The forest felt different.
Heavier.
Quieter.
More dangerous.
Han Chandu and Han Sen moved deeper than ever before, their steps slower now, more cautious than when they hunted ordinary creatures.
Because this time—
They weren't looking for the weak.
"…you feel it?" Han Sen whispered.
Han Chandu nodded slightly.
The air itself felt tense.
Not like before.
A faint rustle.
Then—
Silence.
Han Sen stopped walking.
"…something's wrong."
Han Chandu didn't reply.
His eyes scanned the surroundings.
Every shadow.
Every movement.
Then—
It appeared.
Not loud.
Not heavy like the beetle.
But silent.
Fast.
A dark blur dropped from a tree.
Han Sen barely reacted—
"MOVE!"
Han Chandu stepped back instantly.
A sharp claw sliced through the air where he stood just a moment ago.
Fast.
Too fast.
They finally saw it clearly.
A lean, dark creature with sharp limbs and glowing eyes.
A Shadow Claw Beast (Primitive Creature).
Han Sen's expression changed.
"…primitive…"
Not ordinary anymore.
The creature didn't wait.
It moved again.
Faster than before.
Han Sen raised his arm—
Too slow.
A scratch tore across his sleeve.
Not deep—
But close.
"…it's faster than us," Han Sen said.
Han Chandu's eyes narrowed.
Because he already knew.
Their Taijutsu—
Was not enough.
The beast circled them.
Light.
Silent.
Looking for an opening.
Han Chandu shifted his stance.
Careful.
Focused.
Not rushing.
It attacked again.
From the side.
Han Chandu reacted—
Barely.
He blocked—
But the impact pushed him back.
His footing broke slightly.
Too strong.
Too fast.
Han Sen jumped in, throwing a strike to distract it.
The creature leaped back instantly.
Avoided.
Clean.
"…we can't fight it like before," Han Sen muttered.
Han Chandu nodded.
Because this—
Was different.
No slow attacks.
No easy openings.
No repeated weak point strikes.
Only speed.
Only precision.
Only mistakes—
And death.
The beast moved again.
This time—
Faster.
Han Chandu focused.
Everything slowed.
Not the world—
Just his mind.
The moment it lunged—
He moved.
Side step.
Narrow.
Barely enough.
His counter—
Landed.
But—
Light.
Too light.
The creature barely reacted.
"…our attacks aren't enough," Han Sen said.
Han Chandu stepped back.
Calm.
Thinking.
Then—
He spoke.
"…we don't kill it."
Han Sen blinked.
"…what?"
"…we learn it."
Silence.
Then—
A small smirk.
"…you're serious?"
Han Chandu didn't answer.
Because he already moved.
The beast attacked again.
This time—
They didn't counter.
They dodged.
Watched.
Learned.
Step by step.
Move by move.
Pattern by pattern.
Its speed.
Its rhythm.
Its attack angle.
Han Sen laughed lightly as he barely dodged another strike.
"…this is insane."
Han Chandu remained silent.
Focused.
Because slowly—
Very slowly—
They began to react earlier.
Move cleaner.
Waste less motion.
Not stronger.
But better.
The beast paused.
Watching them now.
Because something changed.
They weren't prey anymore.
But they weren't hunters either.
Not yet.
Han Sen stepped back slightly, breathing heavier.
"…we can't win now."
Han Chandu nodded.
"…not yet."
The beast let out a low growl.
Then—
It disappeared into the forest.
Gone.
Silence returned.
Han Sen exhaled deeply.
"…that thing would've killed us before."
Han Chandu nodded.
A faint panel appeared.
[ Status ]
Ordinary Genes → 36 / 100
[ Skill Panel ]
Taijutsu → 6 / 100
Unchanged.
But something else—
Had changed.
Han Sen looked toward the trees.
"…primitive level…"
A pause.
Then—
A grin.
"…now it gets interesting."
Han Chandu turned slightly.
Looking deeper into the forest.
Because now—
They had seen the next level.
And they understood one thing clearly—
Ordinary strength—
Was no longer enough.