Chapter 11 — Forge in Battle.
The morning sun peeked through the dense canopy, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Dew clung to the leaves, and a faint mist drifted through the undergrowth as Nix, Aria, and Layla made their final preparations. The Spider Garden, now a fully functional monster trap, would be left behind. A last glance at the battlefield of webs confirmed it had served them well, but their focus had shifted to something far greater, a 3-Star Monster.
Nix adjusted his reinforced gear, the added monster bone plates giving him better defense without restricting his movements. His web supply was replenished, and his Joke sword gleamed with a razor-sharp edge. Aria checked her bow, ensuring her new monster arrows were perfectly balanced. Layla stretched her lean frame, her claws clicking against the hardened ground.
Vix hovered overhead, scanning their surroundings. “So, we’re actually doing this? We’re heading into the part of the forest where things eat 1-Star Monsters for breakfast?”
Aria smirked, securing her last throwing knife. “What’s the point of being a hunter if we don’t take risks?”
Nix exhaled, his sharp green eyes narrowing as he looked toward the unknown territory ahead. “Then let’s get moving.”
With silent steps, they left the Spider Garden behind and ventured into the deeper, darker part of the wilds.
Before they could face a 3-Star Monster, they needed an edge, something to weaken it before the fight even began.
Aria was the first to bring it up. “Look, we both know fighting something that powerful head-on is suicide. We need something that’ll slow it down.”
Nix nodded. “Venom. Something with a paralytic effect.”
Vix beeped in agreement. “Smart. A slowed enemy is a dead enemy.”
Aria turned to Layla, who was already sniffing the air. “She’ll track something for us. There’s bound to be a venomous predator around here.”
Layla’s ears perked. Without hesitation, she took off.
Nix and Aria followed close behind.
Layla moved with purpose, her sharp senses leading them deeper into the thicker part of the forest. The air grew still, the usual sounds of the wild replaced by an eerie silence.
The first sign appeared, a half-eaten corpse of a One-Star Monster, its body stiff and unmoving.
Aria knelt beside it, examining the unnatural stiffness. “This isn’t a normal kill. Rigor shouldn’t set in this fast.”
Vix hovered lower, scanning the body. “No visible wounds, no broken bones… Only small puncture marks near the neck.”
Layla’s growl deepened, a low rumble of warning.
Nix followed her gaze and saw it.
Hanging from a low branch, its body coiled like a thick rope of muscle, was a massive serpent.
Origin: Serpentine Bloodline
A heavily muscled constrictor, known for its paralytic venom that didn’t kill outright. Instead, it locked the prey’s muscles, leaving them helpless as it slowly crushed them to death.
A perfect weapon.
Nix tightened his grip around Joke. “This is the one.”
Aria smirked. “Think you can catch it without getting bit?”
Vix beeped. “Try not to die.”
The Deathcoil Viper sensed their presence. Its dark, glossy scales reflected the dim light, its slit pupils locking onto them with cold calculation.
Then, it struck.
A blur of motion, faster than expected.
Nix dodged to the side, activating Recoil to propel himself away just as the fangs snapped at empty air.
Aria’s arrow whistled forward, but the viper twisted mid-air, evading with terrifying precision.
Layla lunged from the side, her claws swiping toward its flank, but the viper was already slithering into the underbrush, using its natural camouflage to disappear.
Nix clicked his tongue. “It’s fast.”
Aria nocked another arrow. “Then let’s trap it.”
Nix moved first, Threadshot firing into the surrounding trees, creating an overhead web of tripwires. He launched himself upward, getting a higher vantage point.
From above, he spotted it.
The viper was already circling around, trying to ambush them.
“Gotcha.”
He fired another Threadshot, this time latching onto its tail.
The viper thrashed violently, trying to break free, but Nix was already moving.
He swung downward using Recoil, gaining momentum, Then Joke came down like a guillotine.
The blade sliced through the viper’s lower body, severing part of its length.
It hissed, recoiling in pain.
Aria seized the moment.
Two arrows.
The first struck its jaw, forcing its mouth open.
The second drove straight through its skull.
The Deathcoil collapsed, twitching as its nervous system shut down.
They worked quickly, ensuring they got everything they needed.
Aria knelt beside the fallen viper, her hands steady as she carefully extracted the venom glands. She worked with precision, slicing just deep enough to remove them without rupturing the delicate sacs. The paralytic toxin inside was their greatest weapon now.
