Chapter 45 Leader Of The Beasts

Slash to the right, pierce exactly a second after. Another two dead.

It had been over an hour since I had initially started to slaughter these beasts and through that I have gained a deep understanding of their patterns.

The life and death battles had tempered my accuracy. Every move I made had purpose, that was not to say that they had no wasted lives but I was growing ever closer to that perfection.

Another dead this time to an aether enhanced kick that gave me enough momentum to push myself towards another beast.

*SLASH*

Though I had killed the best I aimed for, another had quickly taken its place using the time when I was reorienting myself to take a bite at me.

A small bite mark appeared on my arm though because I had reinforced it the damage was minimized.

While it was biting me I took the chance to bring my spear up, piercing it through the chest.

My aim was off though, allowing the beast to live for a second more before I tore my spear out of its side leaving it to bleed out and die.

…

"Hah" "hah"

I was panting almost exhausted of all my energy though I had taken out most of my enemies.

All around me were the corpses of at least 500 beasts.

Wounds littered my body and blood dripped down both my legs and torso. It was surprising that my legs had taken damage seeing as their average size was up to my chin.

But apparently they had coordinated well enough to have one go for my legs while the other goes for the throat.

I had fallen for that once and almost died. My leg had been locked so I could not dodge while the one running for my throat closed the distance.

The only reason I had gotten out of that situation was because of Tama's interference.

Right when I was about to die the one going for my throat and leg were dusted out of existence leaving nothing behind.

…

Done with my reminiscing I look toward the largest beast.

He was at least twice as tall as the others, maybe even thrice as tall. But all this time he had not attacked even as I slaughtered all his subordinates.

All he had done was watch but now that I had killed almost a third of his horde he had finally gotten up.

Lumbering over to me I could feel the weight of his power.

While he was making his way over to me I took a shaky breath, hardening my resolve I looked back towards the leader of the pack.

In just a second I was already at the beast's throat slashing at it.

…

Instead of the splatter of blood I expected the beast opened his mouth and roared

*ROAR*

I was pushed back, the force of his roar forcing me onto the ground.

Taking this chance I saw the beast's claw curling up to stomp down onto me.

Quickly reorienting myself on the ground I push back, getting myself out of the beast's range.

Taking the chance, while I was retreating I quickly slashed at the claw of the beast cutting it off.

*ROAR*

The beast roared in pain and red filled its eyes and soul.

It was at that moment that I remembered my shared vision with Aoif. I could see the beast's soul. I could see where to cut to completely destroy it.

Taking another glance at the beast I quickly pinpoint the dot of his soul. Right on his forehead between the eyebrows of the beast was the point I needed to pierce.

The only problem was getting there in the beginning.

The last time I had tried to slash at its throat to quickly end the battle had not ended well. I doubt that it would end well now that it was pissed at me for taking a claw off of it.

*BANG* *BANG*

I dodged more of his attacks while I looked for the right opening.

It was then that I saw my chance, the beast had overextended leaving one of its paws stuck in between a couple of trees.

Quickly taking the chance I use all of my power to dash up.

My leap allowed me to reach the head of the beast and with one final pierce the battle ended.

The soul of the beast had been pierced. The body quickly crumbles without the support of the soul.

…

[Congratulations, you have leveled up to 7/5]

[Congratulations on defeating one of the realm protectors]

[You have gained 1/5 ownership of this realm.]

[System Announcement: the veil will disappear in 15 days]

'Ownership' I think to myself while healing the various wounds I had received while fighting.

Looking around the rest of the beasts had retreated instead of staying to fight so I went back to thinking of what that notification meant.

The fact that the beast was titled a realm protector was telling from that I could tell that they protected the realm and with the one I killed whatever was keeping the veil up was gone, giving us less days to prepare before the veil is pierced.

Other than that the ownership of the realm was shared by five protectors, well now four and me.

"My, Lord" Tama calls out after appearing next to me.

Before she could say anything else I explained the situation to her.

"What should we do?" I ask

…

After a moment of silence Tama finally replies to me.

"We should hunt down the rest, my Lord" Tama finally answers, "We already have enough combat power to dominate this realm but with full ownership we could do lots more"

"Ownership, do you know what that means, Tama?"

"Yes, my Lord, ownership of a realm makes the whole realm act as if it was your territory. All other territories must be sanctioned by you and pre-established ones must register with you or be kicked to another realm."

"I would have the power to do that?" I ask

"Yes, my Lord"