The newly evolved Ignis was a force of nature. Her Cinder Dash impact hadn't just thrown the first Beta, it had caved in its ribcage. The beast lay against the wall, a smoldering, twitching ruin, its life extinguished in a single, overwhelming strike.

The remaining Beta, seeing its powerful packmate annihilated in a heartbeat, let its desperate growl die in its throat. The primal rage in its eyes was replaced by pure, animal fear. It took a step back, then another, its body low to the ground.

But retreat was no longer an option.

"Don't let it escape!" Adam commanded, his voice a pained but firm rumble as his Blooming Vitality continued to seal the grievous wound in his belly.

He didn't need to elaborate. Alice, perhaps feeling a spike of competitive drive at Ignis's spectacular display, was already moving. She Void Stepped behind the retreating wolf, materializing like a bad omen. Before the beast could even react, she unleashed Void Bind, and this time, there was no escape. Solid shadows erupted from the stone floor, wrapping around all four of its legs and pinning it in place with relentless force.

The Beta thrashed and snarled, but it was helpless.

Ignis didn't need another invitation. She drew in a deep breath, the air around her maw shimmering with intense heat far beyond her previous Solar Flare. This was something new, something deeper. She unleashed a concentrated beam of incandescent energy a Sun Lance.

The brilliant, white-hot beam lanced out, striking the immobilized Beta directly in the chest. There was no explosion, just a horrifying sizzle and the smell of vaporized flesh and bone as the beam cleanly pierced through its heart.

The Beta's struggles ceased instantly. It slumped in its shadowy bonds, dead before it hit the ground.

Silence returned to the cavern, heavier and more profound than before, broken only by the crackle of cooling rock and Adam's labored breathing. The entire pack was eradicated.

Adam slowly, carefully, uncoiled himself, checking his injury. The bleeding had stopped, and new, tender scales were already forming over the deep puncture wounds. He looked at his two companions.

Ignis stood proudly, her new, larger form radiating warmth and power. She turned to Adam, her draconic eyes wide with concern. "Adam! Your wound... I... I was too slow."

"You were perfect, Ignis," Adam said, genuine pride in his voice. "That was an incredible evolution. You saved me."

A happy rumble, like a miniature volcano, echoed in her chest.

From the shadows, Alice trotted over. She didn't say anything, but butted her head firmly against Adam's uninjured side, a silent demand for attention and reassurance. He could feel the complex mix of relief, possessiveness, and a tinge of that old jealousy through their Soul-Link. Her own evolution felt far away again.

'You are still my first,' Adam projected softly, just for her. 'And your void powers are what make our strategies possible. We are a team.'

Alice purred, a sound like grinding galaxies, momentarily appeased.

Then, the system notifications flooded Adam's vision, a welcome distraction.

Fell Dire Wolf (Alpha) Defeated!

[+170 EXP | +260 EP]

Fell Dire Wolf (Beta) Defeated! x2

[+160 EXP | +200 EP]

Fell Dire Wolf (Standard) Defeated! x5

[+60 EXP | +125 EP]

[ Ding! Level Up! ]

[ You are now Level 34! ]

[ Next Level: 10/175 ]

[ Skill Point: +1 ]

[ Ding! Level Up! ]

[ You are now Level 35! ]

[ Next Level: 56/180 ]

[ Skill Point: +1 ]

[Evolution Points: 659 -> 1244/3000]

Adam took a deep breath, feeling the lingering pain from his wounds fade as Blooming Vitality did its work. But more than that, he felt a new connection, a warmth that pulsed in sync with his own heartbeat.

It was his bond with Ignis, strengthening intuitively after her evolution. It felt deeper, more innate, as if her draconic essence now resonated with his own serpentine nature.

He focused on Ignis, and her status panel materialized in his mind.

Ignis - Status

Species: Solar Drake Hatchling

Level: 25

Bond: Soul-linked

Abilities:

◇Solar Flare (Upgraded): Now releases a wider area of blinding light, with added heat damage.

◇Molten Armor (Upgraded): Enhances damage reflection and provides minor health regeneration.

◇Cinder Dash (Upgraded): Transforms into a meteor-like charge, dealing impact and burn damage.

◇New Skill: Sun Lance: Fires a concentrated beam of solar energy that pierces armor and ignites targets. (High Mana Cost)

"Sun Lance," Adam murmured, impressed. "That's a powerful addition."

He then turned his attention to the two companions. "Ignis, why don't you say something to Alice? Now that you're linked, you can communicate properly."

Ignis's draconic head swiveled toward Alice, her eyes glowing with a mix of excitement and nervousness. 'Hello, Alice. I'm glad we can talk now.'

Alice, who had been grooming her void-like fur, stopped and shot a glance at Ignis. 'What, stupid lizard? Don't think your fancy evolution makes you special.' Despite her harsh words, there was a hint of curiosity in her telepathic tone.

'I don't think that!' Ignis replied, her mental voice earnest. 'I just want to work together better. We're a team, right?'

Alice flicked her tail but didn't retort, which was as close to acceptance as she would get. Adam felt a surge of relief, their communication was finally flowing.

With that settled, Adam began the grim task of consuming the wolf corpses. He started with the standard wolves, his powerful jaws making quick work of them. As he consumed them, he felt fragments of their essence integrate into his being.

[ Skill Fragment Acquired: Pack Hunter's Instinct (0.5/1.0) ]

[ Skill Fragment Acquired: Gore-Horn Fragment (0.6/1.0) ]

He moved on to the Betas, and then the Alpha. With each consumption, the fragments grew.

[ Skill Fragment Acquired: Pack Hunter's Instinct (1.0/1.0) ]

[ New Skill Acquired: Pack Tactics (Passive) - Cost: None ]

Effect:When fighting multiple enemies, gain a slight increase in agility and damage for each additional foe beyond the first.

[ Skill Fragment Acquired: Gore-Horn Fragment (1.0/1.0) ]

[ New Skill Acquired: Horn Charge (Active) - Cost: Medium Mana ]

Effect:Launch a focused charge that pierces enemy defenses, dealing extra damage to armored foes.

Adam finished the last of the corpses, feeling a surge of satisfaction. The fragments had completed quickly, giving him two new skills that would be useful in future battles.

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