Time passed.
One full month.
Every day—
Fight.
Hunt.
Eat.
Repeat.
No shortcuts.
No sudden strength.
Only slow, steady growth.
Han Chandu stood at the edge of the deeper forest, his breathing calm, his posture more stable than before—but still far from strong.
Beside him, Han Sen stretched slightly.
"…we've improved."
Han Chandu didn't reply.
Because the improvement—
Was small.
But real.
A faint panel appeared.
[ Status ]
Ordinary Genes → 30 / 100
[ Skill Panel ]
Taijutsu → 6 / 100
Still low.
Still crude.
But no longer completely untrained.
They stepped forward.
Carefully.
Because even now—
They couldn't afford mistakes.
A heavy sound echoed.
Thud.
Thud.
Han Sen's eyes narrowed.
"…it's here."
And then—
It appeared.
A Black Iron Beetle (Ordinary Creature).
Massive.
Its shell thick like iron, its presence heavy, far stronger than anything in the outer area.
The same creature they once ran from.
But now—
They didn't retreat.
"…same plan," Han Sen said quietly.
Han Chandu nodded.
The beetle charged.
Fast.
Han Sen rolled aside as the ground shook beneath it.
Han Chandu moved instantly—
Striking the same weak point.
A dull impact echoed.
Hard.
But effective.
Han Sen circled.
Controlling its movement.
Creating openings.
Han Chandu attacked again.
And again.
Precise.
Focused.
A crack appeared.
"…again!" Han Sen said.
No panic.
Only control.
They moved together.
Better than before.
Cleaner.
More coordinated.
But still rough.
Still imperfect.
The crack widened.
The beetle slowed.
Its defense—
Broke.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Final strike.
Direct.
Clean.
The shell shattered—
And the beetle collapsed.
Silence.
Heavy.
Earned.
Han Sen exhaled slowly.
"…we beat it."
Han Chandu remained calm.
Because this victory—
Came from effort.
Not strength.
The panel appeared.
[ Notification ]
→ Black Iron Beetle (Ordinary Creature) Killed→ No Beast Soul Obtained
Han Sen gave a faint smile.
"…still no luck."
They carried the meat back.
Days passed.
Day 1—
[ Notification ]
→ Black Iron Beetle Meat Consumed→ Ordinary Gene +1
Day 2—
→ Ordinary Gene +1
Day 3—
→ Ordinary Gene +1
Day 4—
→ Ordinary Gene +1
Day 5—
→ Ordinary Gene +1
Day 6—
→ Ordinary Gene +1
Han Chandu checked his panel.
[ Status ]
Ordinary Genes → 36 / 100
[ Skill Panel ]
Taijutsu → 6 / 100
No visible change in skill.
Only the body adapting silently.
Day 7—
Han Sen ate again.
Pause.
Then—
→ Ordinary Gene +0
He frowned.
"…no gain?"
He tried again later.
Same result.
→ Ordinary Gene +0
Silence.
Then—
Understanding.
Han Sen exhaled.
"…limit reached."
Han Chandu nodded.
"…this one is finished."
The remaining meat—
Still edible.
But no longer useful.
Han Sen stood.
"…we're still weak."
No pride.
Only truth.
Han Chandu looked deeper into the forest.
"…ordinary isn't enough."
Primitive.
Mutant.
Sacred.
That was the real path forward.
They stepped ahead again.
Slow.
Careful.
Because even now—
They were still at the bottom.
Behind them—
The Black Iron Beetle meant nothing anymore.
And ahead—
Stronger creatures waited.
Far more dangerous.
Far more necessary.
Han Sen smirked slightly.
"…next one might kill us."
Han Chandu didn't reply.
His gaze remained forward.
Calm.
Steady.
Because he understood—
This was only the beginning.