Compared to the Iron Tree Forest, Starfall Expanse was devoid of any vegetation. Tall jagged stone steps and cliffs stabbed cruelly against the sky's blue canvas.
Lukas stood atop one such tall piece of rock, his eyes narrowed slightly as he examined one lone Starforged Minotaur in the distance, the creature was calmly grazing on the pieces of Starfall stones scattered on the ground, completely unaware of the little predator observing its every move.
Under the blinding rays of the sun, its two horns shone like a pair of divine spears.
Kach!
Lukas' heart unconsciously clenched as he watched a piece of stone as big as his head get crushed to powder by a casual nudge of the Minotaur's leg.
Although he hadn't fought a Minotaur before, he had a feeling his head would fare no better.
He was in no rush, preferring to watch silently, keeping record of the Minotaur's eating habits, where it rested, and what it avoided.
This observation session lasted for an entire three days. During this period of three days, he had even encountered multiple Awakeners, but Lukas managed to expertly avoid them.
For some reason he had gotten good at dodging… maybe this was the result of all the responsibility‑dodging he did in his past life.
Without even realizing, his eyes grew a little colder. Others might not like remembering their shameful moments, but he liked doing just that—just so he could always remember how one wrong habit could end everything.
While he was thinking, the Minotaur, after finishing its meal, started moving toward its usual resting spot: a tall cliffside.
Lukas' gaze moved away from the Minotaur to the few giant stones lying on top of the cliff, directly above the monster's head. If someone disturbed these stones even slightly, the whole stack would come crashing down in the form of an avalanche.
At that thought a slightly chilling look flashed through his eyes. A plan to kill this Minotaur for good had already formed in his mind.
However, just as he was about to close the distance so that those loose stones were within range of Sovereign Grasp, he noticed footsteps coming in his direction.
Suddenly his facial expression fell. Traceless Steps worked in overdrive to erase his presence completely.
Now feeling slightly confident, he turned his head to see who it was.
A couple hundred meters away from Lukas' position, a group of young Awakeners dressed in black uniforms with the symbol of a dragon roaring toward the sky moved forward carefully.
At the front was a mature‑looking woman with her long black hair tied in a bun. Just one look and Lukas knew this woman was strong.
At least at the peak of Star Refining Realm.
With bated breath, Lukas continued to observe. From the casual observation, he deduced few things, it seems the Roaring Dragon Guild were out training their new recruits.
Lukas lightly muttered under his breath when he spotted the fatty Ryan. From their last encounter Lukas' impression of the fatty was quite deep, so he easily recognized him.
Standing still, he waited for the group to pass.
…
"Just what is wrong with the Guild Leader's head, sending these new recruits out to train when signs of Beast Horde are clear as day…"
Mira cursed under her breath while scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. She was incredibly annoyed—not only did she have to deal with these ignorant weaklings' stupid questions but also protect them while doing so.
Just at this moment, her gaze for a brief moment stopped on the piece of stone where Lukas was hiding.
"Hmm, strange. Just a moment ago I sensed an Awakener's energy signature, now it's gone…" A frown appeared on Mira's face instinctively. Her senses were rarely wrong.
Just as she was about to continue searching, she noticed the Epic‑grade Minotaur resting beside the cliff side.
"Fuck!"
If this monster noticed her little group, it would be over.
Without another thought, Mira paid no more attention to anything else and started leading her group away.
Unknown to her, someone else's eyes were also on that slab of stone where she had noticed the disturbance.
Beautiful as a crescent moon, the girl stood alone proudly with her head held high. Neither females nor males dared to get close to her, totally afraid of offending her by mistake.
This girl was none other than Natalie Ashweaver. If Lukas was here, he would have instantly recognized her.
Natalie's small nose twitched and a confused look appeared in her eyes.
"That scent… familiar. There is someone I've met before…"
However, before she could think further, led by Mira the group moved away.
Lukas watched the group move further and further away and let out a sigh of relief.
Once they were far enough that he could barely see them, Lukas started moving—step by step—closer to the Minotaur's location.
He just needed to be close enough so that Sovereign Grasp could activate.
The Minotaur was sleeping peacefully, unaware of Lukas' plan.
Once he was within the hundred‑meter range, Lukas didn't dare get any closer. Focusing, he willed the Star Energy to move, activating Sovereign Grasp. His hands started to glow, a strange almost magical suction force emerging from his palms, aimed at the stones above the cliff.
"It's more difficult than I originally expected…" Lukas commented while gritting his teeth, but he had no intention of giving up.
Just use more Star Energy! The force of attraction depends on the Star Energy supplied. If the Star Energy was enough, Sovereign Grasp might even pull the sun and moon one day. There was "Sovereign" in the talent name for a reason.
Of course this was just Lukas' wishful thinking, if the talent had potential to do that it merely wouldn't be a rare grade talent, but something greater, of course Lukas was also aware of that...however there existed a possibility.
As Lukas exerted himself, Star Energy quickly left his body. Just as one of the stars was about to become completely drained—
Kacha!
Something finally moved.
The single piece of stone that had been keeping the entire stack of stones from falling suddenly flew toward Lukas' grasp.
Maybe it was this sudden movement, or the disturbance created by Lukas' use of Star Energy, but the Minotaur's eyes abruptly snapped open, a look of clear fury in them.
The monster seemed to have realized what Lukas had done—but it was too late. The pieces of stone weighing over hundreds of tons fell from above, crushing the Minotaur's body to bits.