_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5">The passage leading to Floor 9 wound upward through a narrow stone corridor. Moss grew thicker on the walls as they ascended, and the air changed from the sweet-scented breeze of the Living Vilge to something richer and wilder—earth, decomposing leaves, and a musky undertone that raised the hair on Alexander's arms.

  "Everyone stay alert," he said, instinctively lowering his voice. "Floor transitions often involve immediate challenges."

  The light ahead showed the exit, a jagged opening in stone that opened onto a dense forest unlike the carefully tended woodnds of previous floors. As they approached, Alexander noticed cw marks gouged deep into the stone arch—not decorative, but the natural result of something rge and powerful sharpening its weapons.

  "Friendly welcoming committee," Lyra muttered, eyeing the marks.

  Alexander paused at the threshold, scanning the environment with practiced precision. Dense forest stretched in all directions, tall conifers mixed with massive deciduous trees that filtered the light into dappled patterns on the ground. The underbrush was thick but showed clear game trails—or predator paths—winding between trunks.

  "Defensive formation," he ordered, stepping through the passage. "Riva, rear guard. Elijah, keep to the center with Lyra. Valeria, left fnk observation only."

  His team arranged themselves as instructed, emerging into the new environment with weapons ready. Twenty meters from the passage, a crude wooden watchtower rose above the treetops, manned by figures in camoufged clothing.

  One of the guards raised a hand in greeting, then pointed to their right, where a narrow path led toward what appeared to be a small outpost.

  "Welcome to Hunter's Grounds, Floor 9," called a gruff voice as they approached the outpost. The speaker was a weathered man with a network of scars across his exposed forearms. He wore practical leather armor reinforced with what looked like predator cws. "I'm Scout Terran. You picked a good time to arrive—still four hours of daylight left."

  Alexander nodded in greeting but maintained a defensive stance. "Any immediate threats we should know about?"

  The ranger smiled, revealing a missing canine tooth. "Smart question. There's always immediate threats here, but nothing actively hunting this clearing at the moment." He gestured to the treeline. "That changes as soon as you step beyond the warning posts."

  Alexander noticed the mentioned posts—carved wooden pilrs topped with animal skulls positioned at regur intervals around the clearing.

  "What's the environmental focus here?" he asked.

  "Predator and prey," Scout Terran replied simply. "This entire floor is designed to teach hunting and anti-hunting techniques. Every creature here is either looking for its next meal or trying not to become one." He pointed to the cw marks they'd seen. "That's from a ridge-back stalker—territorial predator about twice your size. They're just one of fifteen apex species you'll encounter."

  Elijah shifted uncomfortably. "I'm hearing... something different here," he said quietly to Alexander. "The whispers have changed tone."

  Alexander nodded slightly, acknowledging his brother while keeping focus on the ranger.

  "What's the recommended first step for teams entering this floor?" he asked.

  "Establish a secure camp before dark," Scout Terran said immediately. "Night vision is a premium ability here, and most of you don't have it. The nocturnal hunters do." He grabbed a rough map from a nearby table. "There are designated safe zones marked with ranger totems—like this outpost. Between those zones..." He made a sshing motion across his throat.

  Alexander studied the map, committing key features to memory. "Any advice on the best starter zone?"

  "Western ridge has a defensive position with good sightlines," the ranger suggested. "Two hours' hike, if you move carefully. I'd head there first if I were you."

  Alexander nodded. "Appreciated."

  As the team moved away from the outpost to prepare, Alexander gathered them in a tight circle.

  "This environment demands different protocols," he said quietly. "Military surveilnce pattern from now on. Observation sectors assigned as follows." He quickly outlined a division of the visual field, assigning each team member specific arcs to monitor continuously. "Call out threats by direction and distance. If you're unsure, report anyway."

  He looked at each team member in turn. "Weapons ready at all times. Move at seventy percent normal pace. Step exactly where the person ahead of you steps. Maintain five-meter spacing in open ground, three in dense cover."

  Lyra was already examining her equipment. "I can modify our gear for improved sound dampening. Give me your boots first."

  Riva nodded. "I'll need to adjust our pack configuration too—bright colors need to be covered."

  Valeria stood slightly apart, her gaze continuously scanning the forest edge. Alexander noted her professional stance—whatever her other issues, she was clearly experienced in wilderness operations.

  "Valeria," he said, "you'll maintain perimeter observation during breaks. No solo missions, no independent reconnaissance." The restriction was clear—her role remained limited.

  She nodded once, face expressionless. "Understood."

  Alexander turned back to the others. "Elijah, what exactly are you hearing?"

  His brother frowned in concentration. "It's different from before. Less like voices, more like... instincts? Hunting patterns, territorial boundaries." He rubbed his temple. "It feels predatory. Alert."

  "If you get anything specific that could help us, share immediately," Alexander instructed. "Let's move out. Western ridge before nightfall."

  They set off along the path indicated by Scout Terran, immediately adopting the movement pattern Alexander had specified. The forest closed around them quickly, the outpost disappearing from view behind dense foliage.

  Alexander felt a familiar alertness settle over him—the combat awareness drilled into him at the academy. This environment activated training sequences that hadn't been necessary in the socially complex but physically safer vilge of Floor 8.

  Twenty minutes into their journey, Elijah suddenly stiffened.

  "Something's watching us," he whispered. "Left quadrant, high position."

  Alexander signaled a halt, the team freezing in pce. He scanned the direction Elijah had indicated, seeing nothing at first. Then a subtle movement caught his eye—a branch swaying differently from the others in the light breeze.

  "Contact, ten o'clock, approximately fifteen meters up," he confirmed softly. "Feline predator, well-camoufged."

  Now that he'd spotted it, the creature was easier to track—a long, sinuous body with dappled fur that nearly matched the py of light through leaves. It remained perfectly still except for the occasional twitch of a tail tip.

  "Options?" he asked the team, not taking his eyes off the predator.

  "It's in observation mode, not attack posture," Valeria noted quietly. "Probably territorial assessment."

  Riva slowly reached for her crossbow. "Clean shot if needed."

  "Hold," Alexander ordered. "Let's not establish ourselves as threats unless necessary." He made a subtle hand motion. "Controlled withdrawal. Maintain eye contact without direct challenge."

  The team began to slowly back away, keeping their movements smooth and non-threatening. The predator watched them with unblinking yellow eyes but made no move to follow.

  Once they were thirty meters distant, Alexander signaled a direction change that would take them on a route skirting the creature's apparent territory.

  "Good catch, Elijah," he said once they were clearly out of the predator's interest zone. "How did you know?"

  Elijah looked troubled. "I didn't exactly hear anything specific. It was more like... a sudden awareness of being watched. Almost like I could feel the hunter's focus."

  Alexander filed this information away. His brother's unusual perceptions were evolving, becoming more useful in this environment.

  They continued toward the western ridge, encountering two more predators at a distance—a pack of wolf-like creatures with unusual ridge patterns along their spines, and something serpentine that slithered through the underbrush parallel to their path for nearly ten minutes before losing interest.

  As the terrain began to slope upward, Lyra moved closer to Alexander.

  "I've been cataloging predator markers," she said quietly. "Cw heights, territorial scent posts, hair samples on bark. I think I can develop a basic identification system for the main species."

  "Good initiative," Alexander replied. "Work with Riva to incorporate defensive countermeasures specific to each type."

  The ridge Scout Terran had recommended came into view as the sun lowered toward the horizon. It was a rocky outcropping with a clear view of the surrounding forest, backed by a sheer cliff face that eliminated approach from behind.

  "Defensible," Alexander assessed, scanning the area. "Natural choke points, good visibility."

  Riva immediately began assessing the best location for their camp. "That recessed area beneath the overhang gives overhead protection. If we set up perimeter alerts here and here—" she pointed to natural narrowing points in the approach "—we can create a secure zone."

  While Riva and Lyra began establishing the camp, Alexander positioned himself at the highest point, mapping the visible territory below. The forest stretched for kilometers in all directions, with occasional clearings and what appeared to be water sources breaking the green canopy.

  Elijah joined him, his expression distant.

  "The whispers are creating a sort of... mental map," he said quietly. "Hunting territories, danger zones. Nothing specific, but impressions of where different predators dominate."

  "Can you transte that to our physical map?" Alexander asked.

  Elijah nodded. "I think so."

  Together they created a rough territorial map, marking areas Elijah sensed as particurly dangerous with red hatching. Alexander added his own observations of game trails and water sources, creating a strategic overview of their surroundings.

  By the time the sun touched the horizon, Riva and Lyra had established a remarkably secure camp. Using techniques clearly developed from experience, Riva had created arm triggers using tripwires connected to small chimes, positioned at multiple approach points. Lyra had reinforced their shelter using avaible materials, creating a structure that blended remarkably well with the surrounding rock.

  "Movement at the treeline," Valeria reported from her observation position. "Two o'clock, approximately two hundred meters."

  Alexander focused on the indicated position, spotting the figures—three humans in ranger gear simir to Scout Terran's, moving with practiced ease through the underbrush.

  "Ranger patrol," he confirmed. "Probably checking on new arrivals."

  The rangers paused at the edge of the clearing below the ridge, looked up at their position, and made a series of hand gestures that Alexander recognized as standard acknowledgment signals. He returned the appropriate counter-sign, and the rangers moved on, disappearing into the forest.

  "They're doing regur safety checks," Alexander expined to the others. "Standard procedure in high-risk environments."

  As darkness fell, the forest transformed. New sounds emerged—haunting calls, rustling movements, and occasionally, the unmistakable sounds of something rge moving purposefully through the underbrush. The team gathered around a minimal fire, carefully shielded to provide light without broadcasting their position.

  "Tomorrow we need to locate one of the tracking posts the ranger mentioned," Alexander said, reviewing their map. "They apparently offer training in advanced hunting techniques that will be essential for this floor."

  Lyra was working on their boots, applying a mixture she'd created from local pnts that seemed to dampen sound. "I've identified three distinct predator marking patterns already," she reported. "The cw heights and spacing suggest we're dealing with very different hunting strategies."

  "The apex predators hunt singly," Valeria offered from her position slightly apart from the others. When Alexander looked at her, she added, "Based on territorial marking patterns. Pack hunters leave different signs."

  Alexander nodded, acknowledging the useful observation. "Focus on counter-strategies for both types," he instructed Riva and Lyra. "Elijah, continue mapping the impressions you're receiving."

  A sudden rustling below their position silenced all conversation. Alexander moved to the edge, peering into the darkness. A pair of reflective eyes shone briefly in the minimal moonlight, then vanished.

  "Night scout," he said quietly. "Probably assessing whether we're worth the effort."

  The team maintained a rotating watch schedule through the night. During Alexander's second shift, near dawn, Elijah suddenly sat up from his sleeping position.

  "Movement," he whispered, eyes still closed. "Southeast approach, moving fast."

  Alexander scanned the indicated direction, seeing nothing at first. Then, barely visible in the pre-dawn gloom, a shadow detached itself from the deeper darkness, moving with deliberate stealth toward their perimeter.

  "Contact," Alexander confirmed softly, waking Riva with a gentle tap. She moved silently into position, crossbow ready.

  The approaching figure resolved into a humanoid form as it reached the first perimeter marker—another ranger, this one moving with exaggerated caution as if demonstrating stalking technique.

  Alexander signaled recognition but maintained defensive posture. The ranger stopped at the outer perimeter, then deliberately triggered one of Riva's arms. The small chime sounded clearly in the dawn stillness.

  "Good setup," the ranger called softly. "But I could have bypassed it here and here." He pointed to two spots in their perimeter.

  Alexander recognized the offering for what it was—a teaching moment. "Acknowledged," he replied. "Recommendations?"

  "Staggered trigger lines with varying heights," the ranger suggested. "I'm Tracker Kell. I usually check new teams at first light—see who survived their first night."

  "The ridge position helped," Alexander acknowledged.

  "Smart choice," Kell agreed. "If you're interested in learning proper tracking techniques, I'm leading a session at the eastern post at midday. Predator identification and counter-tracking basics."

  "We'll be there," Alexander confirmed.

  As the ranger departed, the team began breaking camp with practiced efficiency. The night had passed without incident, but Alexander wasn't taking that as a guarantee of ongoing safety.

  "Elijah," he said quietly while the others packed, "your warning about the ranger's approach—that was before any physical sign, wasn't it?"

  His brother nodded, looking troubled. "About fifteen seconds before he came into view. It wasn't like hearing specific thoughts... more like sensing hunter's intent directed our way."

  "That's a significant tactical advantage," Alexander noted. "Keep tracking how reliable it is."

  Once camp was fully packed, Alexander gathered the team for a brief pnning session.

  "Today's objectives: First, reach the eastern tracking post for Tracker Kell's session. Second, establish a more comprehensive map of predator territories. Third, locate potential resources and water sources."

  He looked at each team member. "Maintain previous movement protocols. The initial survival phase isn't over yet—this floor is specifically designed to challenge situational awareness."

  Lyra checked her newly modified detection device. "I've adjusted this to pick up rger heat signatures. Should give us advance warning of anything bigger than a small deer."

  "Good," Alexander approved. "Let's move out. Tracker Kell's session should provide crucial information for navigating this environment effectively."

  As they descended from the ridge into the forest, Alexander felt a strange sense of comfort despite the obvious dangers. Unlike the subtle social complexities of Floor 8, this environment presented straightforward, tangible threats that aligned well with his training.

  The Hunter's Grounds would test their survival skills, but Alexander was confident his team could adapt. As they moved silently through the morning mist, he noted with satisfaction how naturally they had fallen into effective formation, even Valeria maintaining her assigned role precisely.

  This floor might be dangerous, but it was the kind of danger they were well-equipped to handle.