Chapter 4: Clash of Man and Beast, The Victor’s Lament

In a remote area of this dangerous mountain range, a loud sound of wood being cut resounded from its deepest regions. Each time it sounded, the earth would vibrate as a towering tree in the distance would fall to the ground, the rustling sound of hedges, plants, and crushed objects similarly sounding.

Many times, a few unusual creatures more powerful than even the Blazing Ice Black Tiger gazed towards the deepest direction in horror before they scampered off to different sectors. Nevertheless, the scene merely continued, as if the person cutting wood did not need to concern themselves with those in the area.

Traveling beyond the endless sight of trees and underbrushes that spanned the mountain range, one would come across an open field that stood at the edge of a clear lake. Here, a simple wooden house was built at its center, with a few neatly chopped logs piled up together at its side, resting on the trimmed grass.

At this time, the sounds of cutting had ended as a rustling sound was heard as if something large was being drawn by something. Moments later, a person appeared from the mists that shrouded a fraction of the field, leaving an area of towering trees.

Giving him a closer look, they would notice that he was an older man with a large ax in one hand. He had a thick-beared with black and white hair and wore simple trousers with his shirt wrapped around his waist, revealing his large potbelly and muscular arms.

A crest was on his chest, but as if something was burned over it, one could hardly make it out. The old mountain man made his way to the house, carrying a massive tree trunk that he pulled in effortless mana.

His brown eyes were staring before him at a few glowing sprites that flew about in the sky, leaving trailing lines of magical power.

The old mountain man smiled as he spoke to himself, "Today is such a wonderful day, even the mountain spirits are joyful."

Not long after, he arrived at the location of the logs and shrugged his shoulder, causing the tree to fall on the ground with a loud vibration.

The old mountain man then cracked his knuckles, setting himself into a strange position as he lifted only one arm into the air as the ax was hoisted above his head.

The mist soon faded, revealing a sharp ray that caused its edge to glisten as the man's arm swelled up with many veins as if he was about to use some strange method.

Soon though, the man's eyes narrowed as he glanced towards a relatively distant section of this mountain range. As if he sensed something, the man frowned as he thought, 'A disturbance, here? Odd, let's see which brat has gotten so brave in these recent years.'

Immediately after his thoughts, the mountain man vanished from his location, as if he was no different from the air itself. A cool wind blew from here, pushing away more of the mists as the morning was slowly coming into effect.

****

Back within the region of the impending battle between Marius and the Blazing Ice Black Tiger, the tension was dense enough for any knife to split it apart, causing even the very atmosphere to have tinge at bloodlust.

Bang! As the Blazing Ice Black Tiger's body erupted with terrifying Blazing Ice Mystic Power, the ground below its feet formed fissures as a ripple scattered across the area, pushing away some remnant stones.

One stone had passed Marius's location, moving at a rate he couldn't stop, but he didn't dare to look back; he knew of his son's strength and a stone like that wouldn't be able to kill him.

As if correct, Grevlin, who saw the stone blowing towards them, was alarmed at first, but as he saw his mother lying on the ground in a sickly state and heard Little Rose cry of alarm, his eyes turned sharp.

"Break!" Grevlin shouted as he struck one of his cursed arms that he's hated for many years towards the boulder, his arm causing it to explode with a bang as it scattered about before him.

Grevlin was a bit surprised, but he didn't have time to express it as he heard something in his mind.

_____

Ding!

[Host has expressed the will to fight, Host has unconsciously activated their hidden potential, conditions for awakening has been met!]

Ding!

[Host's maturity is not yet at the standard for maximum growth, limiting effects of awakening! All core conditions will be activated as the Host progresses on the path of adulthood.]

_____

"Huh? What's this?" Grevlin spoke out loud due to his surprise, but as this situation was dangerous, he no longer focused on it and allowed the transformation to occur.

Much like Grevlin, Marius, who was bearing the brunt of the tiger's aura, was also transforming on his own.

_____

Ding!

[Inborn Skill: Strengthen All has achieved Level 2]

[Remaining Mastery Points: 7165]

Ding!

[Inborn Skill: Strengthen All has achieved Level 3]

[Remaining Mastery Points: 6165]

Ding!

[Inborn Skill: Strengthen All has achieved Level 4]

[Remaining Mastery Points: 4165]

Ding!

[Inborn Skill: Strengthen All has achieved Level 5]

[Remaining Mastery Points: 0]

...

[Inborn Abilities:]

[Strengthen All | Level 5]

[Mastery: 165/8000]

[Description - An inborn skill that allows the Host to strengthen anything he wishes, current effects on battle power are limited to an increase of Five ★ Stars.]

[Effects: Based on current Mystic Power, this technique can be utilized at maximum capacity for 4 Minutes, exceeding this limit will cause severe side effects.]

_____

Growl! The Blazing Ice Black Tiger, having conjured enough power, roared as it charged towards Marius like a blurry shade.

Marius didn't bother to waste time to check the details of his skills, he promptly utilized his skill the instant it had started its charge.

'Strengthen All!' Marus commanded with his mind, his body then began to erupt an astonishing amount of white-colored Mystic Power, it was to such a scale that even the charging tiger had a look of shock in its eyes.

However, that look didn't last for long; its eyes became cold, as it knew that right now, it should use everything it had to finish its prey. In merely a few seconds, it had appeared in front of Marius. It then opened its mouth and bite towards his upper torsor with its sharp-looking fangs.

Marius looked at the tiger that was even bigger than himself solemnly, his body arched in a combat stance as his arms, legs, torso, neck, and just about every part had expanded by a section, filled with hard looking muscles and veins. His skin tone turned a darker shade, almost as if he transitioning from white to bronze or copper.

