Chapter 131: Slaughter (1)

Around him, the rest of the team were dealing with the common beasts. Their spells causing mass destruction amongst them.Kyle, however, had no time to admire their efforts. Another Tier 1 beast—a Rock Golem—was barreling toward him.

The beast raised its massive arm, intending to crush him with a single blow but its movement was too slow for Kyle, he didn't even need to activate [Lightning Dash] to dart to the side, letting the golem's arm crash down on the earth.

Kyle took the opportunity, slashing his katana at the creature's rocky hide, leaving thin cracks in its surface. It wasn't enough though as the golem roared, refusing to falter.

"Tough one," he muttered. "I see..."

Kyle wasn't surprised that his katana couldn't cut the beast. He simply reached into his pouch and pulled out a rune.

Pressing it to his katana, he activated its power and the blade flared with blue light as the rune enhanced its sharpness. With renewed vigor, Kyle lunged forward.

"Cut!"

The enhanced strike cleaved into the golem's arm, shattering it at the elbow. The beast roared in pain, swinging wildly with its remaining arm.

Kyle dodged nimbly, using [Lightning Dash] to keep himself out of reach.

Finally, he cast [Lightning Bolt], aiming for the cracks he had created earlier. The bolt struck true, piercing through the golem's chest. It froze momentarily, then collapsed in a heap of rubble.

Another notification appeared:

[You have slain a Tier 1 mana beast: Rock Golem.] Discover hidden stories at M V L

[Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.]

Kyle's grin widened. He could feel his confidence growing with each kill.

The battle continued, and Kyle located another Tier 1 beast. A Storm Hawk. As a bird, it could fly but from its current level as a Tier 1 beast, it could only fly about 5 feet of the ground.

That didn't make it less threatening though and Kyle didn't dare to underestimate it.

The Storm Hawk swooped down at Kyle after almost being hit by his [Lightning Bolt], with wings crackling with the lightning.

Kyle countered with another [Lightning Bolt], which managed to hit the hawk squarely on its face resulting in it becoming disoriented.

Kyle immediately took that opportunity and leapt into the air, using his katana to cleanly slice through the hawk's neck.

[You have slain a Tier 1 mana beast: Storm Hawk.]

[Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.]

A Shadow Panther emerged next, its dark, sleek body almost invisible against the chaos. It lunged at Kyle with supernatural speed and its claws aimed for his throat.

But Kyle was faster, activating [Lightning Dash] to evade and counterattack. His katana caught the panther mid-leap, its icy enchantment freezing the beast's wound instantly.

Kyle pressed his advantage, his blade moved very quickly as he struck repeatedly. It didn't take too long before the panther fell and another notification confirmed his victory.

[You have slain a Tier 1 mana beast: Shadow Panther.]

[Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.]

'That's four,' Kyle thought, glancing at the others.

The team was still dealing with the common beasts. Though they were making progress, the sheer number of enemies was slowing them down.

"I need to finish this faster," Kyle muttered.

Turning his attention back to the remaining Tier 1 beasts, he activated [Lightning Dash] again, his body blurring as he targeted the next one—a Venom Fang snake.

Kyle's movements didn't go unnoticed and the snake snapped its elongated body towards him like a whip.

He twisted mid-dash, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the beast was fast—faster than any of the others he had faced so far.

'This one's not going to go down easy,' Kyle thought, planting his feet and steadying his katana.

"Alright, let's see how you handle this," he muttered. Channeling mana into his palms, Kyle sent a bolt of lightning towards the beast.

"Lightning Bolt!"

Unfortunately, the snake darted to the side, avoiding the attack with uncanny agility, and even managed to retaliate with a stream of venom that sprayed toward Kyle. Sёarch* The ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Not happening!" Kyle shouted, activating [Lightning Dash] to evade. The venom struck the ground where he had been standing, sizzling ominously.

Kyle circled the beast, looking for an opening. Finally, he decided to take a risk. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned another rune from his pouch—a glowing symbol etched into a small metal plate.

He threw it at the Venom Fang, and as it struck the ground near the beast, before activating.

A lightning barrier enveloped the snake upon its activation. Kyle knew the Rune effect would only last some seconds and had to act quick.

He leapt into the air with his katana raised high, and brought it down with all his strength... Right on the moment the barrier dissipated.

[You have slain a Tier 1 mana beast: Venom Fang.]

[Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.]

Kyle yanked his katana free, shards of ice scattering around him. He allowed himself a brief moment to breathe, but the roar of another beast reminded him the fight was far from over.

The next Tier 1 opponent was a Blazing Ram. The massive creature charged forward, its horns glowing red-hot as flames trailed behind it. Kyle steadied his katana, his eyes narrowing as he prepared to face the beast head-on.

The ram lowered its head and kept running towards Kyle to build up momentum, but Kyle didn't flinch. He waited until the last possible second, then sidestepped with [Lightning Dash].

The ram's charge missed by inches, and before it could recover, Kyle struck.

His katana slashed across its flank, the icy enchantment extinguishing the flames along its body. The ram bellowed in rage, spinning to face him again, but Kyle was already moving.

He unleashed a flurry of attacks, each strike precise and relentless.

Finally, with a well-timed [Lightning Bolt], he struck the beast in its exposed side.

The bolt exploded on impact, sending the ram crashing to the ground.

[You have slain a Tier 1 mana beast: Blazing Ram.]

[Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.]

Kyle straightened amd his breath coming in controlled bursts. 'Five down, five to go.'

The remaining Tier 1 beasts—an Earth Driller, a Frost Lynx, and two Wind Wolves—were circling him now. Their coordination was better than he'd expected, each beast waiting for an opportunity to strike.

"Alright," Kyle muttered, tightening his grip on Frozen Claw. "Let's see how well you work together when you're dead."

He lunged toward the Earth Driller first, its hulking form making it the easiest target. The beast roared and its drill-like claws spinning furiously as it prepared to counter.

Kyle darted left, feinting an attack, before using [Lightning Dash] to appear on its right. His katana slashed through one of its legs, forcing it to collapse.

Before the Earth Driller could retaliate, Kyle summoned another rune and slapped it onto the beast's exposed back.

The rune exploded in a burst of frost, freezing its body in place. With a decisive strike to its head, Kyle ended the fight.

[You have slain a Tier 1 mana beast: Earth Driller.]

[Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.]

The remaining beasts hadn't support their comrade and had just watched on till Kyle killed the other.

"Stupid creatures," Kyle muttered before targeting the Frost Lynx next. It was smaller but faster and its sharp claws werecoated in frost as it leapt toward him.

Kyle met the lynx midair. He parried its strikes with his katana, countering with precise stabs. Finally, he managed to land a decisive blow and his blade piercing the beast's heart.

[You have slain a Tier 1 mana beast: Frost Lynx.]

[Reward: 1* Tier 1 Mana Core obtained.]