Mattimeo: Blood And Desire

8

After using his power for a while, Mattimeo realized something surprising.

Even with all the energy he had accumulated, he was still not as strong as a first-level Energy Refinement cultivator.

He thought back carefully and remembered the enormous influx of energy that had entered his body through the wolf he had killed earlier.

A theory began to form in his mind.

To verify it, he decided to continue hunting low-grade beasts and observe the results.

Hours passed.

Throughout that time, he hunted numerous beasts, absorbing the strange gray energy that entered his body after each kill.

The more he fought, the more convinced he became that his theory was correct.

Eventually, he encountered a Level Two Spirit Beast.

A massive bear.

Its towering frame was covered in thick muscles and dense fur, making it incredibly difficult to injure. Every exchange left Mattimeo feeling as though he were attacking a moving wall.

The battle dragged on.

The bear suddenly swung a gigantic paw.

Boom!

The impact sent Mattimeo flying through the air before crashing into a rocky wall.

Dust exploded around him.

Yet instead of disappointment, excitement filled his eyes.

He climbed to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"I've only reached the level of a first-level Energy Refinement cultivator in terms of how much energy I can store," he muttered thoughtfully. "But my energy seems to be of a higher quality. I also use far less than ordinary cultivators."

The fight had already confirmed several of his suspicions.

This bear possessed strength equivalent to a second-level Energy Refinement cultivator.

Yet despite the enormous gap in raw power, he had managed to hold his own for a long time.

Mattimeo's lips curved upward.

"Testing time is over."

His gaze sharpened.

"Time to get serious."

He shot forward.

The bear's bloodshot eyes locked onto him.

This stubborn human had survived far longer than it should have.

Its patience snapped.

A thunderous roar erupted from its throat, shaking the surrounding cavern.

The beast rose onto its hind legs and slammed both paws into the ground.

Boom!

The area trembled.

Cracks raced through the stone floor.

Chunks of rock bounced into the air.

Mattimeo's expression tightened.

The bear was no longer playing around.

A moment later, the massive beast charged.

The ground shook beneath its weight.

The distance between them vanished rapidly.

Its gigantic paw swept toward him with enough force to shatter boulders.

Whoosh!

Mattimeo ducked beneath the attack.

The violent wind from the swing brushed across his scalp.

A split second later, the paw smashed into the cavern wall behind him.

Boom!

Stone exploded outward.

One sharp fragment sliced across Mattimeo's cheek.

Blood immediately appeared.

Without hesitation, he dashed forward.

The bear lowered its head and opened its massive jaws.

A deafening roar blasted directly into his face.

His ears rang.

His movements slowed for an instant.

An instant was enough.

The bear's paw struck.

Bang!

Mattimeo crossed his arms and infused them with energy.

The impact still launched him like a cannonball.

His body tore through the air before crashing into a rocky outcrop.

The stone shattered.

Pain exploded through his entire body.

Crack!

Several smaller rocks collapsed around him.

His vision blurred, and a metallic taste filled his mouth.

Blood trickled from the corner of his lips.

The bear didn't give him time to recover.

It was already charging again.

Mattimeo pushed himself away just as the beast crashed into the rocks.

Boom!

The entire formation exploded.

A massive paw swept through the cloud of debris.

Mattimeo twisted his body in midair.

The claws missed his chest by inches.

A cold chill ran down his spine.

Had that attack landed properly, it would have torn him apart.

He landed, kicked off the ground, and rushed forward.

The bear roared and swung again.

Mattimeo leaped.

Instead of retreating, he landed directly on the descending arm.

The beast froze.

That tiny opening was all Mattimeo needed.

His knife flashed.

Stab!

The blade plunged deep into the bear's forehead.

A horrifying roar erupted throughout the dungeon.

Blood exploded from the wound.

The beast stumbled backward.

For a brief moment, Mattimeo thought he had won.

Then the bear's eyes became even more ferocious.

The Spirit Beast wasn't dying.

It was enraged.

Blood streamed down its face, covering one eye completely.

Yet instead of collapsing, it charged.

"You're still coming?!"

Mattimeo's eyes widened.

The bear slammed into him before he could fully evade.

Bang!

He flew through the air and crashed into a massive rock.

The impact drove the breath from his lungs.

Pain shot through his back.

For several seconds, he couldn't breathe.

The bear charged after him.

Mattimeo rolled away.

Boom!

The rock behind him shattered into countless pieces.

Its enormous body barreled forward relentlessly.

Rather than blindly attacking, it began cutting off his escape routes.

Several times, Mattimeo nearly found himself cornered.

A single mistake would mean death.

A deadly chase unfolded through the cavern.

The bear smashed through every obstacle in its path.

Stone pillars collapsed.

Rock formations shattered.

Mattimeo jumped onto a towering rock formation.

Instead of climbing after him, the bear slammed directly into the base.

Boom!

The entire structure shook violently.

Cracks spread through the formation.

The beast had learned.

Before he could react, the towering rocks began collapsing.

Stone fragments rained downward.

Mattimeo immediately leaped away.

A giant boulder crashed past him.

Another narrowly missed his shoulder.

The bear waited below.

The moment he landed, it attacked.

A claw swept toward his neck.

Mattimeo barely ducked in time.

The razor-sharp claws passed so close that he felt them brush his hair.

His heart pounded.

That had been far too close.

He retreated again.

The bear pursued.

Then suddenly, Mattimeo changed direction.

He rolled across the ground.

The bear followed.

Only then did it realize something was wrong.

Mattimeo's knife was lying nearby.

The human had never been running.

He had been circling back for his weapon.

Mattimeo grabbed the knife.

A smile appeared on his face.

Meanwhile, blood continued pouring from the wound in the bear's forehead.

Its breathing had grown noticeably heavier.

Its movements were slower.

The Spirit Beast was weakening.

One decisive strike would end the battle.

Mattimeo lowered his stance.

The bear did the same.

Then both exploded forward.

Whoosh!

The distance vanished.

At the final moment, Mattimeo dropped low and slid beneath the charging beast.

His knife shot upward.

Stab!

The blade pierced deep into flesh.