The deeper forest welcomed them once again.
But this time—
It felt different.
Not because the forest had changed.
But because they had.
Han Sen stepped forward slowly, his eyes scanning the surroundings with a calm he didn't possess before.
"…it's quieter," he said.
Han Chandu walked beside him, his expression unchanged.
"…no," he replied.
"…you're just noticing more."
Han Sen paused for a moment.
Then smirked.
"…yeah… maybe."
The truth was simple.
After three days of continuous hunting—
After completely filling their Ordinary Genes—
Their bodies had reached a level of stability they didn't have before.
Their movements were sharper.
Their reactions cleaner.
Not explosively stronger—
But refined.
Controlled.
And that difference—
Was everything.
A sudden rustle echoed from the bushes ahead.
Both of them stopped instantly.
A large figure emerged slowly.
A Primitive creature.
Its body was thick.
Its muscles dense.
Its presence far heavier than ordinary creatures.
Han Sen's grip tightened slightly.
But there was no fear.
Only focus.
"…finally back," he said.
The creature snorted.
Then charged.
Fast.
Much faster than ordinary creatures.
But—
Han Sen moved.
A single step.
A clean shift.
The charge missed.
"…that's it?" he muttered.
Before—
This speed would have forced him into panic.
Now—
It felt manageable.
Han Chandu moved at the same time.
No signal.
No words.
He stepped in from the side.
And struck.
His attack landed directly on the creature's leg.
A dull sound echoed.
The creature staggered.
Not heavily—
But enough.
Han Sen understood instantly.
"…same as before."
Legs.
Weak point.
He moved again.
Drawing attention.
The creature turned toward him.
But slower.
Too slow.
Han Chandu struck again.
Another hit to the leg.
This time—
The creature's balance broke slightly.
It roared.
Angry.
Violent.
But also—
Predictable.
That was the difference.
Before—
Primitive creatures felt overwhelming.
Now—
They felt readable.
Han Sen circled around.
Careful.
Measured.
He didn't rush.
Didn't overcommit.
Because he understood—
Even now—
A mistake could still cost everything.
The creature lunged again.
Han Sen dodged sideways.
Closer this time.
Dangerously close.
"…come on," he muttered.
The creature reacted.
Turning again.
That moment—
Han Chandu moved.
Faster.
Cleaner.
He struck the same leg—
Harder.
A cracking sound echoed faintly.
The creature stumbled.
This time—
More noticeable.
Han Sen didn't waste it.
He stepped in.
And attacked.
A precise strike.
Not powerful—
But accurate.
The creature roared again.
But its movements were already slowing.
Its balance weakening.
And its attacks—
Becoming desperate.
That was the turning point.
Han Chandu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…finish it."
Han Sen nodded.
No hesitation.
They moved together.
Not perfectly—
But in sync.
Han Sen drew its attention.
Han Chandu struck the legs.
Again.
And again.
Each hit—
Small damage.
But stacking.
Building.
Until—
The creature finally collapsed.
Heavy.
Loud.
Still.
Silence returned to the forest.
Han Sen stood there for a moment.
Breathing steadily.
"…that was easier than I expected."
Han Chandu walked closer.
"…because we're not the same anymore."
No pride.
No arrogance.
Just truth.
They prepared the meat.
Carefully.
No rush.
No waste.
The fire burned steadily.
The smell of cooked meat filled the air.
Han Sen took a portion.
And ate.
→ Primitive Gene +1
Another portion.
→ Primitive Gene +1
Han Chandu ate quietly beside him.
→ Primitive Gene +1
They continued.
Calm.
Steady.
Not forcing it.
Not rushing it.
Until—
→ Primitive Gene +0
Han Sen stopped.
"…that's it."
Han Chandu nodded.
"…limit reached."
The rule hadn't changed.
Only their position had.
Han Sen leaned back slightly.
"…we're getting used to this."
Han Chandu looked toward the deeper forest.
"…don't get comfortable."
Han Sen followed his gaze.
And immediately—
He understood.
Because somewhere deeper—
A presence still existed.
The Mutant Black Beetle.
Stronger than anything they had faced.
And still evolving.
Han Sen stood up slowly.
"…we're getting close."
Han Chandu didn't respond immediately.
Because he knew something Han Sen didn't fully understand yet.
In his previous life—
In the world of Super Gene—
That beetle—
Shouldn't even be here yet.
Which meant—
This world was already changing.
And that—
Made everything more dangerous.
"…we don't rush it," Han Chandu said finally.
Han Sen nodded.
"…yeah."
But his eyes—
Were different now.
Not afraid.
Not hesitant.
Focused.
Because now—
They had something they didn't have before.
A foundation.
A complete one.
Han Chandu turned.
"…next."
Han Sen smirked slightly.
"…stronger ones?"
Han Chandu nodded.
"…stronger ones."
They moved deeper into the forest.
Step by step.
Not running.
Not hesitating.
Because now—
They weren't avoiding danger anymore.
They were walking toward it.
Far ahead—
In the shadows—
Something moved.
A dark figure.
Its shell faintly glowing.
Its body slowly changing.
Evolving.
Waiting.
For the moment—
When they would finally meet again.