Nix took the glands from her and began draining the thick, viscous venom into small leather pouches. He kept his movements controlled, making sure not to waste a single drop. This was what would tip the odds in their favor, a single cut from a venom-coated blade could slow even the most powerful of predators.
Once they had enough, both of them dipped their weapons. Aria ran her arrows through the potent liquid, watching as the venom seeped into the sharpened tips, darkening them slightly. Nix did the same with Joke, coating the curved blade in a thin layer of lethal paralysis.
Vix hovered above them, letting out an impressed whistle. “This just doubled your odds of survival.”
Nix turned his weapon in the light, the venom gleaming faintly along the edge. His grip tightened around the hilt. “That’s the idea.”
Aria twirled one of her freshly dipped arrows between her fingers, a satisfied glint in her eye. “Now we’re ready.”
Nix smirked, rolling his shoulders as he eyed the dark forest ahead.
“Time to hunt an Apex Predator.”
With their weapons laced in venom, Nix, Aria, and Layla moved with quiet precision through the dense forest. The deeper they ventured, the thicker the air became, heavy with the scent of damp earth, rotting foliage, and distant blood. Sunlight barely filtered through the canopy now, swallowed by the towering trees and the tangled undergrowth.
Every step felt like an intrusion into something’s territory.
Nix adjusted his grip on Joke, feeling the weight of the venom-coated blade. His webbing reserves were full, his senses sharpened. Aria moved beside him, bow nocked, her expression serious. Layla took point, her ears flicking in constant alertness.
They weren’t just hunters anymore.
They were now entering the realm of an Apex Predator.
Vix beeped softly, her voice low. “Alright, let’s talk strategy. We know the deeper we go, the bigger the threats get. What’s our game plan?”
Aria glanced at Nix. “Same as before. We don’t just pick a fight, we track first, observe its patterns before engaging.”
Nix nodded. “Yeah. Even with venom, a 3-Star is still too strong to fight recklessly. We need to find its weaknesses first.”
Layla suddenly stopped, her head snapping toward a clearing ahead. Her body lowered instinctively, muscles tensed.
Something was close.
Nix inhaled deeply, searching for that honey-like scent. But there was nothing.
Aria frowned. “No Core?”
Nix shook his head. “Not yet.”
They moved forward carefully, weaving between thick trees, each step deliberate. The silence was unnatural. Not even insects chirped.
Then, the first sign of a true Apex Predator.
They emerged into a clearing littered with corpses.
The air was thick with the stench of blood and torn flesh. The clearing was littered with the shredded remains of One-Star and Two-Star Monsters. Some were still fresh, their blood pooling beneath them. Others had been left to rot, swarmed by flies.
Aria knelt beside a mangled Razorclaw Raptor, her fingers tracing the deep, jagged claw marks carved into its body. Her sharp gaze darkened.
"This wasn't a fight. It was a massacre."
Vix hovered beside her, scanning the corpses with a mechanical hum. “Most of these things were killed instantly. No struggle. Whatever did this, it’s efficient.”
Layla sniffed the air and let out a low, rumbling growl, her fur bristling.
Nix crouched near a deep footprint embedded in the mud, twice the size of his own, its impression pressed heavily into the earth. The beast that left it was massive, and the damp soil meant it had been here recently.
His sharp green eyes flicked across the battlefield, calculating. "We’re in its hunting ground."
Aria exhaled, straightening. "So where the hell is it?"
That’s when Nix caught something strange.
A faint honey-like scent drifted in the air, the unmistakable signature of a Monster Core.
But something was off.
The scent wasn’t coming from the beast itself, it was coming from the fresh blood dripping from its mouth.
The Ravager King had just fed.
Before they could decide whether to engage or leave, something changed, Layla’s ears flattened.
A deep, guttural snarl vibrated through the clearing, the sound rolling like a thunderclap. Then, the Ravager King moved.
No hesitation. No warning.
It attacked immediately.
The monster’s clawed arm came down in a brutal arc, aiming to crush them in a single blow.
A shadow of pure death loomed over them, claws big enough to tear through bone and steel.
Nix’s instincts screamed, MOVE.
Layla moved first.
The Shadowfang Lynx lunged, teeth snapping onto Aria’s collar, yanking her back just before the ground erupted beneath them.
BOOM!
Dirt and debris exploded into the air as the Ravager’s claws tore a deep trench into the earth, missing Aria by inches.
