Varian saw the thunder rabbit stoop down to devour the beast cores.
He bent his legs and leaned forward. His location was perfectly positioned to 'launch' at the thunder rabbit. It was also far enough to be escape its lightning sense.
Boom!
Varian shot at the thunder rabbit and reached it in the split of a second.
"Ki?!" The thunder rabbit's lightning sense kicked in at the last moment and a lightning cocoon was about to be formed around its body.
But it wasn't completely formed yet.
Zap!
Varian's bare hands were covered in lightning mana and he punched out with all his strength.
Boom!
Zap!
His fist clashed with the yet-to-be-formed lightning cocoon and barely broke the barrier.
"Ki!!"
Varian's bloodied fist lost most of its momentum, but it reached the thunder rabbit's body in the end.
Crack!
Boom!
His punch connected with its fragile body and the thunder rabbit was blown away.
"Kii!" The rabbit cried out.
Even though Varian's punch was severely weakened and was barely as strong as a Level 1 Body Awakener's punch, it was bad enough for a Lightning Awakener Rabbit.
Boom!
"Kii!" The thunder rabbit's legs were crushed, and it shrieked in pain.
However, its battle instincts kicked in and the lightning mana rumbled.
Zap!
Zap!
Five Lightning snakes came into existence and shot at Varian.
They were nothing like the lightning balls of the goblins. These were dangerous attacks.
The air around the lightning snakes vibrated. The temperature spiked in the split of a second and the blue grass was burnt away.
At such a close distance, Varian would usually have no chance to escape.
However, there was one advantage he created.
Zap!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
He rolled down and dodged the lightning strikes.
Dust flew into the air and gravel shot out in all directions as the lightning arcs formed huge craters.
The lightning strikes which would never miss the target actually missed!
"Heh" Varian smirked and dashed to the injured rabbit.
"Ki!!" The thunder rabbit's brain was occupied by the pain, but its lightning sense didn't miss the offender's charge.
Its eyes turned bloodshot and long whips of lightning formed in the air.
"Ki!" The water in the nearby pond evaporated and the lightning whips shot at Varian.
Zap!
Zap!
Varian dodged the trembling lightning whips and reached the thunder rabbit.
The thunder rabbit wasn't able to completely concentrate on the battle with its injury. That was the reason he was able to dodge the strikes.
A lightning board formed under the thunder rabbit and was about to pull it away.
But Varian didn't give it the chance.
He covered himself with lightning mana and approached the thunder rabbit in the blink of an eye.
Zap!
Zap!
Zap!
Lightning coiled around the rabbit and created a natural barrier.
Boom!
His body shot at the barrier, and he punched through it.
This time, it wasn't easy.
"Argh" Varian felt the lightning break through his lightning mana and pierce his skin.
Even though his lightning mana helped shield a significant amount of the attack, he was seriously injured in the blink of an eye.
Varian ignored the pain from his torn muscles, nearly burnt bones and punched the creature's neck.
Crack!
"Ki!" With a squeal, the rabbit's neck was broken and its head was blasted away.
"Fuccck!" Varian collapsed right after the strike.
His body spasmed as he felt the lightning burn his skin, dry his blood and tear his muscles.
"Arrgh!" The blue grass under him was dyed red, and he laid on the ground for a long time.
Thankfully, this was a remote place he selected. He was temporarily safe.
Finally, a refreshing sensation overtook him as the chi in his body increased. His muscles were rebuilt. His skin was formed again and his blood was slowly created.
At the same time, the lightning residue in his body started to hurt a bit less.
[+10 Xp
+0 Xp
+20 Xp]
The System prompted timely.
[Body Path Level 3: 310/400
Space Path Level 2: 100/200
Lightning Path Level 2: 40/200]
Varian smiled lightly.
In the past few days, he devised a strategy.
Hunt down early Level 4 magic beasts.
But his strength would not let him win head on.
So the solution?
Injure them enough to bring down their strength!
Since Magic beasts consumed beast cores, he hunted many Level 3 Thunder Beasts in the Outer Zone and stockpiled the 'baits'.
'Still, this is harder than I expected.' He winced at the pain.
Lightning was dangerous for two reasons. First was its paralyzing effect. Second was its high temperature.
Varian reduced both the effects by shielding himself with lightning mana.
'If my lightning can reach can Level 3 peak, then I can easily kill mid-Level 4 Lightning Beasts. But to kill the high Level 4, I'll need to break into Level 4 in Body Path.' He analyzed.
Every three levels was a watershed.
Despite his three Divine Paths, Varian's overalls strength didn't reach Level 4 yet.
The major reason he was able to kill a Level 4 Magic beast was because of his lightning mana. Even then, he was able to do it barely.
One mistake in the fight earlier and he'd be dead.
If he tried the same against any other Level 4 Beast, say Earth or Fire path, then he'd be overpowered easily.
'The good news is this Inner Zone seems to only have lighting beasts as far as I can see.' He smiled.
He slowly got up and retrieved the beast core from the rabbit. The corpse was still intact and Varian could still see little lightning arcs around it.
He glanced at it and—
Crackle.
Crackle.
After roasting the rabbit meat, Varian had a hearty meal.
There was a small surprise.
[+2 Xp]
[Lightning Path Level 2: 42/200]
'Huh?'
Varian felt the lightning mana increase and frowned.
'Then why didn't eating other beast meat in the Outer Zone didn't give me any Xp?'
[The disparity wasn't enough.] The System answered.
'I used to think eating Magic Beast wasn't much useful. No wonder those rich families buy high level magic beasts meat like crazy.'
[Advancing through eating is harder. However, it can certainly increase the progress.
It is like eating to gain muscles. Good food would certainly help, but it won't happen without exercise.]
'Hm.' Varian nodded at its weird analogy.
He wanted to counter 'Muscle also needs enough food,' but refrained.
It was a few hours since the hunt and Varian's injuries were almost healed.
He already marked his second prey.
"You!"