The forest path leading back to the academy stretched quietly ahead of Kai.
Evening light filtered through the trees, long shadows crossing the ground. The air carried the faint scent of damp soil and crushed leaves from the battles earlier that day.
Kai walked steadily, his sword resting lightly at his side.
His mind wasn't focused on the forest anymore.
It was focused on the numbers.
Every beast today had given the same result.
+50 XP.
No matter the size.
No matter the difficulty.
Hybrid Vision Eyes remained active as he walked, scanning the forest automatically.
Small creatures scurried between the undergrowth.
Two minor predators lurked near a stream to his left.
Kai didn't bother with them.
He already knew the result.
Fifty.
The system appeared briefly again as he reached the outer edge of the academy forest.
Crystal Absorbed (Previous Hunt Summary)
Total Hunts: 6
Total XP Gained: +300 XP
Total RP Gained: +64 RP
Kai stared at the numbers.
Three hundred XP sounded like a lot.
But yesterday, a single rare beast had nearly given him that much.
Now he had fought six predators just to get the same total.
He exhaled quietly.
"So that's how it works."
The system was forcing him forward.
If he kept hunting the same beasts, progress would slow.
He stepped through the academy gates just as the evening bell rang.
Students were returning from their own training sessions.
Some carried weapons.
Others discussed their hunts excitedly.
Kai passed them quietly.
None of them paid much attention to him.
The Great 17 were already gathered near the training courtyard.
Marcus leaned against a stone pillar, arms crossed.
Victor was studying a map on a wooden table.
Lena sharpened her blade calmly.
Kairo sat nearby, spinning a dagger lazily between his fingers.
Aiden stood at the center of the group.
He looked up when Kai approached.
"You went hunting again."
It wasn't a question.
Kai nodded.
Marcus pushed himself off the pillar.
"Anything interesting?"
Kai shrugged slightly.
"Normal predators."
Marcus snorted.
"That's disappointing."
Victor glanced up from the map.
"We're heading to the northern ridge tomorrow."
Kai paused.
The northern ridge.
That area was known for stronger beasts.
Marcus grinned slightly.
"Finally something worth fighting."
Lena sheathed her sword.
"There have been reports of intermediate predators gathering there."
Kai listened carefully.
That was exactly what he needed.
Victor rolled the map closed.
"We leave at dawn."
Aiden looked toward Kai briefly.
"You're coming."
Kai nodded once.
"Alright."
Marcus stretched his arms.
"Good. I was getting tired of easy hunts."
The group slowly began dispersing.
Kai returned to the dormitory building quietly.
Night had fully settled over the academy.
Inside his room he sat down on the edge of the bed and opened the system interface again.
The familiar screen appeared.
System Status
XP: 1,672
Reward Points: 398 RP
Abilities:
Hybrid Vision Eyes (Upgraded)
Crystal Assimilation
Combat Instincts
Kai leaned back slightly.
The XP number had increased today.
But slowly.
Much slower than before.
He opened the System Shop.
More items had appeared.
System Shop
Combat Instincts II — 150 RP
Advanced Sword Control — 120 RP
Endurance Boost — 100 RP
Perception Amplifier — 160 RP
Hybrid Vision Analysis Module — 200 RP
Kai studied them carefully.
The Hybrid Vision Analysis Module caught his attention.
If Hybrid Vision Eyes improved again, it might help him track stronger beasts more effectively.
But spending 200 RP now would leave him with very little.
He decided to wait.
Instead, he selected Advanced Sword Control.
Purchase Confirmed
Advanced Sword Control Unlocked
Effect:
Improves weapon balance, strike precision, and blade control during combat.
RP Remaining: 278
Kai felt a subtle shift in his grip.
His hands adjusted instinctively around the sword handle resting beside him.
Small improvements.
But meaningful ones.
He closed the interface.
The system faded from view.
Kai leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes.
The day replayed in his mind.
Every fight.
Every movement.
Every strike.
The system was slowing his growth.
But that didn't mean progress had stopped.
It just meant the next step would require something greater.
Stronger beasts.
More dangerous hunts.
Kai opened his eyes again.
Outside the window the academy lights glowed softly in the darkness.
Tomorrow's hunt at the Northern Ridge would be different.
That area was deeper into the wilderness.
Stronger predators lived there.
Maybe the system would reward those fights differently.
Kai rested his sword beside the bed and finally lay down.
His breathing slowed.
Sleep came quickly.
Morning arrived early.
The academy bell rang just as the first light appeared over the mountains.
Kai dressed quickly and stepped outside.
The Great 17 were already waiting near the gate.
Marcus looked unusually energized.
"About time," he said.
Victor handed out small map markers.
"The northern ridge is several kilometers from here."
Lena adjusted her armor.
"We should reach the area by midday."
Kairo yawned.
"Hopefully something actually tries to kill us this time."
Marcus laughed.
"Careful what you wish for."
Aiden looked toward the forest.
"Move."
The group stepped beyond the academy walls together.
Seventeen elite students walking into the wilderness.
Kai walked near the middle of the formation.
Hybrid Vision Eyes activated quietly.
Energy traces appeared across the ground again.
The deeper they moved into the forest, the stronger the signatures became.
Predators.
Many of them.
Marcus noticed the tracks first.
"Something big passed through here."
Victor crouched beside the marks.
"These are recent."
Lena scanned the treeline.
"We're not alone."
Kai's vision traced the glowing footprints.
Several large beasts had moved through the ridge area recently.
But one track stood out above the others.
Massive.
Deep enough to crack the soil beneath it.
Kai slowed slightly.
That creature was much larger than anything they had fought so far.
The system flickered.
A new notification appeared.
High-Tier Presence Detected
Potential Threat Level: Unknown
Proceed with caution.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
Finally.
Something stronger.
Ahead, the trees began thinning as the ground rose into the rocky slope of the northern ridge.
The wind blew stronger here.
Marcus cracked his knuckles.
"Alright," he said with a grin.
"Let's see what's waiting for us."