" Cheeky bastard....."

Taf uttered as he grinned while the spikes sought to descend from the red-lit skies.

"Hmmm, so you like spikes huh. Then it will be fitting to be used in your demise. This has been fun but it's time to end it"

He then shouted internally.

☆Elemental Art ( Darkness) Quintessence of the Shadows☆

Soon opaque darkness descended shrouding around Taf. His hammers had been the first to disappear then his entire body became one with the Shadows.

The spikes had finally landed however their target was nowhere to be seen.

GROWLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!

The brown bear growled in rage then slightly observed its surroundings. Blood dripped from its wounds sustained from the previous meele with that dreaded fiend.

There it was panting as its last bit of qi was used in its previous attack, that sadly had not come to fruition.

Suddenly a shadow appeared behind its massive demon body, a black spike that glistened with a yellow pungent liquid was seen within its charcoal black hands.

JAB!!!!!!! PUCK!!!!!!

It stabbed a cracked area within the weakened brown bear's armoured skin that blend profusely.

Growl!!!!!!!!

It bellowed in pain as its organs tried the best to emit the pungent yellow liquid and put up a bit of resistance. What a pity it was fighting a losing battle as even in its prime it would have lost.

At last, it fell as the final thing it saw was a figure shrouded in shadows summoning a knife.

" Sleep well big fella..."

Taf spoke as the bit of life was lost in its eyes.

" Guess that's thirteen...."

He then spoke within the sound transmission to May who was still on the alert.

" This one had a bit of fight in it huh...."

She then replied as her eyes still scoped through the ominously still forest.

" Have you notice something odd, May"

Taf then questioned as he gutted the now deceased demon beast brown bear.

" Well, in fact I did. It didn't seem as though it was of the 5th stage. When it fought it gave me the feeling you were fighting a creature at the 6th qi demon beast stage"

May then replied after thinking about the questioned posed.

" That's exactly what I was thinking. I have a feeling that some of these demon beasts we are about to fight have the capability to fight above their levels"

A nod was seen from Taf as his observation was confirmed through May's words.

" That's not good news for us then is it, Taf. What if we were to somehow catch the eye of a demon beast at the 8th or 9th with such abilities?

Wouldn't that be a life or death battle....?"

May became slightly apprehensive as her vigilance was upped two folds while her surveillance continued.

" Don't be so anxious as we both currently have that ability. You wouldn't have noticed it due to having only myself as your sparring partner, but this is indeed the case.

You with your current abilities can take on someone at the 7th and a less skilled 8th. At least that's my assumption and we will only know if we test out this theory."

A small snippet of his hypothesis was given to the curiously awaiting May.

" Then how about you Taf....? With your affinities, the advantage should exceed even mine"

May uttered to Taf that held a crimson orb within his possession.

" Hmmmm.., As things stand if I recall among team Malgrey there were a few members at the 8th stage. With Niesha and Malgrey being at the 9th stage of qi condensation.

Though I've never seen them fight. I'm guessing they aren't the most talented, so my assumption is this. With my current abilities, the three at the 8th level of qi condensation aren't my match.

While the two at the 9th level of qi condensation would be a tougher battle. I haven't gone full force as of yet with my abilities and haven't fought those at the 9th, so I'm assuming.

I think Draconian Alestar purposely set the trial as such to make it more of a challenge."

Taf curiously observed the crimson orb while he conversed with May.

" Nonetheless I think we need to draw up some new plans to counter these unforeseen developments, Taf"

A new way forward was then given by May after assessing their new findings.

" You always seem to know my thoughts, Miss. What would I do without you?"

A smile could be seen on Taf's face as he eyed May within the gargantuan tree. Hearing his words a slight smirk began to form.

"Should this lady run away so you can find out, Sir"

May jested as she saw his calm brown eyes.

" This humble one would dare not think of such an occurrence. Then again.., imagine how many beauties would chase this charismatic stud when finding out my unattached nature.

Sigh.....the sacrifices of being irresistible but If I must i...."

Before he could finish his monologue a voice went off in his ear.

" My arrow is now nocked in the bow and aimed for your butt. Care to finish that statement, Mr charmer."

A playful May stated as she observed Taf who stalled in his speech.

" I... I must surely run back into those arms of the beauty that is May"

Taf stated while pretending to guard his butt against any impending doom. Sweet laughter could be heard through the sound transmission.

" I want us to look at the stars tonight, You brute"

May suggested as the idea came across her mind.

" Then tonight the stars will have our peeping eyes as their viewers, Big flower."

Some assuring words were heard by Taf as he eyed the 13 carcasses that scattered on the ground.

" Let me clean up this place A bit. This will, after all, be our home for a while"

Taf uttered as he then shouted internally...

☆ Elemental Art (Earth) Burial☆

Suddenly all thirteen corpses that now were placed on the ground had dust particles formed around them. Soon they were seen descended within the land's crust.

After a few seconds, the once carcasses filled land was now anew.

Soon the couple were once again vigilant with their duties. May could be seen within the tree a few times every hour while Taf went further inland laying trap.

There were no further attacks through the day however so the pair took the time to recover any expended qi.

Taf then sat as a crimson core could be seen within his hands.

" Guess it's time to test you out huh"

He stated as his eyes reflected within.