Chapter 6 – The Hunt Begins.

  The applicant hall buzzed with murmurs as dozens of hopefuls stood waiting. Some exuded confidence, while others gripped their weapons tightly, their nerves on full display.

  Nix leaned against a rusted railing near the back, silent and observant.

  Then, a voice boomed through the tension.

  "Welcome to the Adventurer’s Entrance Exam."

  A towering man in battle-worn armor stepped forward. His scarred face and metal-plated left eye spoke of countless battles. He didn’t need to demand silence, the weight of his presence did it for him.

  "I’m Captain Dain. I’ll be overseeing your trials today."

  Behind him, a massive holographic display flickered to life, revealing a detailed map of Novice Forest.

  "This is where your test will take place."

  The applicants fell quiet, eyes locked on the display.

  Dain continued, "Your task is simple: Hunt Monster Beasts and collect as many materials as you can, claws, fangs, hides, venom glands. The more valuable the material, the higher your score."

  Time limit: One week.

  "You may hunt solo or in groups, but your individual contributions will be judged separately."

  Nix exhaled slowly. So, grouping up wouldn’t mean much unless you pulled your own weight.

  Then, someone raised a hand.

  "Sir! Why do we have to do this in real life? Why not use the Virtual Training Grounds? I heard it’s safer!"

  Nix turned to see a young man in pristine, expensive gear, his face twisted in mild outrage.

  Dain let out a sharp laugh.

  "The Virtual Training Grounds are for Six-Star Monsters and higher. If you can’t even handle a One-Star Monster, you might as well quit now."

  The young man flushed red but didn’t argue.

  Dain’s voice turned colder. "This is reality. No respawns. No second chances. If you want to be an Adventurer, prove you can fight, survive, and bring something back."

  A few applicants gulped audibly.

  Dain gestured to the metal badges clipped to their chests.

  "Your badge has a safety button. Press it, and a retrieval team will extract you immediately."

  Several applicants visibly relaxed at the mention of an escape option.

  Dain’s gaze hardened.

  "But once you press that button, you fail. No second chances."

  Silence.

  The weight of the test finally settled in.

  Dain turned back to the holographic display, zooming in on Novice Forest.

  "Before you start, we’re offering a free database download for your AI assistants. It includes detailed information on monster materials up to Three-Star quality."

  A digital prompt flashed on the applicants’ devices.

  Vix’s voice chimed in. "Downloading data… Okay, got it. Uploading material analysis to your system."

  Nix’s tablet flickered, showing a breakdown of usable monster parts.

  Vix hummed. "Alright, you’ve got a full list—claws, hides, venom glands, fangs, even bones that can be reforged into weapons. No combat data, just what’s valuable."

  Nix smirked. "Good. Saves me time figuring out what to grab."

  Dain clapped his hands. "Collect as many materials as you can. Quality over quantity."

  At the far end of the applicant hall, a massive metal gate rumbled open, revealing the dense wilderness beyond.

  A 168-hour timer appeared on the display.

  "Your test begins now."

  As soon as the gate fully opened, some applicants sprinted forward, eager to start. Others hesitated, watching the competition before moving cautiously.

  Nix?

  He adjusted his cloak, ensured his bow and spear hybrid was secure, and calmly walked into the forest.

  Vix sighed. "No dramatic entrance? No showing off?"

  Nix smirked. "Nah. Let the idiots rush in first. They’ll scare off the easy prey."

  And with that, the real test began.

  Before stepping deeper into Novice Forest, Nix took a moment to process the information Vix had compiled.

  Vix’s voice chimed in. "Alright, before we get into this, here’s what you need to know about Monster Beasts and Star-Ranked Monsters."

  Monster Beasts (Non-Star Creatures)

  ? These creatures are not ranked but are still dangerous.

  ? Their strength is comparable to apex predators like lions or tigers.

  ? Most lack unique abilities but rely on raw physical prowess.

  Star-Ranked Monsters (Evolved Creatures)

  ? A 1-Star Monster is already evolved beyond normal beasts.

  ? Each Star Level represents an evolution, making the creature twice as strong as the previous stage.

  ? 2-Star = 4× stronger than a regular animal.

  ? 3-Star = 8× stronger than a regular animal.

  Nix exhaled. "So basically, don’t get killed."

  Vix chuckled. "Pretty much."

  Nix tightened his grip on his spear, then paused.

  He sheathed it.

  This was a test of strength. He needed to know how well his body alone could handle a fight.

