The Blackwood Wilds were silent, but Leon knew better than to trust the stillness. His gaze remained locked on the Obsidian Terrorbeast, its four crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
A powerful creature. Ancient Grade.
Stronger than anything he had tamed before—stronger than him.
But strength was precisely what he needed.
Leon crouched low, channeling Shadow Veil, his presence flickering as he merged with the darkness. The beast's ears twitched, sensing something, but it didn't react immediately.
Slowly, Leon raised his hand, activating Tamer's Gaze.
[Attempting to subdue the Obsidian Terrorbeast…]
The beast froze, its body trembling as an invisible force pressed against its will. Its crimson eyes flickered with resistance, but Leon didn't falter. His will was stronger.
[Obsidian Terrorbeast is resisting…]
[Resisting…]
[Resisting…]
Leon's brows furrowed. It won't submit easily.
Then, with a sudden burst of power, the Terrorbeast roared, shattering the pressure of his skill.
"Then I'll do it the hard way," Leon muttered.
His aura surged, Mythic-grade mana radiating around him as he launched forward.
The beast reacted instantly, its obsidian claws swiping through the air. Leon twisted mid-air, dodging with a precise step before counterattacking—Ghost Fang Strike.
The spectral energy slashed through the beast's hide, but barely left a mark.
It was tough.
The Terrorbeast lunged, forcing Leon to retreat. He needed more than just his own power.
Leon's gaze flickered. If it won't submit… I'll break its will.
Summoning his tamed beasts was an option, but instead—he would face this alone.
He activated Spectral Dominion, his form flickering between solid and ethereal, dodging the Terrorbeast's strikes with unnatural speed.
Minutes passed.
Then an hour.
Leon's stamina ran low, but the beast was finally weakening.
A final Ghost Fang Strike tore through its defenses, sending it crashing into the dirt.
The moment its body hit the ground, Leon extended his hand once more.
[Attempting to tame…]
This time, the beast did not resist.
[Obsidian Terrorbeast has submitted.]
[You have tamed an Ancient Grade beast!]
Leon exhaled. One step closer.
He glanced at the sky. His journey to level 250 was just beginning.