Chapter 9: Zolcanian Minotaur

In the throes of the confrontation, Steven's mind echoed with a singular, primal chorus - "Kill… Fight… Slaughter…" These relentless thoughts drowned out the intimidating visage of the bloodthirsty creature confronting him.

Standing tall at a staggering 9 feet, the creature's physique was a testament to its brute strength, boasting bulging muscles that seemed poised to erupt. Its human-like torso bore an ominous bull's head, accentuated by powerful hooves for legs and a sinewy snakelike tail, a living embodiment of the Minotaur.

Encountering a dimensional creature for the first time, Steven's insatiable curiosity led him to appraise this being.

[Name: None

Race: Zolcanian Minotaur

(In the Zolcan dimension, a dominant race, the Zolcanian Minotaurs, possess a remarkable bloodline. At birth, their bloodline purity stands below 15%, yet as they age, a unique innate ability progressively purifies it. However, achieving higher purity requires more time. When purity reaches 89%, these creatures start gaining intelligence, escalating their danger. Consequently, they are relentlessly hunted, yet their high fertility aids their survival. There's speculation that upon hitting 100% bloodline purity, their race will ascend to a UNIQUE grade.)

Race Grade: Epic

Race Rank: B+

Bloodline purity: 56%

(determine how much of the race innate ability has been inherited)

Innate Ability: Minotaur's Blood

Grade: Unique

Rank: A

(Empowers individuals with scorching-hot blood, elevating their physical capabilities and enabling rapid regeneration.

*This ability have a hidden function.)

Status: Awakened (Copieable)

Racial ability: Domination

(Unleashes a bloodthirsty aura capable of shattering the will of weaker-minded targets, potentially driving races with feeble minds or low grades into madness.)

Racial Skill: Rampage.

( Burn the blood of the user to further enhance physical prowess and enter a state of complete immunity to crowd control)

Status: Extreme hunger and anger. ]

Detailed insights unraveled before him, unveiling the enigmatic bloodline and innate abilities of the Zolcanian Minotaur.

"Fascinating," Steven mused, momentarily intrigued by the creature's origins and attributes. However, his attention swiftly pivoted to the imminent clash ahead. With resolute determination, invoking an aura of provocation that goaded the Minotaur into a restless charge.

___

With blinding swiftness, the Minotaur lunged towards Notch, its massive fist hurtling with thunderous force, envisaging the impending annihilation of its adversary. However, Notch responded swiftly, meeting the Minotaur's punch with his own, creating a reverberating shockwave that staggered the formidable creature.

The Minotaur, momentarily taken aback, inspected its trembling arm before releasing its fury on a nearby machine, validating the potency of its strike. Perplexed by Notch's unaffected demeanor, the creature's confusion morphed into sheer rage as it unleashed its Rampage skill, intensifying its already formidable strength.

Enraged and propelled by its newfound power, the Minotaur charged at Notch once again, initiating a ferocious onslaught of attacks. Notch, sporting an exhilarated grin, engaged the Minotaur in a relentless exchange of blows, each strike punctuating the air with explosive shockwaves, causing destruction to their surroundings.

In a chamber filled with bewildered examiners, awestruck by the unfolding spectacle, a hushed discussion ensued about Notch's prowess and the unseen depths of his abilities.

"T-this...is this real or a hallucination"

"No, there is no illusion whatsoever, he is facing a catastrophe that destroyed a whole city in the past and he's not even breaking a sweat "

"To think we're witnessing the rise of another Guardian-level awakened among our ranks"

"You guys aren't seeing the whole picture.."

"What do you mean, Natasha"

"He used nothing but his physical prowess, we witnessed earlier as he swooped through our tests that he have more up his sleeves than that .."

"You mean...?"

"Yes, he's merely toying with that monster"

Natasha's astute observation highlighted that Notch had not unleashed his full potential, leaving the room in expectant silence, despite the inspection area crumbling around them.

Fully immersed in combat, Notch reveled in the thrill of battle, channeling his energy solely into the fight. Yet, an unexpected turn gripped the confrontation, as the bloodied Minotaur seized Notch, opening his menacing mouth wide as if to devour him whole. However, a visceral instinct prevented the Minotaur from executing such a stupid move, instead it channeled an eerie blood-red energy that enshrouded Notch in a devastating explosion filling the area with a cloud of bloody smoke.

In the aftermath, as the smoke cleared, the Minotaur emerged, its forearms missing yet exhibiting rapid healing, warily observing the area for any sign of Notch. Seconds later, a silhouette emerged from the dissipating smoke, stepping forward unhurriedly, heralding an unnerving silence.

As the figure emerged, the Minotaur recoiled in horror, confronted by Notch's sinister countenance, a harbinger of imminent doom. With an unsettling smile, Notch's chilling words lingered in the air -

"Let's 'End' this, shall we?"