Chapter 96 — The Last Phase of the Shadow Lion

The darkness moved like an ocean.

Kael stood in the center of it.

The Darven Origin Blade rested in his hand.

The Darven V-01X floated beside him under the control of Metal Control.

Around them—

six Spatial Anchors.

Three ancient prison chains.

The black tree.

And the Shadow Lion.

Both were exhausted.

But only one of them could afford to make a mistake.

Kael checked the timer.

[Legendary Immortality Remaining: 72:11:37]

The number looked enormous.

Yet Kael knew better.

Seventy-two hours sounded like a long time.

Against a Legendary Beast—

it could disappear quickly.

The Shadow Lion lowered itself.

Its mane was damaged.

Several areas of its body were covered by fading scars.

Its Shadow Core remained cracked.

Its external regeneration had been drastically reduced.

But its eyes were still clear.

Still intelligent.

Still dangerous.

The Lion stared at Kael.

“You finally understand the condition.”

Kael nodded.

“I can't destroy your Core.”

“Correct.”

“I need to force you below ten percent combat capability.”

“Correct.”

“And stabilize the prison while I do it.”

The Lion's ears twitched.

“Correct.”

Kael smiled.

“Then let's finish this.”

The Lion disappeared.

Kael didn't move.

He had learned not to chase.

The Lion could still travel through shadow.

But its movement was no longer perfect.

Kael had damaged its mane.

The black tree was partially disconnected.

The prison chains had been reinforced.

The Shadow Core was unstable.

Each of those changes narrowed the Lion's options.

Kael waited.

A shadow appeared beneath him.

He jumped.

A claw erupted.

Kael didn't attack.

The Lion disappeared.

Another shadow.

Kael moved.

Nothing.

Third.

Still nothing.

Kael activated the V-01X.

Spatial Configuration.

He fired one anchor.

BANG!

The battlefield changed.

The anchor revealed a faint distortion.

Kael immediately turned.

The Lion emerged.

Kael attacked.

SLASH!

The Origin Blade struck its shoulder.

The Lion recoiled.

Kael didn't pursue.

Instead—

he fired a Mana Disruption round.

BANG!

The Lion's Shadow Domain flickered.

Kael stepped forward.

The Beast attacked.

Claw.

Kael blocked.

CLANG!

Tail.

He jumped.

Bite.

He twisted.

Second claw.

He parried.

The exchange was fast.

Far too fast for an ordinary fighter to follow.

But Kael had fought the Lion too many times.

He knew its rhythm.

The Lion knew his.

Every exchange was a conversation.

Every movement contained information.

Kael attacked the left.

The Lion guarded.

Kael switched right.

The Lion predicted.

Kael stopped midway.

The Lion's response became slightly delayed.

Kael smiled.

He had discovered something.

The Lion had become accustomed to reacting to completed attacks.

So Kael began using incomplete movements.

Half-swings.

Fake steps.

Interrupted thrusts.

Small changes in stance.

The Lion hesitated.

That hesitation was enough.

Kael struck.

SLASH!

The mane.

The Lion roared.

[Shadow Domain efficiency: 19% → 15%]

Kael's eyes sharpened.

The Lion was approaching the limit.

But the Beast immediately changed its strategy.

It stopped defending.

Instead—

it attacked continuously.

No pauses.

No feints.

No retreat.

Just pressure.

Kael was forced backward.

One claw.

Block.

Second.

Dodge.

Third.

Block.

Tail.

Jump.

Shadow Blade.

Metal barrier.

The barrier shattered.

Kael was thrown backward.

He landed.

The Lion charged.

Kael died.

Five seconds.

Reformation.

Kael returned.

The Lion was already attacking.

He moved.

The first strike missed.

The second—

blocked.

Third—

dodged.

The fourth—

parried.

Kael had intentionally chosen that death location.

It was a flat section of ground with six meters of open space.

His Spatial Anchors remained.

This was now his preferred battlefield.

He immediately activated them.

The Lion tried Shadow Step.

The first anchor caught it.

The second forced a change in direction.

The third limited its retreat.

The Beast became visible.

Kael attacked.

SLASH!

The Origin Blade struck.

The Lion roared.

Kael switched V-01X.

BANG!

Mana Disruption.

The Domain flickered.

The Lion attacked.

Kael died again.

Reformation.

He returned.

The sequence repeated.

But each time—

Kael changed one thing.

A new anchor.

Different positioning.

Different attack timing.

Different weapon configuration.

Different retreat route.

The Lion adapted too.

Yet its options were shrinking.

The Beast could still kill Kael quickly.

But it had fewer ways to surprise him.

That was what Kael had been building toward.

Not overpowering the Lion.

Reducing the number of possible futures.

Kael understood the Shadow Mane better now.

It wasn't merely an extension of the Domain.

It was a conduit.

Every major shadow ability required energy to pass through it.

The mane had already been damaged.

Kael now needed to disable it completely.

The Lion realized his goal.

It protected the mane with every movement.

Kael smiled.

“That's why I haven't attacked it directly.”

The Lion paused.

Kael pointed at its chest.

