Chapter 12 The Earthfang

They reached the clearing just in time to witness the chaotic aftermath of battle. The remnants of Di Ren’s cultivators were scattering, fear gripping their every movement as they scrambled to escape. Their panicked shouts echoed through the trees, their footing uneven on the torn-up earth, slick with blood and dust.

Towering above the carnage stood a monstrous rat, its dark grey fur bristling like jagged stone. Shards of natural armor jutted out from its back and shoulders, a grotesque fusion of flesh and rock. Its tail, long and ridged with spikes of hardened stone, coiled behind it like a living whip, ready to strike.

“Is that the Ranked Beast?” Issei gasped, eyes widening at how different of a creature it was compared to the rest of Ranked Beast it fought.

Wu Lan’s grip tightened around her bow, her knuckles turning white. “A rat… and it’s huge.”

“Run, it's an Earthfang.” one of the fleeing cultivators screamed, his voice cracking with raw terror as he tried to flee the scene.

The Earthfang let out a guttural growl, its breath hot and reeking of death. Easily the size of a tiger, the beast moved with terrifying speed, its spiked tail lashing out in a wide arc. The fleeing cultivator barely had time to scream before the tail crashed into him, his body crumpling under the force. The sickening crunch of bone echoed in the air, his broken form sent flying before landing lifelessly on the bloodied ground.

The Earthfang’s glowing red eyes locked onto Di Ren, the wounded cultivator standing his ground despite the crimson streaks still running down his side—the very wound Issei had inflicted upon him earlier. The beast's lips curled back, revealing jagged yellowed fangs, each as long as a dagger.

“Di Ren is in trouble,” Issei muttered as he watched the rat get closer faster than the Silver Wolf they fought before.

Wu Ying frowned, not caring for the man that tried to steal from them, but by just how much more powerful a Mid-Ranked Beast is. “Good. He fucking deserves it.”

Di Ren tried to steady his breathing, his fingers twitching at his sword’s hilt, but he was frozen. The rat lunged.

“AHHHHhh!”

His scream was abruptly cut short as Earthfang’s massive jaws snapped shut around him, its fangs sinking deep into his torso. His body jerked violently before the beast twisted its head, tearing him apart in two. Blood and viscera splattered across the battlefield as the rat chewed noisily, its grotesque feast sending chills down the spines of those still alive.

Issei felt a cold pit in his stomach. The sheer speed of the creature, the way it dispatched Di Ren with terrifying ease—it was unlike anything they had faced before.

Another ear-splitting roar shattered the momentary silence.

The ground shifted as dozens of smaller rats scurried forth from the underbrush, their eyes glinting like embers in the dark. They moved with eerie coordination, swarming over the corpses, tearing into flesh with tiny, razor-sharp teeth. Bones snapped and crunched as the rodents feasted, reducing the fallen cultivators to little more than bloodstained remnants in mere moments.

Then the Earthfang’s gaze turned. Its glowing red eyes fixed onto them—the last standing figures in a field of death.

Wu Lan took a sharp step back, gripping her sword. "It's looking at us now."

Issei clenched his fists, his instincts screaming at him to move. "Yeah, I noticed."

The beast exhaled, a low, rumbling snarl vibrating through the air, remnants of Di Ren still dripping from its maw. Then its tail smashed into the ground with the force of a hammer, sending cracks outward. Dust and debris shot into the air, masking its next move. 

Wu Ying clicked her tongue. "So, who's feeling lucky today?"

Wu Lan shot her a glare. "This isn't the time for jokes!"

Issei took a step forward, rolling his shoulders. "I guess we have to fight it now, huh?"

The Earthfang lunged. A blur of dark grey fur and jagged armor shot toward them like a cannonball. Its claws, thick and curved like reapers’ scythes, slashed forward, aiming to rip Issei apart. He barely managed to leap aside, the sheer force of the strike shattering the ground where he had stood.

Wu Ying, reckless as ever, dashed in from the side, her sword gleaming in the dim light. She aimed for the gaps between Earthfang’s jagged stone armor, but the beast was faster than expected. It twisted its bulky form with unnatural agility, its spiked tail whipping around in a deadly arc.