"Get lost!" Marius yelled as he tackled the tiger directly, as he wasn't prepared with any weapons during his transmission, he could now only adapt to fighting in a primitive manner.

Boom! Both man and beast collided, creating earth-shaking sounds, the ground shook for a second before returning to normal.

As Marius's Mystic Power clashed against the Blazing Ice Mystic Power of the tiger, these energies ravaged the ground around them for a few meters, as even Grevlin, who had retreated with his mother and Little Rose, had only barely escaped its range.

Marius, who was wrestling the Blazing Ice Black Tiger, struggling to push it back vaguely noticed this scene. He grew even more enraged as his eyes turned slightly red as he gripped the tiger firmly with his arms wrapping around its head.

The Blazing Ice Black Tiger felt danger, but before it could act, Marius had already kicked the ground with his leg. Instantly, the two were propelled into the air as Marius spun around like a spinning top while descending, smashing the Blazing Ice Black Tiger's head into the ground, as if doing a superior suplex.

The Blazing Ice Black Tiger's eyes carried a tinge of dizziness when its head smashed into the ground; blood was even dripping from the corner of its mouth.

Marius, who used his strength to perform the suplex, didn't felt better, as he had suffered from the brunt of the impact. He spat out a bit of blood, as he pulled away from the Blazing Ice Black Tiger, staring at it with a hint of caution as he prepared to finish it off.

However, right at this time, Marius saw that the tiger's dizzy eyes grew fiercer, it was as if it wasn't willing to accept death.

GROWWWLLL!

The Blazing Ice Black Tiger made a world-shaking roar as it raised its head body from the ground, ignoring its serious wounds and glaring at Marius with blood-red eyes. Looking at it now, one would even notice that clumps of Blazing Ice were conjured around its claws.

"Damn, such a persistent animal! Why isn't it leaving? Isn't it normal for animals to escape when it feels threatened?" Marius cursed as he saw this creature going berserk. He knew he had to give it one more shot and end it in one blow.

The two looked at each other, as a soft wind blew across the field, rustling their hairs. Moments after, they blurred and charged towards each other, quickly arriving within each other's range.

"Die!"

Roar!

The cry of man and beast sounding through this part of the mountain range, as they crashed into each other once more.

Marius's fist smashed onto the jaw of the Blazing Ice Black Tiger, as the tiger's paws cut a huge wound on Marius's chest, sinking into his skin as the Blazing Ice Mystic Power ravaged his body.

"Ack!" Marius groaned in pain, but he sucked up the feeling and struck out his other arm.

"Ahhh!" With a battle cry to rouse his fighting spirit, Marius, struck with everything he had, the white-colored Mystic Power conjuring around its fist instinctively. His body at this moment gave off an astonishing pressure.

Crack! The moment his fist collided with the head of the tiger, a snapping noise sounded as it leaned itself at a strange angle.

Marius looked at this in relief, as they collapsed on the ground, but couldn't help but feel shocked as he saw that the tiger still had a trace of life within it. Despite having its neck broken, and on the verge of death, it glared at him as if sending him a deep warning.

Not long after, the light faded as it finally entered true death. The moment this happened, Marius heard a series of notifications in his mind.

_____

Ding!

[You have defeated a monster that was considerably stronger than you, converting creatures life force into EXP.]

Ding!

[You have leveled up!]

Ding!

[You have leveled up!]

Ding!

[Your level has arrived at Level 3, your power has advanced by One Star, achieving the rank of a G★ Warrior!

Ding!

[You have awakened the Battle Rank status bar!]

____

Marius didn't bother to think about his current change. He still didn't understand why this tiger would act in such a manner. While he was in thought, Grevlin, who saw that the situation had stabilized, had hurriedly approached with his mother and sister.

The way he held them was peculiar, as he locked them with his elbows rather than his with his palms, which was to ensure he didn't accidentally hurt them with his strength.

"Father, are you fine?" Grevlin asked in worry.

"Dadda! Are you okay?" The adorable Little Rose asked from Grevlin's arms.

Marius had an exhausted look, the blood on his chest visible as traces of fire and ice was still rampant. He shook his head and looked at his children before he replied, "Don't worry, father is fine..."

Grevlin looked at him a bit suspiciously, but he decided not to say anything.

Little Rose, however, asked in a worried tone, "Realy? But... But... Papa... Papa's cut is bad!"

Marius sucked up the pain and brushed his chest, the flames died down, but the internal damage was still in effect. However, he didn't want to show weakness in this kind of setting; he also didn't want to stay here any longer.

"Right, now come on, let us hurry and..." Marius was about to say something, but he soon heard her exclaimed, "Wow, little cwats!"

Grevlin also looked in the direction wide eyes, Marius followed their sights and finally found the reason for the tiger's stubbornness. There, two small tigers were crawling from a distant hedge, they looked at the fallen Blazing Ice Black Tiger with worry as if trying to hurry over, but as they were recently born, they were stumbling as they moved.

"This just leaves a bad taste in my mouth..." Marius said with a sigh, he no longer looked at them, looking at his children that had beaming eyes as he spoke, "Kids, we have to go, we can't stay here any longer."

When Marius said this, he didn't even wait for their reply, he grabbed Ria from Grevlin's hand and lifted up Little Rose before walking away.

Grevlin promptly followed behind, but Little Rose had a sad look when she spoke, "Dadda, I want a small cat..."

Marus sighed hearing this, he looked around carefully, and didn't see any threat, he figured that as the tiger was the overlord of this area, it might have deterred other threats. He was about to hurry to pick one up, but the very moment he turned around, his eyes opened wide in shock as he saw that a stranger had appeared.