Energy: 42

  Stamina: 40/42

  Strength: 24/26

  Spirit: 16/18

  Skills:

  - Iron Body Technique Lv.5

  - Five Tigers Blade Technique Lv.4

  Waking up on his bed of dry straw, Ryan Carter checked his body's status carefully, disappointment flickering across his face.

  Despite consuming the H-grade Bloodline Potion, he sensed little difference in his bloodline potential. Clearly, this body's innate bloodline was incredibly difficult to improve. It seemed the Skill-Stealing Cards would remain his best chance for future growth.

  If only he had another Skill-Stealing Card.

  While discouraged, life had to continue. Over the next several days, Ryan dutifully divided his time between patrol duty and rigorous training.

  He had a new partner now, an older man named Owen, whose strength was modest. Thankfully, things around the settlement had remained quiet lately, with no beasts appearing.

  Despite training hard under the constant pressure of survival, Ryan saw no significant improvements in his skills, especially his Iron Body Technique and Five Tigers Blade Technique. No matter how diligently he practiced, they stubbornly refused to progress even slightly.

  Even worse, the lack of beast encounters meant his energy had also stagnated.

  One afternoon, Captain Harris, responsible for emergency rescue, called out to Ryan, "Ryan, come to the training hall after your shift today!"

  Owen, who patrolled alongside Ryan, looked over enviously. His own strength levels were far too low to enter the elite training hall. "Lucky you, Ryan," Owen said with a sigh. "Must be something good. Don't forget your old partner!"

  Ryan nodded absently, curiosity growing. Why had Captain Harris summoned him?

  By now, Ryan was quite familiar with the warriors' exclusive training area. Upon entering, he immediately spotted Aaron Hale standing in the center, surrounded by Greg, Louis, and others gathered in small groups, whispering eagerly.

  Ignoring Aaron, Ryan approached Louis. "Hey, Louis, haven't seen you in a while. What's everyone talking about?"

  Louis grinned broadly. "What else? The big Skyblade Antelope hunt!"

  "Skyblade Antelope?" Ryan asked, intrigued.

  Greg quickly chimed in. "They're mutated antelopes—not particularly aggressive, but their speed is unbelievable. Their meat is delicious, but more importantly, their horns are essential materials for crafting Spirit-level weapons. Each year, our settlement depends heavily on hunting them—it's critical to our survival."

  Greg proudly added, "How many do we hunt annually? Usually six or seven. Their incredible speed makes them extremely hard to catch—some settlements can't even secure a single one."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Before Greg could boast further, Deputy Overseer Victor Shaw approached, accompanied by Captain Harris and several others. At their forefront walked a short, powerfully built man with dark skin, exuding an imposing presence.

  Even Aaron Hale respectfully bowed. "Greetings, Overseer."

  Overseer Marcus Stone, the settlement's strongest warrior, a high-level bloodline warrior, rumored to soon advance to the coveted Spirit Blood General rank.

  Marcus waved calmly. "At ease, everyone. You all know why we're here—the Skyblade Antelope hunt. Victor will assign your tasks."

  Deputy Overseer Victor immediately stepped forward, reading from a prepared list, assigning duties clearly. "Ryan Carter, you'll join Greg, Louis, and the others. Your team must prevent any escaping antelopes during the main herd's passage."

  Victor emphasized, "Remember, each antelope we capture means another Bloodline Potion for our settlement."

  Ryan himself had experienced minimal effects from a Bloodline Potion, but understood their immense value to everyone else.

  Marcus Stone added, "Each hunter participating will receive a beast crystal as compensation. Additionally, anyone personally killing a Skyblade Antelope will receive both the antelope's meat and an extra beast crystal reward."

  While Marcus's reward was generous, Ryan noticed some warriors—like Harris—appeared unsurprised, while others seemed quietly nervous.

  Once Marcus departed, Greg exhaled gratefully. "Thank goodness, our task isn't too dangerous this year."

  Aaron Hale sneered dismissively. "You think your pathetic team can actually stop Skyblade Antelopes? You'll probably fail miserably." With that cold remark, Aaron turned and left arrogantly.

  The next day, Ryan, Greg, Louis, and two other senior warriors lay hidden silently in a shallow ditch, waiting patiently. Three hours passed slowly.

  "Why no sign yet?" Ryan whispered impatiently.

  Greg murmured back, "We can only estimate their migration timing. Sometimes we wait days; other times, they arrive suddenly—"

  Before Greg finished, the ground trembled violently beneath them. Moments later, a thunderous roar filled the air.

  Ryan's eyes widened as he saw an immense tidal wave of creatures charging forward at astonishing speed. Each antelope stood over two meters tall, their heads topped with a pair of sharp, meter-long horns. They thundered forward like lightning, swiftly closing the distance.

  Ryan instinctively drew a sharp breath, heart pounding. Each massive beast raced forward at nearly fifty meters per second, their momentum unstoppable like armored tanks. The mere sight filled him with awe—and dread.

  No wonder even mighty warriors like Overseer Marcus dared not confront these creatures head-on, instead relying on careful ambushes from behind.

  Suddenly, a piercing eagle's cry shattered the sky above.

  Ryan shivered involuntarily, looking upwards. A massive golden eagle, over ten meters in length, swooped down from the clouds, feathers gleaming like sword blades, huge golden talons blazing with deadly intent.

  Compared to this terrifying predator, Ryan felt utterly insignificant—just an ant awaiting its crushing grip.

  "Head down, Ryan!" Greg hissed urgently, forcing Ryan's head down. "That's a Voidrend Eagle—facing that monster means certain death!"

  Just as Ryan lowered his eyes, he glimpsed the eagle's massive talons effortlessly seize two huge Skyblade Antelopes—each nearly three meters tall—and lift them skyward.

  Yet the endless herd didn't slow at all, indifferent to losing two members.

  "The herd's enormous," whispered Greg. "They don't care about losing one or two—even hundreds mean nothing to them."

  Before Greg finished speaking, a sudden crimson flash tore upward from the stampeding herd, streaking toward the Voidrend Eagle.

  The eagle, preparing its meal, was caught completely off-guard by an attack from within the antelope horde. It tried desperately to release its prey, but too late—the crimson strike sliced across its abdomen, spilling golden blood.

  Screeching in agony, the eagle dropped its prey and climbed desperately skyward, rising a thousand meters in seconds.

  Another crimson strike shot upward—but fell short, unable to reach the fleeing eagle.

  The eagle cried mournfully once more, disappearing into distant skies.

  Ryan stared, astonished, finally recognizing those two crimson flashes—antelope horns, glowing bright red.

  Louis's voice trembled with fear, "A Skyblade Antelope with Spirit General-level bloodline power! This hunt just got extremely dangerous!"

  As Louis spoke, a large group of antelopes suddenly veered sharply toward their hiding spot, charging directly at Ryan and his team. Thousands of stampeding creatures thundered forward, unstoppable.

  Greg's face paled in terror. "They've spotted us—we're finished! I...I don't want to die!"