Predator's Grace, Prey's Defiance

With the quiet assurance of a predator who has hunted a thousand times before, the panther moved forward. As it approached, its limbs extended gracefully and its claws silently dug into the woodland floor. Every stride it took, however, vibrated with dread and seemed to Jacob like a beating against his chest.There was something deeply wrong about it—something unnatural.

Its fur was as dark as a starless night, but it was the panther's eyes that disturbed him most—gleaming emeralds that didn't just look at them… they looked through them. Jacob felt like he'd been peeled apart, every secret and flaw laid bare.

Beside him, Connor stiffened. Both twins knew it instinctively—this creature wasn't just dangerous. It was death walking toward them.

Jacob's breath caught. Without thinking, he activated a skill.

{Skill Activation: Identify}

{Target: Shadow Beast – Level 8}

A brief flood of information flashed through his mind—stats, level, title—but none of it brought comfort. Jacob barely had time to process the name before the panther dipped its head and shifted into a crouch, eyes still fixed on them, body low to the ground.

It was preparing to strike.

Jacob swallowed hard. "It's… level 8."

Connor's eyes widened. "That's bad."

"We need to move!" Jacob hissed.

But Connor didn't budge. "We won't make it far. You know how we run."

Their condition made retreat nearly impossible. They weren't just twins—they were soul-linked. Every movement had to be coordinated, every step matched, or they risked falling flat. While the panther could move at full speed, they'd be stumbling over each other, tethered together by the same invisible thread that gave them their strange powers.

Connor's jaw tightened. "We have to fight it."

Before Jacob could protest, the panther lunged. Its sleek body moved faster than thought, teeth bared in a snarl aimed at their throats.

The twins scrambled backward, hearts thundering, barely escaping the initial strike.

"Call for something, Jacob!" With panic in his voice, Connor yelled.

Jacob threw out a hand in desperation, mind reaching for anything that could help.

{Skill Activation: Metal Shield (Common)}

In front of him, a shimmering silver shield appeared, but the beast's claws ripped it apart like paper, scattering metal pieces everywhere. Jacob could hear the sound of steel being torn apart, but Connor was too preoccupied to pay attention.His world had shrunk to survival.

Jacob, meanwhile, heard another voice—one not his own—echo in his mind:

You reach out with your will, but no beast stirs. Your inventory holds none—there are no tamed creatures to summon.

{Skill Activation: Imprint}

Green energy swirled around the beast's form, coalescing into a glowing outline.

"What the hell is Imprint?" Jacob muttered, frustrated. It didn't seem to do anything useful—just highlighted the enemy like a target.

But then… a memory struck him. Connor had summoned a shield—something metallic. Maybe it wasn't just Connor who could do that.

If I can imprint… maybe I can create something too.

He focused, imagining a weapon—something solid, sharp, and made of the same glowing metal.

{Soul Skill Unlocked: Soul Flame – Eternal Link}

{Skill Activation: Metal Spear}

They were both caught off guard when a long, shining spear emerged in the air and was pointed directly at the opponent.

Jacob didn't hesitate. The magic circle aligned the spear to his will, then launched it. With a single thought, he hurled it with all his strength.

The weapon shot forward in a straight, blistering line—like a rifle round—slamming into the beast's ribs with a heavy thunk. The panther staggered back, snarling in surprise, but not in pain.

Then it released a furious growl, sending a burst of wind in their direction. It wasn't injured—just enraged.

"Jacob, again!" Connor called out.

Jacob tried to focus, summoning another spear—but his head throbbed.

{Skill Activation Fails: Insufficient Mana!}

"What the hell!?" Jacob staggered slightly, eyes wide.

"Why didn't you do it again?" Connor shouted, as the panther began circling once more.

"I can't! I'm out of mana!" Jacob barked back.

The panther's eyes flared. It sensed their weakness and started to advance again.

Connor clenched his fists and activated his own skill.

{Skill Activation: Identify}

{Shadow Beast – Level 8 | HP: 150 / 200}

Only 50 damage? Connor's heart sank. That last attack had cost everything Jacob had—and it barely scratched the thing. They'd need at least three more just like it.

And Jacob was out of mana.

"We're dead," Connor whispered.

But then Jacob's eyes flicked sideways. "Wait. People. There—on our right!"

Connor whipped his head around. Through the dense foliage, distant silhouettes emerged—adventurers. Armor glinted, weapons drawn. They hadn't seen the twins yet, but they were closing in.

Connor barely had time to hope before the shadow beast launched again.The twins fell to the ground and split apart. Missing by inches, claws swept the ground where they had just been.

The panther lashed out again and again, each miss only fueling its fury. Dodging and rolling, the twins battled not to win—but to survive, if only for a few more seconds.

Then, just as it reared for a final strike… the panther froze mid-lunge.

An invisible force halted it in place.

A golden rune flickered beneath its paws, glowing with restraint.

From the trees, a deep voice called out: "Hold it right there, beast."

Jacob and Connor turned to face the approaching adventurers. At their head stood a woman with blond hair, her staff thrumming with energy. Behind her, the rest of the party advanced—swords gleaming, arrows ready, raw power pulsing in the air around them.

Jacob exhaled a single word.

"…Saved."