Leon exhaled sharply, his body tense as the Thunderclad Serpent and the Titanfang Boar closed in on him. Their towering forms radiated immense pressure, their Legendary and Ancient Grade auras making the air thick with killing intent.
But fear had no place in his heart. He had fought creatures of these levels before. He had already pushed beyond human limitations, but he needed to transcend his very race.
A Dance of Lightning and Steel
The Thunderclad Serpent struck first. With a crackling hiss, it lashed forward, its entire body surging with volatile lightning. Leon barely had time to react before the Titanfang Boar followed up, its massive hooves shaking the earth as it charged at him like a living battering ram.
Leon's instincts sharpened. He twisted his body, dodging just in time for the serpent's fangs to miss him by a hair's breadth. His blade flashed in retaliation—[Void Rend]—slicing clean through its scales, leaving a deep gash along its side.
CRACK!
Lightning exploded from its wound, sending a powerful shockwave through the air. Leon gritted his teeth as electricity arced through his body, but he endured it, forcing himself to stay standing.
Then came the Titanfang Boar.
The ground cracked apart as it barreled toward him, its tusks glowing with a faint golden sheen. Leon barely had time to recover before it was upon him.
[Phantom Step]
Leon vanished in an instant.
The boar's tusks gored through the earth, sending dirt and rock flying in all directions. But Leon had already reappeared above it, his blade descending in a deadly arc.
[Astral Break]
BOOM!
A resounding explosion followed as his attack pierced through the boar's thick hide, cutting deep into its spine. The beast let out an earth-shaking roar before its massive form collapsed into the dust.
The Thunderclad Serpent coiled in agony, its injuries worsening as blood poured from its wounds. Leon didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, blade gleaming with a black and gold radiance, and delivered the final strike.
SHING!
The serpent's head fell, its lifeless body slumping to the ground.
A Faint Glow—The Beginning of Evolution
Leon exhaled, standing amidst the two defeated beasts. His arms were numb from the sheer intensity of battle, but before he could even consider resting—
Ding!
A familiar notification rang in his ears, one he had been waiting for.
⟪ You have reached the peak of your race. Evolution is now available. ⟫
At that moment, a strange golden light enveloped him. The world around him blurred as an invisible force pulled him away.
His vision turned white.
The Trial of Evolution had begun.
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