“Wu Ying, fall back!” Wu Lan shouted, but it was too late.

Too late.

The tail struck Wu Ying with a thunderous crack, sending her hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. She crashed against a thick tree trunk, bark splintering on impact. She coughed violently, struggling to rise, but her sword had at least deflected the worst of the spikes.

“Damn it,” Issei growled, his hands clenching into fists. He wanted to check on Wu Ying but the Beast was getting closer.

“Boost!”

A surge of power coursed through him, the third boost of the night, his muscles tightening with raw strength. His crimson gauntlet flared to life as he charged, closing the distance in an instant. His fist, glowing with draconic energy, slammed into Earthfang’s armored hide.

The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, dust and dirt blasting outward. But the beast’s stone plating barely cracked. It merely recoiled before whipping its tail again. Issei barely stepped back in time, the air singing with the force of the near-miss.   

Wu Lan, staying at a distance, narrowed her eyes, scanning for weak points. She let loose an arrow, aiming for Earthfang’s glowing eyes. The beast turned its head at the last second, and the arrow glanced off its stone plating.

Meanwhile, Wu Xiao, riding atop Luna, maneuvered skillfully around the battlefield. The wolf dashed in and out of range, Wu Xiao slashing with her curved blade, her movements quick and efficient. But every time they tried to land a decisive hit, the beast snapped its massive jaws at them, barely missing.

Earthfang roared in fury and lunged again, its fangs bared wide, ready to clamp down on Issei.

This time, he stood his ground. His gauntlet pulsed with energy as he reared his fist back. Just as the beast’s mouth closed in, he threw a powerful punch straight into its maw.

The force sent Earthfang skidding back, but the monster shook it off quickly. Its glowing eyes burned with primal rage. It swiped its massive claws forward, this time landing a direct hit on Issei’s chest.

“Reset”

He gritted his teeth as pain flared through his body, his Boosts discarded as the pain made him lose the concentration to hold them. Blood dripped from his side, his breath coming out in harsh pants.

Wu Lan quickly released another arrow, aiming for the exposed joint in its leg. The arrow struck true. Earthfang let out a pained snarl. Wu Ying, recovering, wiped the blood from her mouth and charged in again, slashing at the wounded joint.

Still, it wasn’t enough.

The moment Earthfang was wounded, it let out a piercing screech, the sound echoing through the clearing like a war horn. The ground trembled as dozens of glowing red eyes flickered in the shadows, drawn to their master’s call.

Then, the horde came.

Swarms of rats poured in from the darkness, their shrill cries blending into a chaotic cacophony. Though none were as strong as Earthfang, some were still the size of dogs, their gnashing teeth eager to rip into flesh. The air filled with the stench of unwashed fur and rot as they skittered across the battlefield.

“Damn it! They just keep coming!” Wu Ying cursed, adjusting her stance.

Luckily, the strongest among them barely reached the level of a Low-Ranked Beast. Wu Lan wasted no time, loosing arrows in rapid succession. Each shot found its mark, piercing skulls and throats, reducing the advancing numbers. Wu Xiao and Luna moved in tandem, darting through the battlefield like streaks of silver. The wolf tore through their ranks with sharp fangs, while Wu Xiao’s curved blade flashed under the moonlight, slicing through fur and flesh with practiced precision.

Wu Ying stood her ground, blade spinning as she met the tide head-on. Each strike carved a path through the rodents, her swordwork clean and efficient.

Issei exhaled, steadying his stance as his gauntlet pulsed once more.

“Boost!”

Power surged through him, momentarily numbing the pain of his wounds. He willed his sword into existence, the blade materializing from his gauntlet in a flash of crimson light. With it in hand, he carved through the lesser rats with brutal efficiency, their bodies falling apart like wet parchment under his swings.

Yet, despite their efforts, the Earthfang merely watched from the distance, its piercing red eyes unblinking. It was recovering.

Issei clenched his teeth, gripping his sword tighter. He could see it now—the rat’s patience, its cruel intelligence. It was letting them tire themselves out, knowing that exhaustion would soon settle in. And when they were too weak to resist, it would strike.

He felt a cold realization sink in.