Without hesitation, Aria twisted midair, gripping Layla’s fur as she swung herself onto the lynx’s back.
At the same time, Nix’s reflexes took over.
Recoil.
His legs tensed, kinetic energy coiling in his muscles.
Then, release.
CRACK.
The force launched him sideways, just as the Ravager’s other claw swept through the space where he had just stood.
The air pressure alone was enough to send dust and leaves flying.
Nix landed, feet skidding across the dirt, eyes locked onto the beast.
It was faster than expected.
Aria was already on the move, Layla weaving through the clearing with lightning speed.
Then, the first arrow flew.
WHIZZ.
The projectile slammed into the Ravager’s shoulder, but the thick hide barely let it sink in.
Aria gritted her teeth. Too shallow.
She didn’t stop. Another arrow. Then another.
WHIZZ. WHIZZ.
Each shot was aimed at a different point, testing for weaknesses.
Nix realized what she was doing.
She was probing its defenses, searching for an opening.
Their eyes met for a split second, understanding passed between them without words.
Nix moved.
Joke slashed out, aiming for the monster’s exposed flank.
CLANG.
The blade bit into its hide… and barely scratched it.
Nix’s eyes widened.
The Ravager barely reacted. The cut was too shallow, as if he had hit reinforced leather.
Damn it.
The monster turned, its dark eyes locking onto Nix now.
Then, it counterattacked.
A blur of muscle and death surged toward him.
Nix barely had time to react, he activated Recoil again, launching himself back as the Ravager’s claws sliced through the air where he had just stood.
It was learning his movement.
Meanwhile, Aria kept firing, aiming for every joint, every seam of flesh.
Her arrows were laced with paralytic venom, but they needed to hit a weak spot.
Nix’s mind raced. If he couldn’t cut through its skin normally…
Then he’d need to find another way.
They needed an open wound first.
Nix’s grip tightened on Joke.
Time to cut this thing open.
Nix dashed forward, dodging a wild swipe from the Ravager’s claws.
He swung Joke, aiming for the side of the monster’s massive body.
SHINK.
The blade barely left a scratch.
Nix’s eyes widened.
What?!
The monster’s hide was too thick, his normal attacks weren’t doing anything.
Before he could adjust, the Ravager King roared, its massive paw swinging toward him with terrifying force.
Nix activated Recoil, pushing off with his legs and flipping backward just in time. The claws sliced through the air where he had just been.
Aria took advantage of the moment, firing another set of arrows directly at its exposed joints.
They hit.
But instead of piercing, they bounced off again.
Nix gritted his teeth. "We can’t wound it like this!"
The monster turned toward him again, lunging.
Nix dodged left, swinging **Joke again—**this time with more force.
SHING.
Another shallow scratch.
His mind raced.
Not enough. It’s not enough.
If his normal swings weren’t cutting deep enough, then he needed more speed. More force.
What if he used Recoil?
His arms could handle a lot of impact.
If he combined it with his legs, he could increase the speed of his slashes.
It was a risk.
But right now, they had no other options.
Nix exhaled sharply.
He locked onto his target, the same area where Joke had left a shallow scratch.
His legs coiled with stored force.
And then, he launched himself.
As he moved, he activated Recoil again, this time in his arms.
The moment Joke swung forward, the force was doubled.
Recoiled Slash.
CRACK.
The impact sent a shockwave through his arms, rattling his bones. The blade sank deep into the monster’s hide, finally cutting through.
Then, SNAP.
Nix felt it before he saw it.
His blade broke in two.
The force had been too much for Joke to handle.
Nix flipped backward, landing hard. Pain throbbed in his wrists. His breathing was ragged.
But, the Ravager King was bleeding.
A deep, jagged wound now stretched across its side.
The Ravager King was still too fast. Even with its wounds and the venom seeping deeper into its body, it refused to slow down completely.
Nix’s breathing was heavy, his body aching from the prolonged battle. Threadshot wouldn’t hold it for long. A single-thread web was strong, but not strong enough to restrain a 3-Star Monster.
He needed to reinforce it.
His mind raced, analyzing his own technique. Threadshot worked by compressing his liquid web into a dense ball before launching it with Recoil, creating a strong tether. But if a single-thread line wasn’t enough…
What if he combined the web fluid from both his index and middle fingertips?
His hands worked fast, instinct taking over. He compressed and rolled the liquid web, ensuring the mixture was balanced. When the ball formed, he flicked his fingers—
Threadshot fired.
