‘Time for everything I’ve got.’

The creature crouched for another devastating leap, its enhanced muscles coiling like living springs. Power radiated from its body as it prepared for an attack that could end the fight permanently.

‘This is it. Everything depends on the next exchange.’

Steam continued to roil around both combatants while fire consumed the jungle in expanding circles.

Two apex predators faced each other through the chaos, each recognizing that the coming collision would determine survival.

The Apex Mane’s eyes blazed with golden intensity as it prepared to unleash the full fury of its C-grade Physical Enhancement.

Every muscle in its massive frame tensed for the killing blow.

Ethan’s talents swirled around him like visible manifestations of power—water forming defensive barriers, fire creating offensive potential, wind enhancing his mobility, and crystal hardening preparing for impact.

‘Whatever happens next…’

The creature launched itself forward with explosive force that shattered the ground beneath its feet—​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

…

Ethan’s defensive talents activated in perfect synchronization.

Water barrier. Wind acceleration. Crystal hardening. Fire preparation. Every talent working together in desperate harmony.

It wouldn’t be enough.

The math is wrong. C rank talent versus a few D-rank talents isn’t a fair fight, I shouldn’t have exchanged blows.

Despite his regret, Ethan could no longer stop hid advance.

The Apex Mane’s claws extended to maximum length, each one gleaming like polished steel in the chaotic light of burning jungle.

Its massive form moved with precision that defied its size, every movement made for devastation.

Ethan’s own attack launched simultaneously. Fire and water combined in his right hand, creating a superheated steam lance that could punch through steel plating.

The projectile blazed forward with intensity, aimed directly at the creature’s eyes.

If I’m going down, I’m taking something with me.

Time dilated as two apex predators committed to mutual destruction.

The jungle itself seemed to hold its breath, trees bearing witness to violence that would reshape the local ecosystem.

The steam lance struck first.

Superheated vapor met the Apex Mane’s left eye with precision, the creature’s enhanced reflexes unable to compensate for an attack launched at point-blank range.

Steam turned to scalding liquid on contact, then boiled away as flesh met temperatures that liquefied metal.

ROAR!

The creature’s roar shook the canopy as pain beyond its experience flooded its nervous system.

Its golden left eye vanished in a gush of boiling fluid while the steam lance carved a channel from eye socket to jawline, leaving a wound that would mark it permanently.

I got you. This is the mark of Ethan Brandon, you magnificent bastard.

But even blinded and wounded, the Apex Mane’s attack continued with unstoppable momentum.

It’s attack didn’t falter because of pain—it channeled agony into fury.

Ethan’s water barrier met the creature’s claws first.

His defensive talents were all at work, at the same time, trying to minimse the maximum amount of damage.

The aquatic shield held for exactly one millisecond.

His wind enhancement tried to push him clear of the attack zone. E+ grade acceleration added precious centimeters to his evasion attempt, nearly pulling him free of the devastating strike.

Nearly.

Crystal hardening activated as the final defensive layer. Enhanced mineral structure reinforced his left arm as claws found their target, supernatural durability meeting supernatural destruction in a collision that sent shockwaves through both combatants.

The crystal defense lasted two milliseconds longer than the water barrier.

Not enough. Shit!

Three claws raked through his flesh like it was parchment.

His left arm erupted in fountains of crimson as the claws sharpness met his arm’s durability and won decisively.

Muscle separated from bone.

Tendons severed cleanly.

Arteries opened in spray patterns that painted nearby vegetation in abstract crimson designs.

His enhanced physiology tried desperately to contain the damage, but the claws had carved too deeply.

Pain flooded his system with intensity that transcended mere physical sensation.

Every nerve in his left arm screamed simultaneously while his brain struggled to process trauma beyond its normal parameters.

Scream. Need to scream.

Can’t scream.

Never show weakness.

He bit down on his tongue hard enough to taste blood, the secondary pain providing focus against the overwhelming agony radiating from his mangled limb. His left arm hung at an unnatural angle, supported only by skin and stubborn determination.

Three seconds until shock sets in. Move now or die here.

The Apex Mane thrashed in its own agony, the ruined left side of its face streaming with fluids that hissed when they hit burning vegetation.

Its remaining eye blazed with fury that promised even worse violence if the fight continued.

I marked you. You marked me. We’re even…for now.

But even wasn’t good enough when survival was at stake. The creature’s wounds were painful but not crippling—it could continue fighting with reduced effectiveness. His left arm was essentially gone, limiting his combat capabilities by a good percent.

If I stay, I lose the arm completely. If I run…

Strategic retreat.

