The forest was filled with chaos. Leaves rustled violently as the massive Dusk Serpent lunged, its iridescent scales shimmering under the filtered sunlight. The beast was an imposing sight—its serpentine body stretched nearly thirty feet in length, covered in dark, glistening scales that seemed to shift colors between shades of blue, green, and black. Its head was broad, with two sharp horns protruding from the top, and its eyes glowed an eerie, menacing yellow. Rows of sharp fangs filled its maw, and its muscular tail, as thick as a tree trunk, swung with bone-crushing force. Kevin and Roy were already in the midst of a heated battle.
The Dusk Serpent, a mid-level 3 beast, had eyes glowing an eerie yellow, and its aura was heavy and menacing. The serpent swung its massive tail, forcing Kevin and Roy to react instantly, their bodies moving in perfect synchrony as they evaded its ferocious attack. Their breaths were heavy, but their eyes held a spark of exhilaration. Despite the challenge, the adrenaline pumping through their veins made it clear—they were enjoying the fight.
Kevin moved swiftly, his grip on his sword firm, each movement flowing with a confidence that belied his blindness. His senses were heightened to a frightening degree—he could feel the vibrations in the earth, hear the subtle changes in the wind, and even sense the presence of the serpent, as if some unseen force guided his every move. This was no ordinary fight for Kevin; it was a test of everything he had trained for in the past months.
Roy, on the other hand, was the picture of agility and precision. His daggers flashed as he moved, his body seeming almost weightless as he weaved in and out of the serpent's strikes. Unlike Kevin, who was still adapting to his battles, Roy had experience in battling beasts, and his instincts were sharp. He struck at the Dusk Serpent's vulnerable scales along its side, each slash quick and calculated, aimed to wound and weaken the beast.
The Dusk Serpent roared, its growl reverberating through the forest, mocking their attempts to bring it down. Roy's lips curled into a broad grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "You talk a lot for someone who's about to get beaten," he said, his voice filled with playful confidence, yet laced with steely determination.
Without warning, the serpent lunged again, its massive body barreling towards them with terrifying speed, aura surging like a tidal wave. Kevin reacted instinctively, sidestepping the attack and swinging his sword, striking the beast's side. The cut wasn't deep, but it drew blood, and that was enough to slow the serpent's momentum, if only for a moment.
Roy seized the opportunity and darted in, his movements fluid and sharp. He struck at the serpent's side again, but the Dusk Serpent retaliated with a furious lash of its tail, forcing Roy to retreat. He stumbled momentarily, the sheer force of the attack making him lose balance, but he quickly regained his footing.
"You alright, Roy?" Kevin called, his senses tracking the beast's movement.
"I'm good," Roy replied, his grin unfaltering. "Just keep pushing forward."
Kevin took a deep breath, attuning himself to his surroundings. Even though he was blind, it hardly hindered him. He swung his sword in wide arcs, each strike aimed to keep the serpent on the defensive, while Roy moved in tandem, always looking for an opening.
The Dusk Serpent snarled, its aura flaring violently. It swung its massive tail, sending a shockwave of energy towards them. Roy, always alert, grabbed Kevin's arm and pulled him down just in time, the shockwave passing harmlessly overhead, shattering trees behind them. Roy laughed as they ducked, "Come on, Kevin! Don't let it have all the fun!"
Kevin grinned, his pulse racing as they rose again. "Just focus, Roy," he said, his voice filled with determination.
The serpent, now clearly frustrated, charged at Kevin, its jaws open, blazing with energy. Kevin could sense the energy approaching—an overwhelming force aimed right at him. He shifted his stance, raising his sword to block the incoming attack. The impact sent a shudder through his body, but he stood his ground, feet digging into the earth beneath him.
Roy, seeing the opening, moved like a shadow, his daggers ready. He darted to the side, his steps silent and swift. With a precise motion, he drove one dagger into the Dusk Serpent's scales along its side, forcing the beast to divert its attention between him and Kevin.
