<Ferocius Beast: Panther> <Rank: Mid-Silver> <Speed Talent: D Grade>

‘That’s gonna be tougher than the gorilla since it’s harder to hit. But with my Crystal Hardening talent, and high vitality I’m relatively safe. I could also transform into the ape, but i would rather not, since the general already knew that i would be going here.’

The massive beast prowled the battlefield with predatory grace, its midnight-black fur striking fear in the hearts of those against it.

Ethan analysed its movements. It was so incredibly fast that it was difficult to track with his eyes.

His eyes landed on its opponents.

‘Two generals! One was mid-silver rank whilst the other was Low-Silver. With some officials at the peak-bronze rank.’ He thought. ‘And they are barely able to fight back.’

The Panther moved like a liquid shadow, its massive body defying natural laws as it blurred between locations.

One moment it crouched thirty meters away, the next it appeared behind a line of soldiers, its claws already tearing through armour and flesh.

“Maintain formation!”

The Mid-Silver general roared, his silver aura flaring as he intercepted the beast’s charge. Their collision sent shockwaves across the battlefield, stone cracking beneath their feet.

For a heartbeat, they seemed evenly matched—until the Panther simply vanished.

“Where—” The general’s question died as claws raked across his back, drawing his blood.

The Low-Silver general rushed to his comrade’s aid, blade sweeping in an arc of concentrated energy.

“Encircle it! Don’t let it isolate targets!”

Too late.

The Panther had already disappeared again, reappearing amidst a squad of bronze-rank soldiers.

Blood sprayed as bodies fell, and the beast was gone before their screams faded.

“How can something that size move so fast?”

A Peak-Bronze official gasped, his formation tightening defensively around the generals.

The Mid-Silver general wiped blood from his face, frustration etched in every line. “It’s toying with us.”

As if hearing his assessment, the Panther reappeared atop a section of broken wall, silver eyes regarding the defenders with predatory intelligence.

It’s midnight, fur rippled as muscles tensed for another attack.

“On my signal—” the general began.

The beast was already moving, a blur of motion that defied tracking. It appeared behind the Peak-Bronze officials, claws tearing through one’s spine before the others could react.

“Damn it!” The general’s blade cut empty air as the Panther flashed away. “We need to pin it down!”

“Archers! Suppress fire!” The Low-Silver general commanded, desperation edging his voice.

“Wide pattern!”

Arrows filled the sky, creating a lethal rain that would be impossible for an ordinary target to evade. But the Panther was far from ordinary. It wove between projectiles, occasionally batting them aside almost casually.

“This isn’t working!” The Mid-Silver general’s face contorted with rage and helplessness. “It’s just wearing us down!”

The Panther reappeared directly before him, silver eyes meeting his. The commander’s instincts immediately took charge and his blade was already on its way to meet the panther.

But…it was a mistake, a lethal one.

The Panther disappeared once again, appearing behind the general.

Shi-

“General, look out!” An official nearby leapt forward, taking a blow meant for his commander.

The man’s sacrifice bought mere seconds. The Panther’s claws tore through his body, then continued toward the general’s throat.

Silver aura flared as the general parried with impossible speed.

Metal clanged against claw, the impact sending both combatants skidding backwards.

Seeing a Peak-bronze official die so casually, Ethan had to step up.

I can say goodbye to any surprise attacks against this panther.

He drew a deep breath and unleashed his power. Silver energy erupted around him, announcing his presence to the entire battlefield.

The reaction was immediate.

Every head turned toward the wall where Ethan stood, wreathed in newborn silver power. The Panther’s eyes shifted to him, its predatory instincts recognising a new threat.

Both generals stared upward, disbelief written across their blood-spattered faces.

“Who the hell is this guy?” The Low-Silver general muttered, gripping his wounded side.

The stronger general narrowed his eyes. “A silver rank I’ve never seen before? And he is so young?”

It was impossible for Silver rankers not to know each other in the city. Their numbers were too few, their power too significant to remain anonymous. Yet there stood a complete stranger radiating Silver-rank power.

He might have broken through today. But still, I’ve never seen his face before…

Ethan leapt from the wall, Enhanced Speed carrying him across the distance in a heartbeat. He landed beside the generals with casual grace, the ground cracking slightly beneath his feet.

“Who are you?” The Mid-Silver general demanded, his aura flaring defensively.

“Ethan Brandon.”

The name met blank stares. No recognition, no familiarity.

“Never heard of you,” the Low-Silver general said bluntly. “Which district are you from?”

Ethan ignored their questioning looks, focusing instead on the Panther. The beast circled at a distance, reassessing the battlefield now that a third Silver-rank had entered the equation.

“That’s not important right now.” He gestured toward the monster. “Have you identified any weaknesses?”

The Mid-Silver general bristled at the dismissal, but necessity won out over pride.

“It can’t maintain that speed indefinitely,” he replied grudgingly. “There’s a three-second cooldown after it uses its Speed talent at maximum capacity.”

Ethan nodded. “Not much of a weakness if we can’t survive long enough to exploit it.”

“Exactly.” The general’s jaw clenched in frustration. “We’ve lost seventeen men already trying to time our attacks.”

The Panther had begun circling closer, apparently deciding that three Silver-ranks required a more cautious approach.

Ethan watched its movements, mind racing through possibilities.

“I have a plan,” he announced. “It relies on its behavior patterns. You said it targets the highest threat first?”

“Yes.” The Low-Silver general pointed to his superior. “It’s been focusing most of its attacks on him.”

“Perfect.” Ethan turned to the Mid-Silver general. “You’ll be the bait. When it attacks, don’t defend—counterattack. Force it to use its Speed talent to escape.”

“And then?” the general asked skeptically.

“The moment it reappears, we strike from three directions simultaneously. It can’t dodge all of us.”

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