The phrase tasted like defeat in his thoughts, but defeat beat death in any situation.

He could return stronger, better prepared, with enhanced capabilities that might bridge the gap between their rank and talent rank.

I will come back for your life.

The thought carried promise and threat in equal measure.

Ethan’s remaining talents activated for escape rather than combat.

Enhanced Speed pushed his damaged body beyond its current limitations while wind manipulation provided additional momentum.

Fire magic erupted around his position, creating concealment through destruction.

Water drawn from burning vegetation created billowing steam clouds that obscured the entire battlefield.

Visibility dropped to zero as superheated vapor filled the combat zone, providing perfect cover for Ethan’s withdrawal.

The Apex Mane’s roar of frustrated rage echoed through the artificial fog, its senses struggling to track prey through the chaotic environmental conditions.

But by the time it could penetrate the concealment, its target had vanished.

Run. Live. Return stronger.

Ethan fled through the jungle with desperate speed, his left arm bouncing uselessly against his side with every stride.

Blood loss was becoming critical despite his enhanced constitution, and regenration talent.

Dark spots appearing at the edges of his vision.

Behind him, the Apex Mane’s fury gradually gave way to pained whimpers as adrenaline faded and true damage assessment began.

The creature’s left eye was gone permanently, its face marked by scarring that would never fully heal.

We both learned something today. Don’t underestimate your opponent…at all.

The return journey to his territory became a race against unconsciousness.

Each step sent fresh waves of agony through his mangled arm while blood loss made his enhanced physiology work overtime to maintain basic functions.

Twenty minutes to safety. Can I last twenty minutes?

The desert boundary appeared through his failing vision like salvation itself.

Heat shimmer danced above familiar sand while his territory’s protective barrier glowed with welcoming blue energy.

His subjects saw him coming from hundreds of meters away—their Lord returning from hostile territory with grievous wounds that spoke of combat beyond their imagination.

Marcus was running toward him before he’d fully crossed the barrier threshold.

…

“My Lord! What happened?”

Ethan quickly waved Marcus away, his uninjured hand dismissing the concern with sharp authority.

“Nothing for now. Worry about your tasks. I’m heading toward the town hall.”

I can’t show weakness. Not now. Not when they need confidence.

Marcus hesitated, his archer’s instincts screaming that something was catastrophically wrong.

Blood still dripped from his Lord’s mangled arm while his face had gone pale from blood loss. But orders were orders.

“Yes, my Lord.”

The other subjects backed away reluctantly, their worried glances following Ethan’s unsteady progress toward the Town Hall.

Each step sent fresh waves of agony through his damaged nervous system, but he maintained his facade until the building’s entrance provided blessed privacy.

Made it. Almost collapsed, but made it.

The Town Hall’s interior felt like sanctuary after the jungle’s chaos. Cool air replaced humid heat while solid walls blocked out the concerned voices of his subjects.

Here, he could finally acknowledge the true extent of his injuries.

His left arm hung like dead weight, supported only by torn skin and stubborn will.

The Apex Mane’s claws had carved through enhanced flesh with surgical precision, leaving damage that threatened permanent disability.

Need accelerated healing. Brown Bear transformation.

The change flowed through him like warm honey, bones reshaping and muscles expanding as his human form gave way to ursine power.

His perspective lowered as mass redistributed, but more importantly, his regeneration capabilities multiplied dramatically.

[Transformation Active: Brown Bear (Peak-Bronze)]

Peak-Bronze enhancement coursed through his altered physiology. His regeneration talent, normally ranked at F+, jumped to E grade effectiveness within the bear’s enhanced biology.

Finally. Real healing.

Ethan collapsed onto the Town Hall’s stone floor, his massive bear transformation sprawling across the entire space.

Pain still radiated from his wounded limb, but now it carried the promise of recovery rather than permanent damage.

Enhanced regeneration began its work immediately. Torn blood vessels sealed themselves while severed muscle fibers reached across gaps to reconnect.

The process remained agonizingly slow, but each minute brought measurable improvement.

It will take about ten minutes in this form and it should handle the damage.

His bear senses detected familiar scents beyond the Town Hall walls—his subjects maintaining their duties despite obvious concern for their Lord’s condition. Their loyalty warmed him more than any fire magic.

The herb garden’s harvest remained about an hour away while enemy investigation timelines continued ticking downward. Every moment spent healing was time not spent preparing for inevitable confrontation.

But an arm being injured is worth the delay. It will definitely not wander around the jungle and remain in its territory.

I’m coming for you…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep