Chapter 900: Self-healing thaid (2)
Chapter 900: Self-healing thaid (2)
<There, > June said. He sent a mental image of what he was looking at, and Erik gave it a look without losing time. Erik saw a figure moving through the forest.
He tried to make out the beast's details. The vegetation and the creature's thick fur made it difficult to get a clear look, but the size and gait were consistent with a Hevadrin.
"Land away from it," Erik said. "We'll approach on foot and observe it first before engaging." June angled his wings and descended, setting down in a small clearing a fair distance from the creature's location. Erik slid off his clone's back, then June turned human again.
While crouching in the undergrowth, they made their way to the creature's location.
<You were right. >
Erik's gaze remained fixed on the Hevadrin. The creature's powerful frame and resilient hide were visible now, and Erik felt a flicker of unease.
These beasts were difficult to kill, with their regenerative abilities making them tough opponents.
<You did well telling me about this. >
<Thanks, Master. Are you going to kill it now? >
<Yes, > Erik said. <I can't let this thing roam so close to Liberty Watch. If it finds the underground city, it would be a disaster. >
June nodded, but there was concern in his eyes. <What about your mana? Do you have enough? That thing is powerful...>
Erik bit his lip. <Not as much as I would like, but... enough to kill that thing. Based on what people say, a Hevadrin should have around 200 strength points. >
It was true Erik wanted to kill the Hevadrin for Liberty Watch's sake, but saying it also wasn't for its brain crystal power would be a lie.
The Hevadrin's brain crystal would be an invaluable asset. He still had to decide whether to give it to the clones or keep it, but regardless, he had to get his hands on it.
<Stay back. >
Erik started channeling mana, and soon, a flyssa made of hardened slime appeared in his hands. Erik didn't imbue it with frost or wind power; he couldn't use that much mana now.
The man crept closer to the Hevadrin, careful not to make a sound. The creature's fur helped it blend into the forest surroundings, but its eyes remained alert.
Staying downwind, Erik drew closer, his flyssa ready. When he was within striking distance, he stilled his racing heart and studied his target.
Then Erik lunged, his blade slicing through the air. But the Hevadrin heard the foliage rustling and dodged to the side.
It spun to face its assailant, looking at Erik with an unconcerned expression.
"Fuck, this is going to take a while."
Erik charged the beast and jabbed it with the flyssa. His attack landed, but it wasn't enough to kill the beast.
The Hevadrin used his wondrous brain crystal power to close the wound in a matter of seconds.
"June! This is really going to take a while!"
Erik tried to circle the creature, but being wounded made it wary. The Hevadrin most likely had strong healing powers, but it was also physically very strong.
Injuring the creature was not a simple task, yet the creature before him had no trouble inflicting the same on him.
Erik was looking for an opening, but the beast spun, backstepped, and never lost sight of Erik. Not only was it strong, it was also smart.
The Hevadrin then charged.
"Shit."
It was fast-insanely so at that-but nothing Erik couldn't handle. However, when Erik tried to escape the beast's rampage, it used its hind legs to strike him.
"Ah!"
The impact was powerful enough to make the young man fly several meters in the air and crash to the ground; the wind knocked out of him.
Before he could right himself, the creature tried to stomp his head, but Erik got out of harm's way by using his powerful arms to launch himself meters away from the beast.
However, the hit he took was catastrophic. It was far more destructive than those the blackguards' made on Caelora City because they lacked the Hevadrin's might and depended on their numerical advantage and special brain crystal powers.
Erik lay where he landed, struggling to catch his breath after having the wind knocked out of him.
Every inhale sent a fresh wave of pain through his sides, but he pushed past it. He had to get
up.
And he did, but not before having spat blood onto the forest floor.
"This thing is stronger than I thought."
Erik had been complacent. He knew how strong the Hevadrins were, but they shouldn't have been too strong to pose a problem. However, this creature was not normal. It was too strong.
<System, scan it!>
Creature Name: Hevadrin
Brain Crystal Power: Self-Healing
Physical Characteristics: A Hevadrin is a quadruped creature with a thick coat of short fur that changes color depending on its environment, aiding in camouflage. Its body is big and stocky, geared toward endurance rather than speed, yet its strength is immense. The Hevadrin's main distinguishing characteristic is its brain crystal power, which allows it to heal its wound. Small, rounded ears sit atop its broad head, and its eyes are small yet perceptive, appropriate to its mostly nocturnal lifestyle. It possesses a short, strong tail that aids in balance in navigating difficult terrain and fighting other species.
Ecology: Hevadrin lives in thickly forested areas, where its ability to heal quickly helps survive in the face of several dangers. It is mainly herbivorous, eating plants, roots, and, on occasion, insects and meat.
{Attributes}
STRENGTH: 280
INTELLIGENCE: 4
DEXTERITY: 229
ENERGY: 900
{Others}
Power Level: 477
Estimated Experience: 20692 EXP per kill
Neural Links: 57
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
Erik couldn't say... couldn't even think of other words. This beast was strong-too strong, to the point where it could contend even with wyverns, at least in theory. But that wasn't what
shocked the young man.
"THIS THING HAS 57 NEURAL LINKS!"
That was unheard of. Thaids followed a similar logic to humans, and no one had ever seen a creature with not 54 but 57 neural links.
Erik had seen wyverns, but those things were inconceivably powerful. He never got close enough to scan them, but at this point, everything made sense. 54 neural links was not the
limit, at least not for Thaids.
"Is this a sick joke?!"
"WHAT'S HAPPENING, MASTER?!"
"JUNE, DON'T COME HERE!"
But why was such a creature here? What could have possibly pushed it this far? The Cerulean bird? If that were true, Erik underestimated too much the strength that beast possessed. <NO! IT'S NOT JUST THAT; EVERY FUCKING CREATURE ON THE MUR CONTINENT MIGHT HAVE THIS INSANE LEVEL OF STRENGTH!>