The Hunter’s Awakening

The culmination of his efforts—the runic marks, the Projection Engine, the Ember Engine, and the refinement of his spells—had turned him into something far beyond what he had imagined.

Evan stood amidst the scorched remains of the Sap Archer, its body obliterated entirely by the overwhelming power of his Flame Spark. His gaze fell to the ash-covered ground where even the creature's core—a small, stone-like organ often found in magical beasts—had been destroyed. It was an oversight on his part, the sheer intensity of his attack leaving nothing usable behind.

He exhaled deeply, calming the residual hum of his core. "No core," he muttered, his tone laced with disappointment. These cores were valuable, both as resources for crafting and for trade within the camp. Destroying it outright felt like a wasted opportunity.

As the forest grew quiet once more, a thought crossed his mind. "The intermediates didn't patrol this area this week," he realized. "Maybe I can handle some of their work."

With renewed determination, Evan activated Simulate, the familiar map of his surroundings forming in his mind. The Sap Archers were notorious for their ability to blend seamlessly into the forest, their bark-like bodies making them nearly invisible to the naked eye. But for Evan, it was almost effortless. The clarity and range of his Simulate had grown significantly, allowing him to pick out even the faintest disturbances in the foliage.

"Let's see if there's more of you out here," he said, setting off deeper into the woods.

The forest was alive with tension, every rustle of leaves and crack of twigs a reminder of its dangers. Evan moved cautiously, Simulate mapping the terrain around him with stunning clarity. But as precise as his ability had become, he knew that finding a Sap Archer wasn't the same as catching it off guard. These creatures were one with the forest. They felt the vibrations of footsteps, the shifts in air currents, the intent of any intruder.

Even now, Evan could feel it—subtle shifts in the flow of his surroundings. The Sap Archer knew he was here.

It didn't take long for the first confrontation. A spike of wood, sharp and dripping sap, tore through the air toward him with a sharp whistle. Simulate had already warned him of its path, and Evan materialized a shield at just the right moment. The translucent construct caught the projectile with precision, the force of the impact resonating through his arm.

"Not bad," Evan muttered, dissipating the shield immediately to maintain his speed. His rune-etched boots propelled him forward, closing the gap between him and his hidden target. The mark on his chest hummed softly, its presence a constant reassurance. He could feel the ambient energy flowing into him, replenishing his reserves as he moved. Each time he activated a shield, it drained only a fraction of his energy—and by the time he deactivated it, the mark had already begun restoring what he'd spent.

Another spike came, this time from his right. Evan dodged, using his momentum to sidestep the attack before materializing another shield to deflect a second projectile. The Sap Archer revealed itself now, a humanoid figure partially melded with a nearby tree. Its bark-like skin seemed to ripple as it detached from the trunk, hissing in frustration.

The creature tilted its head, its hollow eyes locking onto Evan with something akin to confusion. Its stance seemed to say, Why are you attacking me? I'm the one who hunts.

Evan smirked, raising his hand as he closed the distance. He summoned a Flame Sparkle, the deep orange orb of fire flaring to life in his palm. The heat licked at his skin, but it was controlled, focused. The Sap Archer tensed, realizing the danger, and slammed its hand into the ground. Wooden spikes erupted from the earth, jagged and deadly, but Evan was already in motion.

The shield materialized just as the spikes reached him, deflecting them harmlessly away. He deactivated it instantly, his boots propelling him forward in a burst of speed. With each second that passed, his energy reserves felt steady, as though the mark on his chest was constantly refilling him. He wasn't just keeping up—he was thriving.

The Sap Archer hissed again, stepping back as Evan closed in. It raised its arm, attempting another attack, but Evan was faster. He lunged forward, thrusting the Flame Sparkle directly into the creature's torso. The orb of fire ignited on contact, burning through the bark-like skin with a deep, searing heat.

The Sap Archer stumbled, its body crumbling under the intense flames. It let out a low, guttural sound—half pain, half confusion—before collapsing to the ground. The fire consumed its form, leaving only a faint glow where its core lay. Evan crouched, retrieving the small stone-like object and slipping it into his satchel.

"One down," he muttered, his voice calm but determined.

The next Sap Archer wasn't far, its presence marked by the subtle shifts in the forest that only Simulate could reveal. This one, too, knew he was coming. It emerged from the shadows as Evan approached, melding seamlessly with a nearby tree before striking. Wooden stakes shot toward him in rapid succession, their paths precise and deadly.

Evan moved like water, his shields appearing and disappearing in perfect rhythm. Each time he blocked a projectile, he deactivated the shield immediately, allowing his mark to recover his energy. The cycle was seamless—use, recover, repeat. For the first time, Evan realized just how sustainable his new power was.

"I could do this all day," he thought, a faint grin crossing his lips as he deflected another attack. The Sap Archer's confusion was almost palpable as it hissed and clicked, its movements frantic. Who dares attack me? its body language seemed to say.

Evan didn't give it a chance to retaliate further. He closed the distance with a burst of speed, his boots flaring as he launched himself toward the creature. Summoning another Flame Sparkle, he thrust it directly into the Sap Archer's chest. The flames roared to life, consuming its form as it let out a final, guttural screech.

The fire burned hot but controlled, leaving the core untouched. As the creature fell, Evan stepped forward and retrieved the faintly glowing stone, adding it to his collection.

By the time the sun began to set, Evan had hunted and eliminated two Sap Archers. Each battle had tested his skills, but with Simulate, the runic mark, and his refined techniques, the process had been surprisingly efficient. His energy reserves felt nearly full, the rhythm of his fights perfectly balanced between use and recovery.

But as the forest grew darker, Evan's pace slowed. The trees cast long shadows, and the air seemed to thicken with an ominous stillness. He knew that the true predators of the forest emerged at night—creatures far more dangerous than the Sap Archers.

Evan glanced at his satchel, the two cores glowing faintly through the fabric. He had accomplished more than he'd expected, and there was no reason to push his luck.

"It's enough for today," he thought, turning back toward the camp. His boots carried him swiftly through the trees, the faint hum of his nucleus steadying him as he moved. Despite the growing darkness, a sense of satisfaction filled him. His progress was undeniable, and the cores he carried were proof of his growth.

As he approached the camp, Evan's thoughts turned to his next steps. The day had been productive, but there was still more to refine, more to master. The Ember Engine and his spells awaited further adjustments—and Evan couldn't wait to get back to work.