Lightning Is the Only Way

Gravis had to talk to Orthar for a long time. Luckily, this couldn't be considered as a waste of time since Gravis just decided to eat the mid-rank Spirit Beast he still had. Like this, he remained as efficient as possible.

After finishing the beast, Gravis stopped his conversation with Orthar. His questions seemed endless, and the conversation wouldn't stop otherwise. Luckily, or unluckily depending on the viewpoint, Gravis' thinking was rather logical, and he knew a lot, so he could answer most of Orthar's questions.

Orthar was a bit annoyed that the conversation ended, but he knew that they should continue. So, Orthar led Gravis to the next beast with a small body he knew about. He didn't know of another high-rank Spirit Beast, which was why he had thought that he had reached the peak.

Orthar also asked why he hadn't met any other beasts on his level, and Gravis' answer was straightforward and logical. "Because you are at the outer fringes of the world. No high-rank Spirit Beast wants to remain in an area with such a low Energy density."

Orthar hadn't known that there were areas with a higher Energy density. He might have traveled a lot, but not in one direction. He mainly swam around the surrounding areas of his territories.

As they traveled, Gravis also noticed something else. In order to keep up with Orthar, Gravis had to use more Spirit than he was regenerating. His body's weight was becoming heavier and heavier. By now, Gravis would have to use a lot of his Spirit even to fly.

Gravis expected that when his body reached the mid-rank Spirit Beast level, it would be more effective to just swim instead of using his Spirit. This would be his slowest possible state.

After around an hour, they found Gravis' next target. It was a 30-meter-long swordfish. It was a bit big for Gravis' taste, but it was challenging to find small beasts at this level. So, the swordfish had to do.

Gravis engaged it directly with his body to test it. The swordfish had charged at him with speed equal to Orthar, which was quite incredible for a mid-rank Spirit Beast. Its pike hit Gravis' upper left arm and penetrated it. Gravis wanted to test his scales more, so he let himself get hit.

The powerful charge of the swordfish might have penetrated Gravis' arm, but that was it. It wasn't able to tear the arm off or ruin it further. The surrounding scales kept everything together. Like this, the swordfish got stuck in Gravis' arm.

Gravis rotated on the swordfish's pike until he sat on it, his tail coiling around the pike. Then, he tore his arm free, severing half of it. Yet, with a quick heal, Gravis was in his peak condition again. After that, he used his arms to tear the pike off. The lever principle was powerful.

Gravis off, unsuccessfully. Gravis' tail was still wrapped around the pike's base, which obviously hadn't been torn off. Then, Gravis used the pike and stabbed the swordfish through the eyes, right into its brain.

to kill a being a full rank above you. When you reach the

the corpse away. "Because you followed your instincts. Your body isn't as deadly as it could be,"

with Orthar resumed. He didn't know of any high-rank Spirit Beasts. This

the next rank. Starting now, it was useful to gain battle-experience with his body. It was already similar enough to his final form. The only things missing were

days, but something surprising

his body with narrowed eyes. "My math has worked out up to now, but it doesn't anymore. Spirit Beasts also don't require proportionally more food than Energy Beasts, so that

said as he looked at his arm. "Since they are so powerful, they probably need more food

your conundrum," Orthar

next beast. It was a 40-meter-long moray eel. Gravis decided to try his true fighting

Gravis used both hands to grab his saber. Like that, he could use more force with his attacks. Sadly, his new hands were too powerful and massive. He wasn't able to grab the saber with both hands and could barely hold it with one. On top

he charged at the moray eel. The moray eel also charged at him, and Gravis easily evaded

Puchi!

saber buried into the eel's body, but not that far. Gravis could only use one hand, and it felt weird to use such a tiny saber. All his previous fighting techniques couldn't be used anymore with his new body. If Gravis had a human body

put his saber away. Then, he summoned the severed pike from the dead swordfish.

the pike through its mouth, into its brain. Gravis could already

his body still didn't increase in rank. So, Orthar led him to the next prey,

Beast, Gravis' body finally ranked

Yet, instead of being happy, Gravis only grimaced. 'Now, even the pike is barely usable. On top of that, I can't even forge these beast parts

Spirit Beasts. So, they had to travel to lands, or

"It's time," Gravis said.