Fire erupted around his position in a controlled explosion, his flames creating a superheated barrier that would have incinerated opponents below gold-rank. The Apex Mane crashed through the inferno without slowing, its hide smoking but unbroken.

It’s tough as expected. Good.

Water manipulation activated instantly, moisture drawn from burning vegetation creating pressurised streams that struck the creature’s scarred face with hydraulic force.

The aquatic assault hammered against its ruined eye socket, aggravating wounds that had never properly healed.

SNARL!

Pain and fury twisted the Apex Mane’s features as it staggered under the combined assault. Steam rose from its superheated form while hydraulic pressure reopened partially healed wounds.

First blood to me. Again. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy.

But the creature’s retaliation came faster than anticipated. Its claws swept through superheated air, seeking to repeat their previous success against his defensive capabilities.

Ethan’s crystal hardening activated automatically, mineral reinforcement flowing across his skin like living armour. The claws met Ethan’s first line of defence before making it towards his crystal defence.

CRACK!

His crystal defence held for three heartbeats before the force overwhelmed his protection. Claws punched through mineral armour, carving shallow furrows across his chest that wept crimson against hardened skin.

Damn it. It hits like a truck.

Wind manipulation howled to life, creating a miniature cyclone that pushed the Apex Mane backwards while giving him space for coordinated counterattack. The creature’s massive form skidded across scorched earth, claws digging furrows as it fought for purchase.

Time for everything I’ve got.

Fire and water combined in devastating harmony.

Steam lance after steam lance erupted from his position, each projectile carrying temperatures that could melt steel. The superheated vapor punched through jungle air with supersonic velocity.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

Three steam lances struck the Apex Mane’s torso in rapid succession, their impact creating explosions of vapour that obscured the entire battlefield.

The creature’s roar of pain echoed through the artificial fog.

Got you.

Multiple hits of Ethan landed on the Apex’s mane.

But the Apex Mane adapted faster than expected. It used the steam concealment for better positioning, emerging from the vapour clouds at an unexpected angle.

The Apex Mane’s speed carried the creature around his flank. Claws swept toward his unprotected side while he was still recovering from his steam barrage.

Too fast!

Ethan threw himself sideways, his agility barely carrying him clear of the devastating strike. Displaced air from the creature’s claws created pressure waves that rattled his teeth.

Swish!

Close. Too close.

His counterattack came from pure instinct. Fire magic erupted in all directions, creating a spherical inferno that consumed oxygen and created a vacuum at its center. The Apex Mane’s charge carried it directly into the flame sphere.

ROAR!

The creature’s bellow of pain and fury shook the jungle canopy as fire consumed its fur. But it’s rank protected it from fatal damage, turning incineration into merely agonising burns.

Still standing. This thing is incredibly tough.

Water manipulation followed immediately, pressurised streams hammering the burning creature while steam generation obscured both combatants equally. The battlefield became a hellscape of fire, water, and superheated vapour.

Environmental control. Level the playing field.

It can see through this. Time to change tactics.

Wind blades materialised throughout the steam cloud, compressed air sharpened to cutting edges that sliced through vapour and flesh with equal ease. The invisible attacks struck from multiple angles, seeking to overwhelm the creature’s defences through sheer volume.

SNARL!

Blood sprayed as several wind blades found their mark, carving shallow wounds across the Apex Mane’s flanks. But the creature’s hide turned potentially fatal strikes into merely painful cuts.

Even if I can’t kill it in one hit. It will die from the damage accumulating. Death by a thousand cuts.

The Apex Mane’s retaliation came through brute force application. Its strength shattered trees, sending massive trunks crashing through the steam cloud like wooden missiles.

CRASH!

A falling tree missed Ethan by centimetres, its impact creating a crater where he’d been standing milliseconds before. Splinters exploded outward like wooden shrapnel.

It’s using the jungle against me.

But two could play that game.

Fire magic ignited the falling debris, turning wooden projectiles into flaming comets that spread destruction throughout the clearing. The Apex Mane found itself dodging burning timber while maintaining offensive pressure.

Through the maelstrom of fire, steam, and falling trees, both combatants circled each other with patience. Each seeking the opening that would end their deadly dance permanently.

ROAR!

The Apex Mane’s challenge echoed through the burning jungle, its remaining eye blazing with fury that transcended physical pain. Steam rose from its scarred form while blood dripped from dozens of shallow wounds.

It’s hurt but not beaten. Neither am I.

Ethan’s mana reserves had dropped to seventy percent, his mana reserves were high. But compared to the Apex Mane’s it seemed inexhaustible.

This could go on for hours. I really need a decisive strike.

Fire and water swirled around his position, elemental mastery creating possibilities that his previous encounter had lacked. The tier 3 herb’s enhancement provided power and control beyond anything he’d possessed before.

Ultimate combination attack. Everything I’ve learned.

Steam gathered around his hands in dense concentrations, pressure building beyond safe parameters. The superheated vapour reached temperatures that made the surrounding air shimmer with heat distortion.

Maximum power. Maximum risk.

The Apex Mane sensed the energy buildup, its instincts recognising mortal danger. Enhanced speed carried it forward in a desperate charge, seeking to disrupt the attack before it could fully manifest.

Too late. It’s too late.

Power erupted from Ethan’s position like a controlled nuclear explosion. Steam lance after steam lance fired in rapid succession, each projectile carrying enough thermal energy to boil stone.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The clearing became a war zone as superheated projectiles carved through trees and scorched earth. The Apex Mane’s charge faltered as steam lances hammered its enhanced form.

Direct hits! Multiple direct hits!

But through the destruction and chaos, Ethan saw something that chilled his blood. The creature was still coming, its scarred form wreathed in steam and fury.

Still alive. Still fighting.

The Apex Mane’s claws gleamed like burnished steel as they reached for his throat.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep