Possessing multiple useful Soultraits would make it much easier to fight opponents of a higher weight-class. It was even better if the foes didn't possess useful Soultraits, or if they were natives who didn't own Soultraits, in the first place.
That was currently the case. The Untamed Awakened had multiple useful Soultraits that could be combined, further enhancing their might, whereas the Awakened of the Zentika Empire had only one somewhat useful Soultraits. Some weren't even blessed with half-decent Soultraits.
The Berserkers and Warlock Centaurs didn't seem fazed by the Lionhearts' fire, and their great physical prowess granted them certain benefits that couldn't be neglected either.
Everything combined, the Untamed Awakened were able to fight Awakened above their weight-class. However, even that had its limits. Low Tier-2 Awakened couldn't easily beat Tier-3 Awakened. Maybe with enough Epic or Legendary Artifacts, more Soultraits, and the surprise effect on their side it was possible, but it was not like those things would appear out of nowhere.
It was not like the Untamed Awakened cared about that, in the first place.
They charged ahead and bulldozed through the masses of the Zentika Empire until a Higher Lifeform appeared in front of them. A Lionheart who had ascended to the 4th Tier appeared in front of the Untamed Awakened.
It had been a while since he advanced to Tier-4, but the Lionheart would never forget about the joy of being stronger than his enemies…the addictive feeling of tearing through his enemies as if they were made of paper.
However, before the High Lionheart – which is what the Lionhearts call themselves upon ascending to a Higher Lifeform – could charge at the Untamed Awakened, something around him changed.
Dozens of thick, intertwined roots shot out of the ground. Half of them tried to pierce the High Lionheart's vital spots while the rest coiled around his legs, and waist to hold him in place.
The High Lionheart shrouded his body in flames and burned the roots before they could reach him.
He roared in rage but was still unable to charge ahead as a humongous figure appeared in front of him.
A colossal being emerged out of nowhere. It was more than ten meters tall and strode through the Untamed Jungle as if it was the embodiment of nature's might and protection. Towering trees and verdant foliage weave seamlessly into the colossal being's bark-like skin, creating an organic armor that camouflaged the colossal being perfectly in the Untamed Jungle.
The bark-like armor was dark but had a silver sheen to it. Its' massive frame exuded fearsome strength and resilience. Moss and vines cascade down its form, further intertwining with the Untamed Jungle's flora, creating a living tapestry of greenery in the middle of the fearsome battlefield. The colossal being created a shocking contrast to the blood-filled battlefield and the burning outer rings of the Untamed Jungle.
The giant's large silver eyes stared sharply at the High Lionheart, whose heart skipped a beat. A seed of fear took root deep in his heart.
"What the…" He cursed loudly and immediately used his Soultrait, combined with his racial Minor Fire Affinity to create a fiery inferno.
The inferno engulfed the bark-covered giant, but that didn't stop him. The giant barged through the inferno, pressed his hands together, and smashed downward with tremendous velocity and might.
The High Lionheart created several compressed fire swords and fire spears around him before coating his entire body in blazing flames, but the giant ignored it all. A metallic sheen covered the giant's arms, protecting him from further damage as the firespears and swords impacted with great momentum and destructive power.
However, the giant's attack didn't stop. His attack commenced and he smashed down, crushing the High Lionheart at once.
The ground tremored from the giant's impact, followed by a shockwave that uprooted the nearby plants and bushes. A single smash was enough to create a human-sized crater in the ground. It was just enough to bury the High Lionheart.
However, there was little to nothing left to identify the former powerhouse. He had been crushed to smithereens, leaving nothing but a disgusting mass of flesh, fur, and blood behind.
The colossal being released a thunderous roar and the Berserkers and Warlock Centaurs followed suit. The Untamed Awakened were shocked but also exhilarated. They were overflowing with excitement at the sight that unfolded in front of them.
Michael was similarly shocked. He observed the colossal being for a while, the corner of his lips curling upward. His eyes shimmered brightly.
The colossal being was not a High Beast. It wasn't a powerful monster of the Untamed Jungle. No. The colossal being was Hiraku!
'I thought his Soultrait was Gigantification, but it seems like I was mistaken. Does he have multiple transformations mixed into one Soultrait? But then…why does it feel like Hiraku is using the Greater Nature Spirit?'
