Chapter 10 — Threads of the Hunt.
The Spider Garden was ready.
A vast hunting ground woven from Nix’s web traps, stretched between trees, hidden in the undergrowth, layered into a deadly maze of snares.
Now, it was time to fill it.
Nix crouched atop a thick tree branch, scanning the forest below. Layla, her dark-furred body a blur of motion, slinked through the terrain, her amber eyes sharp and focused.
They had a system.
Layla lured the One-Star Monsters, using speed and agility to bait them into the trap zone.
Nix handled the Two-Star threats, using his Threadshot and Recoil to provoke and control their movements.
As the hunt began, their teamwork flowed seamlessly.
Layla dashed through the underbrush, her lithe form barely making a sound. Behind her, three massive tusked beasts, Ironhide Boars (1-Star) charged in blind fury. Their armor-plated skulls smashed through tree roots and rocks as they stormed forward, their red eyes locked onto the lynx.
The moment they entered the Spider Garden, Layla veered sharply to the side, disappearing into the brush.
The boars barely had time to react before—
Snap.
The first Ironhide Boar triggered a tripwire Thread, yanking its legs out from under it. It flipped violently, slamming into the dirt with a heavy thud.
The second boar crashed into a spring-loaded snare, which instantly lashed around its torso, hoisting it into the air, kicking and squealing.
The third one, somehow smarter, skidded to a stop, snorting in alarm. But before it could react—
Flick. Snap.
Nix’s Threadshot lashed around its snout, snapping its head backward just long enough for another hidden snare to coil around its front legs, pinning it down.
Layla reappeared atop a nearby rock, watching as her prey struggled, tangled in the traps.
Three captured. First wave, done.
Nix smirked. “Looks like the system works.”
Aria, perched on a high ledge, nocked an arrow. “Don’t get cocky. That was the warm-up.”
She let her arrow fly, straight into the exposed eye of the hanging boar, finishing it in one shot.
Layla darted ahead, her ears twitching at the sound of low, guttural growls.
From the dense foliage, four slinking figures emerged.
Shadow Prowlers (1-Star), mutated panther-like beasts, their bodies coated in obsidian-black fur, eyes glowing in the dark.
Layla snarled at them.
The Shadow Prowlers did not charge like the boars. They were patient. They stalked.
But Layla was faster.
She baited them in, darting through the Spider Garden at full speed.
The first Prowler, too aggressive, stepped onto a hidden snare,
WHIP!
The Thread tightened around its front paw, yanking it backward. Before it could react, another snare snapped shut, pulling its hind legs together.
Pinned.
The second one, realizing the trap, vaulted into the air, trying to escape,
Flick. Snap.
Nix’s Threadshot struck mid-air, latching onto its torso and slinging it sideways, sending it crashing into a tree.
The remaining two Prowlers, learning fast, backed off, growling low.
But Layla wasn't done.
She sprinted up a tree, used a branch to launch herself, then twisted in the air,
SLASH.
Her claws raked the exposed throat of the third Shadow Prowler.
It collapsed instantly.
The fourth turned to flee,
PFFT.
Aria’s arrow struck its hind leg.
It limped forward, desperate, straight into a waiting web.
Snap. Wrap.
Within seconds, it was completely bound.
Layla flicked her tail, satisfied.
Wave two, down.
Now it was Nix’s turn to bait the next round.
He stood in an open clearing, whistling loudly.
Overhead, dark-winged creatures circled, their leathery, bat-like wings stretched wide.
Vulturebeasts (2-Star).
They were scavengers first, predators second, but in groups, they became deadly.
And right now, they saw Nix as a fresh meal.
Screeches filled the air.
Then, they dove.
Nix leaped back, flipping mid-air and kicking off a tree using Recoil, propelling himself upward.
A Vulturebeast snapped its jaws, barely missing his foot.
Nix twisted, flicking Threadshot mid-motion, Snap!
The web latched onto a diving Vulturebeast’s wing, yanking it off course. It smashed into another webbed tree, instantly getting entangled.
The second one, seeing its ally trapped, veered off—
Only to get caught in a hanging Thread trap, which latched onto its beak, snapping it shut.
The third and fourth were smarter. They flapped higher, waiting for a clean attack.
Nix grinned.
“Come on, then.”
He kicked off the tree, launching straight at them.
The third tried to swerve, but Nix fired two Threadshots in succession, attaching one to its wing and another to the tree behind him.
He yanked.
The Vulturebeast got pulled sideways, crashing headfirst into the other waiting trap.
The last one, realizing it was alone, started to retreat—
Aria, casually cooking meat over the fire, didn’t even look up as she fired a blind shot.
The arrow speared straight through the last Vulturebeast’s skull.
Nix landed gracefully, blinking at Aria. “Wait. Are you cooking?”
Aria shrugged, flipping a strip of roasted meat. “Figured we’d need to replenish supplies. You and Layla are eating through our stash fast.”
Nix stared.
She was literally cooking while shooting.
Even Vix had paused. “I… don’t know whether to be impressed or worried.”
Layla sat next to Aria, watching the fire, looking completely unbothered.
Nix exhaled.
“Well. Guess we keep going.”
The next two waves came faster and stronger.
? Fourth Wave: Venomfang Wolves (1-Star & 2-Star Leader)
? Fifth Wave: Bloodrazor Apes (2-Star)
Each wave tested their coordination.
Layla baited the wolves, dodging their venom-coated fangs while guiding them into the traps.
Nix fought the Alpha, a 2-Star wolf, in mid-air, swinging between trees using Threadshot, dodging its snapping jaws before binding it completely.
The Bloodrazor Apes, however, were brutes.
They rampaged through the webbing, breaking free faster than the others.
It took everything, Aria’s precision shots, Layla’s speed, and Nix’s fluid, web-based combat, dodging mid-air, swinging, rebounding off the trees—
To bring them down.
But when the last Bloodrazor fell, wrapped in layers of constricting Thread—
They knew.
The Spider Garden worked.
Nix smirked, brushing sweat from his forehead.
Aria tossed him a cooked skewer.
“Well,” she said, smirking. “That was fun.”
The Spider Garden had served its purpose, but the fight had drained them.
For three straight hours, Nix, Aria, and Layla had kept the waves of beasts trapped, thinned, and slaughtered, using a mixture of coordination, strategy, and pure endurance.
Now, the battlefield was still, the only movement coming from the flickering strands of web shifting in the wind.
Aria leaned back against a tree, catching her breath. Layla stretched, her feline body low to the ground, tail flicking in lazy exhaustion.
Nix exhaled, rolling his shoulders. He had burned through a lot of stamina, his Thread reserves low from the constant grappling, swinging, and webbing.
Vix, hovering nearby, scanned the wreckage. “Alright, break time. Let’s harvest materials, eat, and maybe not collapse from exhaustion.”
But before they could move, Nix held up a hand.
“Wait,” he said, his green eyes narrowing slightly.
Aria arched a brow. “What now?”
Nix took a deep breath.
A scent.
Faint, but distinct.
It was thick, sweet, almost honey-like.
His instincts sharpened.
“I need to verify something,” he muttered.
Without another word, he turned and walked away from the others, following the scent.
Aria frowned. “The hell is he doing?”
Vix beeped in confusion. “No clue, but I swear to god, if he starts acting weird again, I’m tranquilizing him.”
Aria sighed, watching him disappear into the underbrush. “Fine. Let’s see where this goes.”
Nix moved without hesitation, weaving between trees, eyes locked onto the scent.
His body guided him, his instincts driving his steps until he finally stopped in front of a Shadow Prowler (1-Star), a sleek, dark-furred feline monster with elongated claws and blackened eyes.
The scent intensified.
Nix crouched, pressing his hand against the monster’s ribcage.
His fingers dug into the flesh, past muscle and sinew, reaching deeper, Until something solid met his grip.
He pulled back.
A marble-sized Monster Core glistened in his palm, pulsing faintly with dim crimson light.
The scent immediately vanished.
Aria and Vix had watched the entire thing in stunned silence.
Vix was the first to speak. “Hold up. What the hell just happened?”
Nix frowned, staring at the Core in his palm.
That… wasn’t just luck.
Something clicked in his mind.
“I need to check something,” he muttered.
And before either Aria or Vix could question him, he moved again.
The sweet scent hadn’t faded completely.
There was another one nearby.
Nix walked back toward the largest corpse in the battlefield, the fallen Bloodrazor Ape (2-Star).
The scent was overwhelming.
Aria and Vix followed behind, watching silently as Nix crouched beside the beast’s massive chest.
He didn’t hesitate.
His fingers pressed against the Bloodrazor’s sternum, feeling for something deeper.
Then, with a sharp motion, he plunged his hand inside, pushing past broken bone and muscle.
And there, A larger, heavier Monster Core sat nestled deep inside.
He ripped it free.
The 2-Star Core pulsed with energy, a swirling storm of bio-energy and raw power locked within.
Again, the scent vanished the moment he pulled it out.
Aria narrowed her eyes. “Okay. That’s actually insane.”
Vix hovered closer, scanning the Core. “What the hell, Nix?! You just walked up and yanked a Monster Core out like you KNEW it was there.”
Nix exhaled slowly.
His mind was racing.
There was one more thing he needed to check.
Nix’s gaze shifted across the battlefield, scanning the fallen creatures.
He spotted another dead monster, one that he hadn’t smelled anything from.
He walked over, crouched down, and pressed his fingers into its chest.
Dug deeper.
Nothing.
No Monster Core.
The scent had never been there.
His theory solidified.
He only smelled the ones that were fresh.
Nix pulled out the first Monster Core he had found before creating the Spider Garden, the one he had taken before realizing any of this.
He held it up to his nose, and smelled nothing.
The honey-like scent was completely absent.
His eyes flickered with realization.
“…I see.”
He turned to Aria and Vix, his expression contemplative.
Aria, who had been watching the entire time, crossed her arms. “Okay. I think I get it.”
Vix tilted her drone. “Explain it for the idiots in the room.”
Aria smirked. “You can only smell fresh Monster Cores.”
Nix nodded. “Yeah. Once it’s been out for too long, the scent disappears.”
Vix beeped. “So you can’t just walk into a shop and sniff out hidden Cores?”
Nix shook his head. “No. It only works on ones that are still inside fresh kills.”
Aria twirled the 2-Star Core in her fingers. “Still, that’s an insane ability. Even if you can’t track old ones, being able to tell which fresh kills have a Core? That’s rare.”
Vix narrowed her robotic eye at Nix.
“You know what this means, right?”
Nix pocketed the 1-Star Core, then casually tossed the 2-Star Core to Aria.
She caught it mid-air, blinking.
“Wait, what?”
“You took down the Bloodrazor,” Nix said simply. “It’s yours.”
Aria rolled the 2-Star Core between her fingers, watching the deep crimson glow pulse inside.
Layla sniffed it once, uninterested.
Vix, meanwhile, was still processing.
“Nix, you just developed a freakin’ Core-tracking ability and you’re acting like it’s just another Tuesday?!”
Nix simply shrugged. “It’s useful.”
Vix spun aggressively. “USEFUL?! YOU CAN LITERALLY SNIFF OUT MONSTER CORES, THAT’S INSANE.”
Aria tilted her head. “Yeah, you’re basically a walking Core detector.”
Nix didn’t react.
He filed the information away in his mind, but he wouldn’t dwell on it yet.
For now, they had work to do.
Nix cracked his knuckles, glancing at the piles of fallen monsters.
“Alright,” he said. “Let’s collect materials before more show up.”
Aria nodded, tucking the 2-Star Core into her pouch.
Vix, still muttering about genetic absurdities, hovered along as they got to work.
The Spider Garden had served its purpose.
Now, it was time to replenish their supplies.
With their cores secured, they shifted focus to collecting materials.
Nix used Joke to slice through monster bones, separating the strongest pieces for arrowheads.
Aria sorted through tendons and fangs, checking which ones could be shaped into usable components.
Layla? She just napped.
Vix scanned their dwindling supplies. “Alright, let’s talk arrows.”
Aria wiped some sweat off her forehead. “I’m down to about ten arrows.”
Nix adjusted his gear. “I’m low too. Webbing needs a recharge.”
Within minutes, the two of them fell into a rhythm, sharpening, cutting, crafting.
Vix hovered above them. “Once arrows are ready, we rest. No more running off to sniff blood, got it?”
Nix tied the last of the arrowheads, giving her a flat look. “No promises.”
Aria chuckled. “Yeah. No way he’s stopping now.”
Vix sighed dramatically.
“...I hate both of you.”
They laughed.
And for the first time in three straight hours of battle, they finally let themselves breathe.
The last of the materials had been gathered, and with fresh arrows and restored energy, the team was ready to move again.
But before they could decide their next move, Aria spoke up.
“We need a new plan,” she said, arms crossed, her sharp eyes flicking between Nix and Vix.
Nix arched a brow. “A plan for what?”
Aria tapped the 2-Star Monster Core in her pouch. “We’ve just confirmed something important. You can track Monster Cores.”
Vix spun in the air. “Yeah, that’s still insane, by the way.”
Aria ignored her. “That means we’re done relying on luck. We don’t have to waste time killing random monsters and hoping for a Core. Now, we can be selective.”
Nix rubbed his chin, considering. “…You’re saying we only go after monsters that have a confirmed Core?”
Aria nodded. “Exactly. And I’ve got an idea on how to do it efficiently.”
Layla, who had been lounging beside her, flicked her tail and stretched, already sensing where this was going.
Aria gestured toward the Spider Garden, the battlefield still covered in layered webbing.
“This place still works as a trap,” she said, “even if we’re not here.”
Nix frowned slightly. “We’re leaving the Spider Garden?”
Aria smirked. “Think about it. We just tested it, and what happened?”
Nix thought back to the five waves of beasts that got caught, tangled, and slaughtered.
Aria continued, “It means we don’t have to stand around to make it work. Monsters will come in on their own.”
Vix beeped. “You’re saying we just… leave and let it do its thing?”
“Not entirely,” Aria clarified. “We’ll bait the trap before we go.”
Nix narrowed his eyes. “How?”
Aria grinned. “Simple. We use the leftover meat.”
Vix blinked. “Wait… what?”
Aria pointed at the chunks of monster flesh from their recent battles.
“We dump all the leftover meat right in the center of the Spider Garden. That way, any hungry monsters wandering the area will come straight into the trap.”
Nix’s eyes lit up slightly. It made sense.
Aria continued, “We already know that some monsters hunt by scent. If we leave fresh meat in the open, it’ll draw them in. And when they step into the Garden…”
Nix smirked. “They get caught.”
Aria nodded. “Exactly.”
Vix let out a robotic laugh. “Holy crap. That’s… actually really smart.”
Nix crossed his arms, thinking. “Alright. So while the Spider Garden does its thing… what do we do?”
Aria’s smirk widened.
Aria tapped her chest. “That’s where Layla and I come in.”
Nix raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
Aria’s expression turned serious. “Out of the three of us, Layla and I are the best at stealth and sneak attacks.”
Layla flicked her tail, looking smug.
Aria continued, “We move silently, stay hidden, and strike before the enemy even knows we’re there. That makes us the perfect hunters to find and wound monsters without engaging them in a full fight.”
Vix hummed, processing. “You’re suggesting a stealth-based hunting method.”
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Aria nodded. “Exactly. While the Spider Garden passively traps monsters for us, Layla and I will go out and track new ones.”
Nix narrowed his eyes. “And what happens when you find a monster?”
Aria smirked. “That’s where you come in.”
Nix exhaled. “Alright, explain.”
Aria gestured toward him. “Your nose can track Monster Cores, but only if the monster is bleeding.”
Nix nodded. “Yeah. The scent only comes when there’s an open wound.”
Aria pointed to her bow. “That’s why I’ll wound them first.”