  If he couldn't take down a 1-Star Monster with his fists, then he had no business calling himself a fighter.

  With that thought, he moved forward.

  Nix wasn’t about to waste arrows on weak monsters. Instead, he hunted regular Monster Beasts, focusing on claws, fangs, and bones that could be repurposed into weapons.

  Everything had a use.

  He worked quickly, collecting only what was practical and lightweight.

  Then—

  Shouting in the distance.

  Nix quickly followed the sound of battle.

  Through the trees, he spotted three applicants struggling against a 1-Star Razorback Boar.

  They were losing.

  The boar, easily twice the size of a normal wild boar, had thick hide and razor-sharp tusks. It moved with twice the strength of its non-evolved counterpart, charging recklessly and swiping at anything in its path.

  One swordsman swung wildly, his blade barely leaving a scratch.

  Another, a spear user, was too shaken to aim properly.

  The third, a bow user, fired off an arrow, but the thick hide absorbed the impact, leaving only a shallow wound.

  Nix narrowed his eyes and crouched behind a tree, watching closely. This was a good opportunity to study how a 1-Star Monster fought.

  "Vix, record everything. Analyze movement patterns and reaction time."

  "Already on it," she replied. "This is a chance to get real combat data."

  The three applicants continued their desperate battle. The swordsman tried attacking from the side, but the boar’s natural bulk absorbed the hit. The spear user attempted to target its underbelly, but his hesitation made his attack sloppy. The bow user, seeing an opening, shot again, this time hitting the eye, but only grazing the side.

  The boar snorted aggressively, momentarily shaking its head before resuming its attack. It wasn’t fighting with intelligence, just pure instinct.

  Nix’s eyes flickered with interest. A pattern.

  ? The boar followed a simple attack cycle—charge, swipe, recover.

  ? Its legs were sturdy, making it difficult to knock down.

  ? It didn’t strategize, meaning its movements were predictable.

  But…

  ? Its snout was sensitive—when struck, it recoiled noticeably.

  ? It took longer to recover after a charge, leaving it open for a few seconds.

  ? Its eyes were a weak point—not enough to kill instantly, but enough to impair it.

  Vix’s voice crackled in his ear. "Nix, based on its attack pattern, the best way to handle this thing is—"

  "Let it charge, dodge, then strike the snout or eyes," Nix finished, already coming to the same conclusion.

  "Good," Vix hummed. "You're getting better at reading fights."

  The applicants, however, weren’t adapting.

  They kept making the same mistakes—attacking blindly, wasting energy, missing openings.

  The boar wasn’t slowing down.

  Nix exhaled slowly. They weren’t going to win this fight.

  Then, the boar charged again, aiming for the spear user, who froze in terror.

  Nix tensed.

  Now was the time.

  "Safety button!" Nix shouted.

  The panicked applicant reacted instantly, slamming his badge. The other two followed a second later.

  A blur shot across the battlefield.

  Before the boar could strike, a massive figure dashed in, grabbed all three applicants with one arm each, and took off without slowing down.

  No wasted motion. No hesitation.

  Darian.

  The same big guy from the registration site.

  Nix watched as Darian vanished into the distance, carrying three full-grown men like they weighed nothing.

  Then, his gaze shifted back to the Razorback Boar.

  With its original targets gone, the beast turned its attention to the only human still standing.

  Nix rolled his shoulders.

  He had chosen this fight.

  No weapons. Just his fists.

  Time to see how much he could take.

  It was time to see just how strong he really was.

  The Razorback Boar was a true 1-Star Monster, nearly two meters tall, packed with dense muscle and thick bristled hide. It was built for raw power, its curved tusks gleaming under the forest light, shaped like natural blades meant to rip through flesh and bone.

  The beast snorted aggressively, heavy breath fogging in the morning chill. Its stance was low and predatory, not out of intelligence, but pure instinct.

  It wasn’t testing him.

  It was preparing to kill him.

  Nix rolled his shoulders, his muscles humming with controlled energy. This was his chance, to see where he stood against an evolved monster with nothing but his own strength and reflexes.

  Weapons were off the table.

  This fight was about his body. His raw strength.

  The boar lunged.

  It was fast, faster than anything that size should be. But Nix was faster.

  His body reacted instinctively, feet shifting, torso twisting at the last second. The tusks tore through air, missing his ribs by mere inches.

  A normal person? They would’ve been impaled.

  Nix exhaled sharply, pivoting with the movement.

