The forest changed the moment they crossed the invisible boundary.
It wasn't something they could see.
But they could feel it.
A pressure.
Subtle—
But constant.
Han Sen slowed his steps, his eyes scanning the surroundings carefully.
"…this place feels wrong."
Han Chandu walked beside him, calm as ever.
"…Mutant territory."
Those two words—
Were enough.
Han Sen exhaled slowly.
"…so no more easy fights."
Han Chandu didn't respond.
Because they both already knew the answer.
Primitive creatures had been dangerous.
But predictable.
Manageable.
Mutant creatures—
Were neither.
They moved forward carefully.
Every step controlled.
Every movement deliberate.
No wasted energy.
No unnecessary sound.
Because here—
A single mistake could mean death.
The forest was silent.
Too silent.
Han Chandu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…be ready."
Han Sen tightened his grip.
"…already am."
Then—
It happened.
A sudden distortion in the air.
Han Sen's instincts screamed.
He moved instantly—
Twisting his body to the side.
A blur tore past him.
The ground behind him exploded.
"…what the hell?!"
A figure appeared.
Lean.
Dark.
Its claws glinted faintly.
A Shadow Claw Beast (Mutant Creature).
Its eyes locked onto them.
Cold.
Intelligent.
Han Sen's expression hardened.
"…this is bad."
Han Chandu didn't reply.
He was already analyzing.
The creature moved again.
Gone.
Then—
Behind Han Sen.
Too fast.
Han Sen barely reacted.
He raised his weapon—
The impact hit.
Hard.
He was thrown back several steps.
"…damn!"
Pain surged through his arms.
That single strike—
Was stronger than anything before.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Not rushing.
Not panicking.
Watching.
Because Mutant creatures—
Couldn't be fought blindly.
The beast circled them slowly.
Its gaze shifting between them.
Calculating.
Waiting.
Han Sen steadied himself.
"…plan?"
Han Chandu answered calmly—
"…same base."
"…but faster."
Han Sen smirked faintly.
"…figured."
The beast attacked again.
No warning.
Straight for Han Sen.
Fast.
Han Sen dodged—
Barely.
A shallow cut appeared on his arm.
Blood flowed.
"…too fast…"
Han Chandu moved.
He stepped in—
And attacked.
But the beast reacted instantly—
Dodging effortlessly.
"…it reads us," Han Chandu said.
Better instincts.
Better reactions.
This wasn't something brute force could handle.
The beast suddenly shifted direction.
Target—
Han Chandu.
Too quick.
He blocked—
But was pushed back.
His footing slid.
"…strong too," Han Sen said.
This wasn't just speed.
It had real power.
Han Chandu steadied himself.
His gaze sharpened.
Because now—
He understood.
This wasn't a fight they could win easily.
"…we adapt," he said.
Han Sen nodded.
Now fully serious.
No more testing.
Only survival.
The beast lunged again.
This time—
Han Sen moved forward.
Closer.
Risky.
Very risky.
The beast reacted—
Attacking at close range.
That moment—
Han Chandu moved.
He aimed low.
The leg.
The strike landed.
Not deep—
But enough.
The beast jumped back instantly.
"…not enough," Han Sen muttered.
But—
Something changed.
Its movement—
Slightly delayed.
A tiny opening.
Han Chandu saw it.
"…again."
They repeated.
Han Sen drew attention.
Han Chandu attacked low.
Again.
And again.
Each hit—
Small.
But stacking.
Building pressure.
The beast grew more aggressive.
Its attacks became faster.
More violent.
Han Sen took another hit.
A deeper cut across his shoulder.
He staggered back.
"…this is getting bad…"
Han Chandu didn't respond.
Because this—
Was the moment.
The beast lunged again.
Full speed.
Target—
Han Sen.
Han Sen didn't dodge immediately.
He waited.
At the last second—
He moved.
Just enough.
The beast overextended.
That instant—
Han Chandu struck.
Everything in one attack.
Precise.
Focused.
The leg.
A solid hit.
A crack echoed.
The beast staggered.
Balance broken.
"…NOW!" Han Sen shouted.
No hesitation.
They moved together.
Relentless.
No pause.
Strike after strike.
The beast tried to recover—
But it was too late.
Its movements slowed.
Its attacks weakened.
And finally—
It collapsed.
Silence.
Heavy breathing filled the air.
Han Sen bent slightly, catching his breath.
"…that…"
"…was insane…"
Han Chandu stood still.
"…this is Mutant level."
No pride.
Only truth.
Because they knew—
They had almost lost.
They prepared the meat carefully.
No rush.
No waste.
This creature—
Was valuable.
Han Sen took his portion.
→ Mutant Gene +1→ Mutant Gene +1→ Mutant Gene +1→ Mutant Gene +1
He stopped.
Half the meat was gone.
Han Chandu finished the rest.
→ Mutant Gene +1→ Mutant Gene +1→ Mutant Gene +1→ Mutant Gene +1
Nothing remained.
Han Sen exhaled slowly.
"…that's all."
Han Chandu nodded.
"…we move on."
Han Sen looked at his hands.
"…we're better…"
He paused.
"…but not strong."
Han Chandu didn't deny it.
Because even after:
OrdinaryPrimitiveMutant
Their total growth—
Was still limited.
Far from enough.
Han Sen clenched his fist slightly.
"…we can handle this level…"
"…but anything higher…"
He didn't finish.
He didn't need to.
Because both of them knew—
Something stronger still existed.
Far deeper in the forest—
A creature waiting.
A Mutant Black Beetle.
Stronger.
Evolving.
Becoming something worse.
Han Chandu turned his gaze forward.
Calm.
Focused.
"…we're not ready."
Han Sen nodded slowly.
"…not yet."
But this time—
They weren't far.
And that—
Was the most dangerous part.