The mist clung to Erik's clothing, giving the woodland an eerie, peaceful atmosphere. He was cautious about making noise as he walked, considering the fallen leaves and twigs. The Mistlynx were notoriously evasive since they were masters of disguise in the mist.
Erik continued farther into the woodland, where the mist became thicker and his vision worse. Here, the ability to quickly and efficiently scan the area with Hais's brain crystal proved helpful.
He closed his eyes and listened intently to the sounds of the forest around him: crickets in the distance, the gentle rustling of leaves, and then, strangely, a succession of low growls and snarls.
Erik, intrigued, cautiously approached the sound's origin. Through the mist, he could make out the silhouettes of two Mistlynx as he got closer.
Their silvery fur glistened and made them look ethereal. They were fighting for territory and were eyeing a Thaid's carcass, which they probably wanted to eat.
Erik hid behind a sizable fern as he watched the show. The Mistlynx were incredible to watch in action.
Their claws went menacingly as they rushed and swiped at each other, each armed with the strength of their specific brain crystal. Amazingly agile, they danced a lethal duet of avoidance and counterattack.
Only the snarls of the Mistlynx, the thud of their bodies, and the delicate touch of the mist could be felt in the silent forest. Erik was amazed by their feral vigor and elegance as he saw their fur rise and fall over straining muscles.
At last, one of the Mistlynxes struck a strike that sent its foe reeling. The defeated beast gave a mournful howl and fled into the fog, allowing the winner to take possession of the loot.
The Mistlynx was so pleased with its victory that it decided to eat right then. Erik recognized an opening. The beast was distracted for just long enough for him to make his move.
As he readied his attack, though, he couldn't help but think of the delicate equilibrium in the wild. Erik briefly pondered letting the Mistlynx enjoy the victory because it was well deserved.
But he had a job to finish. He took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself for a swift and merciless blow.
The misty forest appeared to stop, and the Mistlynx's happy purring as it began to feast was the only sound to be heard. Dim light cast shifting shadows, and the boundaries between truth and illusion became hazy.
He appeared to stretch beyond them for a split second—an eternity. Erik was particularly mindful of his surroundings; his focus amplified the most minor details and caused him to become hyperaware of his surroundings.
With a silent exhale, he sprang forward from his cover among the ferns. The fog parted as if it were a stage curtain, showing his drifting body, muscles tensed, and eyes fixed on his extended arm.
The Mistlynx missed the imminent threat and proceeded to eat its prey. Its defeated opponent, still hanging about on the margins and nursing its wounds, noticed something was off.
Its eyes widened in horror when it saw Erik flying through the air. It seemed to emanate a strange light from Erik's fist.
In that instant, the situation reached a critical point. Mana from Erik's brain crystal powered his force fist, which made contact with the Mistlynx.
There was no wail of pain or a feeble attempt at resistance, just a loud thump vibrating through the soil, sending leaves flying and mist swirling in a haphazard dance.
There was no time for the other Mistlynx to process what was happening. Its once-vibrant body quickly crumpled to the ground. As its survival instincts kicked in, its beaten adversary froze, still watching from a distance.
But Erik still needed to be finished. He turned in the air, using the force of his jump and the extra speed from his brain crystal to change his course.
His still-mana-charged fist connected for a second time. With a second resounding thud, the second Mistlynx joined in the death of its defeated brethren on the forest floor.
Erik landed softly, with the woodland floor cushioning his fall. As he got to his feet, a cloud of leaves and mist whirled about him before settling.
The two Mistlynx were quiet and lifeless on the ground, their deaths a peaceful contrast to the fierceness of their previous fight. The claws retracted for the last time, leaving silver fur gleaming in the gloom.
[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. 8 EXPERIENCE POINTS AWARDED TO THE HOST.]
Erik hesitated, contemplating the importance of his deeds. These magnificent animals, who had been engaged in a primal battle just minutes before, now lay immobile as a result of what he had done.
He shook off the feeling and focused on the urgency of attaining his objective. He took a moment to gather his thoughts and then moved on to the next phase of his work.
He quickly manipulated the compact communicator in his hand, and Thorne's voice soon crackled to life. "Thorne, add two more Mistlynx to your retrieval list," Erik announced, his tone crisp and businesslike.
Thorne's voice betrayed his astonishment. "You're kidding! It's only been ten minutes since your last call. You've taken down two more in that short period?"
Erik nodded to himself, a subtle smirk crossing his lips. "I told you there was no need to worry."
Thorne's chuckle came through the speaker, tinged with a blend of disbelief and respect. "If you keep this up, we'll reach our quota by noon! We're on our way. Keep your location signal on."
Erik nodded in agreement, disconnected, and put the device away. He paused for a bit to look around at the woods. The fog had thickened, its slender strands winding silently through the overgrown vegetation and towering trees.
The sound of far-off creatures and the gentle crunch of leaves under his boots disturbed the forest's calm, creating an eerie yet beautiful mood.
With his senses sharp, Erik continued further into the woodland. Seeing another Mistlynx in the dense fog could be difficult, but he wasn't worried. After all, his eyes weren't the only thing he used to find the monsters.
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