  His body snapped forward, fist launching in a clean counterpunch.

  CRACK!

  His knuckles slammed into the boar’s side. The impact was solid. The beast staggered.

  Then, it whipped its head around, eyes burning with rage.

  Nix’s gaze sharpened.

  It hurt, but not enough.

  The boar recovered instantly.

  It was pissed.

  It lunged again, not a charge this time, but a sweeping tusk attack.

  Nix barely had time to react.

  He leaped back, but the tusk clipped his side.

  A sharp sting bloomed along his ribs. Not deep. But it hurt.

  Bearable.

  The beast snorted, stamping its hooves.

  Nix circled it carefully, scanning its movements. He needed to learn.

  Every time it charged, there was a small delay.

  A tell.

  He could use that.

  The Razorback Boar charged again.

  This time, Nix didn’t dodge.

  At the last second, he sidestepped and punched forward—

  Straight into its snout.

  BAM!

  The boar reeled back, letting out a guttural screech.

  Nix followed up instantly, twisting his hips, driving his elbow into the side of its skull.

  THUD!

  This time, the beast staggered hard.

  It shook its head, clearly dazed.

  Nix exhaled. His punches were working.

  But he had to hit precisely.

  The snout. The eyes. The soft spots.

  Anywhere else? It was like punching solid stone.

  The boar let out a furious snort, then attacked again.

  Faster. More aggressive.

  But so was Nix.

  For the next ten minutes, the battle turned into a brutal game of endurance.

  The Beast’s Strength:

  ? Its attacks were heavy—one clean hit could break bones.

  ? Its hide was thick—a normal punch barely did anything.

  Nix’s Strength:

  ? His dodging speed was faster than the boar’s attacks.

  ? His punches caused damage, but not enough to finish it quickly.

  ? The damage he received? Painful, but manageable.

  But the fight wasn’t in his favor.

  He was wearing down.

  The boar wasn’t.

  Nix stepped back, breathing hard. His arms burned.

  The boar was breathing heavier, too.

  But not enough.

  Vix’s voice finally cut in. “Nix, I’ve been calculating. Based on your damage output versus the Razorback Boar’s endurance, this fight could take… at least an hour before someone gives out.”

  Nix exhaled sharply. "An hour?"

  Vix continued, "You can outmaneuver it. You can wear it down. But you don’t have the overwhelming strength to end it fast. You’ll win, but not before exhausting yourself."

  Nix’s fingers twitched.

  Not good enough.

  He didn’t have the luxury of a drawn-out fight.

  It was time to change tactics.

  Nix rolled his shoulders, stepping back.

  This was what he had suspected.

  His raw strength was good. But not enough.

  Time for the next test.

  His hand shot up to his back, gripping the weapon strapped across his cloak.

  With a swift motion, he extended it into its spear form.

  The boar stomped its hooves aggressively, sensing the shift in his stance.

  Nix twirled the spear once.

  He had tested his body.

  Now it was time to test his weapon.

  The boar charged.

  Nix didn’t dodge.

  He lunged forward instead, aiming low.

  At the last second, he planted his feet—

  And drove the spear straight into the beast’s exposed leg joint.

  THWACK!

  The monster roared, stumbling as pain tore through its limb.

  Nix twisted the spear and ripped it free, fluidly rolling back before the beast could retaliate.

  It worked.

  His fists could bruise it.

  His spear?

  It could wound it.

  For the next 15 minutes, Nix and the Razorback Boar clashed relentlessly.

  ? Nix learned to time his attacks, exploiting brief openings.

  ? The boar adapted, dodging some of his spear thrusts.

  ? Every hit Nix landed counted, gradually wearing it down.

  Slowly, the boar weakened.

  Its attacks became sloppy.

  Its movements sluggish.

  Nix, covered in sweat and dirt, knew it was time.

  The boar lunged one last time.

  Nix stood his ground.

  He didn’t dodge.

  Didn’t flinch.

  He waited.

  Then, at the last second—

  He sidestepped and drove his spear directly into its open mouth.

  The blade pierced deep, straight through the back of its throat.

  The beast let out a final, strangled roar—

  Then collapsed.

  Nix stood over the lifeless body, panting.

  Blood dripped from the tip of his spear.

  Vix’s voice crackled through the earpiece, unusually quiet.

  “Nix… you fought a 1-Star Monster with your bare hands and lasted. Then, you beat it with your spear in 15 minutes.”

