Chapter Ten: Confronting the Shadow CrawlerElena sat beside her siblings, reviewing her notes on the creature they were pnning to face. "The Shadow Crawler that the mercenaries mentioned is cssified as an Iron-tier creature, and it’s one of the dominant predators in this forest. Among the three of us, I’m the only one who recently reached the rank of a three-star cultivator."

  Lisa sighed, crossing her arms with a worried frown. "Meanwhile, I’m still just a trainee and haven’t even entered the one-star cultivator stage yet. I don’t know how much help I’ll actually be in this fight."

  Lucas gave them both a wry smile, trying to ease the tension. "As for me, well, there’s no need to even mention it. I haven’t started cultivating at all yet—I’m relying purely on my physical abilities."

  Elena nodded seriously, her expression thoughtful. "That’s why I believe setting a trap is our best option. A direct confrontation would be far too dangerous, especially since it has the ability to camoufge itself. Finding it in the first pce will already be a challenge. This creature is incredibly cautious and relies on ambush tactics, only moving in darkness or when it’s blending into the shadows."

  Lisa frowned as she pulled out a small map of the area. "I wish we could find a Copper-tier or even a Bronze-tier variant, but the chances of that happening are low enough to make me want to cry. This creature is already rare in this region, and we’re lucky we even got information on it at all."

  Lucas waved a hand dismissively. "Rare or not, we have to be prepared. Let’s go over our pn in detail. We need a well-thought-out strategy to capture it with as little risk as possible."

  Taking a deep breath, Elena continued. "The Shadow Crawler is a nocturnal predator that relies on its agility and intelligence when hunting. It avoids direct confrontations, preferring to set up ambushes for its prey. It also has an extremely sharp sense of hearing—so keen that it can detect even the faintest sounds, including heartbeats. Because of this, we’ll have to be extremely cautious when moving through its territory."

  Lisa bit her lip. "If it’s that perceptive, then how can we even get close without it sensing us?"

  Elena’s eyes gleamed with confidence. "That’s where the traps come in. We need to exploit its one weakness: the fact that it doesn’t expect to become the prey. We’ll create a well-pced trap in a confined area, ensuring it has no easy escape. But we’ll also need the right bait to lure it in."

  Lucas thought for a moment before speaking. "If it relies on stealth and speed, that means it avoids unnecessary fights, right? What if we make it believe there’s an easy meal waiting for it? Maybe using an auditory lure or even a live decoy?"

  Elena nodded approvingly. "Good idea. We could use a live animal as bait, but we’d need a way to control it so the trap isn’t discovered too soon."

  Lisa hesitated, furrowing her brow. "I hate the idea of using another creature like that, but… I don’t think we have a better option. That said, what about the trap’s location? We need to choose a pce where it won’t be able to escape too easily."

  Elena pointed at the map. "There’s a narrow ravine surrounded by rocks on three sides, with a single path leading in and out. If we can lure the Shadow Crawler into that area, it’ll be cornered, giving us the perfect chance to strike before it can flee."

  Lucas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That makes sense, but do we know enough about its preferred environment? How does it behave? Where does it spend most of its time?"

  Elena expined, "The Shadow Crawler prefers dark, humid environments, which is why it’s commonly found in small caves or beneath dense foliage. It has a natural ability to suppress its heat signature, making it almost invisible to many creatures. It hunts by sneaking close to its prey and waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

  Lisa added, "I’ve also heard that its fangs contain a mild paralytic toxin that temporarily immobilizes its victims. That means we can’t let it touch us, even once."

  Lucas sighed. "So, we need a strategy focused on precision and speed. If we can’t nd a decisive blow early on, things will get a lot more complicated."

  Elena’s expression hardened with determination. "Then we have no room for error. Let’s prepare the trap as perfectly as possible. We’ll need to work as a team—any hesitation could be fatal."

  The three of them exchanged determined gnces, their resolve solidifying. This was their first real test as a team. If they succeeded, it would be a significant step toward their ultimate goal. But this wasn’t just about hunting a monster—it was about proving to themselves that they had what it took to survive in this ruthless world.