Arthur raised his head, not a flicker of guilt or hesitation crossing his mind. This was his world now, and to rise above it, there could be no weakness.
"No mercy." Arthur growled, storing what remained of the boar’s body into his [Inventory] for later use. The air around him sizzled with heat, his body pulsing with energy from the boar’s essence.
The Infernal Grove was just another step, another trial. But now, his next target awaited. He wasn’t just following instincts anymore. Arthur was evolving—not just physically, but mentally. And soon, Volcranax and whatever creature lay beneath the gorge would learn the name of the monster that was rising through the ranks.
*
Arthur felt the familiar hum of his Void Core, a constant pulse that echoed in the back of his mind as he trudged forward. His psychic senses were sharper now, each step through the Molten Cascade making him more aware of the world around him. The molten lava fell like a violent waterfall from Volcanis Peak up ahead, its roar a thunderous reminder that the heart of the Scorching Badlands was alive, always moving, always watching. The heat was unbearable for any creature of lesser strength, but Arthur? He reveled in it.
I need something stronger, Arthur thought as he peered down at his horns, the runes still glowing with a faint red hue from the last battle. He had evolved, sure, but there was a hunger gnawing at him. Evolution was just the beginning. He craved more, and something inside told him that the key to more power lay somewhere ahead.
He lifted his head and opened the Map. A white pulse blinked softly near the peak of the mountain, where the lava flowed like endless rivers of fire.
I’ll deal with you soon enough, he thought, his lips curling into a half-snarl.
Before he could take another step, his instincts flared.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Danger: Multiple high-heat signatures detected in the area. Proceed with caution.
Arthur’s eyes narrowed as he activated [Analyze]. In an instant, a new readout filled his vision.
[ANALYZE COMPLETE]
Ash Serpent (First Stage, Mid-Level)
Attributes: Fire affinity, heat resistance, ambush predator
Notes: Utilizes molten environments to hide movements. Prone to attacking in packs.
So that’s your game, Arthur mused as he shifted his weight slightly. The molten earth beneath him rumbled. He flexed his tail, eyes scanning the red-orange landscape, expecting movement at any moment. His claws glowed faintly, ready to unleash destruction at a moment’s notice.
And then, they struck.
From beneath the molten flow, a serpentine form shot forward, its body shimmering like liquid fire. Before Arthur could fully react, the creature coiled around his leg, dragging him closer to the lava. He roared in defiance, his tail swinging violently as he tried to shake the creature off.
"You little..." He grit his teeth, feeling the pressure tightening around his leg. The heat intensified as the serpent dragged him closer to the molten flow, its glowing eyes reflecting the sheer hunger of a predator that knew its prey was caught.
But Arthur was no prey.
With a snarl, his [Psychic] power flared, focusing on the serpent’s mind. His horns glowed, the runes pulsing as his mental power surged. He could feel the serpent’s instincts—the need to constrict, to kill. In an instant, he snapped its spine with a brutal mental twist. The serpent’s body went limp, loosening its deadly grip.
Before Arthur could fully savor his victory, the ground erupted.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Multiple threats inbound. Enemies are converging on your location.
More Ash Serpents—ten, maybe more—burst from the molten ground, their eyes glowing with molten light, their bodies sleek and dangerous as they slithered toward him from all sides. Arthur braced himself, but even he couldn’t suppress the grim realization that this was no ordinary fight.
The serpents hissed, surrounding him in a predatory circle. They must have been drawn to the fight, Arthur thought. Smarter than they look.
The first serpent lunged, its body moving like liquid through the air. Arthur barely dodged the attack, his thick, long tail smashing into the ground to create distance. But the serpents were relentless, closing in on him from all angles.
They’re trying to wear me down...
Arthur’s patience was running thin. He felt the energy inside his Void Core burning hotter than ever, and a grin stretched across his face. Time to test his limits. His body began to hum with destructive energy, a low vibration that started deep in his core and spread outward.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Warning: [Destruction Pulse] activation will significantly deplete energy reserves.
He didn’t care.
Red energy snaked along the cracks of his carapace, lighting up the darkened spires around him as he charged up the [Destruction Pulse]. The serpents, sensing something was wrong, hesitated for a split second.
Too late.
With a roar, Arthur unleashed the pulse.
The shockwave that followed was unlike anything the serpents could have anticipated. The sheer force of the Destruction Pulse ripped through the molten earth, disintegrating everything in its path. Serpents screamed as they were torn apart, their bodies reduced to ash in the blink of an eye.
The roar of the Molten Cascade was drowned out by the blast, and for a moment, everything went still.
Arthur stood panting, his wings flaring slightly as the glow of destruction faded from his body. His energy reserves were dangerously low, but the serpents were gone—every last one of them.
That was... close.
As he tried to regain his breath, the Map flashed in his mind again. The white pulse had shifted—closer now, and something about it tugged at Arthur’s instincts. He was almost there.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Energy levels critically low. Recharge required.
Be prepared. Soon, something wicked this way comes.
Arthur’s eyes narrowed at the cryptic warning from the system. It wasn’t the first time he had received a foreboding message like this, but somehow this one felt... different. Like a storm was brewing beneath the surface, ready to unleash itself the moment he let his guard down.
Something wicked, huh? Arthur smirked, glancing at the smoldering remains of the serpents around him. Bring it on.
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But for now, he needed to recharge.