" Guess it's time to see your might."

Taf then cried out internally as the flames sought to wreak havoc on the lands below.

☆Demon Inherent Art - Devour☆

The huge flames burned the nearest tree to black crisp as it neared him below. From the strength of its attack, it could be said that nothing was held back.

May casually sat on a limb from a distance as she watched the confrontation between Master and his demon beast. There she was quite puzzled by Taf who stood still while his eyes closed.

" What is this brute up to? Sigh, with him by my side I fear my heart will give way before I see my 20th birthday."

Though she seemed worried she was confident that he was in full control of the situation.

Within Taf's mind, time itself seemingly stood still. There he was mumbling to himself. Information previously unknown kept flooding within.

" What is it to devour? Is it simple to consume all that is around?

Why are these question plaguing my mind at this moment?

My vein burns from the hunger that comes forth not from my stomach but this blood that courses through.

As it burns these veins of mine, it cries out to my mind to feast on the world around. Yet still, I find myself not in total comprehension of your use.

Before one can fully understand what it means devour. There is a need to understand absorption and expulsion.

If so be the case, showcase your splendour making this one gain a better understanding."

He then eyed the fireballs that were storming down on him. Before calling out internally.

☆ Absorption☆

As Taf spoke his right hand was raised. His action did seem strange to the curiously watching May who at the moment was playing the role of observer. Soon she saw all the tree leaves blowing contrary to the direction of the previous wind.

One leaf after the other was forcefully ripped from their stems as if being summoned by a pulling force. That was not the end as limbs were twisted and torn apart from trees. Rocks were pulled from the ground which they laid undisturbed for times unknown.

Everything within close proximity acted as though they were magnetized with Taf apparently as the epicentre. Before his right hand, a small suction force could be felt. If one were to look closely a small spiralling hole could be seen forming. This apparently was the cause of the pulling force.

The flames that acted with unbridled ferocity felt the full force of the suction. They were then seemingly dragged with full force bit by bit into the small spiralling hole within his right hand.

A puzzled May continued observing all occurred at the scene. One moment the flaming fireballs were bearing down on Taf and the next second they just " Poof" disappeared within his right hand.

She was not the only one that found the events odd. As Taf too was now filled with even more questions than answer.

" Where did Hammerhead attack end up. I know I absorbed it but other than my blood feeling a bit hot there is nothing else peculiar."

He then sought for answers as he observed his right hand that felt slightly numbed.

" I'll try figuring out those details later. So with this ability, I'm able to intake the attacks of my opponent.

Though not that awe-inspiring, I must say this will definitely be handy. It might be useful but judging by its effect on my qi the most I could make use of its ability is twice. Half of my qi has been expended just through this one use."

Taf contemplated as he went over the details within his mind.

" That's one of the abilities at my disposal but what about the other. "

A cry was then heard within his head as his left hand became raised similar to his right before...

☆ Expulsion☆

Another spiralling hole began to form before his left hand as small sparks of flames could be seen moulding.

BOOOM!!!!!!!

One after the other fireballs could be seen discharging from Taf's hand into the red-lit skies. These were oddly the same flames that his right hand had previously ingested.

Sensing the overbearing nature of attacks from his hand, he then intentional aimed for the empty skies as to avoid the red feathered eagle, Hammerhead.

" Based on my observation these two act in tandem with the other. One hand ingest the opponent's attack while the other discharges it. "

Taf stated as he panted a bit from the utilization of his inherent art. He then took a look inside his dantian where he saw his qi reserves nearly completely depleted.

" I'm guessing until I have arrived at the 8th qi condensation this combination can only be used once."

While he contemplated a petite figure made her way to his side as he sat in place to replenish his exhausted qi.

" Are you ok?"

May then asked as she observed his exhausted state. A vile was summoned with her hands that was then given to Taf to have a drink.

" I'm fine but my qi reserves at the moment are nearly depleted. I'll just rest for a bit here and recover."

After drinking the contents of the vile Taf then responded.

" So how will you use this in battle. Through my observations, this clearly would be an ineffective attack when facing a group if your qi is so quickly depleted"

May then went on to say as Taf's breathing became somewhat stable.

" Well it would be a waste of qi to use this against opponents at the lower stages but it might not necessarily be the case against those higher.

Like all the other arts at my disposal, it will take a while before I comprehend it a bit. Then I will know how to fully integrate it within my combat.

As things stand, however, I think there is enough at our disposal to contend against these remaining demon beasts. "

The couple then continued there discussion as they put for plans on how best to tackle the remaining beast.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

A week had now passed which saw the pair collecting another 33 cores. This was achieved after hunting 6-7 demon beast per day. Things did not always go as planned, however. Today is a prime example of this.

Below the red clouds, two figures could be seen standing back to back. Surrounding them from all angles was an odd set of demon beasts. There were four white and black gorillas. Three at the 7th demon beast stage and the other at the 8th.

This in itself would not be deemed peculiar. What changes the scenario was that to the sides of these Gorillas were four brown Jackals with similar levels.

" Isn't this surprising, Big flower. Seems our hunting has caused the creatures of the land to form a harmonious union. I don't know if I should be scared or pleased"

Taf chuckled as the enraged demon beasts readied themselves for an assault.

" Hmmm, a union formed through adversity. some might describe it as beautiful. We have become the celebrities of the forest. With this status how about providing our fans with a show?"

A smiling May nocked her bow and arrow as her eyes locked up to the jackal at the 8th stage.