This time, the web was thicker, reinforced as the combined fluid from his index and middle fingertips merged into a single, stronger line.
The strengthened Threadshot latched onto the Ravager King’s hind legs, its adhesive grip reinforced. The beast stumbled, roaring in frustration.
Aria seized the moment, firing another venom-coated arrow directly into the open wound Nix had made earlier. The Ravager snarled, its movements turning sluggish as the poison worked through its body.
Layla darted across the battlefield, carrying Aria, weaving through the wreckage of their battle. She kept Aria moving, repositioning rapidly to maintain the best angles for her shots.
The plan was working. But it wasn’t enough.
Nix clenched his teeth. Even with the stronger Threadshot, the beast was still resisting.
He had to end this.
He activated Recoil in both legs.
BOOM.
Nix launched forward like a bullet.
Mid-air, Recoil surged through his arm, amplifying his momentum. His bare fist clenched, aiming straight for the gaping wound in the monster’s side.
CRACK.
His punch slammed into the Ravager King with devastating force. Flesh tore. Muscles ruptured. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the beast’s heart.
The Ravager howled.
Its body shuddered, its legs buckling.
It was over.
The Ravager King let out a final, guttural snarl before its massive body collapsed onto the ground. The earth shook beneath its weight, dust and scattered leaves rising in the aftermath of the battle.
Nix stumbled back, panting hard. His fist throbbed, his skin torn and raw from the repeated strain of Recoil. His arms and legs burned, the accumulated damage catching up to him all at once.
Layla prowled the battlefield cautiously, ears perked for any lingering threats. Aria sat astride her, bow still drawn, breathing heavily. She wasn’t taking any chances.
For a long moment, none of them moved.
Then, “Is it dead?” Vix’s voice broke the silence, her tone still on edge.
Nix staggered forward, shaking out his aching hand. He nudged the beast’s body with his boot. No response. No shallow breaths. No lingering muscle twitches.
He exhaled. “Yeah. It’s dead.”
Aria eased up, finally lowering her bow. Layla let out a low chuff, circling back toward Nix while sniffing the air.
Vix beeped. “Holy shit, you guys actually did it.”
Nix glanced at his battered arms. His knuckles were bruised, some fingers bleeding, and he could feel the deep ache in his bones. The repeated use of Recoil had wrecked his body. His skin was raw from the strain, and the wounds where the Ravager had grazed him were still oozing blood.
Aria dismounted and jogged over, her eyes scanning his injuries. “You look like hell.”
Nix gave a lopsided grin. “Feel worse.”
Aria sighed and shook her head. “That was reckless.”
Nix exhaled. “We didn’t have a choice.”
She didn’t argue. Instead, she reached into her pack and pulled out a strip of cloth. “Hold still.”
Before he could protest, she grabbed his wrist and started wrapping the worst of his wounds.
Layla sat beside them, keeping watch. Her tail flicked, ears twitching at every distant noise. She was alert, her predator instincts still engaged.
Nix grunted. “Didn’t know you were a medic.”
Aria smirked. “I’m not. But I know how to patch up an idiot who throws himself into monsters.”
Nix chuckled, but winced when she tightened the bandage.
Vix hovered closer, scanning the fallen Ravager King.
“Okay, important question. Did it have a Core?”
Nix frowned and took a deep breath. No sweet scent.
His stomach twisted. That meant, Aria groaned. “Are you serious? It didn’t? After all that?!”
Nix ran a hand through his wild hair, sighing.
“No Core.”
Aria’s shoulders sagged. “Damn it. That was the whole reason we risked this fight.”
Layla let out a low huff, ears flattening slightly.
Vix beeped. “Okay, so we did all that for what? Bragging rights?”
Aria pinched the bridge of her nose. “At least we got the hide and claws. Those alone will sell for a fortune.”
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Nix sighed but nodded. They hadn’t walked away empty-handed. The Ravager King’s hide was absurdly durable, and hunters and smiths would pay handsomely for even scraps of it.
Aria stood, stretching out her arms.
“I’ll start carving. Nix, you—”
She paused as she noticed Nix swaying slightly. His limbs felt heavy, the exhaustion catching up to him. He wasn’t about to collapse, but the strain of the fight was settling deep in his muscles.
Aria clicked her tongue. “Sit. Now.”
