The forest did not change.
But the pressure did.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Deeper.
Further than before.
Because now—
There was no reason to remain in the same zone.
Sacred creatures—
Were no longer targets.
They were steps.
And steps—
Were meant to be crossed.
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 → 65 / 100
Beast Souls:
Armor → Shadow Armor
Weapon → Mutant Blade
Weapon → Mutant Sword
Weapon → Sacred Beast Soul
Pet → Crystal Back Turtle
The panel faded.
No reaction.
Because the increase—
Was expected.
A presence appeared.
Close.
Immediate.
A Stone Fang Ape.
Sacred.
Large.
Heavy.
It charged.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Inside its range.
Safer.
Strike.
Joint.
Second.
Third.
Final.
End.
"Creature (Stone Fang Ape — Sacred) killed."
A pause.
"No Beast Soul gained."
A faint drop—
Then gone.
He crouched.
Prepared the meat.
Ate.
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +0
Stopped.
Remaining meat—
He summoned the turtle.
It appeared.
Now stable.
No longer weak.
It consumed the remaining meat.
Another small growth.
A second presence appeared.
A Silver Spine Serpent.
Sacred.
Fast.
It attacked instantly.
Han Chandu moved.
Minimal.
Clean.
Strike.
Joint.
Second.
Final.
End.
"Creature (Silver Spine Serpent — Sacred) killed."
A pause.
"Beast Soul gained."
A faint presence entered.
He activated it.
A small form appeared.
Thin.
Unstable.
A Silver Spine Serpent.
Infant.
Weak.
Pet type.
Han Chandu looked at it.
Silent.
Then dismissed it.
He ate.
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +0
Stopped.
Remaining meat—
He summoned both.
The turtle appeared.
Stable.
And beside it—
The small serpent.
Weak.
Incomplete.
The difference—
Clear.
The turtle moved first.
Consumed meat.
Efficient.
The serpent—
Followed slowly.
Unstable.
But learning.
Eating.
Growing.
A faint shift.
Small.
But real.
Han Chandu observed.
Because now—
There were two.
A third presence appeared.
A Flame Crest Bird.
Sacred.
Fast.
From above.
He stepped forward.
Strike.
Wing.
Second.
End.
"Creature (Flame Crest Bird — Sacred) killed."
A pause.
"Beast Soul gained."
Another presence entered.
He activated it.
A small bird appeared.
Weak.
Unstable.
Barely formed.
Pet type.
Han Chandu stood still.
Looking at all three.
Turtle.
Serpent.
Bird.
One stable.
Two infants.
Silence.
Then—
A thought surfaced.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"…does the Sanctuary want me to become a pet breeder?"
A pause.
No answer.
Only silence.
Then—
He dismissed them.
He crouched.
Prepared the meat.
Ate.
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +1
→ Sacred Gene +0
Stopped.
Remaining meat—
He summoned them again.
All three.
The turtle ate first.
Efficient.
The serpent followed.
Stronger than before.
The bird—
Still weak.
But moving.
Eating.
Growing.
Another shift.
Three forms.
All improving.
At different speeds.
Han Chandu stood still.
Because now—
The system had changed again.
Not in rules.
But in scale.
More pets.
More growth.
More resource conversion.
He dismissed them.
Turned.
Walked forward.
Because now—
Even excess—
Multiplied.