Now.

Ethan disengaged from the Panther with a backward leap that seemed to indicate retreat. The generals, not privy to his strategy, pressed their advantage against the momentarily confused beast.

In that instant of manufactured chaos, Ethan reversed direction, Enhanced Speed carrying him directly toward the evolving monster.

The creature, caught in mid-transformation, sensed his approach too late. Its newfound power remained unmastered, reactions still calibrating to his new power.

Ethan’s daggers struck the beast’s hide with precision.

Silver energy flashed where steel met mutating flesh. The blow drove deep, blood fountaining from what should have been a fatal wound.

But the timing was off by milliseconds.

The hyena-beast twisted at the last possible instant, survival instinct overriding its vulnerable transformation state. Instead of severing its spine, Ethan’s blades carved through muscle and sinew, missing the critical point by mere centimeters.

A critical injury, but not a fatal one.

The creature collapsed, newly-formed silver energy working frantically to repair catastrophic damage. Its eyes, now glowing with metallic intelligence, fixed on Ethan with newfound hatred.

I underestimated how tough Low-Silver would be.

The battlefield shifted in an instant.

Ethan’s daggers struck the beast’s hide with precision.

Silver energy flashed where steel met mutating flesh. The blow drove deep, blood fountaining from what should have been a fatal wound.

But the timing was off by milliseconds.

The hyena-beast twisted at the last possible instant, survival instinct overriding its vulnerable transformation state. Instead of severing its spine, Ethan’s blades carved through muscle and sinew, missing the critical point by mere centimetres.

A critical injury, but not a fatal one.

The creature collapsed, newly formed silver energy working frantically to repair catastrophic damage. Its eyes, now glowing with cunning intelligence, fixed on Ethan with hatred.

It’s actually insane how strong the beasts’ natural abilities are. I underestimated how tough a Low-Silver would be.

The battlefield shifted in an instant.

The Panther, sensing its protégé’s peril, abandoned its fight against the generals. One moment it was locked in combat, the next—vanished. Its Speed talent activated at maximum capacity, leaving only displaced air where it had stood.

It reappeared beside the fallen hyena, midnight fur bristling as it positioned itself protectively over the wounded beast.

Ethan didn’t hesitate.

“Hurry! Attack it!” He gestured sharply to the generals. “I’ll kill the new beast. If it recovers, we’ll be in serious trouble.”

The generals reacted immediately, decades of battlefield experience overriding their questions. They charged the Panther from opposite angles, forcing it to divide its attention between defending itself and protecting its evolving subordinate.

Ethan circled, seeking an opening. The hyena’s wound had already begun closing, silver energy knitting flesh at an alarming rate.

Need to end this now.

He lunged, daggers aimed at the beast’s exposed throat. The Panther sensed his approach, abandoning its defensive posture to intercept. Claws slashed through air where Ethan had been a moment before, his Enhanced Speed carrying him just beyond reach.

The generals pressed their advantage, forcing the Panther to retreat or face their coordinated attack. It chose retreat, darting back to the hyena’s side with fluid grace.

A deadly stalemate formed. The Panther refused to abandon its transforming ally, while the three Silver-ranks couldn’t penetrate its desperate defence without risking severe injury.

Time for something unexpected.

Ethan sheathed one dagger, then extended his empty hand toward the beasts. For a heartbeat, nothing happened.

Then fire erupted from his palm.

Not ordinary flame, but condensed mana-fire that streaked toward the monsters in a concentrated blast.

Ethan had chosen the perfect time, when both generals attacked the beast, causing it to defend. Still, the panther’s eyes were on Ethan’s position; if he moved, it would move.

What it didn’t expect was that Ethan had another talent, a fire talent that he could use from the range without moving.

Its bone plates blackened under the intense heat.

The Mid-Silver general’s breath caught audibly. “First Speed, then Crystal Hardening, and now Fire?” Disbelief colored his voice. “What are you?”

The Low-Silver general tensed visibly. “Triple-talented? Impossible.”

Ethan ignored their reaction, focusing entirely on the battle. The momentary distraction—both from his unexpected talent and the generals’ shock—created the opening he needed.

He moved like liquid lightning, Enhanced Speed carrying him between the Panther’s desperate defense. His remaining dagger found the hyena’s throat, driving through partially healed tissue to sever its spine at the base of the skull.

Silver blood sprayed across stone as the beast convulsed once, then went still. Its transformation ended abruptly, energy dissipating into the air around it.

All except the core.

Ethan’s hand closed around the crystalline mass, still warm with new power. The Panther roared in fury, lunging at him with reckless abandon.

He barely evaded, the beast’s claws grazing his shoulder as he rolled clear. Blood soaked his torn clothing, fatigue dragging at his limbs.

“Need to regenerate,” he called to the generals, retreating several steps from the battle. “Cover me for a few seconds.”

The generals exchanged suspicious glances but positioned themselves between Ethan and the raging Panther. Their silver auras flared as they engaged the beast in a coordinated assault.

Ethan retreated behind a collapsed section of wall, momentarily hidden from all observers. The hyena’s core pulsed in his palm, power calling to power.

Devour.

Energy flooded through him in a torrential wave. His muscles spasmed as raw power coursed through his mana channels.

<Ding! Your Strength has advanced to Low-Silver Rank>

<Talent not extracted! Evolve a talent to C-Rank to gain more talent slots>

Ethan’s eyebrow rose at the unexpected notification.

So I’m limited to ten talents for now. Interesting.

He had no time to contemplate the implications. The battle continued just meters away, the Panther fighting with renewed ferocity as it sensed its impending defeat.

Strength coursed through Ethan’s body, his muscles radiating newfound power. Where before he’d felt the drain of extended combat, now energy filled him to overflowing.

Time to end this.

He rejoined the battle with explosive force, each movement amplified by his newly elevated Strength.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep