Despite the beast's huge size, it was quick enough to put someone off. With a mighty roar, the beast galloped, swiping its huge claws at Ash.
Although, Ash was new to the cultivation world, he wasn't a newbie in terms of fighting. He jumped backwards, evading the attack and created some distance between him and the beast.
Ash took a deep breath and with incredible speed, he sprinted forwards and delivered quick punches to the beast's body. But soon, he realized his punches didn't do much damage due to the beast's tough skin.
The repeated punches enraged the beast. It let out a beastly roar before it shook its body with immense force, hurling Ash away from its body.
At this point, Ray and the villagers inside the Village Chief's house heard the commotion outside. The villagers tensed up and stood in fear behind Ray.
'I'm tempted to help them…'
'But I need to protect the villagers!'
*BOOM*
The ground shattered as a result of the bear's attack but thankfully, Ash was still the fastest amongst the two. The only problem with the beast was its tough durability.
"Normal punches won't work…guess I'll have to use the skill." Ash muttered.
The natural energy in his body surged with power as he felt an enormous power bubbling from within his fists. There was a slight blue glow around his arms and the beast felt a faint sense of pressure from Ash.
*Whoosh*
Without giving the beast any time to react, Ash shot forward and delivered rapid punches to the beast, without interruption.
Each punch made a reverberating sound in the beast's body and Ash could feel the beast was being sluggish with its movements. The specialty of the Hail Strike was taking effect immediately.
Normally, a cultivator wouldn't be able to utilize the power of elements until he or she has successfully reached the Elemental Fusion Realm. To use an element, a cultivator has to first successfully awaken one in their body.
Of course, it is possible for a cultivator below the Elemental Fusion Realm to use the power of an element. A cultivator can utilize the power of an element if they were born with a specific physique or bloodline that caters to an element. However, this is extremely rare and extreme luck is required.
*BAM*
The beast whined in frustration as it could not touch the human and it could feel its body being slow in response. It suddenly let out a massive roar that disrupted Ash's movement.
The beast didn't let go of the small opportunity. Its four crimson eyes glowed dangerously and the surrounding air trembled with tension.
Ash faltered slightly due to the loud roar when he suddenly felt something dangerous assault his senses. He quickly looked at the beast's eyes and instantly knew the beast was going to use a deadly attack.
*ZAP*
In the blink of an eye, four thick crimson laser beams shot out from the beast's eyes, launching at Ash. The noise of the attack rang his ear, disturbing his mind.
*Whoosh*
Ash's legs rippled with natural energy before he instantaneously disappeared just as the laser beam tore through the place where he stood.
*BOOM*
The laser beam continued on before it crashed into the nearby trees, causing a small red ball of explosion, rumbling the ground.
The beast roared angrily and sensed a shift in wind right above him. It looked up and saw Ash gunning down with his Hail Strike, right on its head.
*BAM*
*BAM*
This time, Ash went for the direct kill. Repeatedly smashing the beast's head with his Hail Strike, the beast could not defend itself partly due to the slow effect and mostly due to the energy depletion of using its laser attack.
*WHAM*
Ash smashed the beast onto the ground and didn't stop with his punches. Rubbles of stones and dust surrounded the two, clouding their appearance.
After a solid minute of non-stop punches and beatdown, Ash finally stepped back and breathed heavily. The beast in question, motionlessly laid down in the newly formed crater, indicating its status.
*Huff*
'I…had to use the full power of Mirage Flow to dodge that fucking laser.' Ash wiped the sweat from his forehead. If he didn't dodge that crimson laser, who knew what kind of damage it would have caused to his body.
*Swoosh*
Ash turned his head and saw Bryan appear next to the beast.
"It seems like you're doing fine." Bryan smiled.
"Haha! Yeah, you too." Ash chuckled and steadied his breathing.
"Thankfully, we didn't sustain any injuries." Bryan commented while observing the black beast that attack Ash.
"Was the panther any difficult?" Ash asked.
"It was fast as fuck. Thankfully, I have the Gaze of Bane, making it immobile." Bryan briefed.
"I still can't believe you have that dogshit skill." Ash shook his head.
Bryan chuckled and shrugged, "Don't blame the system. Blame my luck!"
Pointing at the destruction caused by the small explosion from the black beast, Bryan asked, "Was that done by the beast?"
Ash nodded, "Mhm."
"That laser was fucking dangerous as fuck. I actually felt a bit scared but my Mirage Flow helped me dodge that shit."
"It was a laser?" Bryan was surprised.
"Yeah, not just one, but a whole four of them." Ash groaned.
Bryan smirked and said, "If it was me, I wouldn't even let it use that attack."
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go to the Chief's house before we argue forever." Ash said before speeding away, with Bryan following him.
The sounds of fighting had ceased and this mainly worried the villagers in the house. What if the two young heroes had died? What if the beasts ignored the protection of the house and came after them? All kinds of festering thoughts invaded the adult villagers.
Ray noticed their predicament and said in a serious tone, "You people think too much. Have faith in my friends. They'll be back soon."