  Nix exhaled, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Yeah?"

  Vix paused.

  Then—

  "I estimate you are as strongas a 1 star MonsterBeast."

  Nix smirked, rolling his shoulders. "I guess my sparing with the Stormcrest is paying off."

  His knuckles throbbed. His arms ached.

  But he was still standing.

  He glanced at the dead Razorback Boar.

  Then, without hesitation, he began harvesting its claws, tusks, and hide.

  The test wasn’t over yet.

  And if that was just a 1-Star…

  What was waiting deeper in the forest?

  Nix stood over the lifeless Razorback Boar, his entire body aching.

  His arms felt like lead, his muscles burning from the prolonged fight. His side throbbed, where the boar’s tusks had clipped him, leaving a nasty bruise under his armor.

  The wounds weren’t deep, but they were draining.

  His breath came in ragged pulls, his hands trembling slightly as the adrenaline started wearing off.

  Vix’s voice crackled in his ear.

  "You're spent, Nix. No more fighting for now."

  Nix huffed, wiping sweat from his brow. "No shit."

  He already knew it, if another 1-Star Monster showed up now, he’d be screwed.

  But he wasn’t done.

  The test wasn’t just about fighting.

  It was about what you brought back.

  And he wasn't leaving empty-handed.

  Nix knelt down, pulling out his makeshift hunting knife.

  Vix guided him through the process.

  "First, take the tusks. Razorbacks use them for attack and defense, so their density is top-tier."

  Nix gripped the boar’s massive tusk, pried it loose, and set it aside.

  "Next, the claws. They’re naturally sharper than steel and can be used for arrowheads."

  Nix gritted his teeth, yanked the claws free, and stored them.

  "Don’t forget the hooves," Vix added. "They’re tough, reinforced for impact, could be useful. With the right processing, they could even be turned into durable boots."

  Nix nodded, working his knife carefully to extract them.

  Blood seeped between his fingers as he worked. His hands ached, but he ignored it.

  He had fought too damn hard to leave without spoils.

  After securing the tusks and hide, Nix hesitated.

  Monster Cores.

  They were small, precious gems that formed in the strongest of beasts, concentrated evolutionary power that could be used in crafting, trade, or even strengthening oneself.

  Most 1-Star Monsters didn’t have them.

  But some did.

  And even a weak one would sell for a small fortune.

  To most people, a low-grade Monster Core was pocket change.

  To someone like Nix?

  It was life-changing.

  His heart pounded as he flipped the boar onto its side, pressing a hand to its chest cavity.

  The sensation was subtle, but there.

  A faint, solid mass beneath the skin.

  Nix’s breath caught.

  He quickly cut deeper, fingers digging through the still-warm flesh.

  Then—

  His hand closed around something smooth and solid.

  A Monster Core.

  He pulled it free, lifting it into the light.

  It was marble-sized, slightly cloudy, tinged with deep amber.

  Stolen story; please report.

  A low-tier 1-Star Core.

  But Nix didn’t care.

  He stared at it, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

  His first real treasure.

  Vix let out a sharp whistle.

  "Holy shit, Nix! That’s worth more than everything else combined!"

  A slow grin spread across his face.

  This was his first real score.

  His first pot of gold.

  For the first time, he felt like he wasn’t dirt poor.

  Like maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something bigger.

  Nix quickly slipped the core into his secured backpack, locking it inside.

  No way in hell was he losing this.

  As he finished securing the loot, Vix suddenly spoke up.

  "Hey, Nix… I’ve got an idea."

  Nix leaned against a tree, catching his breath. "Unless your idea is to grow me a second pair of lungs, I’m not interested."

  Vix ignored him.

  "What if you ate the Razorback’s meat?"

  Nix blinked.

  "What?"

  Vix continued, her tone thoughtful.

  "Think about it. Your body has already been changing just from eating regular meat. What if a 1-Star Monster’s meat has some kind of restorative effect? It’s packed with dense muscle fibers, evolved flesh… maybe it'll heal you faster."

  Nix frowned.

  That… wasn’t a bad theory.

  He had been eating tons of meat lately, and his body had only gotten stronger.

  If he was going to keep fighting stronger monsters, he needed every advantage he could get.

  And right now?

  He was too exhausted to fight again.

  Nix looked at the massive Razorback corpse.

  It was huge.

  And he was dead tired.

  Dragging it to a safer spot to cook was going to be a nightmare.

  He sighed. "Vix, remind me to invent a portable butcher kit after this."

  Vix chuckled. "Noted."

  With a grunt, Nix grabbed the beast’s hind leg and started dragging it through the underbrush.

  His arms screamed in protest.

  His ribs ached from earlier blows.

  But he kept moving.

  Because if this worked?

  Then Monster Beasts weren’t just enemies.

  They were resources.

  And they could be a source of fuel for his body…

  Nix leaned against a fallen log, rolling his shoulders with a slow exhale. His body still ached from the fight, but the pain was settling into something manageable. Nothing broken, just bruises and exhaustion.

  The Razorback’s carcass lay in front of him, half butchered. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows across the clearing. His breath was steady now, no longer labored from the fight.

  Vix’s drone hovered beside him, rotating lazily. "So, how does it feel to have almost been turned into bacon?"

  Nix gave her a tired glance. "Pretty sure I was the one doing the butchering."

  Vix beeped in amusement. "Sure, sure. But if that thing had been a little faster, we’d be having a different conversation right now. Probably one where I’d be hacking into the Adventurer database to delete your failure record posthumously."

  Nix snorted. "Good to know you’d at least clean up my mess."

  "Please, I’d also erase all your embarrassing childhood photos while I’m at it. Can’t have people remembering you as a snot-nosed scavenger kid."

  Nix shook his head with a smirk. "You’re a menace."

  "A menace with administrative privileges."

  Nix ignored her, focusing on the meat roasting over the fire. The scent of sizzling fat hit him, and his stomach growled loudly. He leaned forward eagerly, eyes gleaming.

  The meat was firm, dense, and full of thick muscle fibers. It took a while to chew, but he didn’t mind. He let out an exaggerated sigh, practically melting.

  "Oh my god. This is amazing. This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten. I might cry."

  Vix beeped. "You said that last time."

  "And I meant it then too!" Nix tore into another bite with dramatic flair. "Vix, I think… I think I’m becoming a food connoisseur. A meat enthusiast. A flesh gourmand!"

  Vix hummed. "Pretty sure that just makes you a carnivore."

  "Exactly! But a refined one! I need more. I need to try every monster meat out there. I bet a 2-Star Monster would taste even better! What if a 3-Star explodes with flavor?!"

  She tilted her drone slightly. "So, you’re saying you want to get stronger… just so you can eat fancier meat?"

  Nix gasped dramatically. "Vix, you understand me. This is my new motivation in life. Forget riches, forget glory, I fight for flavor."

  Vix cackled. "You’re an idiot."

  Nix ignored her, chewing thoughtfully. So far, it was just a meal. That’s all it was supposed to be. If it had any benefits, he wasn’t about to start jumping to conclusions.

  Once he had eaten enough to dull the hunger, Nix shifted focus back to harvesting the Razorback’s materials.

  He started with the tusks, gripping the thick base and twisting them free. The dense, blade-like structures were reinforced with a natural composition that made them stronger than steel yet twice as light.

  Weapons.

  That’s what they were. Designed by nature itself to kill and survive.

  Vix hovered lower, scanning. "Good haul. Razorback tusks are in demand for short blades and reinforced armor plating. You could sell them or keep them for crafting."

  "I’m keeping them. You think I’m letting go of anything that can help me fight bigger, tastier monsters? No way."

  Next were the claws, sharp enough to rip through reinforced leather, and just as light yet unbreakable as the tusks.

  Then, the hooves.

  "Oh, this is perfect," Nix muttered, inspecting them. The outer shell was tough, built to absorb shock, while the inner muscle was surprisingly soft. "Vix, these can be turned into boots. The protection is already built-in, and the inner padding means I won’t destroy my toes every time I have to kick something."

  Vix beeped in approval. "Functional and fashionable. You’re really embracing this scavenger lifestyle."

  "Survivalist chic," Nix corrected smugly.

  He collected sections of the ribcage and spine, following Vix’s suggestions for reinforcing his armor. The bones of Monster Beasts were highly durable, not as strong as their weapons, but still superior to regular materials.

  Vix beeped. "If you reshape the ribcage, it could act as plating for your torso armor. Might even reinforce your shoulders without restricting movement."

  Nix tossed her an unimpressed look. "You’re really making me work for this, huh?"

  "Excuse me, I’m improving your survivability. You’re welcome, dear brother."

  Nix grumbled under his breath but followed her recommendations. Better armor meant fewer cracked ribs in the future.

  As he worked, time slipped by.