Nix exhaled but did as she ordered, lowering himself onto a fallen log. Aria knelt beside him, pulling out a strip of cloth from her pack.
“You’re way too stubborn for your own good.”
She began wrapping the worst of his wounds, her hands moving with practiced efficiency. Layla sat nearby, keeping a watchful eye, but the tension in her body had faded. The jungle was still. The territory was theirs now, at least until another Apex Predator arrived to claim it. That wouldn’t happen for days.
Vix hovered close, scanning Nix’s vitals. “You’re recovering, but you need food. Monster meat should help speed it up.”
Aria tied off the last bandage and stood. “Yeah, I was already thinking that.”
She retrieved her knife and began carving thick slabs of the Ravager’s meat, the blade slicing cleanly through the flesh. The scent of freshly cut monster meat filled the air, rich and potent with the nutrients that could replenish their strength faster than normal food.
Nix rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers. His body was sore, but he wasn’t weak. His healing was already working, but the meat would help speed things along.
Aria worked quickly, cutting the best portions before setting up a small cooking pit. She wasn’t going to leave raw monster meat to chance. A controlled fire was safer.
She pulled a small metal grill from her pack, something she had kept folded away for hunting trips like this. Layla sniffed the meat, ears perking at the scent.
“Not yet,” Aria murmured, lighting the fire. The coals glowed, and soon, the rich aroma of sizzling monster meat filled the air.
Nix leaned back slightly, watching the fire. The warmth, the smell of cooking food, the quiet stillness of the jungle, it was the first true moment of rest they had since stepping into this territory.
Vix let out a pleased beep. “Now this is the right move. No rushing off. No sudden attacks. Just a good meal after a stupidly dangerous fight.”
Aria smirked. “We earned it.”
Nix exhaled, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
The Ravager King lay still, its massive form finally unmoving, the deep wound left by Nix’s final attack still seeping with blood. His body ached, his muscles screaming from the repeated stress of Recoil-enhanced strikes. His arms felt like they’d been shattered from the inside out, the strain leaving faint tremors in his fingers. His skin had split in several places from the sheer force, thin streaks of red dripping from reopened wounds. It hurt like hell. But they had won.
Nix exhaled, forcing himself to stay standing as he turned toward Aria. She was panting, bow still raised, scanning the area for any more threats. Layla stood beside her, ears twitching, her fur bristled in a way that showed she was still on edge.
Vix hovered closer, her voice chiming in with an exasperated tone. “Three-Star Monster, slain. You absolute lunatics.”
Aria let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head as she lowered her bow. “We’re alive, aren’t we?”
Vix whirred. “For now. But let’s not pretend this wasn’t the dumbest thing we’ve ever done.”
Nix ignored them, stepping toward the Ravager’s massive corpse. They had risked everything for this. They needed to make sure it was worth it.
Without wasting time, Nix drew his makeshift skinning knife and sliced into the Ravager’s chest, aiming for its heart. His movements were efficient, precise, but even with the victory, his hands were still unsteady from the battle’s strain.
Aria knelt beside him, helping peel away the thick muscle as Nix finally reached the prized organ, the massive, blood-soaked heart of a Three-Star Monster.
He tore it free, feeling the heavy weight of it in his grasp. Blood ran down his arms, hot and fresh.
“This’ll be enough proof,” he muttered, his breathing still ragged.
Aria nodded, wiping sweat from her forehead. “Yeah. No one can doubt we took down a Three-Star after seeing this.”
She turned to Layla, who had been watching them with hungry eyes. Despite being exhausted, the beast’s instincts were sharp. She recognized power when she saw it.
Aria reached into her belt pouch, pulling out a smaller core from a One-Star Monster. Without hesitation, she fed it to Layla.
Nix blinked. “Wait… you’re feeding her that?”
Aria shrugged. “She needs to get stronger. This is why we’re here. To hunt, get paid, and make Layla stronger.”
Vix hummed. “Interesting. If Monster Beasts grow stronger by absorbing Monster Cores, that would explain why they never stop hunting. It might not just be instinct but necessity.”
Aria watched as Layla finished crushing the core between her fangs, her body tensing as if the energy was being absorbed directly into her muscles. It wasn’t a huge change, but Nix could see it now, a faint improvement in her posture, her fur looking slightly thicker, her breathing stabilizing.
Nix frowned, deep in thought. “So monsters get stronger through constant hunting and consuming Cores. That explains why the Apex ones are so damn terrifying.”
