[Ding! Nix and Little White have killed the two bears]
[Ding! Nix's experience at King Rank Beast has increased to 85%.]
[Ding! Little White's experience at Conqueror Rank Beast has increased to 100%.]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining 900 million Evolution Points.]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining 4,500 Gacha Points.]
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a 1x High-level Summon Pool.]
"What the fuck, that 85% is pissing me off." Cain cursed in his heart when saw that Nix's experience was just 15% that it was just a waste to not let him fight one more time and make it to 100%.
He then let Nix fight one more time before continuing their journey to the main world.
…
Fortunately for him, after Nix had taken a rest for quite a while, Cain's group crossed paths with a falcon, and Cain immediately had a thought of letting Nix fight with it, since this falcon was just a little bit higher in rank but still weaker compared to Nix in stats comparison.
Nix then immediately jumped out of Cain's embrace, soaring into the sky and revealed his true form.
A gust of wind rippled across the mountainside as Nix locked eyes with the majestic falcon hovering overhead.
Though the bird was smaller in stature compared to the wooden bears Nix had fought before, there was no mistaking the lethal aura that pulsed around it as storms of crackling thunder and swirling gusts of wind coalesced beneath its wings.
A faint rumble of electricity danced along its sleek feathers, and the swift shift of air currents betrayed its phenomenal agility.
From his vantage point on solid ground, Nix felt the prickle of anticipation and the chill of caution.
'This one's different,' he thought grimly. 'Faster, and that thunder-wind combination could be a nightmare.'
The falcon wasted no time. With a piercing shriek, it dove at breakneck speed, lightning flickering around its talons. Nix raised his claws in a defensive stance, preparing to counter with [Ice Claw] skill.
Yet the sheer velocity of the attack caught him by surprise as the falcon seemed to vanish in a blur, reappearing only when it was almost upon him.
By reflex, Nix lashed out, the tips of his ice-coated talons grazing the bird's flank. But he felt a sudden jolt course through his arm as a burst of electric energy retaliated.
Gritting his teeth, Nix reeled back. A sizzling scorch mark marred his scales where stray thunder arcs had struck.
'Its attack is no joke,' he noted, wincing slightly. The falcon's energy level might be lower than his own, but its specialized element and speed more than made up for that gap.
High above, the falcon circled, electric-blue sparks flickering around its eyes. Then it unfurled its wings wide, conjuring a gust that swept across the battlefield. The wind slammed into Nix, forcing him to brace.
Dust and loose debris spiraled around his legs. He inhaled, gathering a thin layer of frost around his scales, an improvised defense he used before activating a bigger skill.
With a shrill cry, the falcon slashed the air with one wing, launching a condensed blade of wind. Realizing the threat too late, Nix hastily activated [Mirror Ice] skill, creating a gleaming wall of frost in front of him.
The wind blade struck the reflective surface, causing a sharp crack, and a portion of the attack ricocheted off at a wild angle.
Even so, the impact was enough to send a shudder along the ground beneath Nix's feet. Flecks of ice scattered, and a painful sting radiated from his arms where the recoil had jarred him.
'I can't keep blocking these forever,' Nix thought, biting back a groan as he shook off the lingering numbness. The falcon was relentless, weaving through the air with unmatched grace, launching short bursts of thunder-laced wind that raked across the battlefield in rapid succession.
Each time Nix tried to retaliate with [Ice Breath] or [Ice Spike], the falcon would abruptly shift direction, letting the projectiles slam into empty ground or vanish into thin air.
A swirl of static shimmered around the falcon's body, and Nix stiffened. Another direct strike, he guessed. Sure enough, the bird swooped in again, talons crackling with thunder.
This time, Nix lunged sideways at the last second and managed to slash back with [Ice Claw]. He caught the falcon across one wing, leaving a small but noticeable gash. However, as if in vengeance, a sudden discharge of lightning rippled from the falcon's plumage, snaking over Nix's arm. He hissed, feeling his muscles seize momentarily, and staggered.
