Chapter 48 - - Level 15 Silver Bear
Talon stared at the monster solemnly as he gripped his spear tighter than ever. Long gone his silly attitude as the enemy he was facing required his full focus and more.
The monster was what seemed to be a very gigantic bear standing at at least 5 meters tall. It had the full appearance of a bear except for its silver, spiky fur that seemed extremely sharp and pointy.
Its claws were long and terrifying and its fangs were protruding out of its mouth menacingly. With the two sharp red eyes it had, the monster stared at Talon angrily as it growled, clearly ready to attack.
Without uttering a single word, Talon started slowly moving the side as he watched the bear's movements. Even though he was sure that he was at a great disadvantage, he still kept his calm. So what if it was stronger than him? Talon had faced multiple stronger monsters before.
'This one is really nasty in comparison, though.' He frowned as he clicked his tongue.
"What's its level, Acrypha?" He asked quietly not to alert the monster that was also seemingly assessing its human target. It wasn't as dumb as the other monsters clearly.
"Level 15 Silver Bear. They're common in many Dimensions and live in cold weather generally."
"Level 15…" Talon sucked in a deep breath when he heard the number. An entire 5 levels of difference between them. Never did he fight any creature this far ahead of him in terms of strength.
'I can't run either since this bastard got me in a corner.' He thought to himself as he looked at his position.
"Be careful, Talon. Its claws can easily slice you into two pieces." Acrypha warned him as she moved away so that she wouldn't hinder him.
*GRRRRR*
Seeing that the human was planning something, the monster growled loudly as its anger peaked before it suddenly rushed toward him at top speed. Talon was taken aback by the monster's speed.
With no other choice, Talon rushed towards it too as he moved his spear to the side. When the two got close, Talon jumped in the air as he thrust forward, aiming for the monster's head.
*GRRAAAA*
The bear made a loud screech as it swung its left arm aiming toward Talon's spear. The two clashed violently in the air.
*Bang*
Talon's body was thrown back the moment it made contact with the paws. Rolling on the ground, he adjusted his position, stopping on his feet.
"As I thought, it would totally crush me in a strength contest," Talon murmured as he spat out a mouthful of saliva.
*GRRRRR*
The bear moved to the side as it rushed toward him again before it slashed down with its paw. Talon quickly jumped to the side, avoiding a crushing hit that cracked the ground where it landed.
Then, the young man rushed to the side before he dived in, slashing with his spear where he thought the monster would be vulnerable.
The spear's blade sliced through the air at top speed, cutting the monster's side.
*GRRRRRRRR!!!*
Blood splurted out of the injury as the monster groaned and turned around frantically, slapping its paws toward Talon.
'Shit! That barely glossed over its skin!' He clicked his tongue as he found himself in a position where he couldn't dodge. His only choice was to use his strength to divert the attack away.
*BANG*
The moment the paw landed on the spear, Talon's feet sank into the ground and his eyes widened. Clenching his teeth tightly, Talon tried to push the paw away.
'So… Hnng, strong!!!'
At that moment, Talon felt like he was being crushed by a huge truck with no way of escaping. His muscles flexed to the extreme and his veins bulged, almost popping off.
"Haaah!!" Using whatever energy he had left in his arms, Talon moved the paw to the side, making it fall.
At the same time, the bear growled and slapped Talon with the other paw.
'What?!' Talon realized the disaster he was in and tried to quickly salvage the situation.
[Ding!]
[You have activated the skill 'Dimension Harvester: Spearmanship'.]
*BANG*
The hit connected, sending Talon flying as he smashed against the wall and fell to the ground.
*GRRRRRRRRR*
The bear growled as if it was celebrating its triumph over this human. It stood on its hind legs.
"Aaaah, fuck, that hurts!"
*CRACK*
The bear looked at Talon slowly standing up as he cracked his bones with a hint of surprise. It didn't expect that human to stand up after that attack. After all, it was a direct hit or so it thought.