“Because you think I'm still trying to reach the Core.”

The Lion's eyes narrowed.

Kael moved.

The Origin Blade went toward the chest.

The Lion blocked.

Kael changed direction.

The blade struck the mane.

SLASH!

A portion of shadow-fur scattered.

The Lion roared.

Kael retreated.

He didn't attack again.

The Lion charged.

Kael dodged.

He waited.

The Beast used Shadow Step.

Kael's anchors reacted.

The Lion emerged.

Kael attacked the mane again.

SLASH!

Another section.

The Beast's Domain weakened.

[Shadow Domain efficiency: 15% → 11%]

The Lion became furious.

Its attacks grew stronger.

But that was exactly what Kael wanted.

Every increase in output destabilized the already damaged Core.

The Lion attacked.

Kael died.

Reformation.

Again.

The Lion attacked.

Kael survived longer.

Another attempt.

The mane suffered another wound.

Another.

Then—

the System appeared.

[Shadow Mane integrity: 17%]

[External Domain conduit approaching failure.]

Kael stared.

“One more.”

The Lion roared.

Kael charged.

The Beast attacked with everything it had left.

A claw.

Kael blocked.

A second.

He dodged.

A third.

He stepped inside.

Tail.

He jumped.

Shadow Blade.

He raised the Origin Blade.

CLANG!

The impact drove him backward.

The Lion lunged.

Kael didn't retreat.

He moved toward it.

Their bodies nearly collided.

Kael twisted.

The Origin Blade changed.

Adaptive Edge.

The blade became wider.

He struck across the Lion's mane.

SLASH!

The entire section of shadow collapsed.

The Beast roared.

A shockwave exploded.

Kael was launched backward.

But he was still alive.

He immediately fired.

V-01X.

Mana Disruption.

BANG!

The Lion's mane flickered.

Then—

collapsed.

The Shadow Domain suddenly shrank.

The black forest became visible again.

The ancient prison chains appeared.

The black tree lost most of its glow.

And the Shadow Lion—

became completely physical.

The System flashed.

[Shadow Mane: Severely compromised.]

[Shadow Domain output: 4%.]

[External regeneration: 8%.]

[Shadow Step: Restricted.]

Kael stared.

This was the moment.

The Lion was finally operating almost entirely on its own body and Core.

Kael slowly walked forward.

The Beast stood.

Its body was trembling.

Its breathing was heavy.

But it refused to kneel.

Kael respected that.

“You're nearly out of strength.”

The Lion smiled faintly.

“So are you.”

Kael looked at the timer.

[Legendary Immortality Remaining: 61:38:22]

He had spent more than ten hours fighting.

More than ten hours learning.

He nodded.

“Yes.”

The Lion lowered its head.

“Then finish it.”

Kael raised the Origin Blade.

The Lion charged.

This time—

there was no Shadow Step.

No domain.

No army of shadows.

No illusions.

No overwhelming darkness.

Only a Legendary Beast.

Against a human.

Kael dodged the first claw.

The Lion struck again.

He blocked.

The impact sent him backward.

Kael recovered.

He countered.

SLASH!

The Lion's side.

The Beast attacked.

Kael parried.

CLANG!

The Origin Blade cut.

SLASH!

Another wound.

The Lion stumbled.

Kael could feel the difference.

It was still stronger than him.

Much stronger.

But now—

he could actually fight it.

The Lion's physical power remained tremendous.

A single direct hit could still kill him.

Kael made one mistake.

The Beast struck.

Kael blocked.

Too late.

The second claw came from behind.

Death.

Five seconds.

Reformation.

Kael smiled.

“Still dangerous.”

The Lion charged again.

The battle continued.

No tricks.

No illusions.

Just sword and claw.

Kael's Adaptive Edge responded to the Lion's changing defense.

The Beast altered its attack angles.

Kael adapted.

The Lion's combat experience was superior.

Kael's ability to learn through death was superior.

They fought across the clearing.

Under the broken black tree.

Beside the ancient chains.

Across the remnants of the prison.

Every exchange grew faster.

The Lion attacked.

Kael blocked.

Kael countered.

The Lion dodged.

Tail.

Kael jumped.

Claw.

Parry.

Bite.

Step.

Kael struck.

SLASH!

The Lion roared.

Its body began trembling.

Its Shadow Core became increasingly unstable.

The System appeared.

[Shadow Core stability: 18%]

[Physical output declining.]

[Regeneration nearly disabled.]

[Target combat capability estimate: 13%.]

Kael's eyes sharpened.

Thirteen.

He was close.

But one problem remained.

The Core.

If it fell below a certain threshold—

the fourth prison could collapse.

Kael needed another way to reduce combat capability without destroying it.

He looked at the prison chains.

Then—

an idea.

The chains were ancient.

They weren't simply restraints.

They distributed the Lion's power.

If Kael could use them as a limiter—

he wouldn't need to destroy the Core.

He rushed toward the nearest chain.

The Lion followed.

Kael grabbed it.

Metal Control activated.

The chain responded.

The Lion attacked.

Kael blocked with the chain itself.

BOOM!

