The Stonehide Boar was no longer merely angry. It was consumed by a blind, searing fury that turned its small red eyes into burning coals of pure, unthinking hatred.
It circled David with heavy, thunderous steps, the ground vibrating beneath its massive weight like the distant rumble of an approaching storm.
Each hoof slammed down with a dull, bone-jarring thud that sent small clods of dirt flying and kicked up clouds of fine, choking dust that hung thick in the hot, still air, coating David's tongue with a gritty, mineral taste that mixed with the sweat already beading on his lips.
Foam bubbled from its jaws in thick, white strings, dripping to the earth in viscous globs mixed with bitter Biteleaf sap that stained the soil dark and released a sharp, acrid stench that burned the nostrils and clung to the back of the throat like smoke.
Hot snorts blasted from its nostrils in powerful gusts, carrying the rank, musky reek of animal rage and crushed vine—thick enough to taste on the tongue, bitter and metallic, making David's eyes water slightly even as adrenaline sharpened everything to painful clarity.
Its gray hide, rough as weathered rock and scarred from old battles, heaved with every labored breath, muscles rippling beneath like coiled steel cables ready to snap.
The curved tusks, yellowed and chipped, glinted menacingly in the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy, dripping sap and dirt in slow, viscous drops that splattered the ground with soft, wet plops.
The air around the beast felt heavier, charged with the heat radiating from its body and the raw, primal threat of something that had killed before and would kill again without thought or mercy.
It had charged multiple times now—slamming into trees with force that bent trunks and cracked bark in sharp, explosive reports that echoed through the clearing like gunshots, taking punches that would have shattered lesser beasts into bloody pulp—and still David stood.
Breathing hard, sweat pouring down his face in hot rivers that stung his eyes and mixed with the blood trickling from shallow cuts, his shoulder throbbing with deep, constant pain from the earlier impact, every movement sending fresh stabs like fire through muscle and bone.
To the boar, David was no longer prey. He was an unforgivable insult—a puny human who had dared disturb its feast and refused to break, refused to die.
David felt his blood sing with the rush, adrenaline flooding every vein like liquid fire, sharpening the world to razor edges.
The rustle of leaves in the sudden breeze sounded like whispers of warning, carrying the faint, sweet rot of fallen fruit from deeper in the forest.
The distant, panicked calls of birds fleeing the clearing cut through the air like knives, their wings beating frantic against the canopy.
The heavy, musky stench of the boar mixed with the sharp, bitter tang of sap filled his nostrils, thick enough to taste on the tongue—bitter and metallic, making his mouth water with nausea even as the thrill sharpened his focus.
Sweat poured down his face in rivers, mixing with dirt and blood, stinging the shallow cut on his cheek like salt in a wound.
His tunic clung wet to his skin, heavy and restrictive, pack long discarded at the edge of the clearing.
Pain radiated from his shoulder and ribs in hot waves, every breath pulling at torn muscle, but it focused him, burned away the last of his earlier cockiness.
No more testing. No more playing.
He had measured the beast fully now—Stage 4, one realm above him, hide like living stone, raw power in every charge that could crush bones to dust.
But its speed was predictable, its turns wide and heavy. It relied on brute force, not cunning.
A grin pulled at David's lips, grim and excited despite the pain.
Perfect. Time to end this with Void Step—one clean hit in the eyes.
Years of hunting with Anna had drilled the rules into him: no matter how tough the hide, eyes and inner parts were always weak. Mouth, nose, joints, underbelly—strike there, and even the strongest beast fell. The boar's eyes were small, but vulnerable. One perfect blow...
He drew deep on his qi, focusing on his physique, channeling the surge through meridians like dark fire pooling in legs and core. The inheritance stirred, shadows flickering at the edges of vision.
The boar lowered its head, tusks glinting, muscles bunching.
It charged—dead set on killing this puny human.
David triggered Void Step.
Qi exploded.
But it didn't work as he hoped.
The world blurred—space folding, shadows stretching—but it was half a second too slow.
The boar was already on him, massive bulk closing like a wall of stone.
He twisted, but seconds late.
The impact slammed into his left shoulder.
Pain exploded—white-hot, blinding, ripping through muscle and bone like fire.
He was lifted off his feet, sent flying backward through the air, the world spinning in a blur of green leaves and blue sky.
He hit the ground hard a meter away, rolling in dirt and leaves before instinct kicked in and he forced his body to balance, coming up in a crouch on shaking legs.
Shit.
The pain was searing, a deep, burning throb radiating down his arm. His left shoulder hung wrong—dislocated again.
He was really pissed now.
But he controlled it, releasing a painful sigh that came out ragged and low.
Wow, David. Dodged the first slam like a pro, then underestimated a one-stage-above beast. Tried Void Step for the first time in real fight, knowing it might not work perfect, and ignored the risk. What a hunter I am—forgetting the first rule of the wild: never underestimate.
Doing the same damn mistake again. First William, now this boar. When will you learn, you idiot?
His left shoulder throbbed. He gripped the arm with his right hand, suppressing the urge to groan as he jerked it back into place. The pop was sickening, pain flaring bright before dulling to steady fire.
He rolled it once—usable, but every movement sent fresh stabs.
Dead serious now.
From the ridge, Anna's hands tightened on her spear until the wood creaked, knuckles white. Anger flared sharp—at the boar for hurting him, sharper at David for underestimating.
He got cocky. Thought one fancy move would end it.
She was ready—one step from leaping down, spear poised to end the beast before it could gore him again.
But she held.
He needs this. Needs to learn not to underestimate. Think before acting. Pain teaches better than words.
The boar circled David, snorting, eyes locked.
It charged the moment David finished resetting his left shoulder.
Anna's voice rang out from all directions, sharp and commanding like a thunderclap cracking through the clearing.
"David! Use your brain, not like some muscle-brained fool who only uses his body to fight and ends up dead! Don't disappoint me!"
The words hit David like a slap, cutting through the pain and rage. He distanced himself from the boar instantly, leaping back with a burst of qi to create space, breath coming hard as he reassessed.
The boar thundered past, missing by inches.
The beast reacted to the sudden voice too—ears twitching, head snapping toward the ridge for a split second, confusion flashing in its rage-filled eyes.
The thunder-like command disrupted its blind focus, making it hesitate just enough for David to gain distance.
David circulated qi into his right arm, power building until it burned.
No dodge this time.
He met the next charge head-on.
Fist met skull with a crack like thunder.
The impact jolted through his arm, pain searing bright, but the boar staggered—dazed, eyes rolling as it shook its massive head, legs wobbling.
David was pushed back a few steps, boots digging furrows in the dirt before he regained footing.
He ignored the searing pain.
The boar swayed, confused, blood trickling from its nose.
And David smiled coldly.
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