Vix beeped. “The real question now is… if Monster Beasts evolve like this, how do Neomorphs?”
Nix didn’t answer. They’d need to look into this later.
For now, they had more important things to deal with.
After securing the heart, they moved to harvest what they could from the body.
Nix carved out thick slabs of meat, knowing that high-rank monster meat had serious benefits. He couldn’t eat it raw, but cooked properly, it would serve as powerful nourishment.
Aria, meanwhile, focused on removing the Ravager’s massive paws. “These will sell for a fortune,” she muttered, sawing through the tendons carefully.
Nix barely paid attention, too focused on inspecting the severed paws. Something had caught his eye.
Each paw had something unusual, a set of two elongated claws on each finger. The way they were shaped wasn’t normal for a bear-like creature. They weren’t just for slashing, but piercing armor.
Nix’s eyes narrowed. “Wait a second…”
He grabbed one of the severed paws, carefully pulling the thick hide away. Beneath it, he found a skeletal structure that perfectly matched the shape of a gauntlet.
Curious, he slid his hand into the hollowed section, and to his surprise, it was a perfect fit.
The structure locked around his forearm snugly, leaving his fingers completely free while the two massive claws extended from the back of the hand like a natural extension of his arm.
Vix let out an excited beep. “Oh-ho, brother, I think you just found your next weapon.”
Nix clenched his fist, testing the balance. Despite its size, the clawed gauntlet was light, yet deadly sharp. It felt like it was meant to be worn, an extension of his body rather than just a tool.
“This… might actually work,” he muttered.
Vix hummed in agreement. “Think about it. Your Recoiled Punch is already strong, but now? Now you have a weapon that can pierce through even the toughest armor. You’re literally punching with blades now.”
Nix tested the motion, activating Recoil in his arm just slightly, and the speed of the claws slashing through the air made an audible whip-like sound.
Aria grinned. “Not bad. I wouldn’t mind one of those.”
Nix chuckled. “Good thing I grabbed another set.”
He quickly set to work, crafting a second pair, adjusting the fit so that Aria could wear them as well. While not as strong as Nix, her speed and precision would make these weapons deadly in her hands.
With their new weapons secured, they gathered the toughest hide from the Ravager’s back, knowing that it could be used to make armor. The rest would be sold for a hefty price.
Vix finally beeped after running a quick calculation. “We have four hours left before the exam ends. We should move before anything else shows up.”
Nix agreed. The longer they stayed, the more dangerous it got.
But for now, they had achieved something few others could claim.
They had taken down a Three-Star Monster.
And they weren’t walking away empty-handed.
With their strength replenished and their weapons secured, Nix, Aria, and Layla began their quiet trek back toward the Spider Garden. The lingering taste of 3-Star Monster meat still coated their tongues, rich with nutrients. The difference was noticeable, Nix’s wounds, which would have taken three hours to heal, now needed only one. His muscles no longer ached, his energy had returned, and even the soreness in his bones faded faster than before.
As they moved through the dense foliage, their steps were deliberate, their senses sharp. No wasted movements. No unnecessary noise. They had fought, survived, and now, they were truly adapting to this world of predators.
Layla took the lead, her silent movements gliding through the underbrush like a shadow. Aria followed, bow at the ready, her eyes scanning for threats. Nix moved last, his instincts tuned to every shift in the forest around them.
When they finally reached the Spider Garden, however, they weren’t alone.
From the cover of the trees, Nix, Aria, and Layla peered down at a group of four people standing within the web-filled hunting ground.
Jared.
And his team.
The same group who had bullied Nix for years. They were moving through the Spider Garden with calculated movements, inspecting the web traps with careful hands. In their possession, each of them held a One-Star Monster Cores collected from the trapped monsters while checking one's that are confirmed strangled to death.
Vix’s voice hummed low, a rare note of surprise in her tone. “Jared and his lackeys… They actually managed to collect a Core for each of them?”
Layla’s ears flicked back, her muscles tensing. A deep growl rumbled in her throat, low and dangerous. She was ready to attack.
But Nix raised a hand, stopping her.
Aria gave him a questioning glance, but Nix only shook his head.
“Let them be.”
Vix’s drone hovered beside him. “Let them be? Aren’t these the same idiots who kept bullying you?”
Nix let out a slow breath, his sharp green eyes studying the group in the distance. Jared wasn’t hoarding all three Monster Cores. He had divided them equally among his teammates.
