Chapter 16: Earth Lion

Cain walked forward at full speed, yet his movements made little sound. Once again, the youth used one of the techniques from the Soldier Military Manual. This time it was called Silent Step.

It did not precisely involve Wave, but an average human would find it very hard to use it due to the high physical requirements.

He was not walking blindly, as he had already picked up a scent and was approaching it.

“System, scan me.”

[Scanning Vessel.

—

Name: Cain Laurifer

.....

Race: Godslayer Humankind

Path of Power: Astral Rebirth (Level 1)

Lineage: Lightning Lycan

Wave Talent: Low Tier 4

—

Stats:

Strength: 0.13

Agility: 0.17

Vitality: 0.14

Astral Wave: O.12

—

Arts and skills:

Soldier Cultivation Technique.

Soldier Skills

Lycan Physiology

Lightning Conversion

???

—

System Modules:

-A.I. Chip Module: – Pseudo Cellular Analysis

– Basic Data Gathering and Analysis

– Basic Virtual Simulation

– Basic Scan Force Field

– Basic Hacking

-Genetic Coder Module: – Basic Genetic Stimulation

– Basic Genetic Suppression

– Basic Genetic Enhancement

-???

-???

-???

—

Destiny Force: 0.2 points]

Cain was satisfied with his current stats and abilities and was sure they would be enough for this test. It did not take long for him to reach the origin of the scent he followed. He did not reveal himself and carefully approached the creature without being noticed.

The youth realized the scent he had picked belonged to a Wave Beast that resembled a two-meter-tall lion with brown skin.

Due to this being the first time he met a Wave Beast, Cain was a little surprised, but he managed to focus soon. Thanks to the Wave Beast Compendium, he knew the beast was an Earth Lion, known for its sturdiness.

‘System, scan the target.’

Like before, an electromagnetic force emerged from Cain and soon reached the Wave Beast before a screen with its information appeared in front of him.

[Target scanned.

—

Race: Wave Beast

Lineage: Earth Lion

Path of Power: Wave Beast (Level 1)

—

Stats:

Strength: 0.16

Agility: 0.13

Vitality: 0.21

Life Wave: 0.19]

Even if this was not Cain’s first life-and-death battle, it was still the first time facing a Wave Beast, so he was nervous. Luckily, once again, the [A.I. Chip Module] came handly.

The Wave Beast Compendium had all kinds of information about each Wave Beast, including this Earth Lion. Alone, that knowledge was not very helpful, but after the [Pseudo Cellular Analysis] scan, Cain got all the data needed to use the [Basic Virtual Simulation].

‘System, use [Basic Virtual Simulation] to simulate a battle between the Earth Lion and me.’

[Using Basic Virtual Simulation]

Cain did not have to wait for long before virtual simulations appeared in his head. It was like watching a movie.

All sorts of scenarios were presented, such as a direct attack, using a more furtive method, and even drawing the Earth Lion to a different location.

Of course, the simulations were not flawless, and things could differ from reality, especially if they involved more intelligent life forms. However, with a Wave Beast, their trustworthiness was around 95%.

Cain took a deep breath and waited for the creature to close its eyes before taking out and arming his spear. His Wave Cloak emerged, enhancing his strength but also alerting the Earth Lion.

The Wave Beast immediately rose from the ground and turned toward the origin of the danger. A green Wave Cloak was about to manifest when a spear was embedded in its neck.

“Hhhhh.” The Earth Lion attempted to scream, but the spear impeded it.

An immense agony assaulted the Wave Beast, but it did not last for long as a youth clad in dark-purple Astral Wave lunged toward it and kicked the spear’s end, pushing it deeper, and killing the beast.

Although the battle was extremely short and easy, the [Basic Virtual Simulation] tool showed Cain how easily things could have gone wrong. So, he was agitated and found it hard to relax.

Luckily, it did not take long for Cain’s mind to focus, and he acted.

First, Cain took out the spear, then used it to open the creature’s chest and remove the heart. A Wave Beast’s body could be considered a treasure, but Cain could only carry a limited weight, so he kept the most valuable part.

After storing the heart in the backpack, Cain spread dirt on his weapon and hands to mask the scent of blood and left.

Cain made sure to move far away from the dead Earth Lion, and only after almost half an hour did he focus on another scent and follow it.

Once again, the scent belonged to an Earth Lion, but Cain found two of those Wave Beasts now.

Before choosing whether to take the two beasts at once, Cain analyzed them and used the [Basic Virtual Simulation] tool to see how good his chances were.

After ensuring his chances were good enough, Cain took a deep breath and waited for the Earth Lions to look in the opposite direction before attacking.

Cain invoked his Wave Cloak and sent the spear to one of the Earth Lions. Like before, his spear found its way to the beast’s neck, but there was another threat he needed to handle this time.

Unlike its partner, the other Earth Lion managed to fully invoke his green Wave Cloak, raising its offensive and defensive might exceptionally.

Cain knew he could not just wait, so he lunged toward the unharmed Earth Lion. As the [Basic Virtual Simulator] had shown him, a claw aimed at his head.

The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bj'n.

Following his plan, Cain slipped through the ground, dodging the claw and appearing right beneath the Earth Lion’s belly.

Cain’s fist clad in Astral Wave buried itself in the Earth Lion’s belly, causing severe internal damage. He immediately rolled away, avoiding the Wave Beast’s body from stumping him.

.....

Without losing momentum, Cain rose and fired another blow, this time, he aimed at the Earth Lion’s shoulder, breaking it and, in doing so, crippling the beast.

“Ahhhh!” The Earth Lion screamed in pain, and blood leaked out of its mouth, showing the internal damage it suffered.

Cain’s eyes grew cold as he heard the beast’s scream since it alerted everyone in the surrounding of a battle occurring. He immediately jumped over the Earth Lion, tightened his legs around the beast’s neck, and began to bash the back of its head.

It took less than five blows for Cain to kill the Earth Lion. He then gave the final blow to the agonizing Wave Beast before taking out his spear.

Cain used the spear to take the heart of one Earth Lion before his eyes narrowed as he detected the scent of a group approach.

‘Humans.’ Cain immediately stored the heart and spear and flashed away. He had no intention of interacting with other cadets, especially if they were in a large group.

Although he left one Wave Beast’s heart behind, it was better to avoid conflicts for the time being.