Vix suddenly beeped in realization. “Oh. OH. You’re saying—”
Aria grinned. “I’ll land a sneak shot, make them bleed, and then let Nix check if they have a Core.”
Nix’s eyes sharpened. It was a perfect plan.
If a wounded monster gave off the honey-like scent, that meant it had a Monster Core.
If there was no scent, they wouldn’t waste their time fighting it.
Efficiency.
Precision.
No wasted energy.
Nix let out a low whistle. “That’s actually… brilliant.”
Vix spun in excitement. “This is a 100% profit strategy! We only hunt what’s valuable!”
Aria nodded. “We kill two birds with one stone. While the Spider Garden automates the hunt, we actively go out and take the best targets for ourselves.”
Nix smirked. “So if you wound it and I smell a Core, I’m the one who finishes the job?”
Aria nodded. “Yep. You’ll be the executioner.”
Vix laughed. “I love this. We’re turning into actual predators now.”
Nix cracked his knuckles. “Alright. Let’s do it.”
The first step was to prepare the Spider Garden.
With quick, practiced efficiency, Nix and Aria dumped the leftover monster meat into the center of the webbed battlefield.
The stench of fresh blood filled the air.
Layla flicked her ears, already sensing distant movement.
Aria grinned. “Won’t be long before something walks in.”
Nix exhaled. “Then let’s move before that happens.”
Vix hovered beside him. “Alright, web-boy, time to put that Core-tracking nose to work.”
Nix rolled his shoulders. “Let’s see how well it works in the field.”
Aria mounted Layla. “Stay low. Stay quiet. We strike fast.”
Nix grinned, adjusting Joke on his back. “Got it.”
With one final glance at the Spider Garden, the three of them disappeared into the wilderness.
The forest was alive, filled with shifting shadows and distant growls. Layla led the way, moving like a silent specter, her paws never making a sound. Aria followed, her bow drawn, eyes sharp. Nix moved just behind them, his senses alert, ready to confirm or deny a target.
Then, Layla suddenly stopped.
Aria’s eyes narrowed. Ahead, a large beast prowled through the underbrush. A Stormfang Striker (2-Star). A wolf-like predator, its muscular frame built for speed and endurance. Its fur was thick, designed to withstand harsh environments, and its eyes locked onto unseen prey.
Aria’s voice was a whisper. “I’ll take the shot.”
She pulled back her arrow, Snap.
The arrow sank into the Striker’s shoulder, drawing blood. The beast snarled, whipping around, eyes scanning the darkness. But there was no attacker. Aria and Layla had already vanished into the shadows.
Nix exhaled sharply. Then, he caught it, the scent. Sweet. Thick. Heavy.
A Monster Core.
His lips curled slightly. “It’s got one.”
Aria smirked. “All yours.”
Nix stepped forward.
The Striker turned, eyes locking onto him. Its muscles tensed, then it lunged.
Nix moved. His fingers flicked, Threadshot firing forward, catching a tree branch, Swing. Flip. Counter.
Like a predator in motion, he redirected his momentum, launching toward the beast.
Joke’s razor-sharp blade flashed.
The Striker had no time to react.
Nix landed on its back, blade driving deep into its spine.
The beast collapsed, dead before it hit the ground.
Vix beeped in awe. “Damn.”
Aria watched from the shadows, impressed. “One clean kill.”
Nix wiped Joke off on the thick fur. “That’s one Core down.”
Aria nodded. “Let’s keep moving.”
Layla flicked her tail, already on the trail of the next hunt.
The new plan was in motion.
And this time, they wouldn’t be leaving with empty hands.
For the next two hours, their new plan proved itself flawlessly. Aria and Layla moved like shadows, striking from cover and leaving monsters bleeding and disoriented. Nix followed, using his sense of smell to determine which beasts had Monster Cores. When he caught the honey-like scent, he signaled the kill.
And when Nix moved in?
The monster never stood a chance.
The first target crashed through the underbrush, a living battering ram of muscle and steel.
A massive bull-like beast, its dense, plated hide glistened under the sunlight, almost metallic in appearance. Heavy keratin lined its skull and horns, making it an unstoppable force. Each step sent small tremors through the ground, the sheer weight of its frame leaving deep imprints in the dirt.
Aria had already taken her position, drawing back her bow with practiced precision. Her arrow flew, piercing the soft tissue beneath its jaw.
The beast bellowed in pain, its charge faltering as blood spilled freely down its chest.
Nix inhaled sharply.
The scent of honey hit immediately.
It had a Monster Core.
The Ironhide Charger roared, thrashing wildly, its massive form shaking the earth as it tried to shake off the pain. But Nix was already moving.
His Threadshot latched onto its horns, anchoring it to a nearby tree. The sudden resistance halted its rampage mid-charge, hooves skidding against the dirt as it fought against the restraint.
That was all the opening Nix needed.
With Recoil activated, he launched himself forward. The force sent him flipping over its massive head, and in one fluid motion, he landed squarely on its back. The bull bucked, trying to throw him off, but Nix was already driving Joke downward.
The blade plunged into its exposed throat, slicing through the thick artery. Blood gushed in a violent spray, and with a final shudder, the Ironhide Charger collapsed.
The fight was over.
Nix withdrew his weapon, wiping the blood off against its thick hide before reaching into its still-warm body. His fingers brushed against something solid.
A 2-Star Core.
He pulled it free, the crimson sphere glistening in the dim forest light. Without a word, he tucked it away.
One down.
The second target came at them fast.
A razorclaw raptor, sleek and built for speed, darted between the trees with predatory grace. Its razor-sharp claws gleamed like steel hooks, capable of ripping through flesh in an instant.
It moved erratically, its powerful legs propelling it forward in rapid bursts. Unpredictable. Fast. Dangerous.
Aria’s arrow flew, striking its leg tendon mid-sprint. The raptor let out a sharp screech as it stumbled, its balance momentarily thrown off.
That was all Nix needed.
Threadshot latched onto a nearby branch, and with a quick tug, Nix swung himself high into the air, evading the creature’s wild lunge.
The moment his body flipped over, he activated Recoil mid-motion, launching himself downward at full force.
His boot slammed into the raptor’s skull, driving its head into the dirt with a sickening crunch. The creature twitched violently, stunned from the impact.
Before it could recover, Joke severed the spine in a single, clean motion.
Silence.
The body stilled.
Nix exhaled, crouching down. The sweet scent still lingered in the air. Digging into the raptor’s chest, he found it, a 2-Star Monster Core.
Two down.
The third target was harder to track.
A Duskfang Prowler, a panther-like beast with black fur designed for natural camouflage. Its coat absorbed light, making it almost invisible in the underbrush.
Unlike the others, this one didn’t charge or lunge.
It waited.
Aria narrowed her eyes, her bow raised but unmoving.
“It’s circling,” she murmured. “It’s waiting for us to make the first move.”
Nix flexed his fingers, preparing his Thread. If they couldn’t see it, they’d have to force it out.
Aria reached into a pouch at her side, pulling out a vial of monster blood. Dipping the tip of her arrow into the dark liquid, she fired into the nearest patch of dense brush.
The reaction was immediate.
A deep, guttural snarl echoed as the beast sprang forward, instincts triggered by the scent of fresh blood.
And Nix smelled it, too.
The scent was faint but unmistakable.
It had a Core.
The Prowler’s speed was terrifying, before Nix could fully react, it was already mid-pounce, claws extended to rip into him.
But he was faster.
With an instant Recoil burst, Nix dodged mid-air, twisting his body away just as the Prowler’s claws slashed through empty space.
The moment his feet touched the ground, Threadshot snapped out, latching onto its tail.
The beast snarled in frustration as it tried to leap again, but the Thread held.
In that brief moment of restraint, Joke drove into its ribs, slicing straight into the heart.
The Prowler shuddered, then collapsed, breath hitching before falling still.
Nix knelt down, his pulse steady.
He reached in, fingers brushing against something solid. Another 2-Star Monster Core.
Three down.
The final target came crashing through the underbrush, the ground trembling beneath its weight.
