After shattering Boss Bai Nexus Core, Lennox retrieved Boss Bai storage gemstone inside it had multiple valuable material for crafting some elixir or possibly be sold of, Alongside it, he also grabbed his Boss Bai Crimson Razor machete, deeming it worthy of keeping for future use, In his mind, one could never have too much protection, Putting them inside the storage gemstone Kira gave him.
With that, he discovered the gemstone storage's remarkable feature: Instant Retrieval. With a touch and a whispered command, items stored within the Nexus Crystal could be summoned back to his hand at will, materializing instantly from a pocket dimension, the time even flows differently ensuring items remained preserved without decay. Currently, Lennox possessed a standard 10x10 100-meter gemstone for basic storage purposes.
After As he moved through the grove's forest, encounters with monsters were sparse, and those he did face posed little challenge. Lennox attributed this to his honed combat prowess, noticing a significant improvement over the past month. He had reached a level where defeating opponents of a higher rank had become achievable, which is something not easily possible unless you have a better bloodline, power, weapon or etc.
In the World of Nexus, strength was paramount, yet not the sole determinant. Factors such as Nexarc Technique, fighting instincts, combat skills, field experience, and the density of Nexium Essence all contributed to one's prowess. Consequently, individuals could feasibly challenge opponents above their Nexus Rank.
However, a Nexarc warrior's Nexus rank stood as the cornerstone of their abilities. Without continual improvement in Nexus Rank, one's true combat potential remained irrelevant.
Furthermore, a Nexarc warrior's very existence was intertwined with their Nexus Rank. Absolute strength, attained through rank, was the ultimate goal for Nexarcs, as it brought both power and status.
Continuing forward through the grove forest in search of his task monster that he needed to kill, Lennox stumbled upon a deep valley. Amidst the valley, he caught sight of a striking young woman being pursued by a tiger crackling with lightning with its every step.
From the pulsing Nex of the tiger his perception was 100 meter at Nexus Rank but no its 300 meter as rank two, 100 more than a normal Rank two because of being Nexarc Hybrid Warrior but Lennox didnt know that.
The Rank 4 Magical Beast, similar in essence to Nexarc Spirits and Nexarc Magni. The girl, adorned with ebony strands mingling with long white hair and eyes as dark as midnight, dons a silk kimono of deep green hues her sleeves extend gracefully, trailing behind her , embellished with cascading cherry blossom motifs woven in threads of shimmering black. At the heart of this ensemble lies the obi, crafted from opulent brocade fabric in a palette of black and white.
'She's a Nexus Spirit, a Nexarc. of her Rank She won't survive if that tiger catches up,' Lennox pondered.
Rank 4 Magical Beasts are esteemed as formidable creatures, boasting enhanced strength, agility, and intelligence compared to their lower-ranked counterparts. They are often revered as guardians of sacred territories.
Lennox scratched his chin, squinting as he watched the scene unfold. 'She's like royalty, you know? I mean, she practically oozes luxuriousness despite being in danger," he remarked, his tone thoughtful. "Yet, where's her protectors? it make scene to think someone like her would have a fortress of guards around her, right?" He shook his head, puzzled. "It just doesn't add up. I mean, look at that lightning tiger going after her. It's like it's on a mission or something. It's not every day you see a beast going after someone like her." His words trailed off.
The girl's expression twisted in horror as the lightning tiger swung its massive claw towards her, tearing through her back and her clothing, drawing a abundant amounts of blood. Lennox, calculating the potential reward for saving her life, reasoned that a life debt might be repaid in kind. Little did he know, he was gravely mistaken as she was somehow who arrogant but also she doesn't ask other for help so she also looks down on other who ask for help and the poor. In that moment of chaos, Lennox sent forward a shuriken hurtling towards the ground between the girl and the still advancing lighting tiger.
Quickly sliding down the valley walls, his movements akin to that of a seasoned climber, On that he had honed his skills through countless ascents and descents of walls and trees on Earth, all in pursuit of food if he couldn't afford any. As the tiger roared in frustration, enraged at the prospect of its prey slipping away. It still quickly backed away cautiously while roaring, the echoes of its ferocious roars reverberating through the valley.
Yet, amidst the roars, his senses tingled detecting the presence of Lennox nearby. However, realization struck too late as he was so focus on the girl it didn't notice Lennox was already watching before. Leaping through the flames caused by the shuriken's, Quickly it caught sight of Lennox carrying the girl on his shoulder.
While running Lennox understood that had if he possessed the Mask of the Rat, he could have spirited the girl away without detection. Yet, he had entrusted it to Kira, sensing its potential utility in her stealthy in certain battle, while he himself stood forthright and unyielding in his approach to open combat.
The tiger, bewildered by the sudden appearance of another Nexarc, deemed Lennox weak, not enough to evolve it so its focus shifted back towards the girl, but they still question where did the other Nexarc come from and how can a weak Nexarc enter the grove?
The was surprised what just happened "Release me! Don't touch me!" she screamed, and her fists pounding against Lennox's back in defiance.
Lennox's eyes widened imperceptibly as he registered her unexpected hostility. "Girl, what's your problem?" he interjected, his tone firm yet laced with quiet concern. "I'm trying to rescue you here." He paused perhaps he had misjudged the approach? Was there a deeper issue at play, perhaps a discomfort with physical contact, or some other unknown factor driving her reaction?
"I don't need your help," the girl retorted haughtily.
Meanwhile, the lighting tiger roaring with anger, its movements charged with crackling lightning, unleashed a bolt towards Lennox, the speed of its attack leaving him with no time to react. The searing current surged through his body, paralyzing him in its grasp, before he stumbled and fell, succumbing to the numbing effects of the lightning.
As both Lennox and the girl tumbled to the ground, the lightning-charged tiger lunged towards them. With a slow effort, Lennox managed to rise to one knee, summoning a sizable fire shield just barely covering them just in time to intercept the tiger's electrifying assault. The impact sent him reeling backward, his knee bearing the brunt of the force about to crack the ground.
Lennox gritted his teeth against the pain shooting through his body, with his head turn his gaze locking onto the girl's panicked eyes. "Hurry, run!"
The girl's hands trembled as she struggled to maintain her composure. "But what about you? You'll die!"
Lennox's voice cut through the tigers lighting. "Don't be absurd!" he exclaimed. "We'll both die if you don't go." His eyes flicked around, assessing their surroundings for any potential escape routes.
Caught off guard by Lennox's selfless resolve, the girl hesitated, pondering his motives and the unexpected act of kindness from a stranger. Doubts swirled in her mind, questioning whether there was an ulterior motive behind his actions, perhaps tied to her influential family's connections. Nevertheless, she chose to trust in this fleeting moment of solidarity and dashed to safety.
As the girl fled to the side, the lightning tiger noticed her running away and instantly ceased its assault on Lennox, redirecting its focus towards her. Sensing the imminent danger, Lennox swiftly dispersed his shield and charged towards the girl's aid. With nowhere left to retreat and the cliff's edge looming ominously, Lennox made a split-second decision.
Launching himself forward, Lennox intercepted the tiger's path just as its claws slashed towards the his back. The force of the attack sent them both hurtling over the cliff's edge, plummeting into the abyss below. In the chaos of the fall, the girl's shock turned to panic as she struggled to comprehend the whirlwind of events unfolding before her, first her clan protector was ambushed by multiple tigers that she had run away because it was to much and her protectors couldn't block them all off on her own then this unknown person saving her not once but twice on the second time even getting hurt, as her screams echoing throughout the valley.