Bright red runes glowed on the surface of the metallic arm that Kevin had left behind after his death.

The fact that this arm could survive the black hellish flames meant it was a very powerful object, far more powerful than a Rank 1 spell.

With a loud roar, the metallic arm lit up with a blinding light. The explosive energy that it released formed a vortex of destructive force.

BOOM!!

Adam's eyes widened in disbelief as he felt the cold touch of death loom over him yet again. He knew that something had gone terribly wrong.

His heart was gripped by panic as he realized the grave danger he was in.

Damn it! I can't escape this explosion! He screamed in his heart.

The explosion expanded rapidly, incinerating everything in its path. Since Adam was standing only a few meters away from the source of the explosion, he could feel his skin already beginning to burn.

Adam's eyes blazed with anger and defiance.

"I refuse to die!" He roared to the skies.

His dark pupils flashed with a ruthless light and the next moment, he gathered an enormous amount of mana around his palms and stretched his hands in front of him.

The mana in his hands started to spiral rapidly, creating two giant whirlpools similar to shields.

As the two swirling shields of mana overlapped one another, the mana started to intensely oscillate, blocking and deflecting the fiery explosion before him.

Hand of Doom: Great Barrier!

Adam gritted his teeth as the skin all over his hands started to slowly peel and burn away. Despite that, he increased the mana output to the maximum, rapidly emptying his reserves.

He couldn't use defensive spells.

This technique from the Astral Tyrant Manual was all that stood between him and death.

"AAARRRGGGGHHHH!!" He roared madly, his eyes turning bloodshot.

Slowly, the explosion that had covered him started to brush past him. The moment the waves of fire touched the large swirling shield of mana, they were deflected and went around him!

It was as if the fire bent around Adam as soon as it touched the spiraling mana shield.

As Adam's mana output increased, the vortex of mana in front of him got larger and larger until it blocked everything in front of him.

Yet, being in the center of the explosion, Adam wasn't unharmed.

Just as the explosion died down, the youth's mana was also depleted entirely. When the smoke cleared, he could be seen standing at the center of a large, black crater.

His body was charred and emitting smoke. His pants were scorched, clinging to his burnt flesh. The ground beneath his feet was filled with steaming debris.

Adam's eyes were murky and he stood there motionlessly. His lips parted and he exhaled a cloud of black smoke.

He turned around, wanting to go back to the cave. But as soon as he moved, his body weakly staggered and he fell down face-first.

His eyelids slowly shut and his breathing became labored.

He had managed to survive.

But for how long?

The violent explosion had shattered the seemingly tranquil forest. The blast had sent shockwaves through the trees, causing the branches and leaves to rustle, and the birds to take flight in a panic.

A large, blackened crater served as the epicenter for the devastating explosion. The entire area was covered by scorched earth and burning vegetation.

Within the cave tunnels, Ennea was peacefully sleeping as she recovered from her injuries when suddenly her eyes snapped open as she heard the large explosion outside.

Startled, she looked around and realized that Adam wasn't around her.

Fear gripped her heart as she thought of a terrifying possibility. She hurriedly got to her feet and rushed out of the cave.

The scene which greeted her eyes next, caused her to howl in grief.

At the center of the black crater, Adam lay unmoving, his entire body emitting smoke and his skin burned to a crisp.

She rushed toward him and nudged her head against his face, trying to wake him up.

But she received no response.

Tears streamed down her furry face as she desperately tried to move Adam. Suddenly, her pointy ears perked up and she looked toward the forest in alarm.

The disturbance caused by the explosion earlier had attracted plenty of beasts nearby.

Creatures of many shapes and sizes emerged from behind the trees, their eyes gleaming with bloodthirst and madness.

Seeing this, Ennea's body trembled in fear. However, she overcame the terror gripping her heart and stood before Adam's body, menacingly growling at the beasts.

Wolves, bears, tigers, and other corrupted magical beasts slowly approached the center of the black crater, their eyes flashing with killing intent and immense hunger.

Ennea was terrified at this sudden turn of events. Despite that, she didn't move. She had to protect Adam at all costs.

She bared her fangs and growled in a threatening manner, trying to scare away the beasts.

However, it was all futile. The magical beasts continued to approach her.

Then all of a sudden, a loud and resounding roar echoed from the direction of the cave entrance.

Ennea hurriedly turned around and her heart sank.

The Hexaclaw Panther had once again appeared!

Despite her being heavily injured, her curiosity was piqued when she heard the sound of an explosion earlier. When she came outside and saw Adam lying motionless on the ground, her eyes narrowed.

She started to intensely salivate from her maw as she slowly approached the youth.

Ennea shuddered intensely. Now she was being attacked from all sides. Not to mention, the Hexaclaw Panther was a beast that was on the verge of becoming a Rank 2 magical beast.

Her legs trembled, yet she held her ground.

The white fox threateningly glared at the panther, hoping that she would refrain from attacking, but the panther didn't stop.

With the sudden involvement of the panther, the other corrupted beasts stopped in their footsteps. They could feel it in their bones, they were no match for the six-legged beast.

But when they laid eyes on Adam's burned and battered body, they were overcome by murderous intentions.

They couldn't resist the temptation.

Surrounded by all sides, Adam and Ennea's lives hung in a delicate balance.

The Hexaclaw Panther was the first to arrive before them. She glanced at all the corrupted beasts in front of her. Then, she gazed at Ennea, and finally, at Adam's charred body.

Following that, she flashed her sharp and jagged teeth, and rushed forward with blazing savagery.

ROAR!!