Arrogant

Whoosh...

Mana gathered around Kai's body, swirling and pulsating like a living entity. Moving in a weird circular-like motion, the energy began to gather around Kai's outstretched hand, forming a ball of flames.

The intense heat penetrated the air, causing the snowflakes to melt instantly and creating a small cloud of steam.

It was way more powerful than any fire spell Kai had ever conjured before.

However, he didn't smirk or celebrate his progress. His eyes were locked onto the last place he had seen the aquatic monster emerge from the frozen lake.

"Come on..."

Watching the massive shadow moving underneath the ice, Kai felt a grim excitement fill his chest.

For the last two months he was dreaming of this moment.

Kai took a deep breath, summoning all the power he could muster. He focused on the fiery orb in his hand, willing it to grow larger and hotter.

Boom...

The fiery orb erupted in a blinding flash, illuminating the snow-covered landscape with an eerie glow. The intense heat caused the ice around it to crack and shatter, revealing a monstrous creature lurking beneath the surface.

The creature was a terrifying sight. It was massive, with shimmering scales that glistened under the harsh light of Kai's spell. Its jaws were filled with rows of razor-sharp teeth, and its eyes glowed with an evil malice.

Roar...

With a deafening roar, the monstrous creature burst forth from the shattered surface of the ice, its massive body crashing into the snow-covered ground with a thunderous impact. The ground shook beneath Kai's feet, and he staggered backward, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the creature's weight.

The monster rose to its full height, towering over Kai like a skyscraper. It was easily thirty feet tall, with a long, serpentine body that was covered in iridescent scales. Its head was as big as a car, with two large, glowing eyes that seemed to pierce into Kai's soul.

"Here you go..."

Looking at the creature with a grim smile on his face, Kai raised his hand, summoning his cobalt spear out of the Spatial Ring. He gripped the spear tightly, feeling its weight and power in his hands.

With weird madness and determination burning in his eyes, Kai began to walk toward the massive Leviathan-like creature.

As he was approaching the creature, he also glanced at his Status Screen.

≈≈≈ Status ≈≈≈ 

Name: [ Kai ]

Mana Heart Rank: [ F- ]

Strength: F-

Stamina: F

Speed: F-

Mana: F-

Control: E-

Charm: F

<-- Skill -->

[ Prime Thrust --> Rank E: Intermediate Proficiency ]

A spear skill that allows the user to strike his opponent with an unexpected, yet powerful strike!

[ Fear --> Rank C: Basic Proficiency ]

A Skill that instills fear in a target, causing them to flee!

≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈

A lot has happened since the last time Kai had fought with the monstrous creature and one of the more notable changes was the increase of his Mana Heart Rank.

Now, on paper, he could defeat a Viscount Rank creature. If he was a normal awakener that is. Kai's actual strength could rival that of an Earl Rank being, like the one he was currently facing and his vast fighting experience allowed him to utilize his skills and abilities effectively.

If he was allowed to grow, he'd become a real force to be reckoned with. If he survived that is.

Roar...

The creature let out another thunderous roar, its sheer power and ferocity causing the air to tremble. However, Kai didn't stop, he only increased his pace approaching the massive fish.

An Aquatic creature was on land, it was at disadvantage, Kai was no rookie to not take advantage of this opportunity. But he was by no means not wary, if the Leviathan came out of water on its own accord, it meant it was confident in its ability to defeat Kai on land.

As Kai drew closer, the Leviathan's movements became more erratic, its glowing eyes darting around in a frenzy.

Kai seized the opportunity and unleashed a ferocious barrage of Prime Thrusts, the cobalt spear flashing like a meteor in the frigid air. Each strike was imbued with an immense amount of power, the impact sending shockwaves through the snow-covered ground.

Roar...

The Leviathan roared in pain and rage, its massive body lashing out with flailing fins and razor-sharp teeth. But Kai was agile and swift, dodging its attacks with ease and exploiting every opening he could find.

The air was filled with the sounds of clashing steel and roaring fury, as the two combatants fought with a ferocity that shook the very foundations of the frozen landscape.

After several minutes of intense combat, the Leviathan was visibly tiring, its movements becoming slower and more sluggish. Unfortunately for Kai, not a lot of damage was done to the monster.

Although Kai had landed quite a lot of Prime Thrusts at its side, head and even fins, the Leviathan's thick scales proved to be a formidable defense. Kai didn't even manage to draw a single drop of blood.

He was getting frustrated with each unsuccessful strike.

'I'm gonna abuse my hand muscles with training after this...'

Cursing under his breath, Kai dodged yet another swipe from the Leviathan's massive tail and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding being crushed under its weight.

Looking at the lake Leviathan, Kai felt anger boil within him.

He wasn't desperate or panicking, he was just angry. Angry at the beast's arrogance and trust in its defense to the point of fighting outside its realm of expertise - water.

The bastard was way too overconfident.