  An hour passed.

  His body still ached, but the deep exhaustion that had been pressing down on him earlier had started to lift.

  Two hours passed.

  The stiffness in his legs and arms was fading. The dull pain along his ribs? Less pronounced than it should have been.

  It wasn’t something dramatic, he hadn’t suddenly felt a surge of strength or energy. But if he really thought about it, he realized…

  This kind of soreness usually lasted for days.

  Vix caught on before he did.

  "Hey, Nix. How’s the bruising?"

  He paused, rolling up his sleeve to check his arms. The deep purple bruises that had formed earlier were already turning yellow.

  That was fast.

  Not instant. Not unnatural.

  But faster than normal.

  Vix hovered closer. "A normal person would still be stiff, sore, and barely moving after a fight like that. You? You’re just… tired."

  Nix frowned slightly. She wasn’t wrong.

  But it wasn’t like he’d suddenly become some unkillable warrior.

  "Maybe I just recover fast," he muttered.

  Vix beeped skeptically. "Or maybe your body’s adapting to all the abuse you put it through."

  Nix stretched his fingers experimentally. He felt fine. A little sore, but not worn down like he should have been.

  He didn’t say anything more, just filed it away in his mind. It didn’t matter unless it was useful.

  As the fire burned lower, Nix sat back, arms folded as he and Vix reviewed the fight.

  "Your dodging kept you alive," Vix pointed out. "Your punches? Not so much. Your spear? Definitely your best weapon against tougher enemies."

  Nix exhaled. "So I need better weapons."

  Vix clicked her tongue. "And better armor. You got lucky this time. If that boar had been a little smarter, you’d be looking a lot worse right now."

  Nix rolled his eyes. "Thanks for the pep talk."

  "You’re welcome."

  Nix stared into the fire. The fight had pushed him to his limits.

  But limits were meant to be broken.

  Nix adjusted his armor, glancing at his collected materials.

  First, he needed to reinforce his gear.

  Second, he had to improve his spear and arrows.

  Third, he needed a better way to store supplies without being weighed down.

  Vix whirred. "So. What’s next?"

  Nix smirked.

  "We upgrade my gear. Then, we find something bigger to fight."

  Vix groaned. "Of course. Why rest when you can be a reckless idiot instead?"

  "Now you’re getting it."

  Because if he wanted to face something stronger, he needed to prove—

  That he was stronger, too.

  Nix crouched beside his makeshift workstation, a flat boulder near the fire, littered with collected materials. The newly stripped ribcage and spine of the Razorback Boar lay beside him, their natural curvature ideal for reinforcing his armor.

  Vix’s drone hovered nearby, scanning the pieces. "You’re seriously going to strap those to your back and call it ‘armor’?"

  Nix huffed, adjusting his gloves. "Not like I have the luxury of a forge. This is a field fix."

  "Oh, of course. We love field-fixes. Next, we’ll duct-tape a shield to your face."

  Nix ignored her sarcasm and focused. The spine would act as a stabilizer, while the ribcage plating would add extra protection to his back and sides.

  Simple. Practical. A little ugly.

  But it would work.

  Nix used strips of hide from the Razorback to lash the ribcage and spine onto the back of his armor. Tightly woven knots held the structure in place, wrapping around his shoulders and torso.

  Vix watched silently as he worked, occasionally scanning for structural weak points.

  "It’s holding… barely."

  Nix gave the bindings a few hard tugs. They didn’t budge.

  "Good enough."

  "For now," Vix muttered. "But if you take a direct hit, that patchwork might not hold."

  Nix rolled his shoulders, testing the movement. His range was slightly reduced, but the added weight was barely noticeable.

  "Better than nothing."

  Vix let out a long, dramatic beep. "Yes, because ‘better than nothing’ is the official motto of people who like staying alive."

  "Exactly."

  To make sure the armor wouldn’t slow him down, Nix ran a few drills.

  ? Squats. No real difference in mobility. ? Short sprints. Still balanced, but needed slight posture adjustments. ? Rolling dodges. The first one was awkward, the ribs caught the ground, but after a few tweaks, it worked fine.

  Vix sighed in defeat. "I hate that this is actually functional."

  Nix smirked, adjusting his cloak over the plating. "Told you. Trash into treasure."

  "You really are the king of scrapyard combat."

  With his armor secured, Nix grabbed his spear and quiver.

  The Razorback hunt had been successful, but he still needed more:

  ? Better crafting materials for future weapon upgrades. ? Monster parts to sell for COINS. ? More meat for rations.

  And maybe… a stronger opponent.

  Vix noticed the slight shift in his stance.

  "Oh no. I know that look."

  Nix glanced toward the deeper part of the forest. "Time to hunt."

  Vix groaned. "Of course. Because sleeping and letting your body rest would be too reasonable."

  "Exactly."

  And just like that, he disappeared into the jungle once more.

  Nix moved through the underbrush, his footsteps light, his breath controlled. His first fight with a 1-Star Razorback Boar had been a drawn-out struggle. He had won, but it had taken time, effort, and a full brawl.

  This time, he wasn’t going to let it turn into a slugfest.

  Ahead, another Razorback Boar foraged near a broken tree stump, its tusks tearing through the roots. Unaware. Exposed.

  Vix’s voice was barely a whisper. “Going for a sneak kill?”

  Nix nocked an arrow, his stance smooth and practiced. “Faster, cleaner.”

  “Ooooh, look at you. Learning from past mistakes. Who knew you had it in you?”

  Nix ignored her.

  He drew back the string, silent, precise. His aim locked onto the boar’s exposed eye.

  The arrow flew.

  It struck deep, burying itself into the boar’s skull. The beast squealed in agony, staggering, thrashing wildly.

  Nix was already moving.

  As the Razorback swung its massive head toward him, he sidestepped, twisted, and drove his spear straight through the eye socket.

  The beast convulsed, shuddering violently. Then, it collapsed.

  The entire fight lasted less than five minutes.

  Vix let out a low beep. “Okay, wow. You’re actually getting good at this.”

  Nix yanked the spear free, rolling his shoulders. “Still took longer than I wanted.”

  After catching his breath, Nix knelt and checked for a Monster Core.

  His fingers pressed along the ribcage, searching for the telltale hardness beneath the flesh. He worked his way toward the heart, feeling for anything unusual.

  Nothing.

  He frowned.

  Vix hummed. “Explains why this one was weaker.”

  Monster Cores weren’t guaranteed. Some 1-Star Monsters had them, others didn’t. The ones without were usually easier to kill.

  Vix sighed. “Guess that means we’re leaving most of this behind?”

  Nix didn’t respond right away. He hated waste. But he also couldn’t carry everything.

  He pried off the tusks and claws, taking only what he could carry as proof of his hunt. The bones and hide? Left behind.

  It felt wrong. Like wasted potential.

  His eyes lingered on the remains before standing. “I need a way to carry more.”

  Vix beeped. “Noticed that, huh? You look like you’re on your way to set up a campsite instead of hunting.”

  Nix glanced at his overstuffed backpack, bulging with loot. It was ridiculous.

  “Yeah. Gonna figure that out later.”

  For now, he kept moving.

  The next five hunts went smoother.

  Nix adapted. He learned to end fights faster, targeting weak points immediately.

  Instead of testing his opponent’s strength, he struck first, making every kill precise.

  Each fight lasted only minutes.

  Out of the five 1-Star Monsters he killed, only one had a Monster Core.

  By the time he secured it in his bag, his backpack looked even more ridiculous. He had gathered enough claws, fur, and tusks that he looked less like a hunter and more like someone preparing for an extended survival trip.

  Vix’s laughter crackled through his earpiece. “Look at you. The mighty hunter. The terrifying warrior. Looking like you’re about to host a wilderness survival reality show.”

  Nix grunted. “Shut up.”

  Then, he froze.

  Up ahead, moving through the forest…

  A girl.

  She wasn’t dressed like the other applicants.

  Unlike the well-equipped fighters with their polished armor and brand-new gear, this girl looked rough.

  Her clothes were tattered, patched up with scrap fabric. She wasn’t starving, but Nix recognized the subtle signs of poverty. A fellow scavenger.

  Vix scanned her. “Fit build. Looks about your age. Probably good at hunting.”

  Nix narrowed his eyes.

  She was stalking a 1-Star Monster, bow drawn.

  Same weapon as him.

  But no armor. No visible protection.

  How is she hunting like that?

  Vix whispered, “Should we stop her? She looks under-equipped for anything higher than a 1-Star.”

  Nix shook his head. “If we rush in, she might think we’re ambushing her.”

  Instead, he stayed hidden, pulling out his bow, just in case she needed help.

  The 1-Star Monster she had targeted was something Nix hadn’t seen before.

