It was the purple cloud.
Jack could feel the lightning surging through his veins, crackling beneath his skin. Every nerve in his body ignited with power, the energy coursing through him like a raging storm.
The bear lunged again, jaws wide, ready to tear him apart.
But this time, Jack was faster.
Much faster.
In a blur of motion, he stepped forward, his right fist crackling with purple lightning.
With pinpoint accuracy, his punch connected with the bear's jaw.
Crack!
The impact echoed through the forest, followed by a thunderous crash as the massive beast was flung backward. It tumbled across the forest floor, leaving deep furrows in the earth before it finally came to a halt.
Jack stood there, panting heavily, his hand trembling from the aftershock of the strike. Sparks of purple electricity danced across his fingertips, fading slowly into the misty air.
He stared at the fallen bear, his heart pounding in his chest. The warmth of the lightning energy still coursed through him, a fiery storm surging within.
"With this… I can get out of this," Jack whispered, his voice hoarse but steady.
The power—the lightning—was no longer a mysterious force beyond his control. It had responded to him, bending to his will.
Jack turned away from the bear, his mind already made up.
"I need to leave. Now."
The bear stirred. A low growl rumbled from its battered form, echoing ominously through the forest. Jack knew it wasn't down for good. It wouldn't stay down for long.
But as he took his first step to flee, a crushing wave of exhaustion crashed over him.
The lightning energy retreated back into his core, and Jack dropped to his knees, gasping for air.
What's happening?
His body trembled. His limbs felt like lead, each movement draining what little strength he had left.
Jack pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the faint flicker of purple energy deep within.
"Not even… a fourth left…" he muttered through gritted teeth, frustration evident in his voice.
Summoning the lightning had nearly drained his reserves. The power was overwhelming—but it came at a steep price.
Forcing himself to stand, Jack staggered forward, unsteady on his feet. He couldn't collapse now.
Behind him, the bear groaned, dragging itself upright. Its red eyes blazed with fury.
Jack's heart pounded harder. He couldn't fight again—not like this.
"I need to survive. I need to escape."
Desperation clawed at him. He tried to summon the lightning again, ignoring the searing pain it caused. A faint crackle responded—a spark of purple energy flickered, then fizzled out.
Not enough.
Jack turned to face the bear, meeting its gaze. It was limping, its injured leg dragging across the ground. There was a chance. A slim one.
"Then I'll make it," he whispered to himself, his eyes locking onto the bear's wound.
Jack took a fighting stance, steadying his breathing. The bear didn't charge immediately. Instead, it paced slowly, its eyes locked on him.
It's more cautious now, Jack realized.
It's studying me.
Then something strange happened.
The mist, which had been thick but manageable, began to shift. It grew denser, swirling like a living thing, suffocating the air around him. The visibility dropped to nothing, the world fading into a ghostly white void.
Jack's heart sank.
This isn't natural.
The realization hit him like a dagger to the chest.
This isn't an ordinary bear.
It's a demon bear.
The mist was its doing.
Cold sweat trickled down Jack's temple. His hands shook, and he clenched them into fists to steady himself. But the fear gnawed at his mind.
He was outmatched. Completely.
Tears welled in his eyes as the crushing reality set in. He couldn't escape.
No matter what he did no matter how hard he fought he was going to die here.
The bear's growl rumbled through the mist, closer now, its outline barely visible through the fog. Jack took a shaky step back, tears streaming down his face.
"I shouldn't have come here," he whispered, his voice trembling.
But it was too late for regrets.
The bear's glowing red eyes pierced through the mist, locking onto him.
The mist churned violently as the bear disappeared into its depths.
Jack barely had time to react before a monstrous presence loomed over him.
In a blink, the beast materialized right in front of him, its massive jaws already descending.
Before he could even register what was happening, searing pain erupted in his shoulder.
Jack's breath hitched—his left shoulder was trapped between the bear's crushing fangs
......
Pov ???
Hidden within the mist, two pairs of eyes observed the battle unfold.
A faint chuckle echoed through the fog.
"The Mist Bear is finally getting serious, Young Master," an aged voice murmured.
Lei Han smirked, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he watched from the shadows. His arms were crossed, his posture relaxed, as though he were watching a mere performance.
"It's going just as we planned," he said, a trace of excitement in his tone. "But still… I never expected him to last this long."
The old figure beside him confused. "Young Master? At this rate, wouldn't he ...."
"He won't," Lei Han interrupted smoothly. "Not that easily."
His eyes remained locked onto Jack's battered form, curiosity flickering in their depths.
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Just watch."