A Steelhide Behemoth, a boar-like creature covered in dense, plated hide. Its low center of gravity ensured it couldn’t be knocked down, and its charging power could uproot trees with ease.
Aria acted first.
Her arrows targeted its eyes, one after another, forcing it into a wild, blinded rampage. The Behemoth screeched, thrashing violently as it swung its massive tusks in every direction.
And then Nix smelled it.
This was the strongest scent yet.
There was a Monster Core.
He moved immediately. Threadshot latched onto a tree, redirecting the boar’s charge at the last second. Its massive bulk smashed into the trunk, momentarily dazed.
That was his opening.
He leaped forward, Joke gripped tightly in both hands. The curved blade drove straight into the Behemoth’s skull, piercing through the bone.
For a second, the monster remained frozen.
Then, its body sagged.
The forest fell silent once again.
Nix exhaled slowly, reaching into the creature’s thick hide. It took a bit of effort, but eventually, his hand wrapped around the final 2-Star Core.
He pulled it free.
Four down.
As Nix wiped the blood from his weapon, Vix finally spoke up.
“Alright, alright, I know we’re on a roll, but let’s take a break,” she said, her tone light but firm.
Aria stretched, checking her remaining arrows. “Good call. We need to resupply.”
Nix adjusted the strap on his backpack, now heavier with harvested materials.
“You’re thinking of using the stuff back at the Spider Garden?”
Vix beeped. “Exactly. You two just burned through a lot of arrows. Let’s get back and craft some Monster Arrows while we see if the trap caught anything.”
Aria smirked slightly, wiping some sweat from her brow.
“Alright, let’s head back.”
Layla flicked her tail, already turning toward the Spider Garden.
The hunt had been a success.
But they weren’t prepared for what they’d find when they returned.
The moment they stepped into the clearing, all three of them stopped in their tracks.
Nix’s gaze swept over the scene, his eyebrow raising as he took in the unexpected bounty. Struggling bodies tangled in his webbing, some still twitching, others completely still. Aria, still mounted on Layla, let out a low whistle.
“Damn. This worked way better than expected.”
Seven 1-Star monsters had been ensnared in the Spider Garden. Three of them had already suffocated, their lifeless bodies hanging in the tightening strands. The remaining four were barely moving, the web constricting tighter with every desperate attempt to escape.
Vix floated forward, scanning the haul. “Alright, quick breakdown. We’ve got—”
She paused for a second, processing. “—Three already dead, probably from suffocation. Four still barely hanging on. Oh, and we’ve got one last Monster Core from the haul.”
Nix exhaled, rolling his shoulders. “Not bad.”
Aria leaned forward slightly, studying the creatures still struggling. “So… we’re just gonna leave them there, or—”
Nix was already moving. “Let’s clean up.”
Without hesitation, he approached the first trapped monster, Joke’s curved blade glinting faintly in the dim light. He struck fast and precise, ending its suffering in a single motion. The remaining three followed just as quickly, no wasted movement, no unnecessary struggle.
Aria and Layla dismounted, working through the bodies, collecting fangs, claws, and anything useful.
By the time they stepped back, the Spider Garden had been cleared.
The final tally stood: seven kills, one last Monster Core, and an unexpected efficiency boost from their traps.
Aria wiped her gloves against her pants, nodding in satisfaction. “That was a hell of a return. I’d say we call it a day.”
Nix gave the webbed battlefield one last look. The trap had proven itself.
By the end of the day, their Monster Core haul stood at:
? Six 2-Star Cores
? Two 1-Star Cores
Aria dusted off her gloves. “That’s more than enough to pass.”
Nix exhaled. “Yeah. Tomorrow’s the last day.”
Vix hummed. “So, how are we splitting this?”
Nix didn’t even hesitate. “Fifty-fifty.”
Aria arched a brow. “You sure?”
Nix shrugged. “Fair is fair.”
Aria smirked. “Fine by me.”
She tossed him half the Cores.
The deal was set. They had what they needed.
Tomorrow?
They would survive the final day, and pass the exam.
