The powerful beast charged.
Noah’s first thought was relief, assuming the minotaur was targeting its wounded counterpart to finish what it had started. Territorial disputes between creatures of different ranks were common, and fleeing predators often led pursuers toward whatever had disturbed them.
It’s going after the injured one.
But to his horror, the charging minotaur completely ignored the wounded creature that represented unfinished business. Instead, its trajectory aimed directly toward Noah and Leo with unmistakable hostile intent.
It’s coming for us. Why is it targeting us instead of the prey that it had damaged?
Leo responded to the immediate threat with courage that made Noah’s chest swell with pride despite their circumstances. The young lion’s body expanded through size manipulation, growing to his maximum combat form.
Leo released a thunderous roar that carried all the authority of his bloodline, the sound designed to establish dominance and intimidate opponents into submission.
The magical effect struck the charging minotaur like a powerful blow, causing the massive creature to stumble momentarily as debuffing effects took hold.
It worked! Leo’s intimidation affected even a pseudo-master opponent.
For a brief moment, hope flared in Noah’s chest. If Leo’s abilities could influence a near-master-rank creature, they had a chance of fighting their way out of this encounter.
But the hope died quickly as the minotaur shook off the stunning effect and resumed its charge with fury. The brief hesitation had cost it perhaps two seconds, nowhere near enough time for escape.
King’s Dominion only slowed it down...It seems like I need to use them.
The thundering footsteps of the approaching minotaur grew louder, each impact sending tremors through the rocky ground that spoke to the creature’s incredible mass and power.
The thundering footsteps of the approaching minotaur grew louder, each impact sending tremors through the rocky ground that spoke to the creature’s incredible mass and power.
Noah turned towards Leo with urgent determination.
"Leo, do you think we can take it on together?"
Leo roared in frustration, despite his pride as a Golden Mane and his new power. He didn’t put on a bravado and gave his honest assessment.
"Not yet, Father. It’s quite powerful. I’ve barely just entered the adept rank, and I don’t think we can beat it alone. If I were given some time to consolidate my advancement, I would have torn it to shreds, but right now..."
The young lion’s admission confirmed what Noah had suspected. Despite Leo’s abilities and superior bloodline, the gap between a fresh adept and a creature operating at pseudo-master levels was significant.
Noah nodded with understanding before reaching into his storage ring. Time was running out, but he had resources that could alter the balance in their favour.
He withdrew two loaves of healing bread and two bottles of iced tea, the magical items glinting.
These items represented their best chance of survival.
"Leo, catch!" Noah called out, immediately throwing one set toward Leo.
The young lion caught the iced tea bottle in his mouth with ease, biting through the glass and consuming the magical liquid in one fluid motion. Then he caught the bread as it hit the ground, devouring it in a single gulp.
The broken glass did not hurt him. In fact, it didn’t even bother him.
With the minotaur only seconds away, Noah didn’t have time to savour the drink’s peachy flavour.
He quickly starts pouring the iced tea down his throat as quickly as possible.
The healing bread followed immediately, its healing properties flooding through his body as the final seconds before impact ticked away.
The enhancement effects kicked in simultaneously for both fighters. Their mana reserves expanded while regeneration rates accelerated dramatically. Their health recovery increased by thirty percent, providing sustained combat capability that would last for ten crucial minutes.
The minotaur arrived just as they finished their emergency preparation, its massive pressure bearing down on them with a club raised for a devastating overhead strike aimed directly at Leo.
Leo didn’t back down from the confrontation, meeting the minotaur’s aggression with aggression.
His temporary enhancements gave him the confidence to engage directly.
Leo’s technique erupted with power as the mana enhancements amplified his natural abilities. His claws tore through the air as they intercepted the minotaur’s club strike.
The collision between Leo’s claws and the club created a shockwave that sent both combatants sliding backwards across the rocky terrain.
Noah, who had been closing the distance, seized the opening created by Leo’s bold counter-attack, his high agility carrying him around the minotaur’s flank while its attention focused on the young lion.
Wind manipulation accelerated his movement while aura enhancement strengthened his blade strikes. The Zealous Quickblade erupted with power as Noah targeted the creature’s exposed side.
Noah’s sword found its mark on the minotaur’s torso, drawing dark blood that confirmed the minotaur’s vulnerability to his attacks.
I have enough power to deal damage. That’s good to know.
Noah had spent a good portion of his mana on enhancing that attack. It was by no means an ordinary apprentice attack.
The pseudo-master rank creature roared in pain and fury, spinning to face this new threat that sneaked up on it.
Noah’s eyes met the Minotaur’s gaze, and he could see the fury and anger that was palpating from the minotaur before him.
Without waiting for the minotaur’s retaliatory attack, Noah created distance between them once more.
Leo spotted the chance. The minotaur had given him his back, and it was a terrible mistake that the minotaur would soon regret.
Leo went all out, as he quickly closed the distance between them. He let out another thunderous roar the stunning the Minotaur at the perfect time.
Leo wanted a perfect strike with the minotaur vulnerable. He didn’t want the minotaur to defend it at the last second.
The battle became a complex dance of positioning and timing.
Noah used his speed and intelligence to exploit openings while Leo’s raw power and evolved techniques created those opportunities through direct confrontation.