Poolbears were amphibious creatures equally agile in water and on land, with formidable attack and defense capabilities. Hunting this Fierce Beast ranked among the toughest Yellow-class missions, even holding its own in Qi-class tasks.
"Our target resides in a lakeside beyond the city walls," Lin Cheng explained en route. "Poolbears mostly stay submerged, only venturing ashore briefly each afternoon until dawn." Understanding their habits made hunting easier.
"This timing is perfect. It’ll emerge soon—we strike when it’s on land." His tactical briefing was crisp.
Nian Xifeng knew far less about Fierce Beasts than Lin Cheng. To him, all such creatures were mere pushovers. He’d always relied on sheer power, never bothering with details beyond a target’s appearance. Listening now, he inwardly winced. *Without my superhuman strength, I’d have been reduced to dust long ago with my reckless methods.*
"Understood!" The team responded in unison. They trusted Lin Cheng’s expertise implicitly—his knowledge of Fierce Beasts surpassed them all.
"Details later. Full speed to the lake!" Lin Cheng ordered.
After thirty minutes of hard travel, the lake finally glimmered on the horizon. Sunset painted the water crimson, ripples dancing like scattered rubies. The sight held them spellbound.
"*Ahem.*" Lin Cheng’s cough snapped them back. "Ambush positions. It’ll surface soon."
"Affirmative!" They scattered, hiding within supporting distance of each other—close enough for instant backup.
Ten minutes of silence passed. Then, ripples disturbed the glassy surface. A head emerged, scanning the shore cautiously before lumbering onto land.
The Poolbear’s sleek fur reduced water resistance, granting it fluid speed underwater. On land, the effect was less pronounced but still evident. It crept toward the forest, hyper-alert.
The team held their breath. Attacking now would drive it back to the lake—where hunting it would become near-impossible. The depths hid countless stronger Fierce Beasts, fiercely territorial and lethal to humans. They trusted Lin Cheng’s timing.
Only when the Poolbear nearly vanished into the trees did Lin Cheng signal pursuit. They tracked its path and found it seated beneath a waist-high shrub, gnawing something in its massive paws.
"*Now!*" Lin Cheng roared, blade flashing toward its back. They’d chosen the perfect moment—mid-meal distraction.
"*Slash!*" His blade bit deep, but the wound was shallow. Blood welled, yet the beast barely flinched. *So this is a high-tier Yellow-class mission,* Lin Cheng thought grimly. "*Cleave!*" His second strike drew another gash.
Enraged, the Poolbear whirled, abandoning escape. It charged, claws outstretched. Lin Cheng dodged—but barely.
"*Frostbind!*" Ke Feng’s ice erupted beneath its paws, slowing its charge. Simultaneously, Xianxian lunged with "*Thrust!*"
The Poolbear shook violently, launching itself airborne. Ice shattered. Xianxian’s spear missed.
As it landed, a massive paw swung toward Xianxian’s head—a killing blow.
"*Barrier!*" Cheng Runchen’s translucent shield materialized just in time. The paw struck—it exploded into fragments, absorbing the impact.
"*Fall back!*" Lin Cheng yelled at Xianxian before charging again. "*Slash! Cleave!*" Two more wounds opened on the beast’s hide.
This time, the counterstrike connected. Claws sent Lin Cheng flying. Blood sprayed mid-air. He crashed through saplings, stopping only when his body slammed against a thick oak.
"*Lin Cheng!*" Xianxian sprinted to him, heart aching. *He took this for me.*
Nian Yuchi arrived, gently squeezing Xianxian’s hand. "Leave him to me. He’ll be fine." Her palms glowed as she channeled "*Heal.*" Light seeped into his wounds, knitting flesh visibly.
Relief washed over the team. But the fight wasn’t over.
"*Ke Feng!*" Han Yuying’s shout cut through the tension. Her "*Heavy Strike*" winded up as Ke Feng’s ice flared beneath the Poolbear’s feet—perfectly timed this time.
Han Yuying’s fist connected. The beast staggered back, roaring—but still standing.
Nian Xifeng’s guilt flared. *I can’t keep taking their coin without earning it.*
As the team regrouped, his voice sliced through the chaos:
"*Blaze.*"
Colorless flames erupted across the Poolbear’s body. Its shrieks choked into gurgles. Within seconds, it collapsed, lifeless.
Silence. Stunned stares locked onto Nian Xifeng. *Their* struggle had lasted minutes. *His* power ended it in ten seconds.
*This* was the gap in strength.
(What they didn’t know: this was a weakened version of his ability—pure energy, untainted by the black mist that could have reduced the beast to ashes on contact.)
