Chapter 403: Chapter 210: The Beast Lurking in the Shadows

Tearing, furious roars.

Slaughter and bloodthirstiness filled every second of Mist Forest.

Today was no exception.

“Zila.”

Blood gushed out, as a jackal’s head, neatly chopped from the neck with a smooth cut, rolled onto the ground.

It seemed the attack was too fierce, leaving no time for it to react. Its furry face was still frozen in its final moment, baring its teeth in a vicious snarl.

Partially closed beast eyes and the scarlet blood spurting from its throat revealed the grim tragedy of its decapitation.

Drip—

A small droplet of blood, like morning dew, gently fell on the tip of a tender green leaf.

Yet it didn’t seep into the soil like the blood that nearly stained the entire forest before but landed on a black, furry paw.

Only at this moment did the external impact introduce a slight dissonance into the deep shadow lurking at the forest’s edge, melding with the nocturnal darkness.

This was a giant black panther nearly three meters long, crouching in the depths of bushes.

Its glossy black fur resembled smooth silk, like a layer of flowing shadow, making it nearly invisible; its golden eyes flickered like fireflies at night, containing the desire for meat and lethality hidden beneath every inch of fur.

Silent, stealthy steps.

Its pace was extremely slow, yet each step it took induced a creeping unease.

Shoulder blades slightly moved with each step, revealing the tightening muscles on its back; paws lightly treaded on decaying leaves, thick pads greedily swallowing all sounds, only occasionally flashing sinister white claws in the gaps between shadows, hinting at the murderous intent hidden within.

Growing up in the danger-filled Mist Forest, countless hunts granted this creature a patience far beyond ordinary beasts.

Even the rich and enticing scent of blood had long filled its nostrils, yet it remained as it began — low, buried in the mist and darkness, approaching slowly.

Unlike before, like an assassin lurking deep in the shadows, hunting alone.

The inherent attraction from its bloodline ignored all the noisy beasts around it, focusing entirely on the humans within the forest ahead.

Targets were already chosen.

Living in a high concentration of magic particles for years, the Black Panther’s intelligence far surpassed its kind from other places.

It could even grasp the concept of an “adventurer team” formed by these four humans.

Perhaps unaware of their roles or their purpose in the forest.

But its rich hunting experience and decent intelligence led it instinctively to select the prey from the frail figure among them, under everyone’s protection.

Crouch forward, it carefully stretched its forelimbs, the streamlined lines beneath the black fur accentuated by muscles, tendons tightening like steel cables ready to unleash.

Closer, even closer…

Until the robed figure truly entered its attack range, and then in those cone-like dagger teeth, it emitted the first beastly roar since it arrived at the edge.

Accumulated strength suddenly burst forth, the massive body pressed to the ground transformed into a deadly shadow, lunging at the prey with speed far exceeding ordinary human reactions.

White skin, fragile as paper, offered no defense against claws capable of tearing through thick bark; a slender neck required no force, a simple bite would snap it like deadwood falling in the forest.

Suspended mid-air, the Black Panther’s countless experiences allowed it to imagine the sweet hot blood mixing with flesh, savoring the taste.

But in the next second, the piercing wolf howl suddenly sounded in its ears, pulling it back to reality.

Beastly survival instinct and feline agility made it aware of the terrifying danger, even in mid-air, using its strong core power to twist its body, trying to evade the attack.

Only it was clear, the wolf howl was quicker.

Sizzle—

Iron-gray wolf teeth traced a perfect arc in the air, instantly slicing through its proud black fur.

Mane, muscles, sinews; sharp blade wrapped under powerful inertia, expertly penetrating flesh.

The brief sound of resistance vanished quickly.

The fully black headless body maintained its forward motion, helplessly falling.

While the Black Panther’s head, with constricted bat eyes and sharp fangs, retained its predatory stance, had already spun away from its body.

In the embrace of scarlet blood, it rolled to the ground.

Like a billiard ball, lightly bumped against the original jackal head, settling.

A menacing wolf’s head composed of grass scraps, thick fog, and bloody flesh appeared, hovering in the air.

No time to sheathe the sword nor alert Mint to the ambush.

Through the howling wind, fell back into his original position within the team’s formation.

“Ding!”

The sizzling sharp poison fangs were easily deflected by the Snake Scale Arm Shield with its “300% corrosion damage resistance,” leaving no trace on its surface.

A swift pull with the left hand, the arm shield’s sharp edge sliced through the colorful poison lizard’s neck, sending it flying.