Breakthrough

Chapter 109 — Breakthrough

The creature descended from the mountain.

It was enormous.

A giant wolf covered in gray armor-like fur, with a single horn extending from its forehead.

Aether immediately recognized its strength.

Stage 8.

But he wasn't interested in its full strength.

He needed twenty points.

The beast attacked.

Blackfang rushed forward.

The two wolves collided.

BOOM!

Blackfang was thrown backward.

It dissolved into black mist before hitting the ground.

Ironhide charged next.

The beast's horn struck the shadow bear.

Ironhide's body shattered.

Aether stepped forward.

“That's enough.”

His figure disappeared.

Shadow Step.

He appeared beside the beast.

His fist struck its jaw.

The creature staggered.

Aether followed with another attack.

Then another.

The beast roared and swung its claws.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

Aether avoided them.

He didn't need to use his full strength.

He simply needed the kill.

Blackfang reformed.

Ironhide returned.

The three attacked together.

The Stage 8 beast fought desperately.

But Aether's combat ability had improved greatly through the previous battles.

He understood its movements.

Its weaknesses.

Its timing.

He waited.

The moment the beast exposed its throat—

Blackfang attacked.

Ironhide struck its body.

Aether appeared above it.

His palm descended.

BOOM!

The beast collapsed.

[Stage 8 Origin Beast defeated.]

[Origin Points +90.]

[Origin Points: 970 / 900.]

Aether's eyes flashed.

He had crossed the required amount.

Immediately, the System reacted.

[Breakthrough condition fulfilled.]

[Origin Awakening — Stage 7 breakthrough threshold reached.]

[Origin Points exceeding requirement detected.]

[Origin Energy accumulation beginning.]

Aether's body trembled.

The Origin Energy surrounding him began rushing toward his Origin Core.

The energy he had accumulated through countless battles compressed rapidly.

His aura grew stronger.

The mountain shook.

Blackfang and Ironhide stepped backward.

Aether remained motionless.

The Origin Core became brighter.

Crack.

A tiny fracture appeared in its outer layer.

Then—

BOOM!

The barrier shattered.

A powerful wave of Origin Energy exploded outward.

The surrounding trees bent.

The rocks beneath Aether's feet cracked.

His cultivation rose.

[Breakthrough successful.]

[Current cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 8.]

[Origin Points: 70 / 1,200.]

Aether slowly opened his eyes.

Stage 8.

He could immediately feel the difference.

His body was stronger.

His Origin Energy was denser.

His senses had expanded.

Even the connection with his shadows felt clearer.

Aether looked at Blackfang.

The wolf's body appeared slightly more solid.

Then he looked at Ironhide.

The shadow bear's manifested form was denser as well.

Aether's eyes narrowed.

“Did you two improve too?”

The System responded.

[Origin Shadows synchronized with host cultivation.]

[Shadow manifestations strengthened.]

Aether smiled.

So his breakthrough didn't only strengthen himself.

His shadows benefited as well.

He looked at the defeated beast.

Its Origin imprint still remained.

Aether extracted it.

[Origin imprint detected.]

[Compatibility: 84%.]

He stored it.

Then he looked at his System.

[Origin Awakening — Stage 8]

[Origin Points: 70 / 1,200]

[Origin Shadow Authority: Initial Stage]

[Origin Shadows: 2]

Aether smiled.

“One step higher.”

He looked toward the endless mountains.

There were still countless powerful creatures.

Countless enemies.

Countless opportunities.

And now he was stronger.

The path ahead had become even more dangerous.

Which meant it had also become more interesting.

Aether turned around.

“Let's go.”

Blackfang and Ironhide disappeared into his shadow.

The mountain became silent.

Aether walked away alone.

But his shadow was no longer empty.

And somewhere within that darkness, two crimson eyes opened.

The next hunt had already begun.