"This monster is more like a jaguar than a leopard," Klaus muttered, using his Spirit Eye to observe the Fire Horn Leopard. He was concerned after using the Bell Of Harrows in the last fight, the other Fire Monsters would come.
But from the look of this, this Fire Horn Leopard has no such plans. It was just sleeping, or at least that was how it wanted others to think.
It was also clear that the five Fire Devils didn't like each other, or rather, they simply stayed out of each other's business.
"Brat, try not to cause too much disturbance. Below that rock is a Fire Tulip. Eating it will greatly boost your fire element potency," the senior's voice echoed from within Klaus's soul sea.
Klaus's eyes lit up. "You mean there's a treasure here? Senior, was there a treasure in the first region where I killed that lion?" he asked, his mood visibly improving.
"Everything about this place is a treasure. Just being here will greatly temper your body and strengthen your fire element," the senior replied, slightly amused.
"Well, isn't that just great," Klaus said, glancing around with newfound excitement. After a few moments of observing his surroundings, he realized he had to be careful now. The leopard was resting on a rock, which was precariously balanced on two others. Using his heightened senses, Klaus spotted the flower hidden beneath the rock.
"I need to kill it as fast as possible," Klaus muttered, quickly shifting his focus to a plan. From what he knew, the Fire Horn Leopard has only two abilities: Fire manipulation. The horn on its head is what he uses to manipulate the fire. Also, extreme speed.
Its speed is similar to how Klaus taps into the elemental essence in the air to move but its own is faster—much faster.
Klaus knew better than to engage in direct combat with a beast like this. He might be fast, but he isn't quicker than a Tier 7 Devil that could control fire. Entering a straight fight would be suicide.
"Brat, you have to be careful," the senior's voice echoed once again. "This monster has a unique skill—it can heal itself using fire. And, well, you're literally in the heart of flames here, so be cautious."
Klaus's brow furrowed. "Great," he muttered.
"Just what I needed—an opponent that regenerates in its own element." He glanced around, feeling the oppressive heat of the environment. The flames that surrounded the area were like a constant energy source for the creature. One wrong move, and he'd be stuck in an endless battle with a beast that wouldn't stay down.
Within seconds, its massive body was frozen solid, and then slowly, it fell with a thud.
"Sorry, buddy, I don't have all day to see what kind of skills you have," Klaus muttered, standing atop the stone where the leopard had been just a few moments ago.
"Good one, kid. Now sit on the stone, and I'll teach you a way to channel that energy to temper your body. It'll increase your resistance to fire." Klaus didn't need to ask for more details; he knew the senior wouldn't offer any explanations, given the karma involved.
Klaus settled into a lotus posture, preparing himself for what was to come. At that moment, deep within his soul sea, a golden orb shot out from the first door, pulsating with energy. As it entered his mind, Klaus felt a surge of information flooding his consciousness.
He quickly formed a series of hand seals. From the ground, a round diagram appeared, glowing with energy. As soon as it took shape, Klaus felt his skin start to burn. The hot energy from the surrounding lava began to bake him alive.
"Fuck, this hurts!" Klaus gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay still as the intense energy coursed through his body. Despite the searing pain, he knew he had to endure.
He could feel his body growing more resistant to the heat, and he knew that with this, he would be able to walk around the Fire region without feeling even an ounce of heat.
Thirty minutes later, the heat baking him subsided, meaning it had no effect on him anymore. He stood up and kicked the large stone he had been sitting on, sending it flying. Beneath it, he found a red flower, burning hot. He scooped it up and stored it in his space ring.
"I'll absorb that when I get back home." He then moved to the body of the leopard and, with a flick, picked out the Fire core and crushed it. The dragon tattoo glowed, and the energy from the core flowed into it.
"So, senior, does that mean I just need to feed the Flame Spirit if I want to unlock the other awakened fire elements?" Klaus asked as he stored the monster's body and started moving toward the next region.
"Yes," the voice answered. "You've already awakened them, so just feed the Flame Spirit, and you'll gain enough control over the fires for combat. But that doesn't mean you can stop strengthening your body.
Even though the Flame Spirit holds all types of flames, your body wouldn't be able to handle them yet. The best plan is to keep using all sorts of resources to temper your body. With enough resistance to the fire, you will be able to start actively using them without getting any harmful backlashes"
"So what are my chances of using the Choatic Nirvana Flames" Klaus suddenly asked