The link bent.

Kael gritted his teeth.

Then—

he wrapped the chain around the Lion.

The Beast roared.

It tried to escape.

Kael pulled.

The chain tightened.

Another link.

Another.

He created a binding loop.

Not a prison designed to hold the entire Beast.

A temporary restraint.

The Lion's strength began flowing through the chain.

The System reacted.

[Ancient containment mechanism synchronized.]

[Host Metal Control compatible.]

[Temporary suppression available.]

Kael's eyes widened.

He increased output.

The Lion's movement slowed.

Its aura weakened.

[Target combat capability: 13% → 9%.]

Kael stopped.

The System appeared.

[Victory condition satisfied.]

[Shadow Lion combat capability below 10%.]

[Core destruction unnecessary.]

[Legendary Beast defeated.]

Silence.

Kael stood frozen.

He had expected to kill the Lion.

Instead—

he had subdued it.

The Lion remained bound beneath the black tree.

Its breathing slowed.

Its crimson eyes looked at Kael.

And then—

it laughed.

Not mockingly.

Almost peacefully.

“You actually did it.”

Kael lowered the Origin Blade.

“You said I had to defeat you.”

“And you did.”

The chains loosened slightly.

The Lion did not escape.

Kael looked at the System.

[Legendary Beast defeated.]

[Shadow Lion — defeated.]

[Beast Path Compatibility: 4% → 9%]

[First Legendary Beast contract route unlocked.]

Kael stared.

But then—

the Lion called him.

“Kael.”

He looked up.

The Beast was staring directly at him.

“Come closer.”

Kael approached cautiously.

The Lion lowered its massive head.

For several seconds—

it simply looked at him.

Then a small black-and-crimson object appeared beneath its chest.

Kael's eyes widened.

An egg.

Not found.

Not discovered.

Created by the Beast.

The Lion slowly pushed it toward him.

“My bloodline will continue.”

Kael carefully took the egg.

It was warm.

A faint shadow moved inside.

The System appeared.

[Shadow Lion Egg acquired.]

[Classification: Legendary Beast Egg]

[Compatibility: Extremely High]

[Hatching condition: Unknown]

[Contract condition: Unknown]

Kael stared at it.

Then the Lion spoke again.

“This is not all.”

A dark crystal appeared beside the egg.

Kael reached toward it.

The System scanned it.

[One-Time Sealing Artifact]

[Name: Shadow Seal]

[Grade: ???]

[Purpose: Sealing a designated ancient entity.]

[Uses: 1]

[Condition: Unknown]

[Cannot be used on ordinary targets.]

Kael's expression changed.

He remembered the central tower.

The unknown entity.

His father.

The prison.

Everything was connected.

The Lion's voice became quieter.

“Take it.”

Kael did.

“What is this?”

The Lion looked toward the central tower.

“A weapon against what sleeps there.”

Kael stared.

“Can it kill it?”

The Lion shook its head.

“No.”

“Then what?”

“Seal it.”

Kael's eyes narrowed.

“Into what?”

A small black bottle appeared beside the Lion.

It was made of a material Kael couldn't identify.

The Lion looked at it.

“That.”

Kael picked up the bottle.

The System responded.

[Special Sealing Vessel acquired.]

[Grade: ???]

[Maximum containment capacity: Unknown]

[Compatible with Shadow Seal.]

Kael placed both items into his Space Ring.

He looked back at the Lion.

“Why give these to me?”

The Beast smiled.

“Because if the others fall…”

It paused.

“…you will need them.”

Kael froze.

“The others?”

The Lion's eyes turned toward the southern and eastern territories.

“The prison is weakening in more places than mine.”

Kael's expression hardened.

“So defeating you wasn't enough.”

“No.”

The Lion closed its eyes.

“You have only completed the first lock.”

Kael looked toward the distant Verdant Domain.

Then the Bone Domain.

Three beasts.

Three locks.

And one central prison.

The Beast spoke again.

“Go.”

Kael looked back.

“You're not coming?”

A faint smile crossed the Lion's face.

“I have guarded this prison long enough.”

It looked toward the black tree.

“For now, I will rest.”

Kael nodded.

He turned.

Then stopped.

“Before I go…”

The Lion opened one eye.

Kael asked:

“Were you really trying to kill me?”

The Beast laughed.

“Every time.”

Kael smiled.

“I believe you.”

He started walking.

Behind him—

the Shadow Lion watched silently.

The first Legendary Beast had been defeated.

But the central prison had not been saved.

And Kael's Legendary Immortality timer was still running.

[Legendary Immortality Remaining: 58:04:16]

[Current contract route: Shadow Lion — unlocked]

[Next Legendary Beast territory identified.]

[Verdant Domain.]

Kael stopped.

The green region in the distance suddenly erupted with enormous waves of mana.

The pocket world shook.

A roar followed.

Then—

the System displayed one final warning.

[Warning.]

[Verdant Serpent has detected Shadow Lion's defeat.]

[Target behavior changing.]

[Verdant Domain entering active defense state.]

Kael looked toward the horizon.

The second hunt had already begun.