before collapsing in a heap, blood dripping from its eyes, ears, and mouth as it died.
Erik observed the dead husk of the once-frightening beast. The monster was dispatched humanely and effectively, allowing the costly hide and essential organs to be recovered afterward.
[MISTLYNX KILLED: MANA ABSORBING PROCESS STARTING.]
[0%...1%....5%...30%...70%...100%]
[MANA SUCCESSFULLY ABSORBED, STARTING CONVERTING PROCEDURE.]
[3...2...1...0]
[MANA SUCCESSFULLY CONVERTED INTO EXPERIENCE. 4 EXPERIENCE POINTS AWARDED TO THE HOST.]
While the tranquility of the woodland was restored to its normal state, Erik considered his options.
<What do I do now? I could take its brain crystal, but it could be more powerful and frankly useless to me. I would only spend DNA points for nothing. I could merge them, but I don't know what to do. Besides, I have far too many powers on my hands now, and training them all is gruesome.>
After a moment's consideration, Erik decided that having it was better than not having it. He prepared to make his next move, pleased with the efficiency and speed of his hunt.
[MISTLYNX'S DNA ACQUIRED. STARTING THE ANALYSIS.]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[MISTLYNX'S DNA HAS BEEN FOUND COMPATIBLE WITH THE BRAIN CRYSTAL POWER "ANIMAL SHAPE SHIFTING" TO STRENGTHEN THE POWER; THE HOST IS REQUIRED TO DRINK AT LEAST 20 CC OF BLOOD.]
[100 DNA POINTS ARE REQUIRED TO EXTRACT THE DNA. 500 TO GET IT WITHOUT INCURRING PAIN AND LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS. ANOTHER 500 TO ABSORB IT INSTANTLY.]
[14650 DNA POINTS DETECTED. COMMENCING EXTRACTION?]
<No, I will do it later.>
However, he cupped his hand and drank the blood until a new notification appeared in front of him.
[BLOOD ABSORBED. DNA STORING PROCEDURE STARTED. PLEASE WAIT.]
[PROCEDURE COMPLETE.]
"Good." After that, he removed the crystal from the thaid's brain by entering the skull through the eye socket.
The skull has already been broken; therefore, it wasn't difficult to do so. However, he decided to sever the head of this specimen to avoid problems with the Porter Company.
[MISTLYNX'S BRAIN CRYSTAL ACQUIRED. STARTING THE ANALYSIS.]
[ANALYSIS COMPLETE.]
[100 DNA POINTS ARE REQUIRED TO EXTRACT THE POWER. 500 TO GET IT WITHOUT INCURRING PAIN AND LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS.]
[14650 DNA POINTS DETECTED. EXTRACTION IS NOT ADVISED; THE HOST HAS INCOMPATIBLE DNA.]
[EXTRACTION ABORTED]
After ending the Mistlynx's threat, Erik immediately set to work. After unsheathing his Flyssa, he swiftly severed the head of the beast, and the blade of the weapon cut through the creature's neck with an almost unsettling ease.
The next step was for Erik to dig a small hole in the dirt and set the creature's head inside.
He did not want the other crew members to inquire about the missing brain crystal. Even though he had previously been in a position with the Densoph similar to this one, he decided it was best to be careful rather than sorry. It was never a good idea to raise doubts about his actions.
Erik went into his pocket and removed a little gadget from within it. The company that employed him as a porter gave him a portable communicator.
After activating it, he established a connection with Thorne right away. "Thorne," Erik's voice came through the device, calm and collected as always, and he said, "I've secured the first Mistlynx. You are welcome to come pick up the body."
Thorne received an instant notification of his whereabouts thanks to the cutting-edge technology contained in the communicator. After a brief break of only a few seconds, Thorne's voice came back on, somewhat chaotic but still clear.
"I see. All right then, it won't take long until we get there. By the way, good job," he said, his tone tinged with appreciation for what Erik had accomplished.
"We were surprised to get a message from you so quickly, but I guess you were sure of what you were doing when you accepted the quest."
Erik nodded, knowing that Thorne was oblivious to the gesture. He paused momentarily to collect his thoughts before turning off the communicator and taking a deep breath.
As soon as he was ready, he dashed into the woods, looking for his next target. It was not even close to being over yet.
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