I Own the Evolution Domain

’Still, that was close...’ despite the fight ending faster than he had previously expected, Novus couldn’t help but acknowledge the fact that he had never felt a one-on-one within the Evolution Domain as challenging as he just had.

Going with the comparison between the two combatants, it only makes sense for the young man to think of that, as in terms of their physical prowess alone, both of them are individuals who are well balanced on all facets, meaning that while they cannot be exceptional in one specific area, there is not a single weakness for their opponents to exploit.

’Looks like I still have a long way to go...’

Right now, he isn’t thinking about his tier’s growth and progression, but rather, the way he fights and utilizes his strength, a faint smile appearing on his face as he was once again reminded that there are so much ways for him to improve than just increasing his raw physical prowess.

Techniques, control, battlefield awareness, he noticed that there are so much more that he needs to sharpen to make the most out of his current strength.

’Let’s learn it bit by bit here...’

And what better place for him to improve on those facets than this place of cruel brutality focused solely on one’s own growth, the Evolution Domain, where opponents who are of the same level as himself, opponents who can provide him enough challenges to push him beyond his limits, is as plenty as the fishes in the ocean.

As for the ones stronger, or rather, beyond his current strength, it appears that there are even more of them than said fishes in the sea.

And right now, it appears that said beings are approaching towards his direction with such haste, not even giving him the time to breathe after the serious fight with the Golden Slime.

Blood-curdling howls began to close towards his location as from the distance, loud rustling of leaves resounds, murderous intent-filled presences locking their attentions on him as they eventually found where he is located.

Had it been any other human with senses normal unlike Novus’ what they would’ve seen from beyond the trees, the darkness that hides everything behind it, are several pairs of eyes.

Hungry, bloodshot, violent eyes, eyes not of a prey nor a predator, but rather of devourers that will tear apart any flesh that nears their mouths.

With his senses however, Novus was allowed the privilege to see beyond just those eyes, revealing to him the reason why it is only their eyes that can be seen through the darkness of the forest.

Their mane, as well as the fur coating the entirety of their couple of meter tall bodies are pure and jet-black, healthy, lustrous, as if living within this brutal forest doesn’t seem to stress them out even just a bit.

However, their stance, their gait and the way they gaze tells completely otherwise, their bodies circling around their newfound target while their eyes refuse to leave the figure they are aiming for.

What is all the more surprising is the fact that despite their massive bodies and seemingly heavy weights, the ground doesn’t even let out a single sound that can alarm any normal creature of their existence, as if they are nothing but ghosts stalking their targets, until they decided it is time to pounce, that is.

’Are those... Silver Direwolves? They’re quite larger than the ones outside, also their fur...’

As the new opponent was revealed to him through Sensory Expansion, Novus remarked as he immediately recalls the beasts he had fought with the most during the academy’s surprise exam, the resemblance between the two beasts making him wonder whether it is similar to the case of the slimes he had been encountering in this place.

’They should be stronger than the Silver Direwolves outside...’ recalling his first impression of the Amber Slime and what his arrogance of thinking that it is just same as any other slime from the outside world brought to him, Novus warned himself in caution as he lowers his stance.

Weight shifts across his body as he puts most on the feet supporting behind him, mana subtly trembling in the air as he gradually enforces his muscles, skin and bones with its power, preparing himself for the moment where these new opponents pounce at him.

Suddenly, the Verdant Forest that once reveals itself to be teeming with small lives, microorganisms, insects, small plants, and even just the environment itself, small critters chirping and the wind blowing as if to tell the it encompasses all in its domain, fell all too silent.

As if the critters, insects, plants and the wind itself is paying their full attention towards the beasts, the Direwolves, stalking, targeting the unfamiliar presence right now.

Another howl sounded, this time, low, guttural, as if someone from higher up just issued a command for its subordinates to do something.

And act those subordinates did as the gazes locked onto the young man fades from behind the darkness of the shadows.

They don’t just disappear visually, as Novus himself couldn’t help but feel baffled seeing that some of them went under his senses, completely gone, as if they were never there in the first place.

Had it not been for Sensory Expansion showing him several paths of attack aimed at himself with the disappearance of the black Direwolves, he would’ve assumed that they just decided not to attack him, but such assumption doesn’t last long with him bearing the brunt of the first attack.

Heavy, extremely so.

While he can say with confidence that he can receive, block, and even neturalize heavy attacks given his experience dealing with things such as the Amber Slime and the Golden Slime, Novus couldn’t help but feel extreme weight on his forearm as he blocked a Direwolf’s attack, forcing him to grit his teeth as he wills more mana to reinforce his trembling body.

"Kghh..." he couldn’t stop himself from groaning as he felt the bones within his forearm snapping into clean two, one of his limbs now limping just from the sheer brute force coming from a single attack.

Unfortunately for him, things aren’t over just yet, and he knew it as well, as he is fully aware of the fact that it isn’t just one of the Direwolves that disappeared after that guttural howl.

The young man wasn’t even given the time to counter attack as he was met by yet another offensive, this time, a shining, silver claw making a crescent as curves right beside him, forcing him to act as he reinforces his free arm with as much mana as he currently can.

And with full force, he braced for impact, not from him blocking the attack but from him redirecting it instead.

He lifts his free arm, slamming it down as hard as he can, allowing his elbow to hit the claw heading towards his side, slamming it down the ground with such force that it broke some small bones, making the new aggressor yelp in surprise.

Instead of feel threatened with its attack being blocked however, the second Direwolf merely pulled back, aggression, confidence and even a faint trace of mocking in its gaze as if it is certain that their target still won’t be able to escape from their trap.

Novus coughed blood as the attack the second Direwolf is waiting for finally arrives, claws piercing through his chest as he was lifted off the ground, gravity tilting his neck a bit allowing him a gaze on the aggressor who directly went in for the kill.

’This bastard... is smiling?’ despite the canine feature, Novus can clearly tell the expression on this beasts’ face, a smile of satisfaction worn by a hunter successfully taking down its target, already looking forward to taste said target’s flesh.

[Immortal Energy: 1030/1435]

[Immortal Energy: 1005/1435]

[Immortal Energy: 980/1435]

Three.

Three of these Direwolves are all that it takes for Novus to fall into such precarious state.

And the worst part of it all is it does not end in three, as several more of them is surrounding him right now.