The sharp autumn wind swept through the narrow ravines of the eastern crags, carrying the scent of dry pine and pine resin.
Arthur moved along the rugged mountain path with light, effortless strides. The steep incline and loose gravel beneath his boots posed no challenge to his enhanced agility. With his strength and speed lingering at peak levels, the two-mile uphill trek felt like little more than a leisurely stroll.
First up, the Iron-Claw Bear, Arthur thought, his eyes scanning the jagged rock formations above.
According to the guild notice, the Iron-Claw Bear was an unusually territorial E-Rank monster known for its thick, armor-like hide and razor-sharp metallic claws capable of tearing through basic leather armor. It had taken up residence in a high ravine along the trade trail, preying on isolated travelers.
Arthur reached a high ridge where the trees gave way to massive, jutting granite boulders. In the center of a wide rock clearing sat a dark cavern opening, surrounded by splintered logs and crushed animal carcasses.
Rustle.
A heavy, crushing footstep echoed from inside the cave mouth.
A moment later, a massive creature emerged into the sunlight. Standing over nine feet tall on its hind legs, the bear was covered in dense, dark grey fur that shone like polished steel. Its broad paws ended in curved, four-inch claws that glistened with a metallic sheen.
The beast raised its snout, sniffing the air, and instantly locked its crimson eyes onto Arthur. It let out a deafening roar that vibrated through the canyon walls, kicking up loose pebbles as it charged down the rocky slope.
"Fast for its size," Arthur noted, his hand resting calmly on the hilt of his iron sword.
[Body Reinforcement: Lv 1]
The Iron-Claw Bear closed the gap in seconds, rearing back to sweep a heavy, armor-shredding paw downward toward Arthur’s head. The force behind the blow whistled through the air like a falling boulder.
Arthur didn't jump backward. Instead, he stepped cleanly into the arc of the strike, leaning his torso just enough for the heavy metallic claws to miss his shoulder by a fraction of an inch.
[Flame Blade: Lv 1]
Category: Active / Spell-Sword Augmentation
Mana Cost: 40 MP per activation
Description: Coats the wielder's weapon in high-density elemental fire. Converts 50% of base physical damage into elemental fire damage and inflicts a burn effect on contact. Requires weapon durability checks unless paired with high-grade steel or channeling passives.
Arthur drew his iron blade in a swift upward draw. Intense, blazing red flames enveloped the steel, heat radiating outward and shimmering in the crisp mountain air.
SLASH!
With a fluid, two-handed stroke, Arthur swept the burning blade across the bear’s exposed chest. The spell’s intense heat sliced right through the creature's tough, metallic hide like hot iron through wax.
The bear let out a pained screech, stumbling backward as scorch marks and deep wounds tore across its torso. Desperate, the beast thrashing its heavy arms in a wild flurry of claw strikes.
Arthur ducked beneath a sweeping left claw, pivoted on his right heel, and drove his flame-engulfed sword straight upward beneath the creature's jaw. This chapter was taken from novelping dot com without permission.
THWIP!
The burning tip pierced cleanly into the beast's brain. The Iron-Claw Bear froze mid-swing, its massive eyes rolling back before its giant body collapsed heavily onto the jagged rocks with a thud.
[BATTLE RESULT]
Monster Defeated: Iron-Claw Bear (E-Rank)
EXP Gained: +45 EXP
Arthur extinguished the flames along his blade with a simple flick of his wrist and sheathed the sword. He pulled his harvesting knife from his belt, stepping over to inspect the fallen beast.
"The hide on the back is still in prime condition," Arthur murmured, carefully skinning the beast to preserve the thick fur for the guild bounty bonus. He cut off the front paws as official proof of completion, wrapping them neatly in canvas cloth before stowing them in his travel sack.
He wiped his knife clean and turned his eyes toward the valley below, where the entrance to the abandoned iron mines lay buried beneath the shadow of the northern ridge.
"One down," Arthur said, adjusting his pack. "Time to clear out the subterranean crawlers."