They couldn’t keep this up.

He glanced at Wu Xiao, watching as she and Luna barely dodged another rat lunging for them. Wu Ying’s movements were sharp, but even she was beginning to slow, her breath coming out heavier. Wu Lan’s quiver was growing lighter with each shot.

They needed more power.

His Boosted Gear pulsed again.

“Boost!”

A second Boost, but it wasn’t enough.

“Damn it,” he hissed under his breath. “What else can I do?”

(Guess it’s time to tell you about the Boosted Gear’s second ability.)

Issei’s eyes widened. ‘There’s more?’

(Of course. Did you think the Boosted Gear was so simple? It holds many features and abilities you have yet to unlock.)

‘Then what are you waiting for? Tell me!’

(The second ability is Transfer. With it, you can give your accumulated Boost into anything else. If you will it, the Boosted Gear shall grant it.)

His mind raced.

This could turn the tide.

But it had to work.

No time for doubts.

He took a deep breath and turned to the others. “Girls! Cover me for a few seconds!”

The sisters didn’t hesitate. They immediately shifted formation, circling around him as a defensive barrier. Wu Lan loosed a rapid volley of arrows, forcing back any rodent that dared approach. Wu Xiao and Luna fought side by side, keeping the swarm at bay. Wu Ying stepped in front of him, standing firm with her sword.

“Boost!”

A third Boost coursed through his body. His gauntlet burned with energy, the power vibrating through his bones. He clenched his fist, focusing, feeling the surge shift within him.

Then, he reached out.

“Take it!” he roared.

A crimson glow surged from his gauntlet, streaking toward Wu Ying like a stream of molten fire. It enveloped her in a radiant aura, her body trembling as the power took hold. Her muscles tensed, her breathing hitched—then, she exhaled. Is this how Issei always feels every time?

The world around her felt slower.

The weight of her sword felt lighter.

Her entire body pulsed with newfound strength, a raw energy unlike anything she had ever known.

She clenched her fists, a wide grin stretching across her face. “This... this is incredible!”

Then, she moved.

The ground cracked beneath her feet as she propelled forward, her sword a silver blur. She struck Earthfang’s thick plating—this time, the blade sank deep.

The beast howled, staggering back as blood splattered across the ground.

Wu Ying didn’t stop.

She weaved around the rat’s swipes with unnatural speed, her sword carving deep gashes into its hide. Each slash dug further, severing muscle and tendons.

Wu Lan seized the opportunity, drawing a single arrow and pulling the string taut. She aimed for the largest wound Wu Ying had created and released.

The arrow struck true.

Earthfang reared back, shrieking in agony.

Wu Xiao, seeing the opening, urged Luna forward. The wolf leaped, launching her into the air. Wu Xiao twisted mid-air, bringing her curved blade down in a final, decisive slash.

Her sword sliced clean through Earthfang’s throat.

The massive rat let out a last, gurgling snarl before collapsing. Its body convulsed once, then went still.

As the silence settled, the lesser rats, sensing their leader’s demise, broke into panicked squeals. They scrambled over each other in desperate attempts to flee, vanishing into the darkness.

Issei let out a slow breath, his body aching but his heart still racing. He looked down at his gauntlet, still glowing faintly with residual power.

“I can... share my Boosts.”

Wu Ying was still shaking from the overwhelming strength she had wielded, but a wild grin played on her lips. “You really need to do that more often.”

Wu Lan knelt beside Earthfang’s corpse, examining the wounds. “The materials from this thing will be incredibly valuable. Especially its core.”

Wu Xiao nodded, wiping blood from her blade. “Then let’s not waste time. We should gather everything before something else shows up.”

As the group set to work, Issei felt a soothing warmth flow through his body.

The World Marble was healing him.

The group stood amidst the battlefield, surrounded by the remains of Earthfang and the lesser rats. The stench of blood and fur lingered in the air, mixing with the damp earth beneath them.

Issei exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as warmth spread through his body. The World Marble’s healing properties were already at work, closing his wounds and numbing some of the pain. However, it wasn’t instantaneous—his muscles still ached from the Earthfang’s powerful blows, and he could feel the deep bruises forming beneath his skin.