Kevin, feeling the shift in pressure, knew this was the moment to strike. He gathered his aura, channeling it through his body, his senses blazing with focus. With a grin, he lunged forward, his sword aimed for the serpent's midsection. The blade found its mark, piercing through the tough scales. The Dusk Serpent let out a deafening roar, its aura flickering as Kevin pushed forward with all his strength.
Roy followed up with cold efficiency, his playful demeanor giving way to focused precision. Seeing the serpent momentarily disoriented by Kevin's attack, Roy sprinted forward, using the serpent's own body as leverage. He ran up along its scales, his balance impeccable, until he reached the base of its neck. With a swift, powerful thrust, he plunged his dagger into the serpent's neck, the force of the blow driving the massive creature to the ground. Kevin took a final deep breath, gathering his strength, and swung his sword one last time, killing the Dusk Serpent. Its aura dissipated, fading into the forest, and the battle was over.
Breathing heavily, Roy stepped back, meeting Kevin's gaze with a grin. "See? Told you we'd win."
Kevin chuckled, sheathing his sword. "Yeah, yeah. You did most of the work, right?"
Roy shrugged, twirling one of his daggers before sliding it back into its sheath. "Obviously. But you weren't so bad yourself, for a blind guy."
Kevin smiled, shaking his head. The fight had been tough, but they had made it through, their teamwork proving stronger than any individual skill. They had faced the mid-level 3 Dusk Serpent and emerged victorious—not just because of their strength, but because they had each other's backs.
The forest slowly returned to its natural state, the rustling leaves and distant birdsong filling the air once more. The danger had passed, and for a moment, there was peace.
Roy walked over, patting Kevin on the shoulder. "We should get moving. If that Dusk Serpent had a pack, we don't want to be around when they show up."
Together, they made their way back to Kevin's hut, the path winding through the thick forest. The adrenaline from the battle had begun to fade, and a calmness settled in as they walked. Roy glanced at Kevin several times, his expression filled with curiosity and concern.
"How are you feeling, Kevin?" Roy finally asked, breaking the silence.
Kevin paused for a moment, as if assessing himself. "I feel... surprisingly good. Tired, sure, but it was exhilarating," he said, a smile tugging at his lips. "The way I can sense everything now—it was almost as if I am not blind at all."
Roy nodded, his eyes showing a hint of admiration. "You did great. I mean, I knew you were capable, but seeing you actually fight like that, it was impressive." He patted Kevin's shoulder again, his voice lighter now. "I wouldn't want to face you as an enemy."
Kevin chuckled, shaking his head. "Same goes for you. You were all over that serpent."
Roy grinned. "Well, what can I say? Fighting beasts is kind of my thing." They continued onward, the hut coming into view in the distance, a welcome sight after the intensity of the battle. Before leaving the clearing, they had taken the time to gather some materials from the Dusk Serpent—scales, fangs, and even some of the serpent's horn. These materials were valuable, and they planned to sell them at the city when they had the chance. The extra income would definitely come in handy for their future journey.
As they reached the hut, Roy and Kevin settled down to rest. Over the past months, Kevin had completed the Bone Forging process twice, and he was now at the 10th stage of his second Bone Forging. He had made incredible progress, and his strength had grown immensely. Meanwhile, Roy was at the 10th stage of his third Bone Forging, his body hardened and his aura stronger than ever. Both of them had pushed their limits, and their growth showed in their prowess during the battle against the Dusk Serpent.
After some time, Roy spoke up, his tone serious but filled with determination. "Kevin, I think it's time we start moving. We've gained a lot of strength, and soon we'll be moving into Muscle Forging."
Kevin nodded thoughtfully. He had already decided that he would only complete the Bone Forging process twice, as his primary source of strength would be his understanding of the sword. "Bone Forging twice is enough for me," Kevin said, his voice steady. "My real power lies in mastering the sword."
Roy agreed. He also had no desire to undergo a fourth round of Bone Forging since it would take almost a decade to complete. However, they had received some crucial information from the Heavenly Monarch—that they could continue Bone Forging along with other realms. Normally, people forgot about the basics and got enticed by the new power of the higher realms, but Kevin and Roy were different. They planned to revisit Bone Forging once they reached the Qi Cultivation realm, when they would have more Qi to work with and strengthen their foundation even further.