The ground continued to tremble beneath my feet.
Each vibration grew heavier than the last, accompanied by a scorching Qi fluctuation that rapidly closed the distance between us.
"...Too late."
Even though I had already concealed my Beast Qi, the beast had clearly followed the trail I left behind.
BOOM!!
Several trees shook violently as a massive figure burst out of the dense undergrowth.
It stood nearly twice my height, its muscular body covered in coarse black fur that looked tougher than leather. A pair of thick crimson tusks curved upward from its jaws, faint traces of red Beast Qi swirling around them as scorching breath escaped its nostrils.
Every heavy step left a shallow dent in the ground.
"...What a monster."
The moment my eyes landed on it, Appraisal reacted on its own.
Iron-Tusk Boar
Realm: Peak Mortal Beast Rank
Beast Qi: Fire
Fire Beast Qi...
The old timer once said that most beasts awakened their Beast Qi affinity the moment they stepped onto the cultivation path. Fire, Water, Earth, Wind... an awakened affinity influenced both the techniques a beast cultivated and the way it fought.
Mine still hadn't awakened. The old skull called me an exception, then spent an entire week insulting me because of it.
Snort! Snort!
Its thick nostrils flared as it scraped one hoof across the ground, never taking its eyes off me.
The next instant—
BOOM!!
The ground exploded beneath its hooves.
"...Fast!"
My pupils shrank.
It was much faster than I had expected.
By the time my body reacted, the distance between us had already disappeared.
I can't dodge it!
Without thinking, I instinctively pulled my head and limbs back into my shell as Beast Qi surged through my entire body.
Black Carapace Guard.
The Beast Qi flowing through my meridians instantly changed direction, rushing toward my shell. A heavy, solid feeling spread across it, as though every inch had been reinforced by countless layers of stone.
The Iron-Tusk Boar was already upon me.
BOOOOOOM!!
The collision shook the forest.
CRAAACK!!
A sharp cracking sound echoed through the trees.
The overwhelming force slamming into my shell instantly rebounded.
BANG!!
The Iron-Tusk Boar was blasted backward. Its massive body crashed through a thick tree before rolling across the ground and smashing into another.
Dust filled the air.
...
Everything suddenly became quiet.
Still hidden inside my shell, I didn't move.
...Is it over?
After waiting a few breaths, I cautiously poked my head out.
The Iron-Tusk Boar lay motionless among the broken trees. One of its tusks had shattered completely, while blood slowly spread beneath its head.
I stared at it blankly.
"...It..."
"...Died?"
Before I could process what had just happened, a familiar translucent screen appeared before my eyes.
[Iron-Tusk Boar killed.]
Before I could even finish reading the message, Earth Sense activated once again.
Two new Qi fluctuations entered its hundred-meter range.
My eyes instinctively shifted toward the Iron-Tusk Boar's corpse.
The Beast Core...
If I could collect it now, that would be my first.
Then the ground beneath me trembled.
Thump...
Thump... Thump...
The vibrations rapidly grew heavier.
My pupils contracted.
"...Already?"
They were much faster than I had expected. I didn't even have the chance to move toward the corpse.
CRAAASH!!
Two even larger Iron-Tusk Boars burst through the forest, snapping thick trees aside as though they were dry branches.
I couldn't help letting out a short laugh.
"...What a dramatic entrance."
The moment they entered my sight, Appraisal reacted on its own.
Iron-Tusk Boar
Realm: Wild Beast Rank — Middle Stage
Beast Qi: Earth
Iron-Tusk Boar
Realm: Wild Beast Rank — Peak Stage
Beast Qi: Fire
Wild Beast Rank...
No wonder their pressure feels completely different.
The larger boar's gaze slowly shifted toward the lifeless body lying on the ground.
It froze for a brief moment before turning back toward me.
Snort... SNORT!!
Its furious snorts echoed through the clearing.
"Pfft..."
I quickly covered my mouth.
"...That somehow sounds a lot funnier when you're actually a beast."
Although neither of them spoke, I understood exactly what they meant.
You... killed our child.
"...Yep."
"...Definitely blaming me."
Neither of them gave me another moment to think.
Both lowered their heads.
SNORT!!
The next instant, they charged together.
BOOOOOOM!!
The collision was far more terrifying than before.
The force behind their charge shoved my shell several meters backward, carving a long trail through the ground as dirt and shattered rocks flew in every direction.