Wu Ying, in contrast, was still buzzing with energy. She stretched her arms, flexing her fingers with a wide grin. “Damn, that was amazing!” she said, practically bouncing on her feet. She threw a few test swings with her sword, marveling at how light it still felt. “I felt unstoppable! Issei, you have to do that again next time!”

Wu Lan, ever the cautious one, gave her a disapproving glance. “Don’t push yourself. We don’t know if there are side effects,” she warned, carefully wiping the blood from her bow.

Wu Xiao, kneeling beside Earthfang’s massive corpse, glanced up. Wondering what would happen to her sister.

Wu Ying waved them off. “Relax, I feel—”

Then, without warning, her legs buckled.

She barely had time to react before her body gave out, her knees slamming into the dirt. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as a crushing wave of exhaustion flooded her senses.

“What the—!?” Wu Ying groaned, her arms trembling as she struggled to lift herself up. Every muscle in her body ached as if she had just sprinted for hours without rest. Her breathing grew heavy, her vision swimming.

Wu Lan immediately knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I told you to be careful.”

“Urgh… okay, okay, point taken…” Wu Ying grumbled, rubbing her sore limbs. “What the hell just happened?”

Issei frowned, stepping forward. “I think it’s because the Boost let you surpass your physical limits. Your body wasn’t prepared to handle that much power all at once.”

Ddraig’s voice rumbled from Issei’s hand. (She burned through her stamina faster than she could naturally recover. That is the drawback of Issei getting a Boost. If someone is untrained, their body won’t endure it for long.)

Issei sighed as he knew the feeling. “So basically, you felt unstoppable, but your body couldn’t keep up.”

Wu Ying groaned again, slumping forward. “Ugh… so unfair…”

Wu Xiao laughed as she helped Wu Ying ride Luna to make her be carried by the wolf. “You looked so funny on the ground twitching.”

With that settled, Wu Lan and Wu Xiao returned to the Earthfang’s corpse, beginning the delicate process of harvesting materials.

Wu Lan took out a small blade, carefully carving around the thick stone plating. “This thing’s hide is incredible… It could be used for armor or reinforcing weapons.”

Wu Ying nodded. “But the real prize is the Beast Core.”

After a few minutes of effort, Wu Lan finally extracted a glowing core of the earthly element, the size of a fist from the Earthfang’s body. The orb pulsed faintly, swirling with concentrated energy.

Wu Ying, still slumped against the tree, whistled. “Damn. That looks valuable.”

“It is,” Wu Lan confirmed. “Beast Cores are made when a Beast enters the Mid-Ranked. They can be used for cultivation, crafting, or sold for a lot of money.” She inspected it closely. “We could either sell it in the next town or see if we can use it for something ourselves.”

Issei, still watching Wu Ying, smirked. “If I Boost you again, think you could use it to recover?”

Wu Ying shot him a glare. “I swear to the heavens, if you try that, I will punch you… when I can move again.”

The group let out a small chuckle, the tension from the battle finally beginning to fade.

With the major loot secured, they turned their attention to the remains of the lesser rats. While not as valuable as Earthfang, their pelts and fangs could still be sold or used for trade. Wu Xiao and Wu Ying (after finally regaining some strength) helped collect whatever they could.

By the time they finished, the night sky stretched above them, stars glimmering through the sparse forest canopy.

Wu Lan wiped her forehead and sighed. “We should go back to the World Marble to rest. In the morning we can go back to the village so we can sell our spoils.”

Wu Xiao nodded in agreement. “And get some food to eat. I'm starving.”

Wu Ying, still exhausted but managing to stand, cracked her neck. “And a bath. I reek of rat guts.”

Issei stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as he felt the last traces of pain fade. “Sounds like a plan.”

After gathering their spoils from the battlefield, the group made their way back into the World Marble, seeking rest after the exhausting fight. The moment they stepped inside, the tranquil, ever-bright landscape greeted them, a stark contrast to the bloodstained clearing they had left behind.

The soothing energy of the Marble quickly worked its magic, accelerating their recovery. Issei felt his sore muscles relax, the last remnants of pain from his injuries fading away. Wu Ying, still drained from her earlier boost, groaned in relief as the exhaustion lessened.

