---
Chapter 5: The Hunt
The sound didn't stop.
Clink…
The faint vibration of stone against stone echoed through the clearing, subtle—but unmistakable.
Kael didn't move immediately.
His grip tightened slowly around the bow.
His breathing steadied.
Controlled.
Measured.
---
"…Not the wind."
---
Another sound followed.
Softer this time.
Movement through leaves.
Light.
Quick.
Multiple.
---
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"…More than one."
---
He shifted his stance slightly beneath the shelter, positioning himself where the firelight didn't expose him fully.
The bow rose slowly.
An arrow nocked.
---
Silence stretched.
---
Then—
They appeared.
---
From the edge of the clearing.
Low to the ground.
Moving fast.
---
Rats.
---
But not normal ones.
---
Their bodies were larger—each nearly the size of a small dog. Their fur was patchy and dark, their eyes faintly reflecting the firelight with an unnatural gleam.
Their movements—
Sharp.
Purposeful.
---
Four of them.
---
Kael exhaled slowly.
"…Appraisal."
---
[Target Information]
Name: Wild Rat
Type: Animal (Mutated)
Rank: F
Level: 1
---
HP: 18 / 18
---
[Attributes]
Strength: 3
Agility: 6
Stamina: 3
Wisdom: 2
Spirit: 2
---
[Mutation Stage]
→ Early Mutation
→ Enhanced speed and reflexes
---
[Traits]
• Pack Coordination
→ Moves in groups to overwhelm targets
• Sharp Incisors
→ Can cause bleeding damage
---
[Weakness]
→ Low durability
→ Fragile bone structure
---
[Status]
Alert
---
Kael's gaze hardened.
"…Fast. Not strong."
---
But four of them—
At once—
Was still dangerous.
---
The rats spread slightly.
Not rushing immediately.
Watching.
Testing.
---
"…They're not mindless."
---
Kael adjusted his grip.
Raised the bow higher.
---
"…Then neither am I."
---
One of the rats moved first.
A sudden burst forward.
Fast.
Too fast for hesitation.
---
Kael released.
---
Thud.
---
The arrow struck.
Clean.
Through the head.
---
The rat collapsed instantly.
---
+0.5 EXP Gained
---
"…Three left."
---
No pause.
The others reacted instantly.
---
Two split left.
One rushed directly.
---
Kael stepped back.
Reaching for another arrow—
Too slow.
---
The closest rat lunged.
---
Kael dropped the bow.
Grabbed the spear.
---
The moment it jumped—
He thrust forward.
---
Impact.
---
The spear pierced through its side, the momentum carrying the body forward before it dropped.
---
+0.5 EXP Gained
---
"…Two."
---
A sharp pain flickered across his leg.
---
"—!"
---
One of the flanking rats had closed the distance.
Its teeth grazed his calf.
Not deep—
But enough.
---
Kael reacted instantly.
Turning—
Kicking it back.
---
The rat skidded across the ground.
Recovered quickly.
---
"…Fast."
---
Too fast for sloppy movement.
---
The last two circled now.
More cautious.
---
Kael steadied himself.
Adjusted stance.
Spear forward.
---
"…Come."
---
One feinted.
The other lunged.
---
Kael didn't react to the first.
Waited—
---
Then struck the second.
---
Direct.
Precise.
---
The spear slammed down, pinning it to the ground.
---
+0.5 EXP Gained
---
The final rat hesitated.
Just for a second.
---
That was enough.
---
Kael moved forward.
Closing the distance himself this time.
---
The rat turned—
Too late.
---
A downward strike ended it.
---
+0.5 EXP Gained
---
Silence returned.
---
Kael stood still.
Breathing slightly heavier.
---
[System Notification]
EXP: 7.01 / 10
---
"…Not bad."
---
He glanced down at his leg.
A shallow bite.
Bleeding slightly.
---
"…Appraisal."
---
[Status]
Minor Injury
Bleeding (Low)
---
Kael frowned slightly.
"…Not good."
---
He crouched.
Pressed his hand lightly over the wound.
---
"…Life Transfer."
---
A faint dark energy moved.
Slow.
Controlled.
---
The bleeding slowed.
Then stopped.
---
[System Notification]
→ Life Transfer Proficiency Increased
---
Kael exhaled.
"…Useful."
---
He stood again.
Looking at the bodies.
---
"…Meat."
---
Small.
But usable.
---
He dragged them closer to the fire.
Not wasting anything.
---
But his expression remained thoughtful.
---
"…If rats are moving in groups…"
---
His gaze shifted toward the forest.
---
"…Bigger ones will too."
---
That thought settled heavily.
---
The forest—
Was changing faster than expected.
---
Kael sat back briefly.
Grabbing one of the roasted fish remains.
Taking a bite.
---
Thinking.
Planning.
---
"…I need real food."
---
Something bigger.
More efficient.
---
His eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"…A boar."
---
He stood.
Picked up his spear.
---
"…Risky."
---
But necessary.
---
"Wolves are too fast."
"Snakes… unpredictable."