They're... much stronger.
Even with Black Carapace Guard, I could feel the overwhelming impact shaking my entire body.
The old skull wasn't exaggerating. Every major realm was a completely different level of existence. A Peak Mortal Beast Rank could still fight another Peak Mortal Beast Rank, but once a beast stepped into the Wild Beast Rank, the gap became enormous. And the Ferocious Beast Rank... that was another world entirely.
If I were just a Mortal Beast Rank tortoise...
That charge alone would've shattered my shell.
CRAAACK!!
The overwhelming force instantly rebounded.
BAAAANG!!
Both Iron-Tusk Boars were blasted backward.
The middle-stage boar smashed through two thick trees before crashing into a massive boulder, its body falling limp the moment it hit.
The peak-stage boar fared no better. It tore across the forest floor, snapping tree after tree before finally rolling to a stop in the distance.
Dust swallowed the entire clearing.
For a few moments...
Everything became silent.
I stayed hidden inside my shell, waiting for another attack that never came.
Only after several breaths did I cautiously stick my head out.
The two Iron-Tusk Boars lay motionless among the broken trees.
"...They're dead?"
A familiar translucent screen appeared before my eyes.
[Wild Beast Rank — Middle Stage Iron-Tusk Boar killed.]
[Wild Beast Rank — Peak Stage Iron-Tusk Boar killed.]
Before I could even finish reading the notifications, I hurried toward the nearest corpse.
The old timer said Beast Cores don't appear on the outside... which means I have to cut its abdomen open.
I looked down at the corpse and my face twitched.
"...That's disgusting."
Well... no point complaining now. It's time to act like a beast.
I circulated Beast Qi toward my jaws.
The moment it gathered around my fangs, a familiar sensation surged through my mouth.
Mountain Bite.
CRUNCH!!
My fangs tore through the boar's hide with ease, ripping flesh apart as ribs cracked one after another beneath the overwhelming force.
"...That's... surprisingly effective."
After digging through the torn flesh for a few moments, my claws finally touched something hard.
"...Found it."
I carefully pulled it out.
Resting in my claws was a marble-sized crimson sphere. Its smooth surface glowed faintly, while a warm aura continuously seeped from within.
So this is a Beast Core...
Just like the old skull said. Since it awakened Fire Beast Qi, its Beast Core carried the same attribute.
I couldn't help staring at it for another moment before quickly stuffing it into the storage pouch.
Without wasting another second, I stretched my neck toward the storage pouch secured beside my shell and dropped the Beast Core inside.
The moment it slipped through the opening, the pouch expanded just enough to swallow the crimson sphere before shrinking back to its original size as though nothing had been placed inside.
"...Convenient."
No wonder the old timer treasured this thing so much.
[Beast Core collected.]
[Quest Progress: 1/50]
A familiar translucent screen suddenly appeared before my eyes.
Qi Veil Art
Grade: Unknown
Description: A Beast Qi control technique capable of concealing one's aura, precisely controlling Beast Qi, reducing unnecessary Qi loss, and improving Beast Qi circulation. Additional effects will unlock as proficiency increases.
Another notification immediately followed.
[Skill Mastery Increased.]
Black Carapace Guard: +5%
Earth Sense: +7%
Mountain Crushing Bite: +3%
Qi Veil Art: +25%
I blinked.
I didn't have time to think about it any further.
The battle had created a disturbance far greater than before.
If I delayed even a little longer, more beasts would definitely arrive.
I hurried toward the remaining two corpses, tore their abdomens open with Mountain Crushing Bite, and quickly retrieved both Beast Cores.
[Beast Core collected.]
[Quest Progress: 2/50]
[Beast Core collected.]
[Quest Progress: 3/50]
The thick scent of blood filled the air.
Without realizing it, I tore off a chunk of meat.
CRUNCH!!
Warm blood filled my mouth.
"...Huh."
The lingering Fire Beast Qi had kept the boar's abdomen surprisingly warm. The meat wasn't completely raw—it almost tasted cooked.
"...Not bad."
I swallowed another mouthful before forcing myself to pull away.
Enough. Food can wait. Right now, I need to get out of here before something much stronger arrives.
A shadow suddenly swept across the grass.
"...Hm?"
SKREEEECH!!
Before I could even look up, razor-sharp talons clamped onto my shell.
The ground vanished beneath me.
"...AHHHHH!!"