*Creak*
"Speak of the devil…" Ray smiled as he saw Ash and Bryan enter the house, looking a bit drained out.
"All done?" Ray asked the two.
They both smiled and looked at the villagers.
"The beasts have been defeated."
Their statement had instantly caused a major change in the villagers' mood. The villagers no longer felt worried and terrified. They all stepped forward and carried the two outside the Chief's house and repeatedly threw them into the air, celebrating their victory.
The children laughed and ran around the adults in circles, affected by the cheerful atmosphere. Bryan and Ash didn't reject their victory celebration and played along with a hearty smile. Ray chuckled at the scene, right next to the Village Chief.
"As the Village Chief, we would like to thank you and your friends for saving the village and for giving us hope." The Village Chief genuinely thanked them.
Ray simply said, "It is only our job, Village Chief."
After a few more minutes of celebration, the crowd settled down and gathered in front of the Chief's house.
"Will you visit our village again?" A small boy around the age of 7 excitedly asked them.
"If fate wills us to." Ray said with a smile.
One of the male villagers asked the three, "What about the bodies of the beasts, young heroes?"
"What about them?" Bryan asked.
This time the villagers were confused. The male villager responded, "Don't you want the magic heart?"
The three were beyond confused but with a quick reaction, Ray asked the system what a magic heart was. A message displayed for all three to see.
[A magic heart is formed and acquired from Rank 2 magical beasts and above. They are the core aspect which allows a magical beast to cultivate and evolve to further ranks. Just like how humans have an independent field of natural energy in their body, magical beasts have the magic heart.]
'Ohhhhhhhh!!!!!' The three instantly exclaimed in realization.
Ray knocked his head and said, "Oh right, magic hearts. We'll take only the hearts and the rest of the body can be given to the village. And please, you don't have to thank us."
The villagers hurriedly thanked them despite his last statement. The body of one beast could provide a lot of meat for the villagers up to a week, much less two. Other parts of the body could be sold to the market for a high price which would be enough to sustain the village ahead of its time.
Ash said, "The hearts should be enough proof that we completed the mission."
Bryan and Ray both had their mouths open in realization.
"You guys forgot about bringing proof, didn't you?" Ash smirked.
"Noooo…clearly we didn't." Ray pointed at Ash.
"You're the man, Ash." Bryan put an arm on his shoulder.
"Ugh!" Ash simply grumbled.
"Well, then. Should we-" Ray was interrupted as he suddenly felt a dangerous presence appear out of nowhere. His eyes widened in shock and trepidation as he saw a massive beast floating in the air just above the village.
Its body was about 15 metres high and had a sculpted appearance. It had a grotesque face, two wings etched onto its back, and a single horn pointing outwards on its head. Its skin was red and almost resembled a terrifying bipedal humanoid. The claws twinkled with sharpness and its black eyes looked around, displaying its hideous and scary appearance.
"What the fuck is that…" Ash muttered in slight fear.
The sudden appearance of the winged beast once again shifted the atmosphere of the villagers. The children stopped running about and stood behind the adults.
Bryan frowned and softly said to the villagers, "Listen everyone! Go back to the house. We'll take care of it."
The villagers didn't need another reminder before they all quickly entered the house. Now, it was just the three of them.
The flying beast didn't care about the villagers and instead looked to where the other two beasts were. It took its time, without a care at all for the three humans below it.
"That thing is extremely strong and dangerous." Bryan said with extreme alertness.
"It's definitely stronger than the beasts we've fought." Ash said.
Ray frowned and observed, "It seems to be checking the two beasts that you both killed. I assume that monster is the leader or something."
"It looks fishy for some reason." Ash pondered.
"We can think about the reason later. Be on alert, its attention is on us right now." Bryan cautioned him. They shifted away from the Chief's house to not implicate them in the fight.
The flying beast shifted its attention onto the humans on the ground. It let out a hideous grin, presenting its sharp pointy teeth at them.
*Boom*
The beast left a burst of air before it lunged itself at an incredible speed at the humans. Ray activated his Trinal Coat but didn't have time to react as he didn't expect the beast to suddenly come for him.
The beast swiped its sharp claws at Ray, tearing off his protective Trinal Coat, which gave Ray enough time to speedily back off.
Two formless fists suddenly blasted forth, smashing onto the beast, but all it did was move the beast a few feet away from its original position.
'Fuck!' Bryan cursed.
The beast sensed another attack coming from its right side, and with a rough flap of its wings, it flew upwards into the air.
Ash unsuccessfully punched the air but this gave the beast another chance to attack Ray. It reached before Ray in an instant due its powerful wings but this time, Ray was more than ready. Using the innate skill of his bloodline, Eternal Speed, he successfully jumped back, creating quite a distance between him and the beast.
'The beast is fast alright, but no way in hell, is it faster than me!'
This time, Ash used Mirage Flow and instantly appeared next to the beast, delivering a roundhouse kick to its head. The beast unexpectedly staggered a bit but it had no time to react as Bryan immediately followed up with Phantasmal Fist thrown at the beast's face.
*BANG*