"Impossible!" Deputy Overseer Victor Shaw paled instantly. "A Spirit General-level Skyblade Antelope! We're doomed—this entire hunt is ruined!"

  Each year, the migrating Skyblade Antelopes endured countless predators. Usually, they'd sacrifice a small portion of their herd to ensure the majority survived. But once an antelope of Spirit General level appeared, the hunters became the hunted—facing absolute disaster.

  With a Spirit General-level antelope present, none of the warriors dared act. The injured Voidrend Eagle's fate served as a grim warning.

  Overseer Marcus Stone clenched his fists, frustration visible in his eyes, yet he knew retreat was the only rational choice. "Withdraw," he commanded bitterly.

  Aaron Hale and the others remained silent, fully aware they lacked a voice in this decision.

  Suddenly, Captain Harris pointed anxiously, "Look! Ryan Carter and his team—they've been spotted!"

  The massive herd thundered forward like an unstoppable tidal wave, bearing down ferociously toward Ryan's hiding place. Overseer Marcus's expression grew somber—despite his prowess as a high-level bloodline warrior, rescuing them from thousands of stampeding antelopes was impossible.

  Victor shook his head sadly. "There's nothing we can do—they...they're already lost."

  Marcus inhaled deeply, eyes heavy with sorrow. "They gave their lives for our settlement. We'll ensure their families are cared for."

  Ryan Carter had no idea of Marcus's grim decision. Right now, only one thought filled his mind: How do I survive this?

  Run? Ridiculous—he couldn't possibly outrun these lightning-fast beasts. Standing his ground was equally hopeless; even his Iron Body Technique would crumble beneath countless razor-sharp horns.

  Was this really how he'd die—barely beginning his new life after transmigrating?

  No! I refuse to die like this!

  Ryan glanced quickly at his terrified teammates—Greg, Louis, and the others trembling helplessly. "Do any of you have beast crystals?" he shouted urgently.

  "I—I have some!" Greg stammered, confused. "Why?"

  Hand extended impatiently, Ryan demanded, "Quick, give them to me! I'll lure the herd away—you guys run!"

  Louis thrust two beast crystals into Ryan's hand, protesting tearfully, "You're risking your life for us, why ask for these now?"

  "Shut up and give them to me!" Ryan barked fiercely, grabbing several more crystals handed over hastily. "If I don't take something, you'll feel guilty forever!"

  As the beast crystals touched his palm, they dissolved instantly into surging energy flooding his body.

  Energy: 631

  Stamina: 40/42

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  Strength: 24/26

  Spirit: 16/18

  Skills:

  - Iron Body Technique Lv.5

  - Five Tigers Blade Technique Lv.4

  Conditions met for Basic Skill-Stealing Card. Merge now?

  Ryan quickly created four Skill-Stealing Cards, reserving the remaining energy for emergencies.

  Targets detected. Activate Skill-Stealing Card?

  His teammates appeared as choices—but their meager abilities offered no help against this crisis. Just as despair threatened to overwhelm him, a new target appeared suddenly: a Skyblade Antelope itself!

  Without hesitation, Ryan activated a card, praying for something useful.

  "Tender Delicious Meat" acquired!

  Delicious meat?! Ryan nearly cursed aloud—how could this useless trait help now? Frantically, he activated another card—only to see the dreaded message: "Skill steal failed."

  Desperate, he tried again.

  "Thousand-Mile Leap (Basic)" acquired!

  Yes! A movement skill—exactly what he needed. Instantly, he absorbed the skill, feeling an irresistible urge within his muscles—a powerful readiness to leap.

  "Ryan! They're almost here!" Louis shouted anxiously beside him, eyes filled with gratitude and admiration. Ryan was young, yet at this critical moment he stepped forward bravely, risking his life to save them all. Louis swore silently he'd never met anyone more selfless.

  Confidently now, Ryan turned to his companions, smiling resolutely. "You guys survive—no matter what. For the settlement, for our people—stay alive!"

  With that, he sprinted boldly toward the charging herd, now less than two hundred meters away.

  At first, running felt normal. But after several strides, his legs tingled fiercely, practically begging to leap skyward. He restrained the urge momentarily—jumping now would drop him straight into the antelopes' deadly horns.

  "Come on, you dumb goats!" Ryan roared defiantly, drawing attention from both the herd and distant observers.

  The lead antelope—a powerful beast with awakened bloodline power—snorted furiously, eyes blazing red as it accelerated viciously toward Ryan.

  Overseer Marcus and the others watched, astonished. "What's he doing?" gasped Victor.

  Marcus's eyes gleamed with admiration. "He's drawing the herd away! Such courage—this is what our warriors should be!"

  Captain Harris felt deep grief mixed with pride. "What a noble sacrifice."

  Even Aaron Hale felt grudging respect, choosing wisely to remain silent.

  Meanwhile, Greg, Louis, and their team realized Ryan's brave distraction gave them their only chance at survival.

  "We—we can escape now!" Louis whispered, voice shaking.

  "But Ryan..." Greg's voice cracked painfully as he watched Ryan bravely face certain death.

  Louis sank to the ground, devastated. "He's saving our lives—and even took a few beast crystals to ease our guilt. Does he think we're idiots—like we don't know those crystals are worthless right now?"

  Tears streaked their faces. "Ryan...my brother!"

  Ten meters...eight meters...five meters...

  The herd bore down relentlessly. Ryan felt death's icy breath on his neck. He prayed desperately his Thousand-Mile Leap skill worked—for failure meant instant death.

  Thousands of razor-sharp horns thundered toward him, sounding like a hurricane of blades. Just then, the powerful antelope leader leaped forward, horns aimed lethally at Ryan's back.

  Greg and Louis shut their eyes tightly, unwilling to witness their friend's gruesome end. Harris turned away painfully, unable to watch. Even Aaron Hale diverted his eyes, unwilling to witness the bloody scene.

  In that final instant, as deadly horns closed in, Ryan felt the stored energy in his muscles explode. Trusting his newfound skill completely, he shouted defiantly, propelling himself upward with all his might.

  "Thousand-Mile Leap!"

  A surge of overwhelming power launched him skyward like a missile, narrowly avoiding the lethal horns by mere inches. The herd stampeded harmlessly beneath him as Ryan soared gracefully through the air, feeling the exhilarating wind rush past.

  Below, his teammates opened their eyes cautiously, stunned speechless by what they saw. Captain Harris stared upward, jaw agape. Overseer Marcus Stone laughed loudly, pride shining fiercely in his eyes.

  Even Aaron Hale felt his heart skip a beat, disbelief etched clearly across his face.

  "Impossible..." Victor Shaw gasped, awestruck.

  High above them all, Ryan Carter sailed through the sky—alive, victorious, and more determined than ever to survive.