Chapter 36: A Worthy Opponent [2]

The results were of our clash was extremely satisfying to me. The sword cut through its natural weapons with some resistance, but it still managed to penetrate the creature’s defenses. Crack! I could hear its steel-like claws fracture under my enhanced attack, in my peripheral vision dark fragments splintered onto the forest floor. The panther’s most formidable natural weapons had been damaged in a single exchange. I didn’t pause to admire the damage I had done. Continuing my aggressive assault, I pressed forward with a series of rapid strikes designed to overwhelm the creature’s defences. The panther attempted to retreat and reassess its dire situation, but my speed made disengagement impossible. My blood-boosted boots increased my agility by nearly 8%, allowing me to match its high speed step for step, keeping it trapped within striking range. Each clash of weapon against claw resulted in further damage to the beast’s primary weapons. Its Rare bloodline provided exceptional durability and regenerative capabilities, but the rate of damage was exceeding its ability to heal. The panther’s fighting style began changing from aggressive offense to desperate defence as it realized the severity of its situation. It started using hit-and-run tactics, attempting to strike from unexpected angles before retreating to safer distances. But my reflexes and combat experience made these tactics ineffective. I could predict its movements and counter-attack before it could escape, forcing it into longer engagements that favoured me. The creature’s breathing became laboured as the extended combat took its toll. Small injuries slowly accumulated across its body, each wound representing a successful penetration of its natural defences. Desperation began creeping into the panther’s jewelled eyes as it realized that its usual dominance over Elite-rank opponents meant nothing against me. For the first time in its lifetime, it was experiencing what it felt like to be outmatched. Not by rank, not by age but by skill and potential. I could sense its growing panic as it attempted increasingly desperate manoeuvres. Wild swipes with damaged claws, reckless leaps that left it vulnerable to counter-attacks, and frantic attempts to flee the engagement entirely. None of these tactics succeeded against my assault. My blood-enhanced equipment provided the edge I needed to dismantle its defences while my vampire body kept me fresh and focused throughout the prolonged combat. The panther’s Rare bloodline was impressive, but it wasn’t enough to overcome my versatile arsenal of traits. I hadn’t even used my most powerful trait, yet it was already on the edge of death. As I prepared for what would likely be the finishing sequence of attacks, I felt satisfied with my current power. Fighting without my Blood Control trait had forced me to rely on my skill and physical power. Whether it was timing, positioning, striking, I had to focus on all aspects that I had been training since I arrived in this world. Training under my duke father was the correct move. I thought to myself, a smile appearing on my face. Whilst it was certainly not easy, it had truly helped out a ton. I no longer heavily relied on my second order skill to fight, like I had previously done during my first fight against that elite-ranked serpent. The panther backed against a large tree, its escape routes finally exhausted. Its jewelled eyes still held defiance, but I could see the resignation beginning to set in. Time to end this and claim my prize. With no place left for it to escape to, the panther had no choice but to sacrifice its second claw to stop my attack that was approaching it rapidly. I read its intention and changed the direction of my sword at the last second. It was a technique that had taken considerable time to learn from my father. The technique allowed me to change the direction of my strike at the last moment, whilst maintaining momentum. My father called it the "phantom strike." WHOOSH! Its claws met empty air while my sword met its heart. The panther’s eyes glistened as life slowly left its body. The intelligence that had burned so fiercely in those dark orbs gradually faded, replaced by the vacant stare of death. I retracted my sword from its body and watched as the powerful creature breathed its last. The feeling of the soul power assimilating with my body was euphoric, I felt my strength increase once again. A glowing orange orb materialized above the panther’s corpse. The orange colour indicated an Elite-rank drop, either an aspect or an echo. Either would be useful for my development. The orb marked my second aspect, with the serpent scales being the first one. I wonder if it’s a passive skill or an active one. I thought to myself as I approached the orb and grasped it. The feeling of warm energy flowed into my body as the system processed the reward. [Aspect: Silent Predator] [Rank: Elite] [Type: Active] [Details: Grants the ability to camouflage with the surroundings for one minute. Your presence becomes nearly non-existent. Your breath, scent, and visibility are all reduced to imperceptible levels for nearby enemies. Attacking or being attacked during activation cancels the aspect. Duration: 60 seconds.] My eyes lit up with excitement as I read the aspect’s description. This was an incredible acquisition, exactly the kind of stealth ability that would serve me well in the dangerous times ahead. The ability to become nearly invisible for a full minute was invaluable for someone trying to survive in a world full of plot-driven chaos. Combined with my existing abilities, this aspect would make me significantly more versatile in combat situations. I could already think of the various ways I could use the new aspect. The timing couldn’t have been better. With the academy timeline already deviating from what I expected, having additional options for staying alive and avoiding unwanted attention would prove crucial. I felt the aspect integrate with my spiritual core, adding its power to my growing arsenal of abilities. Walking towards the panther and I thrust my fangs on its neck. I no longer felt revulsion at the action that had once seemed disgusting. I was starting to accept my nature - I was no longer human. I was a vampire. Gulp! "Ahh," I couldn’t help but let out a soft moan as the blood tasted far better than I had imagined. The blood was on an entirely different tier from what I was accustomed to, and it felt amazing. It was like a starved person finally receiving food and drink after days of deprivation. When I regained control over my body, I realized that I had drained the panther completely dry of its blood. The rich, intoxicating taste had overwhelmed my self-control entirely. I discarded one of the blood vials I’d been carrying and stored whatever remained from the panther, which was only about half a vial’s worth. I sighed in regret. I could have saved some of that precious Rare bloodline blood for later consumption instead of losing myself to the feeding frenzy. But the blood I had just consumed made the loss feel entirely worth it. As I prepared to head back to the academy, I suddenly felt a terrible premonition wash over me. "SHIT!" I cursed out loud as my instincts proved devastatingly correct. Immediately without any hesitation, I used the transcendent blood stored in my Crimson Moon pendant for defence. The life force wrapped around my body like a mother embracing its child. My action proved decisive as I was suddenly attacked by something I hadn’t sensed approaching until the last second. Despite pouring my power into defence, my body flew through the air like a broken kite, slamming into the nearby trees with bone-jarring force. BOOM!