CHAPTER 12 THE PRICE OF COURAGE
967 Words
The corrupted Black Iron Bear charged like a living mountain.
Every step shattered the earth beneath its feet.
Its crimson eyes burned with madness.
Its killing intent flooded the surrounding forest.
Raizen stood his ground.
Blood trickled down the side of his face.
His breathing was ragged.
His entire body screamed in pain.
Yet...
He didn't move.
Behind him...
Jin Wu was still struggling to stand.
Su Ziling had rushed to his side.
There was only one person who could buy them time.
Raizen.
Warning.
Host's chance of victory: 7%.
The Origin System's voice remained as calm as ever.
Raizen smiled bitterly.
"It dropped."
Host has sustained injuries.
Combat efficiency reduced.
The bear roared.
ROOOOOOAR!!
It swung its enormous claw.
Raizen immediately rolled to the side.
BOOM!!
The ground exploded.
Broken rocks rained through the air.
Before he could recover—
The beast's tail whipped toward him.
Bang!
Raizen crossed his sword in front of his chest.
The impact sent him crashing through three trees.
Crack!
Crack!
Crack!
He finally stopped after slamming into a massive boulder.
"Cough!"
A mouthful of blood spilled onto the ground.
"Raizen!"
Jin Wu shouted.
He tried to rush forward.
Su Ziling grabbed his arm.
"You'll die!"
"But—"
"If we lose our heads now..."
"...his sacrifice will mean nothing."
Jin Wu clenched his fists so tightly that blood seeped from his palms.
The bear slowly approached Raizen.
It wasn't in a hurry.
It was enjoying the hunt.
Raizen forced himself back to his feet.
His vision swayed.
His sword felt heavier than ever.
"So..."
"This is the difference..."
He whispered.
"I really am still weak."
Negative.
The Origin System suddenly spoke.
Host is inexperienced.
Weakness can be overcome.
Cowardice cannot.
Raizen's eyes steadied.
A smile appeared on his face.
"You're right."
"I'm not afraid."
"I just haven't grown enough..."
"...yet."
The bear charged again.
This time...
Raizen didn't retreat immediately.
He watched.
Every movement.
Every shift of muscle.
Every step.
Then...
The Origin System spoke.
Analysis complete.
Corruption has damaged the beast's nervous system.
Reaction speed decreases briefly after heavy attacks.
Raizen's eyes lit up.
"That's my chance."
The bear slammed both claws into the ground.
BOOM!!
The earth shook violently.
Instead of running—
Raizen dashed forward.
"What is he doing?!"
Jin Wu shouted.
Su Ziling's eyes widened.
"He found something..."
Raizen slipped beneath the cloud of dust.
The massive bear searched wildly.
Its vision was blocked.
Exactly as the System had predicted.
Raizen reached its side.
"Haaaa!"
He swung his iron sword with every ounce of strength he possessed.
Slash!
The blade carved a deep wound across the bear's injured foreleg.
ROOOOOOOAR!!
The beast screamed in agony.
Black blood splashed across the forest floor.
Raizen immediately retreated.
His chest rose and fell violently.
"I hurt it..."
The wound wasn't fatal.
But it proved something important.
The monster...
Could bleed.
Its crimson eyes became even darker.
The beast was no longer playing.
It was furious.
Black mist poured from its body like smoke.
The surrounding trees began to wither wherever it passed.
Su Ziling's expression changed.
"That corruption..."
"It's spreading."
Deep within his mind...
The Origin System issued another warning.
Corruption level increasing.
Unknown energy accelerating target's evolution.
Raizen frowned.
"It's getting stronger?"
Affirmative.
The ground suddenly trembled again.
But this time...
The tremor came from somewhere else.
A powerful pressure descended upon the battlefield.
The corrupted bear abruptly stopped moving.
For the first time...
Fear appeared in its crimson eyes.
It slowly turned toward the depths of the forest.
Something...
Was approaching.
A calm elderly voice echoed through the trees.
"So."
"A mere corrupted beast dares run wild during my clan's assessment."
An old man stepped into the clearing.
He wore plain grey robes.
His hands rested behind his back.
His expression was peaceful.
It was the mysterious elder who had been secretly observing Raizen.
The bear roared defiantly.
The elder sighed.
"You've already lost your mind."
He slowly raised one finger.
No dazzling technique.
No grand display.
He simply flicked his finger.
A beam of pure Spirit Qi shot through the air.
Pfft!
The beam pierced straight through the corrupted bear's forehead.
The enormous beast froze.
Its body remained standing for a brief moment.
Then...
It collapsed with a thunderous crash.
BOOM!!
Silence returned to the forest.
Jin Wu stood frozen.
"...One attack."
Su Ziling lowered her sword.
"...Just one."
Raizen stared at the elder.
This...
Was the strength of a true cultivator.
The old man looked at the black mist rising from the bear's corpse.
His calm expression became unusually serious.
"So..."
"It has begun earlier than expected."
He waved his sleeve.
The black mist instantly dispersed.
Then his gaze shifted toward Raizen.
For a long moment...
Neither of them spoke.
Finally, the elder smiled.
"You fought well."
"You knew you couldn't win."
"But you still chose to protect your companions."
Raizen bowed respectfully.
"I simply did what anyone should do."
The elder chuckled.
"No."
"Most people only discover who they truly are when death stands before them."
His eyes lingered on Raizen's jade pendant for the briefest instant.
A trace of recognition flashed across his face before disappearing.
"Interesting..."
He murmured so softly that no one else heard.
Then he turned around.
"Return to the clan."
"This assessment..."
"...is over."
The three youths exchanged confused glances.
"Over?"
Jin Wu asked.
The elder looked toward the darkest part of Black Pine Forest.
His expression turned solemn.
"There are dangers awakening in this forest..."
"...that no disciple is prepared to face."
Far beneath the earth...
Ancient chains groaned.
A colossal creature slowly opened its mouth.
"...Keeper..."
It whispered.
"...you've arrived."
Its massive eyes shifted upward.
"...But you are already too late."
The chains trembled once more.
And somewhere deep within the darkness...
Something ancient began to awaken.
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