"Ptuh… That was close…" Laughing with a pale look, Talon tried to ignore the pain he was feeling on his back. The moment he activated Spearmanship, he immediately changed his grip on the spear skilfully before he deflected the hit at the last second, reducing its strength greatly.
'Still… That almost broke my bones.' He thought to himself as he touched his side as he squinted. Luckily, he didn't break any bone, but his body was certainly injured.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Ugh, just a little painful." He murmured as he brandished his spear. "Now, I'm fucking pissed."
*GRRRRRRRRR*
The bear growled as it stared at Talon.
"Oh man, you're so screwed. I'm about to turn your stupid fur into a carpet." He said as he dashed forward.
The monster didn't hesitate and rushed at him too. When Talon got close, he leaped in the air again. However, he didn't go in for a close hit and instead changed the grip on his spear again.
The monster didn't hesitate and lunged at Talon too. It noticed how he was injured and was simply one hit away from his death. It expected the human to try the same attack. However, it was shocked when it realized what Talon was planning.
Pulling his shoulder back, Talon extended his arm as much as he could. Then, at the last moment, he launched himself forward, sending the spear flying in the air at top speed.
By the time the bear realized what Talon did, it was already far too late. The weapon flew in the air, reaching the monster in a split second before it pierced its eye, destroying it completely. A fountain of blood exploded out of that place followed by a terrifying shriek of pain.
The bear fell on the ground rolling around as it frantically moved its arms around trying to get the spear out. Its beautiful silver fur was completely tarnished with its own blood.
Seeing that, Talon took the opportunity and rushed toward the monster as fast as he could. When he reached it, he grabbed the spear and pulled it out before he quickly plunged it into the second eye, destroying it too.
The bear howled again with even more intensity as it tossed and turned quickly. Its movement was so fast and unpredictable that Talon couldn't even predict what it would do next.
"Finish it off!" Acrypha yelled.
"I know!!"
Having no other choice, Talon rushed after the bear and thrust forward, piercing its neck from the side. Because of his spearmanship skill, Talon was able to skilfully aim the hit at one of the bear's arteries, severing it completely.
At that moment, the monster turned to the side and blindly slapped with its paws.
*bang*
"AGH!!" The hit connected with Talon's side and sent him rolling on the ground. At the same time, the monster continued its blind rampage.
Blood was gushing out of the four injuries on its body endlessly. Time passed slowly as the monster's strength waned and its movements grew slower and more sluggish.
Eventually, it succumbed to its injuries and fell to the ground motionless. It died.
"Talon… Talon!!" Acrypha flew toward the young man lying on the ground with a worried look on her face.
"I'm… alive… Somehow…" He murmured as he groaned in pain.
The palm attack luckily didn't include the claws since the monster was blinded and unable to see where its target was so the hit was also considerably weaker.
[Ding!]
[You have killed level 15 Silver Bear. +10 Strength, +10 Agility, +10 Stamina, +10 Health, +10 Aetheris.]
[Ding!]
[You have leveled up. +2 Free Points.]
[Ding!]
[You have leveled up. +2 Free Points.]
[Ding!]
[You have leveled up. +2 Free Points.]
"What?!"
The notifications that popped in front of Talon took him by surprise. This was the biggest boost Talon had gotten so far.
"+10 in all stats… Holy shit… Ouch!" He groaned as he grabbed his side.
The surge of energy he felt at that moment coming from all these additional points was ridiculous. He felt as if he had undergone an entire evolution process in a matter of seconds. Even in his injured state, he felt his body growing unbelievably stronger.
Acrypha noticed that power happening in real time.
"To kill a level 15 monster as a level 10 human… I have never seen anything like that before. The Core Dimension had witnessed something unheard of. No wonder it rewarded you graciously…" She said in a complicated tone.
(A//N: Thanks to everyone who supports the book with power stones and golden tickets, you guys are the best:) )