Chapter 20: When Rage Meets Resolve
The fog hung thick in the air, a suffocating veil that dulled the world to a dim, spectral blur.
Through the haze, a growl rumbled—low and ominous, like the prelude to a coming storm.
Lei Feng froze.
Every instinct screamed at him to stay still, to become invisible. But his gaze landed on a boy lying sprawled on the ground nearby, face twisted in agony. The boy's voice, frail and desperate, pierced the silence.
"Help me..."
Lei Feng's mind raced. The kid was hurt, badly. But what could he do?
He was just a university student not long ago—although now an Awakener, yes, but only at Level 2. What chance did he have against a creature twisted by the very air around them?
Then came the sound.
Ding!
> Instant Quest Triggered!
Mutation Detected in Area Mana.
The Level 5 Berserk Boar has Evolved into a Level 5 Mutated Beast: Bloodthirsty Boar.
Objective: Kill the Beast and Rescue the Boy
Reward: Revealed after completion
Penalty: -1 to all stats
His breath caught in his throat as the words registered. Mutated Beast. Level 5. His eyes widened with shock. Mutated beasts were far beyond the scope of ordinary creatures—monstrous, warped by unknown forces into horrors of unimaginable power. From Ling Chen memories he had only heard tales of them—vicious, bloodthirsty creatures that showed no mercy. In his limited understanding, Lei Feng knew he was out of his depth.
And now one was right here, in front of him.
No time for doubt.
Another growl shook the fog. The mist parted—and Lei Feng's breath hitched.
A massive form emerged, yellow eyes glowing like molten gold. Its dark crimson fur was slick with some foul, tar-like substance, dripping from its hulking body. Jagged tusks glistened, saliva pooling at their tips. The stench of death clung to it, choking the air.
Its hooves struck the ground—BOOM. Tremors rippled out with each step. This wasn't just a beast. It was a nightmare.
Lei Feng tightened his grip on his sword. He had no choice.
With a bellowing roar, the Bloodthirsty Boar charged.
Lei Feng moved on instinct, slashing at its flank. His blade bit deep—but the blood that spilled wasn't red. It was black, thick like oil, unnatural. The boar didn't even flinch.
His sword lodged in the creature's hide.
"Damn it!" Lei Feng snarled, straining to pull the blade free. His muscles screamed, but the sword wouldn't budge.
ROOOAR!
The beast's eyes blazed and turned crimson. With a thunderous shove, it slammed into Lei Feng, tusks crashing against his ribs.
WHAM!
He flew like a ragdoll, crashing into a tree. The trunk groaned under the impact.
> -15 HP
HP: 95/110
Pain exploded across his body as he collapsed, gasping. His sword had been flung meters away, spinning into the brush.
He groaned in agony, clutching his side as he forced himself upright. Every movement sent waves of pain through his body, but he couldn't afford to stay down. The boy was still out there, and the beast wasn't going to wait.
And then—
"Watch out!"
The boy's warning snapped him back. He turned—just in time to see the beast charging again.
Too fast.
The tusks struck.
CRACK!
> -50 HP
HP: 45/110
Lei Feng was thrown once more, crashing into a second tree. This time, the trunk split in half with a thunderous boom. Blood filled his mouth, and he vomited from the force of impact.
He barely had time to breathe.
"Damn it..." he groaned, blood trickling from his lips.
He couldn't die here. Not like this.
The beast advanced again, fury in its eyes. But then—an idea sparked.
The terrain. He could use it.
With heightened perception, Lei Feng's gaze darted around—twisted trees, uneven ground, thick underbrush.
Yes. It could work.
His mouth curled into a smirk. "I'll make this work."
Despite the pain, he pushed himself to his feet and ran. The boar roared and gave chase, trees splintering behind him.
"Come on, ugly!" Lei Feng shouted over his shoulder, baiting the beast. "You want me? Come and get me!"
The boar thundered after him, blinded by rage.
Lei Feng reached his target: a massive old tree. Without slowing, he launched off the ground, planting his feet on the trunk and flipping over the top with reckless grace.
The boar followed blindly—
CRACK!
Its tusks embedded into the tree, pinning it in place.
ROOOAR!!
ROOOAR!!!
The beast roared in frustration, shaking its head violently, trying to free itself. Its tusks were stuck, and it could do little but thrash in fury. Lei Feng's grin widened. It was his chance.
With heightened agility and a burst of adrenaline, Lei Feng darted toward his sword, throwing himself at the ground. He felt the jarring pain as his body collided with the earth.
> -5 HP
HP: 40/110
But there was no time to dwell on it. He grabbed his sword, clutching the hilt with a renewed sense of purpose. Pain seared through him, but he ignored it, the cold, hard steel of the sword now in his hand. This was his moment.
He had to end this now.
With the beast still struggling to free itself, Lei Feng launched himself forward, the world narrowing to a singular focus. His sword gleamed in the fading light as he sprinted toward the boar, a new surge of power flooding his veins.
Then—
Ding!
> Skill Activated: Indomitable Will
Power surged through him like lightning.
The pain vanished.
His body moved faster, stronger. His vision sharpened.
He charged.
Sword in hand, he descended upon the struggling boar, every fiber of his being screaming to end this.
The blade slashed downward.
SLASH!
The creature shrieked in agony for the first time, black blood spewing like a fountain. Its monstrous form convulsed, shaking the ground.
The boy, watching from afar, whispered in awe.
"I want that... that will..."
Lei Feng's eyes blazed. He was done running.
SLASH!
Another strike carved into the beast's side. It thrashed, hooves kicking up earth and leaves.
SLASH!
The sword bit into its neck, black blood gushing in waves.
ROOOAR!
The boar's cries weakened. Its strength waned, body failing under the weight of its wounds.
Lei Feng pressed on, relentless.
SLASH!
SLASH!
SLASH!
Blood soaked the ground. The once-terrifying monster now staggered, reduced to a quivering husk.
With a final roar of defiance, the boar tried to break free—but its strength was gone.
Lei Feng screamed, voice hoarse with fury and resolve.
"Aaargh!!"
He raised his sword and brought it down—one final, devastating strike.
The blade cleaved through flesh and bone, cutting through the beast's thick neck.
SHHHRK!
A final, pitiful groan escaped the boar's cracked lips, its massive frame trembling as the last of its strength left it. The beast's glowing red eyes dulled, shifting back to a pale yellow before finally shutting. With a final shudder, it collapsed heavily against the tree, its body twitching once, then falling still.
The forest went silent. The only sound was Lei Feng's labored breathing, ragged and exhausted. His chest heaved with each breath, his body slick with sweat and blood. His sword, now coated in the creature's thick blood, dripped heavily in his hand.
Ding!
A notification rang out, sharp and clear in the stillness.
Successful Kill
+30 EXP
Level Up!