Chapter 39 – The Soul Beast's Second Skill

Volume 1: Apocalypse Beginning

The Big Rabbit hopped around idly in the Challenge Space, searching for food that simply didn't exist.

Seeing Wen Yu slowly approaching from afar, the Big Rabbit bared its teeth fiercely, attempting to threaten the distant creature. Yet, the rabbit's appearance was anything but intimidating.

Wen Yu remained completely unmoved. As the distance between them shortened, the killing intent radiating from Wen Yu grew ever stronger.

"I wonder what the two skills of this rabbit are. If it has some troublesome ability that drags out the fight and causes me to fail the challenge, I'll have nowhere to cry. Three minutes isn't long."

Wen Yu decided to end this quickly.

The Little Soul Beast, which had just gotten a brief rest, was once again pulled into Wen Yu's body by the power of the contract. From the mental fluctuations transmitted by the Little Soul Beast, Wen Yu sensed feelings of grievance and exhaustion.

"When I'm safe, I'll definitely feed you more Soul Crystals." Wen Yu silently sent back a wave of spiritual energy to comfort the Little Soul Beast. The Little Soul Beast, still not highly evolved, was instantly elated by Wen Yu's promise of Soul Crystals.

Not far away, the Big Rabbit's fur bristled from the killing intent Wen Yu emitted. Seeing that this human wasn't afraid of its large front teeth, the Big Rabbit decisively used its skill.

Ice Arrow (D-level): Condenses the power of ice to deal damage to the enemy.

A blue arrow, less than half a meter long, shot directly from the Big Rabbit's mouth. Wen Yu shivered-was the ice arrow formed from the rabbit's saliva?

This idle thought flashed through Wen Yu's mind but was immediately suppressed. Although the Big Rabbit posed no real threat, losing focus in battle was absolutely unacceptable. This was the experience and instinct that had allowed Wen Yu to survive a whole year in his previous life.

Wen Yu burst forth at top speed, first sidestepping to dodge the swiftly incoming Ice Arrow, then charging straight to the Big Rabbit's face.

The Big Rabbit was startled by Wen Yu's speed. Seeing its trump card fail, it decisively used its second ability.

Flying Kick (E-level): Massive power gathers in both legs, launching a kick at the enemy to deal tremendous damage.

It had to be said, this skill matched the rabbit's body perfectly. The Big Rabbit squatted down, suddenly exerted force, and its furry body leapt into the air. Its two short legs kicked fiercely at Wen Yu, the immense power generating a whistling wind, proving just how terrifying this attack was.

Unfortunately, in front of Wen Yu, the efforts of this herbivore were completely futile.

The Steel Blade slashed down, and before the rabbit's legs could reach Wen Yu, the blade flashed silver, leaving a massive wound on the Big Rabbit's body.

The power of Soul Strike erupted instantly, interrupting the Big Rabbit's skill. Its legs, originally kicking out, slowed without the brain's control, the strength fading until they merely brushed against Wen Yu. With Wen Yu's physical attribute of 20 points, the damage was so negligible it didn't even register as pain.

The Big Rabbit fell straight to the ground mid-air, rolling over and over, clearly badly injured.

Showing no mercy, Wen Yu swiftly struck again. Fortunately, the rabbit's fur was not as tough as One-Eye's. Without even checking the damage from Soul Strike, Wen Yu resolved this unworthy Level 2 Mutant Beast on the physical level alone.

"Ding. Congratulations, challenger, you have successfully completed the challenge. Promotion begins."

As the notification echoed throughout the space, a golden beam of light enveloped Wen Yu in midair. When the light shone on Wen Yu, his Combat State was instantly dispelled by an unknown force, and the Little Soul Beast was also exposed within the golden glow.

Under this mysterious power, the Little Soul Beast first swelled rapidly, then was compressed and slowly shrank. Although its size did not change, the blackness on its body grew increasingly profound.

Wen Yu did not see the changes in the Little Soul Beast; he only felt that everything before his eyes was golden. A massive warm current surged from his skin, quickly flooding his entire body and remodeling his body from within.

While enjoying the sensation of transformation brought by the golden light, Wen Yu checked the system notifications from the Ruler after his Promotion.

"Ding. Congratulations, challenger, you have successfully completed the challenge. Promoted to Level 2 Class Holder."

"A Level 2 Class Holder's physical attributes can only be enhanced using Level 2 Magic Crystal, with an attribute cap of 50 points. Exchange between Level 1 Magic Crystal and Level 2 Magic Crystal is now available at a ratio of 10:1."

"Ding. Due to the special nature of the Soul Master class, the challenger did not receive a skill."

"Ding. Congratulations, challenger's Soul Beast has advanced to Level 2. Its physical attribute cap is now 50 points. Current Soul Beast attribute: Beast Attribute. It has also gained a second skill."

"Swiftness (C-Rank, Passive Skill): Fully enhances speed-related abilities by 10%, including movement speed, attack speed, and neural reaction speed."

"Ding. Host has unlocked the Second Soul Realm and may contract a second Soul Pet. Please note: forcibly contracting a Soul Pet has a success rate determined by the difference in strength between both parties. Voluntary contracts with Soul Pets are guaranteed to succeed, but the contracted Soul Pet must not exceed the Host's current level."

"Ding. After a failed contract attempt, the contract ability cannot be activated again for three days."

"Ding. If a contracted Soul Pet dies, the Host will suffer a severe Soul Strike, and the corresponding Soul Realm will collapse. It can be nourished with high-quality Soul Crystal. Only after nourishment is complete can the Host contract another Soul Pet."

As the golden light faded completely, Wen Yu reviewed the notifications in his mind and felt the power within his body. Although his physical attributes had not changed, it was as if a shackle had been lifted, leaving him feeling light and free.

The Little Soul Beast on his shoulder happily bounced around. It was clear that after advancing to Level 2, the Little Soul Beast was much more lively and agile than before.

Wen Yu once again examined the new skill gained from the Little Soul Beast's Promotion. Although the skill level was not high, Wen Yu understood that high-quality skills could not be automatically mastered through the Promotion Trial; they could only be obtained through special means, such as Treasure Land or a Skill Synthesis Scroll.

Given the current situation, the Swiftness Passive Skill would greatly help him escape Simba's clutches. Hmm – the specific speed stat increased from 0.1% to 0.5%, while the overall skill provides a 10% boost to speed-related abilities.

After all, Simba, as a Level 3 Mutant Beast, had physical attributes above 50 points, combined with the innate agility of a feline.

Such a huge gap could hardly be bridged by any skill.

"Ding. Promotion successful. The challenger will be teleported out of the Challenge Space in 30 seconds."

The notification erased Wen Yu's joy at his Promotion, forcing him to face his greatest obstacle yet.

Faced with Simba, what should he do next?