The arrow pierced through the thick fur and flesh of the Giant Blue Tiger's neck, producing an agonizing roar that pierced the stillness of the dense forest. The sound echoed ominously among the ancient trees, stirring a cacophony of startled birds into the air, while leaves rustled violently as if caught in a sudden storm.
In a heartbeat, Aaron, a young magician both inexperienced and yet driven, sprang backward instinctively, narrowly avoiding the furious retaliation of the enraged creature. The attack had caught him off guard, igniting an immediate surge of adrenaline that coursed through his veins, heightening his senses and quickening his pulse.
The scene around him descended into chaos. Towering at three times the size of an ordinary tiger, the Giant Blue Tiger, with its striking azure stripes a stark contrast to the earthy hues of the forest, thrashed violently in its rage. This colossal beast, with muscles coiling beneath its fur like tightly wound steel cables, was no mere predator; it was a fearsome embodiment of primal power. Its formidable weaponry was overwhelming: two rows of razor-sharp teeth that extended nearly half a foot long, designed for literally tearing its prey apart, and claws so lethal they could effortlessly shatter bones.
Against an opponent like the tiger, even a fighter boasting the abilities of a Final State level 6 magician would find themselves at a significant disadvantage. Now, with the tiger reeling from the palm-sized wound that marred its neck and begun to bleed profusely, it was evident that this was not merely a battle for survival, but a clash between life and a formidable death.
The tiger, now merely ten meters away, fixed its penetrating gaze on Aaron with a ferocity that sent a shiver racing down his spine. Every muscle in the beast's massive frame was taut, poised to strike, and Aaron acutely felt the gravity of his situation.
He knew that conventional weaponry was futile in such close quarters. He needed to devise a new strategy quickly.
Riya, his keen-witted companion come up with an advise "Use your magic! Don't attempt to engage it with swords; that would be sheer folly!" she advised urgently, her voice steady yet edged with anxiety.
Focusing his thoughts, Aaron quickly nocked an arrow onto the advanced Wire Bow—the device, a marvel of intricate engineering, would usually deliver fatal precision. With breath steadying his aim, he released the arrow towards the creature's front right leg, hoping to incapacitate it. In an instant, the arrow flew forth, tracing a glimmering arc through the air, only to find the tiger, with a speed that defied reason, leap sideways, evading the attack effortlessly.
The beast's reflexes were breathtaking; in the blink of an eye, it closed the distance between them, its massive form hurtling towards him like a thunderclap. Before Aaron could muster a second plan of attack, the tiger swiped at him, the strength of the blow sending his weapon spiraling from his grasp and rendering it useless on the ground. The creature's jaws gaped wide, a cavern of razor-sharp teeth preparing to clamp down on him.
In that heart-stopping moment, inspiration struck like a lightning bolt. Rather than succumbing to panic, Aaron harnessed his magical affinity and cast a fireball directly into the tiger's open mouth. The sudden burst of flame startled the creature momentarily, causing it to stagger back, its massive form reeling from the unexpected assault. Seizing the opportunity, Aaron executed an agile backflip, channeling the momentum to create much-needed distance between himself and the roaring beast.
"Close call," he thought to himself, breathless and wide-eyed as he assessed the unfolding situation. But the tiger was far from done; its fiery wrath reignited with renewed vigor. With a primal growl that sent chills racing through the air, it lashed out with one powerful paw, unleashing a gale that caught him off guard, leaving a sharp sting across his face.
Despite his earlier evasion, Aaron quickly realized how devastatingly fast the blue tiger could move, and he felt the weight of reality press down upon him—although he was equipped with the skills of a level 5 magician, his physical prowess simply paled in comparison to that of this titan of the wilderness.
With a split-second decision burning in his mind, Aaron honed in on his options; engaging the tiger with traditional martial arts seemed a grave miscalculation. Instead, he trusted in his magical instincts. With a fluid motion, he slid beneath the towering beast, bringing his sword up in a desperate slash at its vulnerable underbelly. The tiger screamed, a visceral sound that resonated deeply within the forest, and blood poured from the wound he had inflicted, yet there was no room for hesitation; Aaron needed to press on with his attack before the creature could rally.
In a commanding voice, he channeled his magical energy once more. "Fire Punch!" he called out, his palm engulfed in swirling azure flames as he struck with all the force he could muster at the creature's formidable head.
The impact was colossal, akin to a thunderclap that reverberated throughout the clearing, and the massive tiger was sent crashing against a towering tree. The collision, potent and explosive, sent tremors through the surrounding earth, scattering debris in every direction.
As the tiger attempted to recover from the brutal blow, Aaron rushed forward, every ounce of his remaining mana surging through him. He summoned the strength he had left, focusing utterly on delivering one final, decisive strike. With unyielding resolve, he aimed for the tiger's neck, unleashing a crushing blow that shattered its trachea and ensured that the titan could no longer pose a threat.
As the Giant Blue Tiger trembled, its fury slowly fading into a desperate grasp for survival, it ultimately succumbed to the wounds that had been inflicted upon it. With a final, defiant roar that echoed through the forest and sent tremors through the very ground, it fell lifeless to the soil, leaving Aaron panting heavily, his heart racing in disbelief at having survived such a harrowing encounter. The weight of the moment pressed down upon him—not just the thrill of victory, but the harrowing reminder of nature's ferocity, and the narrow margin between life and death that had played out in the chaos of that terrifying encounter.
Aaron stood transfixed, his gaze anchored to his hands, brimming with disbelief yet overwhelmed by an exhilarating sense of achievement. Remarkably, he had slain the formidable Giant Blue Tiger during his inaugural hunt, an endeavor that many seasoned hunters might have shied away from.
"Wow, Aaron, are you genuinely a Level 5 low-class magician? It is rather impressive, especially considering you obtained your system merely fifteen days ago. Your progress is commendable," Riya remarked, a note of admiration lacing her tone.
With palpable enthusiasm, Aaron responded, "As I have stated previously, I possess the capability to accomplish this. Regardless of the beast's prowess, every savage creature harbors vulnerabilities. The key lies in identifying these weaknesses; for the Giant Blue Tiger, its trachea and stomach are particularly susceptible."
Just as Aaron prepared to elaborate further to Riya, an unfamiliar yet eerily robotic voice echoed in his mind—a voice he had first encountered during the inception of his system. The words resonated with importance:
{Congratulations on your first beast hunt. You may craft a special medicine from its remains that enhances muscle strength.}
Confounded, Aaron pondered his next steps. "However, I lack the knowledge to create such a remedy. Should I seek assistance?"
Riya interjected, "It is more prudent to disregard that. The effort spent creating the medicine is unworthy since its effects will be minimal. Instead, consider selling the heart and bones for a fair price, enabling you to purchase materials vital for advancing your mechanical skills."
"Noble advice, indeed. My financial reserves have dwindled significantly—nearly 90% exhausted due to the sword, potions, and this bow," Aaron conceded.
"Naturally, my insights are rarely amiss. Keep such wisdom in mind, especially since you might benefit from increased intelligence," Riya chortled playfully.
"Alright, enough of that, please!" he retorted, exasperated yet entertained.
With determination, Aaron approached the formidable remains of the Giant Blue Tiger, deftly wielding his sword to separate the heart and bones from the rest of the body, tucking them neatly into his storage ring.
Yet, as he operated, a recollection sparked within him—earlier, he had been ambushed by a fire-element creature, while this tiger did not exhibit such elemental powers. He mused, "I must remain vigilant, as there is indeed another beast lurking nearby. But where could it be?"
____________End
Please give me some power stone to power me up.