That meant something.
“Granny Laurie always told me… Don’t judge people by their actions alone, judge them by their motives.”
Vix beeped. “And?”
Nix smirked slightly, motioning toward the group. “Look at them. Jared could have kept all three Cores for himself. But he didn’t.”
Vix paused. “…Why?”
“Because he wants his team to pass this test with him.”** Nix’s voice was calm, unreadable.** “He isn’t selfish. If he was, I would’ve beaten him and taken their Cores already.”
Aria listened quietly, her gaze flicking between Jared and his team. She gave a small nod of understanding.
For all his arrogance, Jared wasn’t cruel. He had strength, but he also had loyalty.
“Tch.” Vix made a clicking noise, but there was no real argument left in her tone. “Still doesn’t mean I'll forgive him.”
Nix chuckled under his breath. “You don’t have to.”
Without a word, Nix, Aria, and Layla moved carefully, avoiding even the faintest sound as they slipped through the trees. Their supplies were still untouched. Their extra monster parts remained where they had left them.
With quiet efficiency, they retrieved their belongings, packed what they needed, and left the rest behind.
As Nix gave one last glance toward the clearing, he watched as Jared’s group continued to navigate the Spider Garden.
There was no resentment in his gaze. No anger.
Just understanding.
"Let them have their fun here." His voice was quiet, unreadable. "I can’t help others, but I won’t stop anyone who’s trying to survive. Not unless they put me or the people I care about in danger."
Aria nodded in silent agreement.
And with that, they vanished back into the forest.
The Adventurer’s Guild awaited them.
The heavy wooden doors of the Adventurer’s Guild creaked open as Nix, Aria, Layla, and Vix stepped inside. The scent of sweat, cooked meat, and the metallic tang of blood filled the air. The grand hall was alive with the usual chaos, hunters boasting of their kills, merchants haggling over monster materials, and guild staff handling paperwork at long wooden counters.
Yet, as the four of them entered, there was an almost imperceptible shift in the atmosphere. Those closest to the entrance turned their heads, their conversations faltering for just a moment. It wasn’t just the sight of a Shadowfang Lynx walking alongside them or the battered armor and weapons they carried.
It was the way they moved.
Their steps were silent, measured, like predators slipping into new territory. A week ago, they had been just another pair of exam takers. Now, they walked with a presence that demanded recognition.
Even the security guard near the entrance stiffened, his trained instincts kicking in. He hadn’t even noticed them approaching until they were already beside him. His hand instinctively hovered near the hilt of his sword before he caught himself, clearing his throat.
“You two… You weren’t like this a week ago,” the guard muttered, eyeing them with curiosity.
Nix glanced at him before speaking, his tone calm. “Where do we go to complete our quest?”
The guard blinked, shaking off his unease before nodding toward a wide corridor to the right. “Follow that hall, take the first left. The examiners will be there.”
Nix gave a slight nod, leading the way. Aria followed at his side, Layla padding silently beside her. Vix hovered close, scanning their surroundings.
As they moved deeper into the guild, the murmurs in their wake grew fainter. They weren’t famous, not yet. But they were different, and people could sense it.
Reaching the examiner’s table, they spotted a broad-shouldered man in a deep blue coat, his sharp eyes watching them with interest. As Nix and Aria approached, he smiled, not in amusement, but in recognition.
The moment they stepped closer, his instincts told him exactly what they were.
Hunters.
Good afternoon sir, I am Nix Grimwald and This is Aria Velthorne, we are here to complete our quest.
“Let’s see what you’ve got,” the examiner said, leaning forward with curiosity.
Without hesitation, Nix reached into his bag and began pulling out everything they had collected, Monster Cores, materials, and even the specially crafted arrows.
The examiner leaned forward, his sharp eyes scanning the pile of Monster Cores and materials spread across the table. The weight of the hunt, the risk, and the bloodshed behind each Core were evident. His gaze finally settled on the large, blood-soaked 3-Star Monster Heart resting beside them, a testament to their insane gamble.
He exhaled, shaking his head slightly. “Damn. You two really went all out.” He reached forward, carefully picking up one of the 2-Star Cores, inspecting its deep crimson glow. “Most recruits barely manage a single 1-Star Core, but you? You each brought back,”
Final Core Count:
Nix’s Cores:
Three (3) 2-Star Monster Cores
One (1) 1-Star Monster Core
Aria’s Cores:
Three (3) 2-Star Monster Cores
One (1) 1-Star Monster Core
The examiner placed the Core down and smirked. “And on top of that, a 3-Star Monster Heart.” He let out a short laugh. “No one’s going to question whether or not you two passed.”
