The mountain was no longer still.
Jade cracked.
Fragments scattered.
The ground—
Broken.
Marked.
By two forces that refused to fall.
Han Chandu stood.
Barely.
Blood covered his body.
Breathing—
Heavy.
But controlled.
Because now—
There was no space left for error.
Across from him—
The Golden Jade Lion remained.
But no longer the same.
Its stance—
Lower.
Its movement—
Slightly delayed.
Its leg—
Damaged.
Golden blood flowed.
Slow.
Heavy.
For the first time—
The difference existed.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Again.
No hesitation.
Because now—
Stopping meant death.
The lion moved.
Faster.
More aggressive.
No longer testing.
No longer observing.
Only one intent—
Kill.
It lunged.
Direct.
No angle.
No variation.
Pure force.
Han Chandu didn't dodge outward.
Didn't retreat.
He stepped forward.
Inside.
Closer.
Safer.
The claw passed behind him.
Shattering jade.
He moved.
Blade formed.
Strike.
Same wound.
Deep.
Golden blood burst out.
Heavier than before.
The lion roared.
Violent.
Its body twisted.
Trying to correct.
Trying to stabilize.
But slower.
Not enough.
Han Chandu didn't stop.
Didn't give space.
Second strike.
Same point.
Deeper.
The wound widened.
The lion's leg gave slightly.
Not collapsing.
But failing.
That moment—
Was enough.
Han Chandu moved.
Faster.
Cleaner.
Third strike—
The lion reacted.
Its tail swung.
Han Chandu blocked.
Impact landed.
Heavy.
His arm shook violently.
Pain—
Sharp.
Immediate.
But he didn't lose control.
Didn't break stance.
He stepped again.
Closer.
Because now—
Distance was danger.
The lion attacked again.
Claw.
Direct.
Han Chandu moved.
Minimal.
Perfect.
He countered.
Blade—
Drove forward.
Deep.
Not the leg.
Higher.
Into the body.
The blade sank.
Further than before.
Golden blood erupted.
Explosive.
The lion roared.
Louder than before.
The mountain trembled.
Its body twisted violently.
Claw descending—
Han Chandu couldn't fully dodge.
The claw struck.
Direct.
His body flew.
Again.
Harder.
Further.
He hit the ground.
Rolled.
Stopped.
Silence.
For a moment—
Nothing moved.
Then—
Han Chandu pushed himself up.
Slowly.
Pain—
Everywhere.
His breathing—
Heavy now.
Controlled—
But strained.
He looked up.
At the lion.
Still standing.
But—
Different.
Its body—
Lower.
Unstable.
Blood—
Flowing heavily.
For the first time—
Its dominance—
Broken.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Again.
Despite everything.
Because now—
The end was visible.
Not guaranteed.
Not safe.
But possible.
The lion moved.
Slower now.
But still deadly.
It lunged again.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Matching it.
Not avoiding.
Not retreating.
Meeting it.
Head-on.
Blade moved.
Final strike—
Stopped.
Because the lion—
Shifted.
Its jaws—
Closed.
Direct.
Too close.
Han Chandu twisted.
Barely.
The bite tore across his shoulder.
Deep.
Blood exploded outward.
But—
His blade—
Did not stop.
It drove forward.
Into the open wound.
Deep.
The lion froze.
Golden blood—
Burst out.
Heavy.
Uncontrolled.
Silence.
For a moment—
Everything stopped.
Then—
The lion roared.
One final time.
The mountain shook.
Jade fractured completely.
Its body—
Collapsed.
Heavy.
Loud.
Final.
Stillness returned.
Han Chandu stood.
Barely.
Blood—
Covering him.
Red.
Gold beneath him.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Because now—
There was nothing left to do.
The system responded.
"Creature (Golden Jade Lion — Super) killed."
A pause.
Silence.