Moon found himself on the defensive more than he'd anticipated.

The Lynx's combination of speed, intelligence, and elemental mastery in a small beast created a problem he couldn't solve with his usual straightforward approach.

Silver Skin activated reflexively as one wind blade slipped past his earth wall, scraping across his shoulder.

The damage was minimal, but it proved the beast could land hits when Moon's attention divided.

I need to change tactics. This isn't working, at all.

The Lynx circled again, preparing another attack.

Moon's eyes never left the ever moving Lynx. Although he had been on the defensive that didn't mean he wasn't working. He had been trying to study the tactics the Lynx was using.

After fighting it for close to ten minutes, he could finally see a pattern, the creature always launched its wind blades from a distance, then closed in during the moment Moon was defending, attempting to find an opening for a killing strike with its claws.

It became predictable, once he understood the rhythm.

Moon deliberately created another earth wall, seemingly falling into the defensive pattern again.

The Lynx's wind blades struck the barrier as expected, and the creature moved out of Moon's direct line of sight.

Just as Moon anticipated, it used the momentary cover to close distance, wind propelling it forward at blinding speed for a flanking attack.

But this time Moon was ready.

The moment he sensed the Lynx's approach through mana disturbance, Moon abandoned the earth wall entirely and channeled his lightning element.

He'd been hiding this element from the Lynx since the fight began.

Fire, earth, wind, water, he'd shown them all. But not lightning. He'd wanted to ensure his trump card landed when it mattered most. That time had come.

ZAP!

The electrical bolt erupted with devastating speed, faster than any of his previous attacks. Lightning was Moon's fastest element, and most importantly thr strongest.

The Lynx had no time to deploy another wind burst to change direction mid-leap. All it could do was try to minimize damage, wind exploded from its body defensively, but lightning broke through the elemental resistance and struck true.

Electricity coursed through the Lynx's body. Its fur stood on end, muscles spasmed, and its body was no longer able to respond to its thoughts.

The creature's body froze for a brief moment before toppling toward the ground.

Thud!

Moon immediately tried to capitalize on the opening, channeling another lightning bolt to finish it while paralyzed.

But shockingly, the Lynx recovered faster than should have been possible. Through sheer force of will or some innate resistance, it broke through the paralysis effect early and used wind to propel itself away even while still partially stunned.

Despite his shock, Moon didn't falter nor stop. His mana reserves were running dangerously low from the extended fight, and letting the Lynx escape after critically injuring it would be foolish. His only option was to fully commit to his aggressive approach and finish the fight now.

He sent another lightning bolt toward the retreating creature. The Lynx somehow managed to dodge, the attack striking a tree instead and leaving a scorched crater in the trunk.

Moon cursed under his breath before making a desperate decision. He channeled lightning through his own body to enhance his speed, despite knowing the painful consequences. He needed just a quick burst to close the gap.

Hiss.

He sucked in a cold breath as pain shot through his legs, muscles protesting the electrical current forcing them beyond normal limits. But a smile remained on his face.

He was directly in front of the Lynx now, having covered the distance in a fraction of a second. The creature stared at him with pure disbelief and fear for the first time since the fight began.

Clearly, the Lynx couldn't believe that the human it had been dominating was able to close the distance so quickly. Moon was too close for comfort, and the Lynx knew that it was in deep trouble.

Moon reached out with both hands, his fingers crackling with residual electricity. "I got you… naughty kitty."

His hands clamped onto the Lynx's body with force, and he channeled the last of his available mana directly through physical contact.

Electricity flowed from his palms into the creature, damaging both of them in the process. Moon's hands burned from conducting that much current, and his already battered legs screamed in protest from the earlier enhancement.

Usually, Moon wouldn't be conducting the lightning and keeping it channelled through his hands and transferring it to someone else, he would release it, making it safe for use.

The Lynx suffered far worse than Moon, the direct contact prevented any escape, any wind manipulation to break free.

The creature snarled and thrashed but couldn't move properly under the sustained electrical assault. It kept shaking violently in Moon's grip until finally, mercifully, Moon's mana depleted entirely.

The lightning cut off and so did the lights in the Lynx's eyes. Its body went limp, and no sign of life remained in its small, charred body.

[You have slain a level 20 Wind Lynx.]

[You have gained 200 Lives.]

Moon released the charred corpse and immediately collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.

"…Aah!"

Both his hands had light burns and were shaking. His legs were barely functional from the lightning enhancement's backlash, and his mana reserves sat at nearly zero. But he'd won the fight against the Wind Lynx.

Against an A-rank beast that had pushed him harder than any creature since the Winter Beast in the hidden realm.

Moon pulled out a health potion with trembling hands and drank it down. The healing effects began to spread throughout his body immediately.

The fight had taken everything he had, and Moon needed to rest badly to recover both his mana and stamina.

Moon limped toward the body of the Lynx, each step sending jolts of pain through his damaged legs. He reached down with his trembling hands and activated his spatial ring.

The corpse of the Wind Lynx disappeared from the forest floor, stored safely away.

The removal marked the death of a predator that had ruled this part of the hunting ground for years, terrorizing humans and beasts alike with none having the ability to stop its carnage and stealth.

Hundreds of up-and-coming awakeners had died to this creature, ambushed before they could react, their bodies left as warnings to others who ventured too deep.

Today, Moon had killed it.

He found a relatively defensible position, a cluster of large rocks that would provide some cover and carefully lowered himself to the ground.

Mirage had wisely stayed far back during the intense battle and now approached cautiously, sniffing at Moon with concern.

"I'm fine," Moon muttered, though his condition said otherwise. "I just need a few minutes to recover, then will continue."

Mirage stopped his sniffing and stood at attention nearby.

Moon pulled out a stamina replenishing potion and gulped it down at once.

His mana would take longer to recover naturally, but at least he could move again if needed.

Moon leaned back against the rocks, keeping his staff close and his senses alert despite his exhaustion.

Resting in the wilderness was dangerous, but he had no choice. Continuing in his current state would not be wise.

As his breathing steadied and the potions did their work, Moon reflected on the fight.

Despite the toughness of the battle, it was a valuable experience that couldn't be bought or taught—only earned through life-or-death combat.

Moon checked his status while recovering.

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