Ethan couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. He decided it was best to first take care of the beehive on the western side before considering how to deal with the Lightning Leopard.
However, the moment he stepped out the door, he noticed that the prompt to the south had changed.
[South: The Lightning Leopard has just gone through a fierce life-and-death battle with a monster in the mist. Now it's licking its wounds. If you plan to take action, today would be a very good opportunity. Near the Lightning Leopard, a Lucky Treasure Chest has appeared, containing something you desire.]
[PS: You can command the White Eagle to attack it, but be cautious of its lightning strike. Fortunately, it can only release one lightning strike at a time; afterward, it will enter a weakened state. That will be your best chance to ambush it.]
The main content remained unchanged, but the PS section had altered.
It had gone from "using a ranged weapon would give you a better chance" to "using the White Eagle to attack first, then launching an ambush."
An unexpected blessing in disguise.
Originally, Ethan had leveled up the White Eagle just to collect a few feathers.
But to his surprise, after the upgrade, the White Eagle now had such a major influence on the situation. Though, perhaps it was also because the Lightning Leopard had been injured by the mist monster.
Either way, this advantage was his to take.
"White Eagle, let's go!"
Ethan grabbed his rusty metal axe, gave a commanding wave of his hand, and left the wooden hut with the White Eagle.
It was exactly eight o'clock.
The sun finally rose, scattering the fog around the cabin, revealing a vast expanse of grassland and forest. The weather today was truly wonderful, the fog had cleared farther than ever.
The moment the White Eagle stepped outside, it spread its wings and soared into the sky.
Following the direction shown in the prompt, Ethan quickly reached the Lightning Leopard's resting area. From a distance, he saw a white leopard lying under a dead tree, licking its hind leg, one lick after another, occasionally trembling all over.
It seemed its injury was quite serious; otherwise, it wouldn't be shaking like that from the pain.
"EEENG~"
The White Eagle, circling in the air, let out a cry.
At that moment, the Lightning Leopard unconsciously raised its head and glanced toward the sky.
And that's when Ethan saw it, right behind the Lightning Leopard, there was indeed a sky-blue treasure chest.
'That must be the legendary Lucky Chest.'
Ethan couldn't help feeling curious.
'What kind of good thing will this Lucky Chest bring me?'
'Eagle Eye, activate!'
Seeing the timing was just right, Ethan immediately activated his Eagle Eye skill.
In an instant, he and the White Eagle shared the same vision.
["White Eagle, feint an attack,"] Ethan ordered, ["But don't get too close to the Lightning Leopard. The goal is to make it use its lightning. Be careful not to get hit."] [T/N: He is giving instructions directly in the consciousness of White Eagle because of Eagle Eye.]
According to the system's hints, the Lightning Leopard had a special skill, lightning discharge.
And it seemed that within a short period, it could only fire once. After releasing it, it would fall into a weakened state. That would be Ethan's perfect window to strike.
"Eeeng!"
The White Eagle responded sharply.
Then, from midair, it dove straight toward the Lightning Leopard on the ground.
"ROAAAR~"
The Lightning Leopard immediately went on high alert.
It stood up at once, eyes locked on the White Eagle in the sky, growling a warning.
The next second, as the White Eagle drew closer and closer in its dive,
the yellow lightning mark on the leopard's forehead began to glow brighter and brighter.
'It's time!'
Ethan could tell the Lightning Leopard was about to unleash its skill. Quickly, he recalled the White Eagle, ["White Eagle, fall back! Dodge the lightning strike!"]
"Eeeng!"
The White Eagle spun midair and immediately pulled away.
But the Lightning Leopard had already gathered its power, it opened its mouth wide and roared toward the sky.
"ROAR!"
With its roar, a white flash of lightning shot up toward the White Eagle.
Luckily, the White Eagle had anticipated this. With a graceful twist, it easily dodged the lightning strike.
"Beautiful!"
Ethan praised the White Eagle.
Then, without hesitation, he dashed out, swinging his rusty axe straight at the Lightning Leopard.
Only then did the Lightning Leopard realize there was an ambusher behind it. Enraged, it turned around to attack Ethan, only for him to spin around and run away.
For a moment, the Lightning Leopard was dumbfounded.
But in that very instant of confusion, the White Eagle dove from the sky once more, landing squarely on the Lightning Leopard's back.
Its fierce, powerful claws easily clamped down, gripping the Lightning Leopard completely, and lifted it off the ground.
However, the leopard was heavy.
The White Eagle's flight became strained and wobbly.
Meanwhile, the Lightning Leopard struggled furiously in its grasp, and the lightning mark on its forehead began to glow again, even brighter than before.
It seemed ready to fight to the death.
But Ethan had no intention of giving it that chance.
["White Eagle, drop it!"]
"Eeeng!"
The White Eagle obeyed instantly.
Without hesitation, it released its claws. The Lightning Leopard plummeted from the sky.
BANG!
Falling from over ten meters high, the Lightning Leopard twitched on the ground, the lightning mark on its forehead flickering twice before it completely died.
Ethan stepped forward and finished it off with a single slash.
Then he quickly began dismantling it.
[Lightning Leopard Meat +20]
[Lightning Leopard Organs +1]
[Lightning Leopard Blood +1L]
[Wind-type Beast Core +2]
[Beast Hide +2]
[Beast Tendon +1]
Although large beasts were harder to fight, the rewards were plenty.
He got two beast cores and even a beast tendon in one go.
Not bad at all.
And the Lightning Leopard's flesh and blood had some special properties, too.
[Lightning Leopard Meat: Ever had leopard meat before? The taste's not bad. Out here, it's not a protected animal, feel free to enjoy.]
[Lightning Leopard Organs: Rich in fat, eat too much and you'll get chubby. PS: But they're full of energy, extremely beneficial for pets.]
[Lightning Leopard Blood: The blood contains a high concentration of metallic elements. When used to temper weapons, it grants extra enhancement effects.]
'Excellent.'
Ethan tossed all the organs to the White Eagle, a well-deserved reward, since the victory was mainly thanks to it.
Besides, the organs could boost a pet's abilities, and as his most important battle companion, Ethan certainly wouldn't be stingy.
"Eeeng~ Eeeng~"
The White Eagle hopped around joyfully.
Then, the pile of organs, weighing dozens of kilograms, was snatched up in its beak and flipped straight into its mouth.
Two bites, and it was gone.
Ethan wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but after eating, the White Eagle's feathers seemed to gleam even brighter!
As for himself, he'd have to roast the meat before eating.
And now, it was time for the most important part: opening the treasure chest.
He couldn't wait to see what was inside the Lucky Treasure Chest.
[T/N: New novel is up—🔥I Became a Character in Honkai: Star Rail🔥. Enjoy~]
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through P@treon.