  A Duskfang Viper, a venomous serpent known for its shadow-hued scales and razor-sharp fangs. Unlike most snakes, it was an active hunter, relying on speed and ambush tactics rather than waiting for prey to come to it.

  Her first arrow struck true, piercing just behind its head, not a kill shot, but enough to cripple its striking ability.

  The viper hissed violently, thrashing, its coiled body unraveling.

  Smart.

  She kept moving, dodging as the serpent lashed out with rapid, whip-like strikes.

  Not as fast as Nix.

  Not as fluid.

  But good enough.

  Nix watched closely, impressed. She wasn’t panicking.

  She was fighting like someone who had done this before.

  Then, Vix tensed.

  “Nix, wait. There’s something else—”

  Too late.

  A second Duskfang Viper lunged from the underbrush.

  Nix moved instantly, raising his bow, but before he could react, something else did.

  A blur of motion.

  A low, rumbling growl.

  Then, a powerful bite.

  The ambushing viper was suddenly crushed beneath powerful jaws, letting out a strangled hiss before going still.

  Nix’s eyes widened. “What the hell—”

  From the darkness, a massive feline emerged.

  The girl’s pet.

  It was a Shadowfang Lynx, a 1-Star Monster Beast specialized in stealth and ambush tactics.

  Vix immediately identified it. “Oh. Shadowfang Lynx. One-Star stealth hunter. This explains how she’s still alive.”

  The girl didn’t even flinch.

  She took one last shot, driving an arrow through the first viper’s skull.

  Silence.

  Both enemies, dead.

  Then, her Shadowfang Lynx turned toward Nix’s position.

  Its ears flattened.

  Nix froze.

  The girl followed its gaze, directly at him.

  She didn’t hesitate.

  She raised her bow—

  And fired.

  Nix barely dodged, rolling aside as the arrow shot past his shoulder.

  Now, he was exposed.

  The girl had already drawn another arrow, aiming directly at him.

  Her amber eyes were sharp, her stance solid.

  No fear. Just suspicion.

  “Why are you following me?” she demanded.

  Nix raised his hands slightly, showing no hostility.

  “Relax. I was watching in case you needed help.”

  The girl stood still, her gaze locked onto him.

  She didn’t speak.

  Her eyes flicked over him once,assessing, calculating.

  Then, without a single word, she turned away.

  With practiced ease, she hopped onto the back of her Shadowfang Lynx. The beast barely made a sound as it adjusted to her weight, its body low and poised for movement.

  A second later, they were gone.

  The Lynx burst into motion, disappearing into the dense forest, weaving through the trees with frightening agility.

  Nix watched them vanish into the shadows.

  Vix let out a slow whistle. “Well. That was dramatic.”

  Nix exhaled, lowering his hands. “What the hell was that about?”

  Vix hummed. “You tell me. You’re the one who got shot at.”

  Nix adjusted his backpack and started walking again, his thoughts still lingering on the girl and her pet.

  “Vix. That thing she did. Riding a Monster Beast. That’s not normal, is it?”

  Vix’s display flickered. “Nope. Not even close. Most 1-Star Monsters are still wild predators, even if raised from birth. Taming them to follow basic orders? Possible. But riding one like that? You don’t just do that overnight.”

  Nix frowned. “So… is she a Beast Tamer?”

  Vix paused. “…Maybe.”

  That word.

  Beast Tamer.

  It wasn’t a term Nix had heard often. There were Hunters, Sentinels, Scavengers, but Beast Tamers? That was something rare.

  Vix explained. “A true Beast Tamer would be someone who can bond with a Monster Beast beyond just training it. But there’s no official classification for them. It’s more of a title given to people who manage to pull it off.”

  Nix thought about the way the Shadowfang Lynx had responded to her commands without hesitation.

  Yeah. That was different.

  “Well, whatever she is, she’s good at hunting.”

  Vix chuckled. “Sounds familiar.”

  Nix didn’t respond. He had more pressing matters to focus on.

  He had one week to gather enough materials and score high enough to pass this test.

  And that meant more hunting.

  Nix moved through the forest, ears tuned to the environment.

  His previous hunts had gone well, but he wasn’t done. He needed more proof of kills, more usable materials, and, if possible, more Monster Cores.

  He kept moving, keeping his senses sharp, his bow ready.

  A new target wouldn’t take long to find.

  But as he ventured deeper into Novice Forest, he couldn’t shake a feeling.

  Like something stronger was waiting for him up ahead.