Leon stood atop a jagged cliff, gazing down at the vast, mist-covered valley below. The land stretched endlessly, home to countless powerful beasts. His body still carried the lingering exhaustion from his intense battles, but his eyes burned with determination.
It had been weeks since he merged his beasts, creating Fenrir, a Divine-Grade entity of unmatched strength. However, that strength meant little when he faced Gaia's Divine Envoy and was utterly crushed. The memory of that moment was a scar in his mind, a reminder that power alone wasn't enough—he needed mastery, skill, and true control over his evolution.
"I am still too weak."
Those words echoed in his heart, fueling his relentless training. He had set one goal for himself—to reach his racial peak before stepping foot in the Elven Continent. The only way forward was through endless battles and pushing himself to the limit.
A Training Ground of Beasts
The valley below was known as The Ravaged Expanse, a place where creatures of Ancient Grade and below roamed freely. Unlike the carefully controlled leveling zones used by players, this was a natural battleground, where only the strong survived. It was the perfect place for him to hone his strength.
Leon's hand rested on the hilt of his blade as he took his first step downward. The moment his foot touched the ground, an oppressive aura spread through the air. The creatures had noticed him.
ROOOOAAAR!
A massive, six-legged obsidian panther lunged from the shadows, its Mythic Grade aura sending shockwaves through the earth. Leon's eyes flickered as he sidestepped effortlessly, his blade flashing in a swift arc.
[Void Slash]
A thin, crescent-shaped cut shimmered through the air before bisecting the beast. Blood sprayed, and the panther's body collapsed lifelessly. But there was no time to rest.
From the thick jungle, a towering Thunderclad Serpent (Legendary Grade, Level 230) slithered forth, its golden scales crackling with electricity. Behind it, a Titanfang Boar (Ancient Grade, Level 280) stomped the ground, preparing to charge.
Leon's muscles tensed. This was exactly what he needed.
A battle of endurance. A battle of skill.
If he wished to evolve, he had to prove himself worthy of breaking past his racial limits.
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