Chapter 37 AMBUSHED

Roar!! Just moments after Kaelen prepared himself against the Ironhorn ferocious beast, Suddenly, with a ground shaking bellow, the Ironhorn beast lowered it's head, aiming it's deadly spiral horn at Kaelen, and charged. The ground trembled beneath it's thundering hooves. Kaelen leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast's initial rush. He rolled to his feet, drawing the Blade of Eternity, it's blue glow casting an eerie light around him. Quick steps!! Sword Mastery Activate! The Ironhorn Beast skidded to a halt, turning to face Kaelen again. It pawed the ground, preparing for another charge. Kaelen knew he had to act fast; he couldn't afford to be on the defensive for long. Summoning his mana, he unleashed a sword slash towards the beast. The attack struck it's armored hid but barely left a mark. The Ironhorn beast roared in defiance, undeterred. 'Just as I thought' Kaelen thought with a grim look on his face but he still didn't remain idle. Kaelen darted forward, aiming for the beast's more vulnerable joints. His blade struck true, slicing through the tough hide at the knee. The Ironhorn beast let out a furious bellow, swinging it's massive head in an attempt to gore Kaelen with it's horn. Kaelen ducked under the attack, feeling the rush of air as the horn passed mere inches above him. Bang!! The beast retaliated with a powerful swipe of its tail, catching Kaelen off guard. The force of the blow sent him sprawling across the forest floor. Gasping for breath, Kaelen scrambled to his feet, just in time to see the Ironhorn beast charging again. He had to think quickly. Drawing on his remaining mana, he created an illusionary duplicate of himself, hoping to confuse the beast. Minimal Aura of a Swordsman Activate! The Ironhorn beast hesitated, it's eyes flicking between Kaelen and the illusion. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Kaelen moved to the beast's side, aiming for it's exposed underbelly. He drove his sword into the softer flesh, eliciting a roar of agony from the creature. But the beast was far from defeated. It twisted it's body, throwing Kaelen off balance. Regaining his footing, Kaelen faced the beast once more. Blood trickled from the gash of its side, but it's resolve was unbroken. The Ironhorn beast charged yet again, it's rage palpable. Kaelen knew he couldn't withstand another direct hit. He waited until the last possible moment, then leaped into the air, using his mana to propel himself higher. The Ironhorn beast thundered beneath him, unable to change direction in time. Kaelen landed on its back, gripping tightly to the rough armor-like hide the beast bucked and twisted trying to shake him off. But Kaelen held on, inching his way towards the beast head. With a final surge of strength, he drove the blade of eternity into the base of the beast's skull. Roar!! Slash!! With a burst of speed, Kaelen closed the distance between them, his sword glowing with an intense blue aura. He feinted to the left, then twisted his body, bringing the Blade of Eternity down in a powerful arc. Kelvin reacted too slowly, his dark blade parried aside as Kaelen's strike found its mark. Kelvin staggered back, clutching his shoulder where Kaelen's blade had sliced through his uniform. "You're stronger than I thought," he hissed, his eyes burning with hatred. Kaelen didn't respond, his focus unwavering. He pressed his advantage, unleashing a flurry of strikes that forced the gothic kid onto the defensive. Their swords clashed again and again, the sound echoing through the forest. With a final, decisive move, Kaelen disarmed Kelvin, sending his dark scythe flying through the air. The gothic kid fell to his knees, panting heavily, his defiance replaced by a grudging respect. "This isn't over, Kaelen," he muttered, his voice low and venomous. Kaelen stood over him, his sword still at the ready. "Next time, think twice before ambushing someone. If it was in another place we had this fight, it would have been your end" he said, his voice cold and steady. Kelvin glared at him but made no move to continue the fight. Kaelen stepped back, keeping his guard up until Kelvin disappeared into the shadows of the forest while saying. "You can't always win forever, I will surely get you" 'And that's why I will surely end you the next time time we meet' Kaelen thought with a cold expression on his face. As the tension eased, Kaelen allowed himself a moment of respite, his body finally giving in to the exhaustion. He had won, but the encounter had left him wary and determined. The forest seemed to close in around him, the silence a stark reminder of the battles yet to come. **Congratulations: you have defeated a Level 8 Ironhorn beast and a Dark descendant!** **1900 EXP gained (2300 EXP needed to Level up)** **Sword Mastery Level has increased (+1)** **1200 Mana Points gained!!** 'Dark descendants?' Kaelen thought with a confused look on his face while he looked at the screen right in front of him as he laying down on the forest floor. 'What sort of title is that? And why did the system picked him off as an opponent?'