Nix and Aria exchanged a glance but said nothing. Their hunt had been brutal, exhausting, and more than once, they had come close to death. But standing here now, their success laid bare before them, it felt worth it.
The examiner reached beneath the counter and pulled out two metal-plated cards, placing them before them. The deep onyx-black cards were smooth but sturdy, with silver engravings marking their names.
“These are yours,” the examiner said, tapping the cards. “Your Adventurer’s License. This isn’t just proof that you passed, it’s your access to everything the Guild has to offer.”
Nix picked up his card, flipping it over between his fingers. It felt cool and metallic, heavier than expected. Aria inspected hers, raising a brow.
Before they could ask more, the examiner tapped a button on his terminal. A soft chime rang through the room.
“Before your licenses are fully activated, you need to turn in at least one (1) 1-Star Monster Core,” he explained. “This is a requirement to access the Adventurer’s Credit System.”
Nix frowned. “Why? What’s the difference?”
The examiner smirked slightly, leaning forward. “Civilians use a lower-tier currency backed by silver, gold, and other material-based resources. It’s good for everyday trade, but it’s nothing compared to what Adventurers deal with.”
He gestured toward the Monster Cores on the table. “In our world, the true currency isn’t gold, it’s C.O.I.N.”
Vix beeped, already recording. “Credit Online Innovation Network, an energy-backed financial system?”
“Exactly,” the examiner nodded. “COIN is directly backed by Monster Cores. Unlike oil or gold, Cores are the most stable currency in existence. That’s why one COIN is worth 100 gold in the civilian world.”
Aria whistled. “That’s a huge difference.”
The examiner smirked. “It is. And it’s why most Adventurers never use gold anymore. You’ll be paid in COIN, you’ll buy weapons in COIN, and you’ll use COIN to trade high-value materials. But to even access that system, your license must be linked to at least one Core.”
Nix and Aria glanced at each other before reaching for one of their 1-Star Cores each. They placed them on the scanner, and the moment the device registered the Cores, their Adventurer’s Licenses lit up with a faint blue glow.
“Perfect.” The examiner tapped another button. “Your credit systems are now active.”
Nix flipped his card over again, watching as new menu options appeared.
Balance: 5 COIN
A small but solid start.
Aria nodded in approval. “So, with enough Cores, we could technically mint our own fortune?”
The examiner chuckled. “That’s how the rich do it. The more high-rank Cores you collect, the more you can trade or refine into higher denominations. The Adventurer’s Guild and major city-states use this system to maintain stability.”
Vix whirred. “All valuable data recorded.”
Satisfied, the examiner leaned back in his chair. “Alright, now that you’ve got your cards, let’s talk business.”
His gaze flicked back to the pile of Monster Cores, materials, and the 3-Star Heart.
“You want to sell these?”
Nix crossed his arms. “Not yet.”
Aria nodded. “Same.”
The examiner smirked. “Figured as much. But in case you change your mind, there’s a place for that.”
He gestured toward their cards again. “Check the map. See that big section labeled Adventurer’s Market? That’s where you go to buy, sell, and trade materials, weapons, or supplies. Merchants there specialize in monster parts, rare items, and even custom gear.”
Aria whistled. “So we can negotiate instead of just taking whatever price the Guild offers?”
The examiner nodded. “Exactly. The Guild will always buy your materials, but merchants might pay more or offer you a direct trade.”
Vix hummed. “Oh, I like this. Nix, we should check it out.”
Nix pocketed his card. “We’ll see.”
The examiner chuckled. “Well, whether you sell here or later, you’ve done more than enough to pass.” He leaned forward, his smirk fading slightly as he gestured toward a hallway beyond the examination counter.
“Now, take your licenses and head to Captain Dain. He’s overseeing the final stage of the trial. Once you show him your cards as proof of completion, your Adventurer’s Quest will officially be marked as complete.”
Nix and Aria exchanged one last look before slipping their Adventurer’s License Cards into their pockets.
The weight of everything they had been through still clung to them.
But now, they had proof that they had earned their place.
Without hesitation, they turned and made their way toward Captain Dain’s Office.
Their first true step as Adventurers had just begun.
