The forest was silent.
Not empty.
Never empty.
But quiet enough—
To hear the difference.
Han Chandu walked forward.
Step by step.
Measured.
Controlled.
Because now—
The rules had changed.
Not the system.
Not the world.
But his position within it.
A faint panel appeared.
[ Sanctuary Panel ]
Status:
Evolution → Not Evolved
Life Span → 200 Years
Genes:
Ordinary → 100 / 100
Primitive → 100 / 100
Mutant → 100 / 100
Sacred → 10 / 100
Beast Souls:
Armor → Shadow Armor
Weapon → Mutant Blade
Weapon → Mutant Sword
The panel disappeared.
No reaction.
Because nothing here—
Was unexpected.
He already knew.
From before.
From another life.
The Sanctuary system.
The gene limits.
The progression path.
None of it was new.
Only one thing remained uncertain—
The world itself.
Because even with knowledge—
He could not assume.
He moved forward.
Not hunting.
Searching.
Sacred creatures—
Were rare.
Not uncommon.
Not occasional.
Rare.
Which meant—
Time.
Effort.
Patience.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
Primitive creatures moved in the distance.
A Stone Horn Rabbit darted through the bushes.
Ignored.
A Bone Spine Wolf crossed between trees.
Ignored.
Even a Shadow Claw Wolf appeared briefly.
Mutant.
Still—
Ignored.
Because now—
They offered nothing.
No gain.
No progression.
Only wasted time.
Han Chandu continued.
Hours passed.
The forest deepened.
The air grew heavier.
Subtly.
But clearly.
That change—
Was not random.
It meant something.
He stopped.
Instantly.
Because now—
There was a difference.
A presence.
Faint.
But real.
He didn't rush.
Didn't move blindly.
Because this—
Was Sacred level.
And Sacred—
Was not forgiving.
His eyes shifted.
Focused.
Then—
He saw it.
A massive figure.
Standing in the distance.
Still.
Calm.
But heavy.
A Golden Ironback Lion.
Sacred.
No system message.
No confirmation.
But known.
By presence alone.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Because now—
There was no reason to hesitate.
Fitness—
Within range.
Equipment—
Available.
Knowledge—
Complete.
That meant—
Fight.
The lion reacted.
Its eyes opened.
Locked onto him.
A pause.
Then—
It moved.
Fast.
Heavy.
The ground shook.
Han Chandu activated—
Jade Skin.
The impact came.
Direct.
Strong.
But held.
His body remained stable.
No collapse.
No imbalance.
Only resistance.
He stepped forward.
The Mutant Blade formed instantly.
Strike.
Leg.
Precise.
The blade cut.
Not deep—
But enough.
The lion reacted.
Claw swung.
Han Chandu raised his arm.
Impact.
Heavy.
But controlled.
He moved again.
Second strike.
Same point.
Deeper.
The lion roared.
But slower now.
Balance—
Shifting.
Han Chandu didn't rush.
Didn't overextend.
Because this—
Was equal ground.
The lion attacked again.
Wide.
Aggressive.
Han Chandu stepped inside.
Closer.
Safer.
The blade moved.
Third strike.
Clean.
The leg gave out.
The lion staggered.
That moment—
Was enough.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Final strike.
Direct.
Precise.
The lion froze.
Then—
Collapsed.
Dead.
Silence returned.
The system responded.
"Creature (Golden Ironback Lion — Sacred) killed."
A pause.
"No Beast Soul gained."
His gaze remained steady.
But for a brief moment—
A faint drop in expectation.
Then—
Gone.
Because chance—
Was never guaranteed.
He crouched.
Prepared the meat.
Carefully.
No waste.
No excess.
He cooked it.
Then—
He ate.
→ Sacred Gene +1
Another portion.
→ Sacred Gene +1
Another.
→ Sacred Gene +1
Another.
→ Sacred Gene +1
Another.
→ Sacred Gene +1
Then—
→ Sacred Gene +0
He stopped.
Not because of hesitation—
But because of limits.
Absorption—
Reached.
Physical capacity—
Reached.
No further gain.
No forced intake.
Only control.
He checked.
[ Genes ]
Sacred → 15 / 100
Five points.
From one creature.
Within rules.
Sequential.
Accurate.
No excess.
No mistake.
He stood.
Calm.
Because now—
Everything aligned.
System.
Body.
Control.
All consistent.
He turned.
Walking deeper into the forest.
Because now—
The path was clear.
Not fast.
Not easy.
But controlled.
Sacred hunting—
Would continue.
Slowly.
Step by step.
Until the next threshold.