The forest waited.
Silent.
Unchanged.
But never empty.
Han Chandu stepped back into it.
Calm.
Measured.
Because now—
Everything followed a pattern.
Not a visible one.
But a controlled one.
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 → 20 / 100
Beast Souls:
Armor → Shadow Armor
Weapon → Mutant Blade
Weapon → Mutant Sword
Weapon → Sacred Beast Soul
The panel disappeared.
No reaction.
Because the numbers—
Were already understood.
Two Sacred hunts.
Two full gains.
No loss.
No mistake.
What mattered now—
Was not gain.
But cost.
Sacred hunting—
Was not efficient.
Not repeatable.
Not reliable.
It demanded time.
It demanded patience.
And most importantly—
It demanded control.
Han Chandu moved forward.
Not searching blindly.
Not chasing movement.
Because Sacred creatures—
Did not reveal themselves easily.
They existed—
Without pattern.
Without signal.
Only presence.
And that presence—
Had to be found.
Time passed.
Not marked.
Not divided.
Continuous.
Step by step.
The forest shifted subtly.
A Bone Spine Wolf appeared briefly.
Ignored.
A Crimson Horn Boar crossed through the trees.
Ignored.
Even a Storm Talon Eagle circled above.
Ignored.
Because now—
Everything below Sacred—
Had no value.
He continued.
Hours passed.
Then more.
Nothing.
No pressure.
No presence.
No sign.
And that—
Was expected.
Han Chandu didn't react.
Didn't change pace.
Because searching—
Was part of the process.
Then—
A shift.
Subtle.
But real.
The air—
Tightened.
Not heavy.
Not oppressive.
But focused.
Han Chandu stopped.
Instantly.
Because this—
Was different.
Not like the lion.
Not like the tiger.
This—
Was sharper.
More controlled.
His gaze moved.
Slow.
Careful.
Then—
He saw it.
A long figure.
Low to the ground.
Black scales reflecting faint light.
Eyes cold.
Unmoving.
A Black Crystal Serpent.
Sacred.
No doubt.
No confusion.
Han Chandu didn't move.
Because this—
Was dangerous.
Not in strength—
But in nature.
Poison.
Speed.
Precision.
Different from brute force.
Different from instinct.
This—
Was calculated.
The serpent moved first.
No warning.
No buildup.
A sudden strike.
Fast.
Straight.
Han Chandu reacted.
Side step.
Minimal.
Clean.
The attack missed.
Barely.
Too fast.
But readable.
That was enough.
He moved forward.
The Mutant Blade formed.
Strike.
But—
Blocked.
The scales resisted.
Hard.
Stronger than expected.
The serpent coiled.
Then—
Attacked again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Han Chandu activated—
Jade Skin.
Impact landed.
Light.
But dangerous.
Poison.
He stepped back.
Immediately.
Not from damage—
From understanding.
Because this—
Was not a normal fight.
Direct hits—
Were not the threat.
Contact—
Was.
He adjusted.
Lower stance.
More distance.
More control.
The serpent circled.
Silent.
Waiting.
Then—
Another strike.
This time—
Han Chandu moved forward.
Closing distance.
Inside the range.
Safer.
Blade moved.
Joint.
Precise.
A crack.
Small.
But real.
The serpent reacted.
Faster.
More aggressive.
But slightly—
Unstable.
That was enough.
Han Chandu didn't rush.
Didn't overcommit.
Because now—
One mistake—
Meant poison.
And poison—
Was not acceptable.
He circled.
Controlled.
Waiting.
The moment came.
A wide strike.
Han Chandu stepped in.
Closer.
Blade flashed.
Second strike.
Same point.
Deeper.
The serpent twisted.
Lost balance.
Just slightly.
That moment—
Was enough.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Final strike.
Direct.
Precise.
The Black Crystal Serpent froze—
Then collapsed.
Dead.
Silence returned.
The system responded.
"Creature (Black Crystal Serpent — 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.
Limit reached.
No excess.
No force.
Only control.
He checked.
[ Genes ]
Sacred → 25 / 100
Five points.
From one creature.
Correct.
Balanced.
Within rules.
He stood.
Calm.
Because now—
Everything remained consistent.
Three Sacred hunts.
Three controlled gains.
No waste.
No mistake.
He looked deeper into the forest.
Because now—
The cost was clear.
Time.
Effort.
Risk.
But also—
Progress.
Slow.
But certain.