Chapter 176: Fighting C Rank Beasts

Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Fighting C Rank Beasts

Lucian didn’t hesitate.

"Blood Eclipse Art."

The technique ignited in his veins. Blood Energy surged through his meridians, mixing with his mana. Spell power jumped by 70%. Mana circulation accelerated by 40%.

"Crimson Vessel. Light Armor."

His blood circulated at extreme pressure — the crimson sheen spreading across his skin. Simultaneously, dense light mana coated his body in a golden layer. He gripped Aethon and rushed forward attacking first.

The manticore on the left opened its mouth. A spray of venom erupted — a wide cone of corrosive liquid that hissed through the air. TSSSSSS.

Lucian activated Light Steps. He flickered sideways, the venom passing through the space he’d occupied and striking a crystal tree behind him. The trunk dissolved on contact — melting like wax under a flame. A direct hit from the venom would eat through his defenses.

He fired three quick Light Slashes at the venom manticore. SHK-SHK-SHK. The blades of condensed light struck the beast’s body — but it hunched low, tucking its head beneath its forelegs, shielding its vital points. The slashes hit crimson fur and mana-infused hide. Sparks. Scorch marks. No penetration. The manticore’s natural defense was too dense for standard light slashes.

The second manticore — the winged one — unfurled its wings. WHOOSH. It launched into the air, hovering three meters above the ground. Its scorpion tail curled over its back, the stinger aimed at Lucian.

Spikes fired as they launched from the tail in rapid succession. FWIP-FWIP-FWIP-FWIP-FWIP-FWIP. They screamed through the air with terrifying speed.

Lucian raised Light Shields. Three layers stacked in front of him.

KRRRAK! KRRRAK! KRRSH!

All three shattered instantly. The spikes were too fast, too dense, carrying too much kinetic force. He raised Aethon.

"Eclipse Sword Art. Second Form — Sky Breaker!"

A concentrated vertical slash of Sword Intent erupted from the blade. The dark light blade met the remaining spikes mid-air. The collision created a burst of energy that sent crystal fragments spraying in all directions.

The venom manticore attacked from behind. Lucian sensed it — Blood sense catching the surge of blood through the beast’s muscles as it lunged. He turned, but not fast enough. The manticore’s claw swept down and caught him across the chest.

BOOM!

The impact launched Lucian backward. He crashed through two crystal trees.

He got up immediately. His chest throbbed. The claws had torn through Light Armor and Crimson Vessel — cracks visible across both defensive layers. Three parallel cuts across his ches but his Eternal Regeneration was already closing them.

He rushed the winged manticore. It dodged, beating its wings and climbing higher into the air, circling like a vulture. The venom manticore charged from the side, mouth opening for another venom spray.

Lucian dodged with Light Steps — the venom splashed across the crystal ground behind him, holes hissing into the surface. He countered with three Light Bolts. FWEEESH-FWEEESH-FWEEESH. The bolts struck the venom manticore in the chest and shoulders. CRACK-CRACK-CRACK. Its hide cracked under the impacts. The beast staggered, shaking its head.

Lucian closed his fist.

"Blood Chains. Light Chains."

Crimson chains and golden chains erupted from the ground beneath the venom manticore. They wrapped around its body, binding it in place. The beast thrashed, roaring, venom spraying from its mouth in unfocused arcs that melted crystal sand beneath it.

Lucian raised his free hand toward the winged manticore in the air. "Blood Needle Rain."

Hundreds of crimson needles materialized and launched upward. The Blood Eclipse Art enhanced each one. The manticore’s eyes widened. It banked hard, wings beating frantically, dodging and weaving through the swarm. Needles punched through its wings — SHK-SHK-SHK — leaving holes. One struck its flank. Two more grazed its legs. The beast shrieked.

"Mind Spike."

A lance of pure mental energy drove into the winged manticore’s consciousness. The beast’s eyes rolled back. Its wings spasmed. It dropped from the air slamming into the crystal forest floor, plowing a trench through the crystal sand.

The venom manticore broke free of the chains. Its raw strength was enormous — Mid C-Rank muscle shattering the bindings in three seconds of concentrated thrashing. It charged Lucian.

Lucian fired multiple Light Bolts. Four bolts — each one aimed at the charging beast’s chest and legs. The impacts sent it skidding backward, claws gouging trenches in the crystal ground. It crashed through a line of crystal trees. Crystal shards jutted from its body where the impacts had driven it through the trunks. Dark blood seeped from the wounds. It cried out in pain.

Lucian activated Light Acceleration.

He became a streak. The distance between him and the grounded winged manticore vanished in a heartbeat. He appeared beside it, Aethon raised. The beast was still dazed from the Mind Spike — its eyes unfocused.

He swung. Aethon, coated in Light Blade and Sword Intent, cleaved through the base of the manticore’s right wing. SHLIKT. The wing separated from the body. The manticore screamed — a high, piercing shriek that shattered crystal trees within twenty meters.

It retaliated. The scorpion tail whipped forward — the stinger moving faster than the claws, faster than anything its size should produce. Lucian dodged by centimeters. The stinger punched into the crystal tree behind him, sinking a full foot deep into the trunk. Crystal cracks radiated outward from the impact point. Had it hit him, the venom would have been lethal leaving him at death’s door even with his physique.

Lucian brought Aethon down with both hands. Light Blade and Sword Intent reinforced the edge to its maximum density. The blade descended through the manticore’s neck.

SHLIKT.

The head separated as its body convulsed before going still as it finally died.

The venom manticore charged from behind — spraying venom in a wide arc. TSSSSSS. Lucian turned.

"Solar Flare!"

A concentrated sphere of blinding radiance erupted from his palm. The two attacks collided — venom against light. The collision created a burst of steam and acrid smoke. HSSSSSS. The two energies cancelled each other out, dissipating in a cloud that smelled of burned chemicals.

Lucian accelerated. Light Acceleration carried him behind the venom manticore before it could react. Blood spears materialized around him — four of them, each one condensed to maximum density by the Blood Eclipse Art. He launched them simultaneously.

SHK-SHK-SHK-SHK.

The spears punched through the manticore’s legs, pinning it to the ground. It roared, thrashing, venom spraying wildly from its mouth. Lucian landed in front of it.

His eyes blazed red.

He had never used this spell before. He’d learned it when his Mind Palace awakened — filed in his Star Palace alongside Mind Read and Mind Spike. But he’d never had a reason to use it. Until now.

"Loyalty Bond.