Why did O’Neil, after completing his optional trial and killing the Second-Level Apprentice Demonic Beast he was supposed to face, say something like, “I want to fight ten more,” which sounded somewhat inappropriate?

  There were reasons — and benefits — behind it.

  O’Neil wanted to obtain all the Demonic Beasts used in the Awakening Ritual trials.

  In his eyes, those fierce and terrifying creatures were nothing more than shining gold waiting to be claimed.

  Moreover, he realized that if he monopolized all the Demonic Beasts, the trials for the younger generation of Barbaros would be temporarily suspended due to the lack of beasts for testing.

  He would earn the reputation of being “the newcomer who challenged all Demonic Beasts in history” within the tribe, and in the future, he could keep those talented youths under his leadership.

  It was truly a win-win situation.

  That was why O’Neil calmly and arrogantly said:

  “Release the Demonic Beasts again.”

  He was ready.

  Even if all the Demonic Beasts were released at once, O’Neil would not be afraid.

  While the clan leader and the others processed his words, and as O’Neil solidified his decision, the Patriarch of the Barbaros Clan approached him.

  O’Neil felt the new power flowing through his body as part of the Supernatural Power – the Primordial Essence Sea began to open. A deep sense of comfort spread through him.

  He calmly looked at the approaching leader, wanting to hear what he had to say.

  Astrith’s father stared at O’Neil for a few seconds before speaking in a deep voice:

  “Moody, son of the Ulric family, do you truly wish to fight the remaining dangerous beasts?”

  “You should know that among them is a dangerous beast at the Third-Level Apprentice stage.”

  “Even if you defeated a Second-Level Apprentice Demonic Beast, a Third-Level one is on an entirely different level.”

  “I have not yet awakened the Supernatural Power – the Primordial Essence Sea. I need a fierce battle!”

  O’Neil’s answer was firm. He was eager to test his newly discovered strength.

  After a few seconds of hesitation, under everyone’s gaze, the Patriarch slowly nodded.

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  “As you wish.”

  ---

  When it became clear that O’Neil had not yet awakened the Supernatural Power – the Primordial Essence Sea, a confident smile appeared on his face, noticed by all the women and girls of the Barbaros Clan.

  He then spoke in a low voice — yet every member of the clan heard him clearly:

  “Are there more types of Demonic Beasts? This one did not seem like much of a challenge.”

  “Or perhaps… is there a Third-Level Apprentice Demonic Beast?”

  He walked toward the creature whose eyes were closed, though its heart was still beating faintly.

  He bent down and drove the dagger in his hand into its head, instantly killing the Second-Level Apprentice Demonic Beast.

  Standing up again, he looked at the tribe members around him, his voice still calm.

  “Come. Release them again.”

  At that moment, everyone in Barbaros looked at him differently. It was as if they were staring at a bloodthirsty reaper.

  Although the sun was shining and the sky was clear, some of the weaker clan members felt as though winter had suddenly arrived.

  Outside the arena, Yurik frowned.

  “No… in a battle like that, the Supernatural Power – the Primordial Essence Sea should have sprouted already. Why hasn’t it succeeded?”

  He suddenly turned.

  “Patriarch, did you bring the wrong medicine? Why hasn’t it worked yet?”

  The fair-skinned Patriarch curled his lips.

  “My old friend, you worry too much. He killed the beast too quickly. His potential was not fully stimulated.”

  “Why has the Supernatural Power – the Primordial Essence Sea not emerged yet? That means only one thing — his body has not reached its limit.”

  “You are very fortunate to have such a gifted son. His endurance is astonishing. His strength and speed are far from weak.”

  “If he advances to the Extraordinary level, dealing with ordinary beasts will be as easy as slicing melons and vegetables.”

  ---

  O’Neil chose to continue fighting the Demonic Beasts — a choice no one had ever made before.

  This caused a heated discussion among the Barbaros Clan members watching the event, especially since the clan leader had agreed.

  A bearded man in his thirties shouted in shock:

  “What is he trying to do? Continue fighting more Demonic Beasts?!”

  Beside him stood a nearly two-meter-tall woman with short blue hair, a massive build, and muscles more terrifying than most men’s.

  “That’s what a real man looks like! In Barbaros, only men like that are worthy of women!”

  “Yes… what a pity he’s still so young,” another woman sighed.

  “Tsk tsk… this boy is extraordinary. He’s famous throughout the clan now.”

  “And he’s so young. His future is limitless,” whispered an old white-haired man behind them.

  Among the teenagers preparing for the next selection trial, Astrith’s eyes gleamed.

  What is he trying to do? Is this because of our bet? Is he planning to kill all the Demonic Beasts himself?

  She remembered what Moody had said before stepping onto the stage:

  “Astrith, don’t worry. I’ll win our bet. Because… all the Demonic Beasts will be mine.”

  At that moment, no one truly understood what O’Neil was thinking.

  Only Astrith had guessed something.

  But she was wrong.

  His real goal was simple: to kill all the lower-level Demonic Beasts captured by the Barbaros Clan that suited him — in order to fully awaken the Supernatural Power – the Primordial Essence Sea.

  ---

  “Since you insist on continuing the challenge to reach your full potential — although such a case has never existed in our clan — your performance today has been outstanding. I will make an exception.”

  Astrith’s father’s deep voice echoed across the arena.

  “Go. Release the remaining three.”

  The Barbaros warriors, who specialized in controlling Demonic Beasts, froze for a moment before nodding and moving to prepare.

  The surrounding clan members were stunned.

  “Is the clan leader really going to let that child face three?! Three Second-Level Apprentice Demonic Beasts?!”

  “This is too difficult… Maybe he could handle two. But three…”

  “Is the leader trying to kill O’Neil?”

  Liposi looked at O’Neil gloomily.

  “You reap what you sow. Think you’re great after killing one? Let’s see how you deal with three.”

  “Moody…” Ulric, O’Neil’s father in this life, felt relieved — yet anxious once more.

  Soon, low roars echoed from behind the crowd.

  At the end of the corridor, three enormous Demonic Beasts appeared.

  Six Barbaros warriors dragged them forward with iron chains — two warriors per beast.

  Smelling the stench of their own kind’s blood and sensing the presence of many humans, the three beasts roared anxiously and entered a state of rage.

  Under such conditions, their combat strength in the next battle would far exceed their normal state.

  The warriors dragged the three massive creatures before O’Neil.

  Upon hearing the leader’s command, they released the chains and quickly retreated, wary that the dangerous beasts might rampage through the crowd.

  Once freed, the three beasts immediately leapt forward.

  However, Demonic Beasts were solitary by nature. When gathered together, each remained wary of the others.

  Moreover, in their enraged state, any movement by O’Neil or the surrounding people would trigger simultaneous attacks.

  O’Neil possessed keen observational ability.

  Fully aware of this advantage, he maintained the principle of “Do not move unless the enemy moves,” waiting for a perfectly safe tactical opportunity.

  The strange scene from before returned to the arena.

  But this time, there were more adversaries.

  A nine-year-old child of the Barbaros Clan…

  And three Second-Level Apprentice Demonic Beasts.