Linoa had fallen into a deep slumber, her wounds slowly healing as her body recovered from the intense battle. Lucien, ever watchful, kept a close eye on her condition, ensuring that her rest was undisturbed while also monitoring their surroundings. Polo and Adlet, no longer weighed down by the need to hide from every Apex they encountered, had shifted focus. They were no longer scavengers of survival—they were predators, actively seeking out the strongest opponents they could find to push their limits and become true Protectors.
The rules were simple: no more running, no more hiding. They would fight alone, relying only on their own strength. They stayed within range of each other, close enough to assist if necessary, but each battle would be fought one-on-one. That was the only way they could grow.
In the past few days, Adlet had faced four Apexes of Rank 3. Two Shear Mantises, huge insects with speed and blades sharp enough to cut through stone; one Ironhide Monkey, an aggressive beast that cornered its prey with powerful strikes and a nearly impenetrable body; and one Venom Drop Gull, a cunning bird that attacked from the sky, dropping paralytic fluids to capture its prey.
Adlet had handled each battle methodically, using his Ruby Shell Aura to tank the worst of their blows, focusing on turning their movements against them. The Bind Lizard's tail-whip had served him well for quick strikes, and though it was still a raw skill, he made steady progress with every battle. The Ironhide Monkey had been the toughest fight, requiring him to unleash the full power of his Scarab Aura to defeat it. But after several tests and some pain, he had learned to switch between his Auras seamlessly, something that would help him even more as time went on.
Meanwhile, Polo had defeated three Apexes: one Stonefang Goat and two Feint-Claw Tigers. What surprised Adlet was Polo's fluid use of his tentacles, a power Adlet hadn't fully appreciated before. Polo's tentacles were not just for grabbing; by contracting them to their limits, he could unleash rapid, pinpoint strikes that even the Stonefang Goat's tough hide couldn't withstand. Adlet had watched with admiration, even if a bit of envy lingered within him. Polo's ability to manipulate his Aura with such precision was unlike anything he had seen before.
One day, as they ventured farther out from the camp to test their strength against even stronger Apexes, Adlet felt something shift in the air. A cold, oppressive pressure hung over them, different from the usual hum of the island's dangers.
Polo's expression tightened, his gaze scanning the skies. "Adlet... something's wrong," he muttered, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.
Before Adlet could answer, a shadow crossed over them, casting a cold, eerie darkness over the ground. They looked up, and there it was.
A Voidwing Vulture.
The creature's wings were vast—at least fifteen meters wide—and its body was cloaked in deep black feathers that seemed to absorb the very light around them. Its beady red eyes locked onto them, a predatory gleam in the gaze. The creature's shriek echoed across the valley, sending a chill down their spines.
"Rang 4," Polo whispered, his voice tight with awe. "This is bad."
Adlet clenched his fists, Black Scarab aura coating his knuckles."I've got this. Stay back, Polo. This one's mine."
"Are you sure?" Polo asked, concern flashing across his face.
"I'm sure. I need to do this alone. Go for cover if it attacks you."
Polo hesitated for a moment, then nodded, stepping back into the shadows of a nearby rock formation. He would observe, but he would not interfere.
The Voidwing Vulture circled above them, its wings creating gusts that nearly knocked them off their feet. The ground trembled with every flap. Then, with a sharp cry, it dove toward Adlet, talons extended.
Adlet reacted on instinct, his Turtle Aura flaring up to protect him from the creature's descent. He could feel the weight of the attack as it collided with his shield, the Vulture's claws scraping across the impenetrable surface of his Ruby Shell. He staggered back from the force, but he stood his ground.
The Vulture immediately swooped back up into the sky, its wings flapping to maintain altitude. It was trying to wear him down, Adlet realized. It would strike again, but it wasn't going to be so easy. He needed to be faster, more precise.
Adlet didn't wait for the next strike. He swung his Bind Lizard Aura into the air, snapping it like a whip, aiming for the Vulture's underbelly. But the creature twisted in the air, easily dodging the strike, and its talons came down hard toward Adlet.
This time, he wasn't fast enough. One of the talons grazed his shoulder, a sharp pain tearing through him as the talon left a deep cut. He gritted his teeth, using the pain to fuel his next move.
"Come on!" he grunted, charging forward.
The Vulture attempted to climb higher, but Adlet followed, switching his black Aura, focusing all his strength on one massive leap. His jump was high, higher than ever before, and he reached out with his Lizard Aura, trying to grab hold of the Vulture's wing.
The Vulture screeched again, struggling to shake him off, but Adlet held fast, his Scarab Aura giving him the strength to keep his grip as the creature tried to break free. Then, with a violent twist, Adlet threw himself onto the Vulture's back, anchoring himself with strength.
The beast thrashed beneath him, its wings flapping violently. But Adlet's grip was unyielding.
His muscles burned with the effort as he reached for the Vulture's neck, intending to finish this. The volatile talons lashed at him, narrowly missing as he ducked, feeling his Aura flicker at the strain.
Then, in one last effort, Adlet gathered all the strength he had left, his Aura flaring a deep, ominous black around his hands. With a forceful motion, he jammed his fist forward into the creature's throat, channeling the crushing power of the Dark Beetle into the strike.
The Vulture's screech of agony rang out, and the creature began to fall, its massive wings fluttering weakly. Adlet didn't let go. He held on as it plummeted toward the ground, slamming into the rocky terrain below.
The impact was deafening, but Adlet remained on the Vulture's back, his body still brimming with the raw energy of battle. As the creature lay still, he took a moment to breathe.
He had done it.