[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the 'Summoning Beast: Three-Tailed'!]
A dazzling golden light flashed and gradually faded, the message settling in with a satisfying chime.
[Summoning Beast: Three-Tails. Real Name: Isobu. Specialty: Water Release. Level: Tier 5 - Advanced.]
"It's actually the Three-Tails?" Smith raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.
He already had one Tailed Beast, so gaining another was more than he could've hoped for.
Although both the One-Tail and Three-Tails were classified as Tier 5 Advanced, there was still a clear difference in strength between the two. On land, the One-Tail had superior combat capabilities. But if they were to fight in water, the Three-Tails held a significant advantage.
That said, the power gap between them wasn't insurmountable. Both were terrifying forces on their own.
Now that Smith possessed two Tier 5 Advanced-level beasts, he had a considerable trump card up his sleeve. Even in a perilous place like Starfall Forest, he had the strength to move freely.
"Not bad at all," he muttered, a small smile tugging at his lips.
As the excitement of the lottery win faded, the aroma of boiling meat drifted through the air. Smith turned toward the simple stone stove he had set up, where a bubbling pot of wolf meat stew was just about ready. Without hesitation, he grabbed a bowl and began devouring the contents directly from the pot.
The wilderness wasn't kind, and good meals were rare. The taste might have been bland, but for Smith, it was more than enough.
If all went according to plan, he could camp in Starfall Forest for an extended time, hunting monsters, collecting their cores, and exchanging them for energy points. Slowly but surely, he would build up his strength—until he was powerful enough to return.
---
Starfall Forest.
The largest monster-dense region in the central territory, it was almost a forbidden zone for humankind.
But "almost" didn't mean "completely."
On this day, a group of around a dozen individuals cautiously stepped into the forest's outer zone. Their footsteps slowed as the dense canopy closed overhead and the air thickened with tension.
"We're officially entering the outskirts of Starfall Forest. Everyone, stay alert!" barked the team leader—a stern middle-aged man clad in dark golden armor, a silver spear slung across his back. His sharp gaze scanned the surroundings with practiced caution.
The group behind him, composed entirely of third-level psychics, kept their weapons drawn and their senses sharp. Every rustle of leaves or crunch of twigs set them on edge.
Among them stood one striking contrast: a young girl who couldn't have been more than eighteen or nineteen. She wore a light blue dress and had an ethereal presence, her delicate features framed by flowing black hair. Her wide eyes were filled with nervous energy—clearly not someone accustomed to dealing with monsters.
Every time a distant roar echoed through the trees, she tensed and looked around like a startled deer.
"Xiaoyue, don't worry," a bright, cheerful young man said reassuringly. "I'll protect you no matter what!"
"Thank you, Brother Luo Yang." Despite her anxiety, Xiaoyue offered him a soft smile. That simple expression made Luo Yang's heart flutter.
He couldn't have asked for a better chance to earn her trust—and maybe even her affection.
The group pressed onward, deeper into the forest. Their mission was clear: hunt down a creature known as the Starfall Tiger and retrieve its monster core.
ROAR!
Just as they advanced further, a deafening roar shook the surroundings.
Massive figures burst from the underbrush, surrounding them from all sides.
Bad news: they had found the Starfall Tigers.
Worse news: the Starfall Tigers had found them first.
Dozens of large, muscled beasts with striped pelts now circled the group. Their yellow eyes gleamed with predatory intent.
"They've surrounded us?" someone whispered, panic creeping into their voice.
"We came to hunt one, not fight the whole pack," another muttered, gripping his sword tightly.
"Prepare for battle!" the armored leader commanded, raising his spear. His expression darkened as he analyzed the situation.
There were many enemies—but fortunately, they were all third-level. Dangerous, yes, but not unbeatable.
But then, a deep, gravelly voice echoed from the trees.
"Foolish humans... How dare you trespass into my territory? Are you tired of living?"
The voice hadn't come from any person.
Everyone turned in shock and spotted a massive Starfall Tiger slowly stepping forward from the shadows. Its yellow-brown fur gleamed under the sunlight, and its muscles rippled with every step. But what left them speechless was the fact that the creature had spoken—clear, articulate, and intelligent.
"It... it can talk?!"
"Isn't that only possible at Tier 5?" someone gasped.
Usually, only fifth-tier monsters could speak human language. Rarely, a gifted fourth-tier could manage a few words.
And this tiger? It was only a Tier 4 Intermediate.
"That's the Starfall Tiger King," the team leader said grimly.
Everyone's expressions turned grave.
This was no longer just a simple hunt. They were trapped—hunted.
"Hold your ground! Maintain formation and get ready!" the leader shouted.
Escape was no longer an option.
The only way out—was through.
ROAR!
The Tiger King growled, baring its fangs. With a commanding snarl, the surrounding tigers leapt forward, and the battle erupted.
"Fire Phoenix — Blaze the Prairie!"
"Wind Breath — Sea Gale Surge!"
Two experienced team members reacted first, sending waves of fire and wind energy through the forest, striking down several charging tigers.
The leader, wielding his spear with both hands, charged straight toward the Tiger King.
To kill the beast, strike the head.
If he could take down the Tiger King, the rest might scatter.
"Oh? You're coming straight for me?" the Tiger King laughed, voice dripping with contempt. "How bold!"
It launched itself at the team leader, claws ready.
Their clash sent shockwaves through the forest.
The Starfall Tigers worked as a team, using their terrain to their advantage. Despite being lower-tier, their unity made them formidable. The humans began suffering injuries. Cuts, bruises, and broken bones were quickly adding up.
ROAR!
One tiger broke through the line and lunged at Xiaoyue.
"Holy Shield!"
She raised her hands and summoned a golden barrier just in time.
BANG!
The beast crashed into the shield, bouncing back slightly—but not defeated.
Despite only being a Tier 3 Beginner, her holy power was strong. But her strength was already nearing its limit.
"I'm here, Xiaoyue!"
Luo Yang arrived just in time, dual swords flashing as he sliced the tiger's throat. With practiced motion, he reached into the corpse and pulled out the glowing monster core.
"I got one! Everyone, fall back!" he shouted.
Hearing that, the team began retreating while fighting, hoping to break out of the encirclement.
But the Tiger King wasn't about to let them escape so easily.
In the midst of his battle, he roared and unleashed a surge of brown spiritual energy. It pulsed outward, then shot straight into the earth.
"Going somewhere? Earth Shift Technique!"
BOOM!
The ground trembled violently. In seconds, a towering circular wall of earth erupted around the entire battlefield, sealing them inside.
"Damn it!" the leader cursed.
With no other choice, he raised his spear, now crackling with lightning.
"Thunder Art — Ten Thousand Strikes Break the Sky!"
He lunged forward, electricity exploding in every direction as he attempted to pierce through the Tiger King's earth wall.
---
Meanwhile...
Far away from the chaos, Smith sat under the shade of a tree, enjoying the aftertaste of his meal. He glanced at the Three-Tails sealed within his spiritual domain, quietly meditating in a pool of water.
"This forest has gotten lively," he murmured, sensing the burst of spiritual energy in the distance.
He stood up, brushing the crumbs off his cloak.
"Let's see what kind of trouble found its way into Starfall today."
With the Three-Tails behind him, and One-Tail resting in his spirit space, Smith began walking toward the chaos.
Unseen. Unheard. And more than ready.
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