---
"But a boar…"
---
His grip tightened.
---
"…I can plan for."
---
The decision was made.
---
He spent the rest of the night preparing lightly.
Sharpening his spear.
Checking his arrows.
Adjusting his traps.
---
Not overworking.
Not repeating yesterday's mistake.
---
The aurora above pulsed again.
Strange.
Alive.
Watching.
---
But this time—
Kael didn't feel small.
---
He felt ready.
---
---
Morning came heavy.
---
The air—
Different.
---
Thick.
Wet.
Pressing against his skin.
---
Kael stepped out slowly.
Looking up.
---
Dark clouds gathered.
---
"…Rain."
---
The wind shifted.
Carrying pressure.
---
"…Storm coming."
---
He exhaled slowly.
---
"…Good."
Water.
---
"…And bad."
Visibility reduced.
Movement harder.
Scent trails stronger.
---
His eyes turned toward the forest.
---
"…Perfect for hunting."
---
He picked up his spear.
Secured his bow.
---
"…Today…"
---
His gaze sharpened.
---
"I hunt."
---
The forest felt different in the morning.
Heavier.
Alive in a way that wasn't comforting.
---
Kael moved steadily between the trees, his steps quieter than before. Experience—however little—had already begun shaping his movement. He no longer pushed through blindly.
He listened.
Watched.
Adjusted.
---
The air carried moisture.
The coming rain wasn't subtle anymore.
It was certain.
---
"…Good for tracking," Kael murmured.
---
The ground was softer than yesterday.
Impressions clearer.
Disturbances easier to read.
---
It didn't take long.
---
He found them.
---
Deep marks pressed into the soil.
Wide.
Heavy.
---
Hoof prints.
---
Kael crouched.
Studied them carefully.
---
"…Fresh."
---
The edges hadn't collapsed.
The soil still slightly damp.
---
"Close."
---
He stood slowly.
Eyes scanning ahead.
---
No sound.
No movement.
---
But something—
Was there.
---
Kael continued forward.
Slower now.
More cautious.
---
Branches broken at mid-height.
Scraped bark.
Disturbed ground.
---
Signs of force.
---
Then—
He saw it.
---
Between two thick trees.
---
A massive shape.
---
The boar.
---
It stood with its head lowered slightly, snout digging into the ground as it searched for food.
---
Up close—
It was worse.
---
Its body was dense with muscle, far beyond normal proportions. The hide looked thick—almost like layered armor. The tusks curved outward, sharp and stained.
---
Kael's breathing slowed.
---
"…Appraisal."
---
[Target Information]
Name: Wild Boar
Type: Animal (Mutated)
Rank: F
Level: 2
---
HP: 25 / 25
---
[Attributes]
Strength: 8
Agility: 6
Stamina: 10
Wisdom: 4
Spirit: 6
---
[Mutation Stage]
→ Early–Mid Mutation
→ Enhanced muscle density and aggression
---
[Traits]
• Charge
→ Rapid forward burst
→ Increased impact damage
---
[Weakness]
→ Eyes (Critical)
→ Lower neck (Moderate)
---
[Status]
Calm
---
Kael's grip tightened slightly.
"…Too strong head-on."
---
That much was clear.
---
Even if he won—
The cost would be too high.
---
"…So don't fight fair."
---
He stepped back.
Slowly.
Carefully.
---
The boar didn't notice.
---
Good.
---
Kael retreated far enough before turning.
Moving quickly now.
---
"…Preparation first."
---
---
He searched the forest again.
---
Not for wood this time.
---
For vines.
---
The same type he had encountered before.
Dark.
Twisted.
Alive in the wrong way.
---
He found them.
---
Clinging to a fallen tree.
Subtly moving.
---
Kael didn't touch them directly.
---
Using his spear—
He cut them carefully.
---
They reacted.
Slight movement.
Tension.
---
"…Still active."
---
Good.
---
He gathered several lengths.
---
Then moved to a safer area.
---
There—
He began working.
---
"Link."
---
The vines resisted at first.
Different from wood.
More… reactive.
---
But the connection held.
---
He layered them.
Crossed them.
Reinforced them.
---
The process was slower.
But precise.
---
Eventually—
A net formed.
---
Wide.
Flexible.
Alive.
---
Kael stepped back slightly.
"…Appraisal."
---
[Item Information]
Name: Parasitic Net
Type: Constructed Tool
Rank: F+
---
[Properties]
• Life Absorption (Low)
→ Gradually drains stamina from trapped targets
• Flexible Binding
→ Adapts to movement, tightening over time
---
[Status]
Active
---
Kael nodded.
"…That'll help."
---
---
Next—
The trap.
---
He searched for terrain.
---
Not random.
---
A path.
A natural one.
---
Something the boar would follow.
---
He found it.
---
A narrow route between trees.
Limited movement space.
---
"…Perfect."
---
He began digging.
---
The soil resisted.
Hard.
Packed.
---
But he didn't stop.
---
Time passed.
---
Sweat built.
Breathing deepened.
---
Finally—
A pit formed.
