Klaus chose the Lava Tail Mountain Lion as his first target. As its name suggests, the creature's tail is its deadliest weapon, shaped like a blade capable of slicing through metal with a single swipe.
Ten years ago, the Overlords could have easily wiped out all five Fire Devils that roamed the Devil's Abode. But they left them untouched, setting a challenge rather for anyone brave enough to take them down.
A reward was promised, though no one knew what it was. Dozens of warriors entered, but none returned. Over time, people gave up on the idea of venturing into the Devil's Abode, not only because of the danger but also because the area lacked any real resources. Eventually, the place became deserted.
That was exactly why Klaus picked it. He wanted to push his skills to their absolute limit without risking the life of another warrior. Here, it was just him and the monsters lurking in the infernal lava pool.
His main targets were the five Fire Devils. He planned to kill them all and feed their cores to his Flame Dragon Spirit. If that also meant completing an old quest, so be it. The reward would come, and his name would spread even further. That was the plan.
With careful, calculated steps, Klaus moved deeper into the region, his Spirit Eye activated and scanning the area. The Lava Tail Mountain Lion was nearby, and he was ready for it.
After twenty minutes of moving through the rugged terrain, Klaus finally located the Lava Tail Mountain Lion. Using his Spirit Eye, he saw it resting in a pool of molten lava, radiating intense flame energy.
The lion was massive, about 3.5 meters tall. Its fur looked less like fur and more like a metallic coating, glistening with fire-like patterns. Its legs ended in razor-sharp, fiery claws, and its burning red eyes gave off an eerie glow. Each breath it took made the air ripple with heat waves, the sheer energy it radiated visible to the naked eye.
Coiled behind it was its infamous 2-meter-long tail, sharp as a blade. The tail looked like a hybrid between a saber and a scythe, ready to slice through anything that came near.
"That is one terrifying motherfucker," Klaus muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips. A plan was already forming in his mind—a crazy one, but that was how he operated.
He wanted the danger and he has finally found one. With a grin, Klaus moved appearing in the sight of the terrifying Lion.
"Hello there," he said casually, standing opposite the beast. "I'm Klaus, and I happen to need your core. You wouldn't be willing to give it up without a fight, would you?"
The Lava Tail Mountain Lion roared in response, its fiery eyes snapping open as it stood, muscles tense, radiating even more heat and pressure. It looks both fiery elegant and terrifying. Just a sight was enough to tell one this was no easy target.
"I guess not," Klaus chuckled, standing his ground. He could feel the immense weight of the lion's presence bearing down on him. 'This is no ordinary Devil,' he thought. 'Even its pressure is stronger than the last one I killed.'
Klaus's heart raced, but he wasn't afraid. This was exactly what he wanted—a chance to test just what the Pentaface Bead was truly made of. After his near-death experience trying to peek inside the first face of the bead, he knew one thing for sure: the bead was no ordinary artifact. Underestimating it could cost him his life.
The Lava Tail Mountain Lion didn't give Klaus a moment to think. Its tail whipped forward, sending a crimson arc of energy hurtling toward him. Instinctively, Klaus swung his sword, releasing a fiery arc of his own. The two attacks collided with a massive explosion, and the shockwave knocked Klaus backward.
"I can't beat it one-on-one," Klaus immediately realized his shortcomings. 'I'd be sending myself to the grave if I try to face it head-on.'
Without hesitation, Klaus muttered something under his breath. A bell materialized behind him, growing rapidly until it hovered at three meters tall. At the same moment, the lion lashed its tail again.
This time, Klaus didn't bother with his sword. Instead, he pointed forward, and the giant bell surged ahead, slamming into the lion's fire arc. A deafening ring echoed across the battlefield.
The lion, standing 100 meters away, roared in agony as the sound wave hit it, forcing it back. Blood began to burst out of its eyes and noise as the sonic wave pressed down on its brain. It's eyes burst under the pressure.
"Not good," Klaus muttered, eyes narrowing. He hadn't expected the bell's sound to be so powerful. It felt more like a beacon—a call for the other four Fire Devils. If he didn't act fast, he would have more than a single battle on his hands soon.
With that thought, Klaus sprang forward, the bell spinning above his head, still pristine with no cracks. However, the attack had drained him. He felt a massive pull on his Star Qi—12% of his 170 million qi pool had been used in that single attack. But the results were worth it.
The lion's eyes were gone, leaving it blind, but that wasn't the only effect. Its soul had been shaken by the bell, leaving it vulnerable. Its molten fur dimmed, and Klaus knew he couldn't waste any time.
Slamming the bell forward again, Klaus struck the lion in the head, sending it staggering backward. The beast was weakening with every attack, and its defenses were dropping fast.
With no hesitation, Klaus leaped into the air, sword raised high. Its tip glowed with sharp sword qi. The blinded, weakened lion struggled, its instincts barely keeping it aware of its surroundings. But it was too late.
Klaus plunged his sword into the lion's neck, and as he did, his ice qi surged through the blade, flooding the Lava Tail Mountain Lion's burning body. The clash of ice and fire created an intense reaction, boiling the lion from the inside. Its massive body shuddered violently as the heat and ice fought within.
Suddenly, a wave of dense fire energy exploded from the lion's body, throwing Klaus through the air. He crashed 200 meters away, but a satisfied smirk crossed his face. He had already achieved his goal. Moments later, the colossal lion staggered and fell, its life force extinguished.
A notification flashed before Klaus's eyes:
[You have killed a Tier 7 Devil Monster called Lava Tail Mountain Lion. You have received 800,000 EXP.]
"I knew it, this devil's way stronger than the Sabertooth Tiger," Klaus muttered, eyes locked on the lion's steaming body as it collapsed to the ground.
With a swift movement, Klaus used the fire essence lingering in the air to propel himself forward. In the blink of an eye, he was standing beside the lion's fallen body. He reached down and pulled out the monster's core. Without hesitation, he crushed it in his hand.
The dragon tattoo on his right arm glowed fiercely as the energy from the core surged into it. Klaus smiled, watching the power get absorbed.
"Rest for now, buddy. You'll be hard at work soon," he whispered, patting his arm. Then, almost casually, he pulled out his phone.
He set a timer, and using his ability to control objects, he made the phone float in front of him, positioning it for a picture. With a step on the lion's head, he struck a pose, the phone snapping the shot.
"Ha! What a waste of talent," he chuckled, looking at the phone. Controlling weapons was one thing, but using his abilities for a selfie? He couldn't help but smirk at the absurdity.
After securing the picture, he stored the lion's body in his spatial ring. But there was no time to waste. The other four Fire Kings would soon sense the disturbance, and Klaus had no intention of letting them gang up on him.
Pulling up his Tracking Watch, he located his next target: the Fire Horn Leopard. Without hesitation, he began moving toward its lair, ready for the next battle.