Celestial Era: The Rise of the Full-Time Enhancer

"There's a beast ahead of us…" Celestial Tara whispered.

Hearing this, everyone immediately sat up as they held their weapons unconsciously. It's already getting a bit dark so most Savage Beasts or Magic Beasts would come out to hunt as well.

Although bandits weren't common here compared to the kingdom, the land between the various cities or towers is still infested with Savage Beasts. Especially if they were using an off-road path.

"Thank you for informing us, Celestial. We'll handle it then… Is that beast alone?" Lar asked as he can't see anyone along the road. It could be hiding from his sight but he fully trusts Tara's senses.

"Yes, it's alone… The fluctuations of energy are quite strong as well so be quick and not give it a chance." Tara replied as she didn't seem to have plans of helping them.

This is to be expected since Lar and his group weren't weak at all. They have trained their martial arts to an advanced state in just a few weeks thanks to their abnormal physique. Furthermore, they were now using a Magic Knight's Cultivation Technique to amplify their power.

As long as their opponent wasn't a strong magician, they were confident in winning in close combat if they all worked together.

The horses were then suddenly startled as they realized that the beasts had gotten close to them.

Their weapons were only daggers and gloves given to them. Well, their Fist Techniques may be useful against humans but they may not be effective against the tough carapace or bodies of the savage beasts.

Growl~

What welcomed them is an adult Ethereal Panther… This savage beast loves to hunt alone and is extremely difficult to deal with because of its incredible eyes and agility… Nothing escapes from this beast's eyes so they have to work together to kill it.

"Ross, Kian… We'll create an opening… The two of you must find an opportunity to cut open its stomach!"

"Got it! Leave it to us!"

To be honest, Lar was not aware of the beast's weakness. He only thought that its stomach will be soft as a common trait of many four-legged furred beasts.

Whether it's effective or not will be known later.

Lar and the other two pounced at the panther as soon as they saw it.

In this situation, they felt that it was better to initiate the attack rather than wait for it.

Although they did not have a good movement technique, they were still quick with their feet.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

All of them managed to hit the Ethereal Panther's body but it feels like it was coated by a hard metal. They managed to scratch it but there was no wound or bleeding at all.

In addition, they also felt a stinging pain in their hands! It doesn't seem to be some kind of poison but an electric shock!

"Is it about to evolve to a Magic Beast?" Lar muttered as he observed the beast. He looked into its eyes and as he expected, it doesn't seem to be just a raging beast that has nothing to do. It seems to be assessing their strength as well!

"Use everything you got! Don't let it find its momentum! Don't stop until you drop!"

Armor Breaking Kick!

Deadly Seven Fist!

Flying Swallow!

Their three martial techniques were used while still holding a dagger in one of their hands.

The Ethereal Panther did its best to avoid their continuous attacks while also baring its fangs and attempting to catch one of them.

With its sharp fangs and iron-like claws, they would shred into pieces once caught even once…

"Get away!"

Lar shouted as he realized that it was about to use its scary movement technique. It wasn't called ethereal for nothing after all.

Within the darkness, it could move like a ghost once given an opportunity! They would normally target the weakest prey among their group and would continue to do so until they were all eliminated.

Unsurprisingly, it attacked Ross who was silently observing the fight until now.

Roar!

"Shut your mouth!"

Ross angrily shouted to the beast. He almost turned deaf after the panther roared next to his ears…

He didn't stay idle as he also managed to avoid getting bitten by the panther. Unfortunately, he failed to dodge its claws…

Ssaak—

Two long lines of cut can now be seen on his left shoulder to his elbow. He didn't even have the time to scream in pain as he can't lose his concentration.

The panther wasn't using some kind of teleportation but just an incredible speed brought by its strong hind legs. Lastly, because of its fur that has natural properties of darkness element, it can move so stealthily as long as there is no sunlight.

Luckily for him, Kian was able to react as he threw his dagger into the Panther's stomach at the right moment. It was as if he baited Ross! At the very least, they got the result they wanted! The Ethereal Panther did not expect the sharpness of their dagger.

Normally, its stomach could ignore sharp weapons… It was a bit unlucky that it encountered someone who has a weapon with Pierce Attribute. That's right, although the dagger that they have doesn't have a Sharpness Attribute to boost its penetrative and cutting abilities, the Pierce Attribute that it has could help them put a hole in the panther's body!

With this start, the group managed to poke a few more holes on it as they slowly bleed the panther to death after eight more minutes of battle.

It even tried to flee after getting weakened but they easily chased the savage beast and took everything valuable in its body.

"Hahaha! Hunting this beast is a lot more fun than I expected…"

"Ugh~ It's fun for you since you didn't get clawed…"

"Hey, I'm still injured after resisting its pounce, you know?"

After a few banters, the group happily continued with their journey unafraid of the darkness along the path.

They were probably two hours away from the Heinen Fog Forest when something unexpected happened.

A small beast-like vermilion airship stopped them in their tracks as they were about to cross a valley…