---
Not perfect.
But deep enough.
---
At the bottom—
He placed spikes.
---
Sharpened wood.
Bound tightly.
---
"Link."
---
The spikes fused.
Stable.
Deadly.
---
He covered it.
---
Branches.
Leaves.
Dirt.
---
Blended into the ground.
---
Almost invisible.
---
Kael stood.
Studying it.
---
"…Good."
---
---
Now—
The dangerous part.
---
He picked up his spear.
---
And returned.
---
---
The boar was still there.
---
But now—
It noticed him.
---
Its head lifted.
---
Eyes locked.
---
A low snort echoed.
---
Kael didn't hide.
---
Didn't retreat immediately.
---
He stepped forward—
Deliberately.
---
A challenge.
---
"…Come."
---
The reaction was instant.
---
The boar roared.
---
And charged.
---
Fast.
Too fast.
---
Kael turned—
And ran.
---
Branches snapped underfoot.
---
The ground shook behind him.
---
Heavy.
Relentless.
---
"…Faster than before!"
---
He adjusted.
---
Zig-zag.
---
Changing direction constantly.
---
The boar followed—
But struggled to maintain full speed.
---
Still—
It was closing.
---
Too quickly.
---
Then—
It happened.
---
A faint white glow.
---
"…Charge."
---
Its speed surged.
---
"Shit—!"
---
Distance vanished.
---
Kael pushed forward.
Everything focused.
---
The trap—
Ahead.
---
Now.
---
At the last moment—
He jumped.
---
The ground vanished beneath him.
---
He cleared it.
---
Behind him—
The boar didn't.
---
It charged forward—
And fell.
---
A massive crash shook the ground.
---
A roar followed.
Violent.
Enraged.
---
Kael turned instantly.
---
"…Now!"
---
He threw the net.
---
It spread mid-air.
---
Then—
Wrapped.
---
The vines tightened instantly.
---
The boar struggled violently.
---
But—
Slower.
---
"…Working."
---
Kael grabbed his spear.
Approached carefully.
---
The boar thrashed below.
Still strong.
Still dangerous.
---
"…End it."
---
He thrust downward.
---
The spear struck—
But didn't penetrate deeply.
---
"…Too thick!"
---
The boar roared.
Shaking violently.
---
Kael pulled back.
Breathing harder.
---
"…Think!"
---
Then—
He saw it.
---
The eye.
---
Unprotected.
---
Weak.
---
He steadied himself.
---
"One chance."
---
He leaned forward—
And struck.
---
Clean.
Precise.
---
The spear pierced the eye.
---
The body jerked—
Then stopped.
---
Silence.
---
+6.0 EXP Gained
---
[System Notification]
Level Up! → Level 2
---
[Stat Increase]
Strength: +1
Agility: +1
Stamina: +1
Wisdom: +1
Spirit: +5
---
Kael staggered back slightly.
Breathing heavy.
---
"…Done…"
---
He looked at the body.
---
Relief.
---
Then—
Focus returned.
---
"…Not done yet."
---
He stepped forward.
Placed his hand on the boar.
---
"…Life Transfer."
---
Energy flowed.
---
Heavy.
Warm.
---
Not violent.
---
Controlled.
---
[System Notification]
→ Life Transfer Proficiency Increased
---
Kael exhaled slowly.
---
"…Good."
---
Then—
Rain began.
---
Light at first.
---
Then heavier.
---
Kael looked up.
---
"…No time."
---
---
He worked immediately.
---
Using branches.
Using Linking.
---
He created a crude drag system.
---
Not elegant—
But effective.
---
He pulled.
Pushed.
Dragged.
---
The body moved slowly.
---
Heavy.
---
But manageable.
---
Time passed.
Rain intensified.
---
By the time he reached the clearing—
He was soaked.
---
But he didn't stop.
---
"…Work first."
---
---
He began processing the body.
---
Carefully.
---
Skin first.
---
The hide peeled away slowly.
---
"…Useful."
---
Then—
Tusks.
---
Sharp.
Solid.
---
"…Weapons."
---
Then—
Meat.
---
Cut into pieces.
---
Organized.
---
Prepared.
---
He built a smoking rack.
---
Fire beneath.
---
Shelter above.
---
"…Good thing I built this."
---
The meat began to preserve.
---
The smell filled the air.
---
Strong.
Real.
---
Kael sat briefly.
---
Took a bite.
---
"…Better than fish."
---
---
Rain continued outside.
---
But inside—
The base held.
---
Stable.
---
Functional.
---
Alive.
---
Kael leaned back slightly.
---
Tired.
---
But satisfied.
---
"…Stronger."
---
Not enough.
---
But closer.
---
He stood again.
---
Even now—
He worked.
---
Adjusting.
Improving.
Preparing.
---
Because now—
He understood.
---
This wasn't just survival.
---
It was a race.
---
Against time.
Against evolution.
Against everything changing around him.
---
Kael looked out into the rain-covered forest.
---
Eyes steady.
---
"I keep moving forward."
---
No matter what comes next.