As they moved deeper into the Greystone Mountains, the group encountered several low-level monsters. At first, it was just another rabbit, then a fox, and later a green snake. All of them were Rank 0 beasts, and none posed much of a challenge. They were dispatched easily.
Kaito himself took the opportunity to use his basic sword skills in these fights, applying what he had practiced inside Glory to real combat. He also used these monsters as the training partners for Marcus and others pointing out their mistakes from the side, Now after fighting then each of them felt their movement felt sharper, more precise than before. Kaito also tested his raw physical strength, especially after cultivating the Azure Thunder Meridian Art. From those exchanges alone, he realized that even without using his martial skills, his body's physical power was already comparable to that of a Rank 1 mid-grade martial artist.
The group then continued to advance until they arrived in an area well-documented in the ancestral estate's records. According to those records, this was the territory of a Rank 0 Tiger Monster.
Kaito had intentionally chosen this path. Among the Rank 0 monsters in the Greystone Mountains, the Tiger Monster was infamous. Though technically a Rank 0 creature, its strength was extraordinary, pushing infinitely close to Rank 1. Its physical power alone was said to be equal to that of a Rank 1 mid-grade powerhouse. To Kaito, fighting such an opponent would provide the perfect chance to unleash his full prowess and truly test his martial abilities.
When they reached the edge of the Tiger Monster's known territory, Kaito turned to his cousins. "Stay behind that tree," he added firmly. "I want to fight it alone."
Marcus, Elias, Calvin, and Lucas exchanged glances but quickly nodded. They understood. Kaito wanted to test himself in a one-on-one battle.
In truth, they were also excited. Among them, Kaito was the first to break through to Rank 1. They had long been curious about how much stronger he had become, and now they would finally witness it with their own eyes, as the previous fights were just small fights which were over in just a few slashes.
For the younger generation of the estate, chances to see higher-level battles were rare. The ancestral hunting team seldom allowed them to accompany expeditions into the Endless Mountains. For safety reasons, the juniors usually stayed behind and only hunted weaker Rank 0 beasts in the Greystone Mountains. Even when they gathered in groups of ten, defeating a single Rank 0 monster often took them a long time, requiring teamwork and caution.
But during this trip the things had changed since Kaito's advancement. With him at the lead, ordinary Rank 0 monsters could be taken down easily, sometimes without his cousins even needing to lift a hand. What used to be difficult challenges had become so trivial that they almost felt bored.
Now, however, the mention of the Tiger Monster lit a spark in their eyes. They and the other cousins had always avoided this beast before. Though still Rank 0, the Tiger Monster was dangerously close to breaking through, and even the estate's elders kept it under constant watch. They wanted to ensure that if it ever did cross into Rank 1, they could eliminate it before it became a true threat.
Yet, they had never killed it. The Tiger Monster had been deliberately left alive. The elders considered it a rare and useful opponent for the juniors to practice against. On some occasions, they had even thought about making it a formal trial task during the martial arts competitions held within the estate. Because of this reasoning, the Tiger Monster was still alive, constantly monitored.
The logic was sound. After all, Tiger Monsters were rare. Even if this one was still Rank 0, the resources harvested from its body would equal those of an ordinary Rank 1 monster. And once it advanced the resources it provided will be even more precious so for now, its existence served the estate as both a training tool and a threat to be carefully observed.
Marcus, Elias, Calvin, and Lucas crouched behind the tree as instructed, eager to watch what would unfold. Kaito, meanwhile, tightened his grip on his Rank 1 sword. He also left the sack containing their catch they had previously slain there. Free of any burden, he kept only his blade in hand for this battle. This fight was about honing his skills before facing the far greater danger of the Mine Spirits later.
He then stepped forward into the Tiger Monster's territory.
After advancing only five meters, the path opened up into a small clearing beside a lake. The lake's waters shimmered faintly, reflecting the dappled sunlight. This lake served as the primary water source for many of the Rank 0 monsters in the Greystone Mountains. Because of its importance, and several stronger beasts had claimed territories around it, marking the area with their presence. Among them was the Tiger Monster.
Kaito's eyes quickly found it. Lying lazily near a large stone by the lakeside was a massive tiger. Its body was enormous, its striped fur rippling slightly as it breathed in slumber. From a distance, anyone would have assumed it was a Rank 1 monster. Its sheer size and aura carried the weight of a true predator. Only by approaching closer could one sense the truth that it had no spirit energy, marking it as still Rank 0.
Kaito steadied his breathing. He wanted this to be a fair battle. Though the Tiger Monster was powerful compared to other Rank 0 beasts, to him, it was only a stepping stone. As a Rank 1 martial artist now, he needed to gauge his own abilities properly, and this opponent was perfect for that purpose.
The moment he stepped onto the creature's territory, the sound of his footsteps stirred the stillness. The Tiger Monster's ears twitched, and its eyes slowly opened. For an instant, its gaze was hazy from sleep, but as soon as it focused on Kaito, its instincts flared.
Recognition sparked in its eyes. Another human.
The beast's expression shifted instantly to fury. It rose to its feet with a growl, muscles rippling under its striped pelt.
In the past, daring juniors from the ancestral estate had occasionally wandered too close to its land. Some, reckless or overconfident, had even tried to fight it. All of them had been defeated with ease. Yet, each time, when the Tiger Monster thought it had secured a meal, another stronger human would appear and drive it away, robbing it of its prey.
That cycle had repeated again and again. The frustration of being denied of its prey had burned deep into its instincts. Now, whenever it saw a human, its first reaction was anger. Its roars were not just warnings they were expressions of pent-up resentment.
Locking its eyes on Kaito, the Tiger Monster let out a low, rumbling growl that built into a roar, its voice echoing through the clearing. Normally, it expected such a sound to send humans fleeing in fear, sparing it the effort of fighting. Even when it won, the beast knew its prey would be taken from it, so why waste the energy? Better to scare them away before a stronger foe intervened.
But this time, its roar was met by the unwavering gaze of Kaito, sword in hand, stepping forward without hesitation.
After hearing the roar of the Tiger Monster, Kaito did not retreat. Instead, he instantly activated the Wind veil Steps, his body moving swiftly as he closed the distance between them. With his sword raised, he slashed directly toward the beast.
The Rank 0 Tiger Monster was enraged. Its roar had been a warning meant to drive the human away, but seeing this one continue to advance only fueled its fury further. Abandoning all restraint, the Tiger Monster resolved to deal with the human before it once again lost its prey again.
As Kaito's sword cut through the air toward it, the Tiger Monster lashed out with one of its massive claws, aiming to strike the blade aside with raw force.
But Kaito's eyes remained calm. The moment he saw the claw coming, he once again used Wind veil Steps. His movement shifted sharply, his trajectory changing as he slipped to the opposite side of the Tiger Monster. From there, he struck again, his blade aiming precisely at the same claw that had attacked him.