Seeing how Rael was going toe-to-toe against the E-Rank Wild Boar, Persephone couldn't help but be shocked.
'I knew he was strong and held back against me back then, but even so, this is too much!'
Her own eyes couldn't believe that someone who was of F Rank could win against an E-Rank!
This was jumping a few stages ahead. Just like a 12-year-old would try to beat someone in his late teens or early twenties.
The latter should be easily able to slap the child and leave him almost unconscious.
But the situation that should've unfolded before her eyes was completely different.
The '12-year-old,' Rael, was not only pushing back the E-Rank Wild Boar, beating him in a contest of strength, but also managed to wound him.
Rael's black sword didn't stop inflicting wounds on the boar's body with every passing second.
The effects of Chaotic Flux and Chaotic Frenzy perfectly fused with each other to give Rael the best of both with every attack.
His unpredictable strikes were going to hit the left side of the Wild Boar when it suddenly changed to his right side.
Releasing a black kind of aura that managed to leave different wounds on the E-Ranked Lifeform.
The battle continued for fifteen minutes, after which Rael suddenly took a step forward, but instead of rushing at the wild boar, it was only a feint.
Sidestepping, Rael got to the wild boar's right side, his eyes darkening even more as he muttered, "Chaotic Strike..."
Splash!
Slashing the boar's neck, a fountain of blood left his body and painted the surroundings red.
Even Rael was surprised by that as he backed away.
Still, what surprised him the most was the Wild Boar's vitality. The giant lifeform wasn't falling down yet.
However, this didn't mean that he wasn't in a dangerous position.
With blood still pouring from his neck, the beast was barely wobbling around.
Gurgling sounds could be heard coming out of its mouth, but no matter what he did, the wild boar couldn't even find the strength necessary to move forward.
Rael took his time, once he saw that the most dangerous moment of their battle was over, he even strolled to Persephone's side.
"What do you think? My plan has some hope after all, right?"
When Rael asked that, even Persephone was stunned to see that she was unconsciously nodding at him.
It was out of reflex that she did so, perhaps Rael's performance against a stronger opponent made her believe in him more.
'But he sure is something else. If I was the one facing that boar, not to mention my companions, even I would've lost my life in a matter of minutes.'
'And he won... It's just a matter of time before the Wild Boar would pass out from the blood loss.'
Rael knew better than to approach the E-Rank before him.
Wild Boar, especially those who were injured, tended to keep a bit of their strength and go into a frenzy if someone approached them in those last moments.
So it was better to let him die rather than forcing the last counterattack of the Wild Boar.
As expected, in a few more minutes, the boar even closed its eyes, a sign that even though it wasn't completely dead yet, it wasn't far.
'Dash.' Activating his skill, Rael rushed forward and appeared in front of the boar before slashing at the same place: the neck.
Because of the sudden shock, the wild boar quickly opened its eyes, only for it to close them again.
It was too late now to attack Rael, since it didn't have any strength left inside its body.
Hearing that even its breaths stopped, Rael finally sighed a breath of relief.
While the fight didn't prolong enough for him to feel tired, it surely drained him. Constantly using his skills and Bloodline skills put a burden on his body.
'I should pay more attention in the future. We are still inside the forest, and if I go all out only to remain breathless against such an enemy, it would be fairly easy for other beasts to pop up and kill us.'
Making a mental note for the future, Rael proceeded to pick up the gray crystal from inside the boar's body.
Ding! You just slew an...
Ding! Congratulations, you just received...
Ignoring the usual notifications, Rael pondered for a while. He didn't know if he was supposed to absorb the 6 Gray Crystals inside his Inventory right now, or if he should keep them for later.
'Screw this! They should be enough. I don't think I won't be able to become an F+ Ranked Lifeform after absorbing them!'
Thinking that, Rael just did as he thought and took out all of his crystals from the Inventory.
Seeing that, Persephone got closer to him. But when she saw what he just took out, she was close to fainting.
'6 Gray Crystals! Oh my god! He's insane, I swear that he's insane...' The young woman was once again left speechless by Rael.
She was worried about him slaying the Wild Boar, but seeing so many Gray Crystals on his body, she understood that Rael was already used to it by now.
It wasn't her fault for thinking so, though; she couldn't have possibly known that the Gray Crystals were received from completing a Quest.
Since she didn't get one yet.
Back to Rael.
Not hesitating for a second, he directed the System to help him absorb the Gray Crystals.
One at a time, Rael felt closer and closer to the feeling of 'fullness.'
After absorbing the fifth Gray Crystal, something could be heard breaking inside his body.
Crack.
Persephone couldn't hear it, since it wasn't really inside Rael's body; it was a sound made by his soul while trying to break its cocoon and ascend to the next rank.
Opening his eyes, Rael quietly observed his surroundings. He felt light as a feather and stronger than ever.
Looking down at the last Gray Crystal, Rael thought for a while before offering it to Persephone.
"Take this; you should become an F+ Rank as soon as possible." Like throwing a broken toy, Rael didn't seem to care that he was just holding an invaluable resource for advancement.
Catching the Gray Crystal, Persephone doubted her ears and looked back at Rael before asking, "Did the wild boar hit your head?"
"..."