Months had passed since the battle against the Fang Bear.
Draven had explored every corner of the forest, facing increasingly powerful creatures. His muscles were more defined, his reflexes faster, and his physical resistance had increased considerably.
But nothing, until now, had been as dangerous as what he was about to encounter.
It was late afternoon when he reached a little-known clearing. Sunlight streamed through the treetops, creating irregular patterns on the ground. The environment seemed calm… until something moved from the shadows.
A deep roar echoed.
Draven immediately realized: it was no ordinary creature.
The Great Sage spoke:
Predator detected: Dragorak
Threat class: extreme
Estimated size: 5 meters tall
Draven looked at the creature. The Dragorak had black scales, bright red eyes, and claws that could cut through stone. Its wings were partially folded, but even so, its presence was intimidating.
The Dragorak advanced without warning.
Draven reacted quickly, but not quickly enough. The first claw grazed his shoulder, cutting the skin deeply. Blood flowed, hot and sticky.
He felt the pain, but, unlike what many would expect, he didn't recoil. A strange sensation grew within him—pure excitement.
"Perfect… finally someone who challenges me."
The Great Sage analyzed:
Injury detected: right shoulder
Pain level: moderate to high
Recommendation: full attention
Draven ignored the suggestion. He knew he needed to feel danger to grow.
The battle truly began.
The Dragorak attacked with wide blows, trying to crush or tear him apart with its claws. Draven dodged and counterattacked with Armament Haki, landing blows that made the Dragorak's scales crack. But each attack required extreme effort. He began to feel the fatigue.
The monster roared and flapped its wings, raising a cloud of leaves and branches. Draven seized the moment to unleash Noctharum, creating blades that cut through the air, striking Dragorak's legs and attempting to slow it down.
But Dragorak did not yield.
One of its claws struck Draven in the leg, causing him to stagger and spill blood again. His body ached, but something within him only grew stronger. The will to fight and overcome the enemy increased, stronger than the pain.
"This is incredible…" he murmured.
"Each blow, each wound… makes me feel more alive."
As the fight continued, the Great Sage began to notice a change in Draven's control over his powers.
Noctharum: stability increasing
Armament Haki: integration with Noctharum detected
Conqueror's Haki: more efficient mental pressure response
Draven intuitively realized he could sense the creature's strength and intent, something he had previously only observed. He could partially anticipate the Dragorak's movements. It was a glimpse of what would later become the Monarch's Vision.
The confrontation reached its climax.
The Dragorak roared fiercely and lunged for a final attack, its claws poised to slice Draven in half.
Draven took a deep breath, feeling the pain in his wounds. His body ached, but he focused. A dark aura began to surge around him—Noctharum partially enveloping his body. The shadows vibrated and became almost solid, increasing his defense and attack speed.
He lunged forward, and with a direct blow to the Dragorak's chest, reinforced by Armament Haki and shadow energy, he knocked the monster to the ground.
The Dragorak breathed heavily. Draven was also exhausted, his body covered in blood, scratches, and bruises.
As the creature tried to rise again, Draven stepped back a few paces, still panting, but smiling.
— This… this is what I needed.
The Great Sage spoke:
Extreme combat completed.
Notable effects:
- Increased physical adaptation and resistance
- More refined Noctharum control
- Integration between Haki and shadows detected
- Combat motivation identified: increased during intense challenges
Draven took a deep breath, looking at the forest. He knew there was still much to face, much to learn.
But something within him had changed. Each wound, each risk, each difficult battle only fueled his desire to fight and overcome his limits.
And with that, Draven continued on through the forest, ready to face the next challenge the world might place before him.