It wasn't difficult for Michael to sense that Hiraku tapped into the energy from the surroundings to empower his transformation. To be precise, Hiraku requested the Spirits in the surroundings to aid him. At least, that was what Michael could tell from his connection with the Greater Nature Spirit.
Of course, Michael allowed the Greater Nature Spirit to lend Hiraku as much power as he needed. But he didn't expect that Hiraku could turn into a 10-meter-tall giant. Hiraku's physical strength easily reached the might of a Higher Lifeform, and he gained temporary access to the Minor Nature Affinity as well. Hiraku would have no problem dealing with some High Lionhearts.
Hiraku manifested two maces out of thin air. They weren't his Artifacts, but new creations. They appeared out of nowhere and transformed into a humongous Morningstar with a chained metal spike at the top and a heavy shield in the next second.
Michael first thought that Hiraku had some Aethyr, or that he might own some Aether, but that was not the case.
'Right, he is part of the Star of Creation. Their family has a creation Soultrait.'
Hiraku had two Soultraits, and both seemed quite powerful.
There was no need to observe Hiraku and the Untamed Awakene any longer. Hiraku gained the Berserkers and Warlock Centaurs' trust. They respected his great prowess and the violence he displayed on the battlefield and charged behind him without any words of complaint.
They charged together and wreaked havoc.
The Untamed Awakened had two to three 4-Star Soultraits and they learned how to use them in unison. Their hard work and relentless training over the last few days finally paid off.
Thaor's Crimson Aura erupted and coated his expanding body as he unleashed Red Giant to keep up with Hiraku's transformation. Thaor couldn't grow into a 10-meter-tall coloss, but his height reached four meters in an instant. The Crimson Aura fused into his body, dying his skin bright red. Smoke exuded all over his body as his strength skyrocketed.
Thaor learned a lot about his Soultrait and Unique Constitution over the last few weeks. He had been fighting against numerous powerful enemies in the Savannah Region and his strength increased considerably. However, he had been lacking compared to Mekhaz and the others. He felt that his Unique Constitution didn't elevate his prowess enough. Thaor knew that he could be stronger than everyone else, but he had been stuck.
This issue turned into a real problem when Thaor broke through the final threshold as a Tier-2 Awakened. He advanced to the 3rd Tier. The advancement to Tier-3 cleansed his body. His power increased and his Unique Constitution improved. The Crimson Aura grew more sensitive. It had grown stronger, but the increased sensitivity made it harder to fuse the Crimson Aura into his body once the Red Giant Soultrait was activated.
Thaor was at a loss…until he found a particular Soultrait in the Jungle Shop.
It didn't seem like the Soultrait would be able to change anything to his particular situation, but Thaor could instinctively tell that it was the perfect Soultrait to improve his situation. The Soultrait could solve all of his problems!
Thaor purchased his second Soultrait and improved it straight to 4-Star.
Master of Combat.
As a Master of Combat, Thaor gained a better understanding of all battle methods as well as weapons. His proficiency with all techniques bettered drastically. However, the most important aspect was that Thaor's understanding of his body and his physical limitations reached an entirely new level.
He learned more about his body, and how different he was compared to other Berserkers. His Unique Constitution changed far more in his body than merely creating Crimson Aura. It felt like everything looked the same but behaved differently. It was almost like he was an entirely different race.
He could use the Berserkers' techniques, but his efficiency at using them was incredibly low.
All he had to do to grow stronger was to alter that.
Thaor changed all of his techniques. He learned a new body refinement technique, switched to a proper mind refinement technique, and he managed to get hold of a Soul Refinement technique that suited his Constitution as well. Once all of that was covered, Thaor studied a breathing technique compatible with his Constitution and practiced it until he reached a decent mastery.
After he solved that, everything changed. His battle prowess skyrocketed. Not even Lokai and Mekhaz managed to defeat him. Even their combined efforts were not enough to defeat him in an overwhelming manner like it used to be the case.
He was nothing like he used to be! He was powerful!
Thaor barged ahead and leaped into the battlefield, Master of Combat and Red Giant unleashed at their fullest.
A Crimson Aura shrouded his hide and fused with the ferocious Berserker.
He was going wild.