“I need to figure out a way for me to handle that boost better,” Wu Ying muttered as she stretched, still feeling some stiffness in her limbs.

Wu Lan, already setting up camp, nodded. “Yes, but for now, we rest. Pushing ourselves too soon would be reckless.”

Wu Xiao and Luna curled up near a small fire, sharing warmth as the cool air of the Marble settled over them.

For the first time that night, they could finally relax.

The group woke up feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead. After a quick meal, they gathered their supplies and prepared to head out. Stepping out of the World Marble, they found themselves back in the real world, the morning sun rising over the forest, casting golden hues across the trees.

With their destination set, they followed the dirt road leading toward the nearest village, hoping to restock supplies and gather information.

By midday, they arrived at a small but lively village nestled in a valley. Wooden houses with thatched roofs lined the streets, villagers bustling about their daily work. Farmers tended to their crops, merchants arranged goods in stalls, and children ran through the streets, laughing.

As they walked through the village, a few villagers shot them wary glances—likely due to their unfamiliar faces and the weapons at their sides. However, the moment they mentioned Earthfang’s death, their reactions shifted from suspicion to gratitude.

They were soon brought to the village elder, an old man with a frail frame but sharp eyes, sitting outside a modest wooden hall.

“You say you killed the Ranked Beast?” the elder asked, his voice steady despite his age.

Wu Lan nodded. “Yes. Earthfang won’t be terrorizing your people anymore.”

For a moment, the elder simply stared at them, as if trying to gauge whether they were telling the truth. Then, he let out a long sigh of relief.

“This… this is wonderful news,” he said, bowing his head deeply. “That beast has plagued our people for months, killing travelers and attacking our hunters. We are in your debt.”

The villagers around them murmured in agreement, some whispering words of thanks.

Issei, rubbing the back of his head, waved it off. “We just did what needed to be done.”

Wu Ying smirked. “Though, if you really want to thank us, we could use some directions.”

“Ah, of course,” the elder said. “Where do you wish to go?”

“The capital,” Wu Lan replied.

The elder’s expression turned thoughtful. “That is quite the journey from here. You will need to pass through three more towns before reaching the main road that leads to the capital. I can give you directions, but be warned—there are dangers along the way. Bandits roam the roads, and with Earthfang gone, other creatures might move into its territory.”

Wu Xiao crossed her arms. “Noted. We’ll be careful.”

The elder gave them the best route to take, along with warnings about certain paths to avoid.

With directions in hand, the group set out to sell what they had gathered.

They visited the village marketplace, a small but lively center where merchants sold everything from dried meats to handmade fabrics.

Wu Lan bartered with a tanner, selling the lesser rats’ pelts for a decent sum.

Wu Xiao traded rat fangs and claws to a local apothecary, who mentioned they could be ground into powder for medicinal use.

With the money earned, they bought food, water, medical supplies, and some new arrows for Wu Lan’s bow.

Issei, meanwhile, browsed through the blacksmith’s wares. The forge was small, the air thick with the scent of molten metal and burning coal. Weapons and armor hung on display, though none were particularly remarkable.

Then, they asked the blacksmith about the Earthfang’s corpse.

“You want me to use what?” the blacksmith, a burly man with soot-streaked arms, asked, blinking in disbelief.

“The materials from the Earthfang,” Wu Ying said. “Its hide, bones, anything we can use to forge better weapons and armor.”

The blacksmith scratched his beard, considering. “Hmph. I’ve worked with a lot of things, but a Mid-Ranked Beast’s hide? That’s out of my league. You need a cultivator blacksmith.”

Wu Xiao frowned. “So you can’t do anything with it?”

“I could try tanning the hide or working the bones into something small, but if you want proper weapons or armor from it. Someone skilled in working with Ranked Beast materials.”

Wu Lan sighed. “And I assume there’s no such Blacksmith in this village?”

The blacksmith shook his head. “Closest one I know of is in the next town.”

Issei crossed his arms. “Then that’s where we’re heading next.”

With their supplies restocked and a new destination in mind, the group left the village, following the elder’s directions toward the next town.