As they wrapped up their harvest, Aria leaned back against a tree, arms crossed. “We’ve got all the cores we need to pass… but,” she glanced at Nix, “you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Nix smirked. “We go deeper.”
Vix spun in the air. “Wait, hold up, hold up. Deeper? As in, where the 3-Star monsters are?”
Aria nodded. “Exactly. We already secured our success. But a 3-Star kill? That’s something only elite Hunters pull off.”
Layla flicked her ears, eyes narrowing with anticipation.
Nix flexed his fingers. “And if I can track Monster Cores, we increase our odds.”
Vix sighed. “Okay, okay. I see the logic… but let’s not pretend this is easy. 3-Star monsters aren’t just tougher, they’re smarter, stronger, and usually command entire hunting zones.”
Aria shrugged. “That’s why we scout first.”
Nix nodded. “We spend the morning tracking, watching movement patterns. If we find a lone 3-Star, we strike. If not, we retreat.”
Aria smirked. “And if we do kill one? We walk out of this exam as the top-ranked Hunters.”
Vix sighed dramatically. “You two maniacs really can’t just take the easy win, huh?”
Nix chuckled. “Where’s the fun in that?”
Aria extended her fist. “One last hunt?”
Nix tapped his knuckles against hers. “Let’s make it count.”
The night stretched on as the trio gathered near the Spider Garden, their final haul of materials stacked in piles beside them. With the hunt for a 3-Star Monster ahead, they needed to prepare properly before heading into deeper territory.
Aria sat on a large rock, sharpening her dagger with slow, deliberate strokes. "Before we go after something that can actually kill us, we need better gear."
Nix agreed, examining his current equipment. His webs were strong, but against a 3-Star Monster, he needed more than just traps. His sword, Joke, was reliable, but if he wanted cleaner, more efficient kills, an upgrade wouldn’t hurt.
Vix hovered above, nodding. "Yeah, yeah, as much as I love your ‘Spider Death Maze,’ you’re going to need actual weapons for this one."
With the materials they had gathered, bones, claws, and hides from their hunts, they began the long process of crafting their new equipment.
Nix focused on reinforcing his armor, layering additional bone plating onto his chest, arms, and legs. It wasn’t heavy enough to slow him down, but it would reduce impact damage, offering more protection against the crushing force of larger beasts. He tested the flexibility of the added layers, ensuring he could still move freely.
Joke’s blade needed refining. Using a high-density monster claw, Nix carefully resharpened and reinforced the scimitar’s edge. The improved structure made the blade even sharper and more durable, ensuring it could cut through tougher hides without dulling too quickly.
Aria sat cross-legged, skillfully crafting a new set of arrows. She selected 2-Star Beast talons and bones, carving them into razor-sharp arrowheads designed for deeper penetration. After testing the weight and balance, she nodded in satisfaction. These would hit harder than her previous ones.
Layla’s claws were strengthened and wrapped with thin but flexible hide bindings. The added grip meant her slashing attacks would be more precise, allowing her to tear through flesh and armor with better control. The lynx stretched her paws experimentally, flexing her claws before letting out an approving huff.
Extra throwing knives were fashioned from beast fangs, each one honed to a lethal edge. Both Nix and Aria kept a few, ensuring they had backup weapons if they ever needed a quick kill at close range.
By the time they finished, several hours had passed. Their gear was no longer just makeshift, it was battle-ready.
Aria twirled an arrow between her fingers, testing its weight before smirking. “Alright. Now we’re ready.”
Vix spun lazily in the air, her robotic eye blinking. “You sure? Last chance to back out before we go into ‘Oh-God-We-Might-Die’ territory.”
Nix rolled his shoulders, stretching his fingers. His webbing felt stronger, his body lighter but reinforced. The adjustments to his armor hadn’t slowed him down, it had refined him.
“We’ve come this far.” His voice was steady, resolute.
Aria’s smirk widened. “Then let’s hunt something worthy.”
Layla let out a low, eager growl, her amber eyes glinting in the dim light.
Tomorrow… the real challenge begins.
