I've started to adapt, bit by bit. The wings forged from Deathbane Aura move at my command, but to reach the speed and agility of the Tri-tailed Lynx is nearly impossible.
The Tri-tailed Lynx was growing impatient, its throat rumbling with guttural sounds. Its single eye was fixed on me. Deathbane Aura welled up in my hands, and two Ghost Eagles materialized in my grip.
I widened my eyes, straining to invoke the power of the Spirit Snake. With Specter Web unusable, heightened dynamic vision was all I could rely on.
Standing before the Tri-tailed Lynx, an odd feeling crept over me. Its aura matched Li Nan, Wu Xiaoli, and the others I met when I first entered this world. As I drew closer, I could sense it more clearly.
It was right before my eyes, yet I couldn't sense it. I could touch it, but to a ghost, it was as if it didn't exist. Slowly, I raised the Ghost Eagle and aimed at the Tri-tailed Lynx. The eye in the center of its face stared curiously at the weapon in my hand.
"It's about to begin. You've never seen this before, have you?"
I smiled as my wings began to flap. My eyes glowed golden-red, and I could see every detail within hundreds of meters.
My arms rose slowly, both guns trained on the Tri-tailed Lynx. I'd seen its speed before—the opening shots had to count. Then I'd find a way to strike again.
The silence pressed in. The Tri-tailed Lynx crouched, body taut as a bowstring. I smiled, then suddenly squeezed the trigger. With a bang, two jet-black bullets shot toward the Tri-tailed Lynx.
The Tri-tailed Lynx leapt at me, snapping the thick branch beneath its feet. Its mouth opened wide, and I was stunned—the Tri-tailed Lynx caught both bullets between its teeth.
With a thunderous blast, the Deathbane Rounds exploded, sending a gale so strong it nearly blew me away, accompanied by a deafening roar. I saw everything clearly—but in an instant, the Tri-tailed Lynx was right in front of me.
Both hands raised Belle in defense—bang, bang—two claws struck Belle, sparks flying. At the same time, I beat my wings furiously. The force was overwhelming, but I managed to escape, darting around a nearby tree and flying past.
The Tri-tailed Lynx couldn't fly; it relied on its powerful hind legs, launching attacks by leaping repeatedly from trunk to trunk. Even so, its speed was terrifying. I had just circled to the side of a tree when the Tri-tailed Lynx landed on a trunk, leaping straight at me.
In terms of reaction, attack, and speed, I was no match for the Tri-tailed Lynx. I raised my left hand and fired several shots—each bullet aimed at the Lynx. This time, it didn't use its teeth to catch them but dodged with perfect precision. I grinned.
With a crash, two jet-black bullets exploded around the Tri-tailed Lynx, black flames surging forth. Its three long, bushy tails instantly wrapped around its body in defense. I darted behind a tree, beating my wings and lifting off again. This attack barely fazed the Lynx, but flames—no matter what kind—hold a primal terror for any beast.
"Clever, aren't you, Lynx."
Ray Lin shouted from a nearby tree, gunshots ringing out. I knew the Tri-tailed Lynx was on our heels. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see its furious approach. The creature's mind was simple, like a child of seven or eight—it charged straight for us. This time, I switched to a more powerful revolver.
Bang, bang, bang—three shots in rapid succession, thunderous impacts. All three bullets struck home, driving the Lynx into a frenzy. I'd bought myself a little more time to escape. I weaved through the woods as the Lynx landed atop a tree, shaking its head in rage, roaring at me again and again.
Each roar sent a powerful gust of air my way. I ducked behind a tree trunk as sand and even branches were blown toward me.
Just then, the Tri-tailed Lynx leapt past me, bounding deep into the woods. It stood atop a trunk, mouth agape. I had no idea what it was planning—until, suddenly, a tremendous suction became a roaring wind. I saw things hurtling toward the Lynx, and as they reached it, its tail whipped around with violent force.