"You stubborn thing," he growled under his breath. Pain flared where his scales had absorbed the worst of the shock, and for a moment, his vision blurred.
Though he boasted considerable raw power, he lacked the specialized speed and innate wind manipulation that the falcon wielded. And the falcon was clearly exploiting that advantage.
For a moment, neither moved. Nix panted heavily, a light sheen of perspiration mingling with the frost along his scales. The falcon perched on a nearby jagged rock, keen eyes studying Nix as arcs of lightning rippled around its talons, revealing another surge of energy being gathered.
It's fast, and that lightning's strong enough to hurt even me, Nix admitted to himself. Already, the stinging where the thunder arcs had struck was taking its toll on his body. If he charged recklessly, the falcon could capitalize on his moment of vulnerability.
'I'll have to be smarter than this,' he decided, strengthening his resolve. But caution warred with urgency. He needed to land decisive hits soon, or risk letting the battle drag on under the falcon's punishing barrage.
Deciding to test another angle of approach, Nix summoned a swirl of chilly wind around his torso. Frost-coated scales thickened.
'A partial [Frost Armor] should blunt the next strike at least.' He dug his claws into the dirt, pushing away the tremor in his arms. Meanwhile, the falcon tensed, eyeing him with a predatory glint as it readied yet another bolt of thunder.
The air crackled, and in the next second, the bird sprang from its perch, its slender body ablaze with electric fury. Nix threw himself forward, ignoring the protest in his limbs, determined to meet that challenge head-on.
Lightning collided with ice. Wind battered scales. In those tense exchanges, it was clear that Nix wasn't just fighting a random monster as he faced a cunning and vicious opponent.
Every time he found an opening, the falcon would zip out of range or lash back with thunder-wreathed talons, punishing any moment of hesitation. Each impact left fresh stings on his hide, while the frosty sheen on his scales showed signs of cracking under repeated blows.
'I won't lose,' he told himself, glaring defiantly at the falcon. His pride as a King Rank Beast and the desire to finally push his experience to the limit fueled his persistence. But for now, he was on the back foot.
As the winds howled around them, and arcs of lightning illuminated the sky, the falcon's piercing cry all but declared its advantage.
Though battered and momentarily outmaneuvered, Nix refused to let discouragement fester. If there was anything he had learned from his previous battles, it was that victory often lay just beyond the brink of desperation.
He just had to endure long enough to turn the tables.
A crackle of static sizzled through the air as the falcon prepared to dive again, those keen, predatory eyes reflecting both cunning and the thrill of the fight.
Nix tensed his muscles, every fiber of his being primed to seize the next opening. His pride as a King Rank Beast burned in his chest as he refused to let this thunder-wielding bird force him into a corner any longer.
The falcon streaked forward in a blur, wings angled for maximum speed. Small arcs of lightning flickered across its feathers, and it extended its talons to strike.
This time, Nix dropped low at the last second and rolled aside. The bird hurtled past, leaving only a howling gust in its wake.
Before the falcon could climb back into the sky, Nix whipped around and unleashed [Ice Breath]. A frosty blast billowed out, thick shards of ice whirling into a localized storm. The falcon let out a sharp cry as crystals pelted its feathers.
Although it managed to twist away, a thin layer of frost spread across part of its wing, briefly hindering its agility.
Sensing a potential turning point, Nix pressed his advantage. He surged forward, claws raking the ground, and activated [Ice Claw]. Lunging low, he swiped at the falcon's flank, forcing it to leap upward or risk another direct hit.
The moment it gained altitude, Nix slammed his tail against the rocky terrain and propelled himself higher with a burst of strength.
A powerful flap of the falcon's wings summoned whirling air currents, seeking to blast Nix back. But the swirling gusts only delayed his ascent. Gritting his teeth, he swept an arm out, gathering subzero energy in his palm and shaping it into a jagged spear of [Ice Spike].