Chapter 3 - Advance rank

As the fading light dipped the forest into shadows, Nex's gaze darted from tree to tree.

The jungle, already intimidating during the day, now seemed to pulse with life in a way that sent a chill through his veins.

Every rustling leaf or snapping twig made him flinch, his hand instinctively tightening on his knife.

He had read enough survival manuals to know the golden rule of wilderness survival: nightfall was when the real predators emerged.

In this jungle, where even flowers disguised themselves as killers, the coming darkness felt like a death sentence.

"I need to find shelter. Fast," he muttered under his breath.

Towering trees loomed around him, their massive trunks draped in moss and vines. Some had hollows carved into their roots, likely formed by centuries of decay, while others had openings higher up their trunks.

Every option came with risks.

A low shelter would be accessible to ground predators, but climbing into a tree was dangerous and time-consuming, especially in the dark.

As Nex scanned the area, a hollow at the base of a particularly thick tree caught his attention.

Partially hidden by a curtain of moss and hanging vines, it seemed ideal. The ground around it was relatively clear, offering a good view of anything that might approach.

"This might work," he said quietly, stepping closer. He examined the hollow with a critical eye.

It was deeper than most he had seen, and the thick vines surrounding it added an extra layer of concealment.

But as Nex reached out to push aside the vines, a chill ran down his spine. Something about the hollow felt... wrong. His instincts screamed at him to back away.

"Why does this look like it belongs to someone or something else?" he murmured.

He debated moving on, but the deepening darkness made the decision for him.

At this time, Staying out in the open wasn't an option. The predators that ruled the jungle at night wouldn't hesitate to attack him if they caught him wandering.

Even the creatures he had faced earlier, mutated snakes and venomous frogs, were nothing compared to the horrors that lurked after dark.

"Even if it's occupied, it's probably by something weak," he reasoned, gripping his knife tighter. "Something I can handle."

With a final glance over his shoulder, Nex pushed through the vines and ducked into the hollow.

Small luminous funguses growing inside the hallow gave a light in this darkness.

The space inside was cooler and damper than he expected, the air heavy with the scent of earth and decay.

The hollow stretched farther back than it seemed from the outside, forming a small, enclosed space.

Nex settled into a shadowy corner, his back pressed against the curved wall. He kept on holding his knife as he rested. Beside him sat the gun, a weapon, unlike the others.

This wasn't just any firearm. It was a lifeline, a last resort in a world where ordinary bullets were as useless as pebbles against the mutated creatures roaming the jungle.

Nex reached for it, his fingers brushing the sleek surface.

The weapon was an XM800 An Ether Gun, a cheap, mass-produced model designed for survivalists and lower-tier hunters like himself.

It wasn't the top-of-the-line masterpiece that the elite carried, with precision targeting and energy-efficiency upgrades. But it worked. And in a world where Ether energy was the only thing capable of piercing the defenses of these creatures, that was all that mattered.

…

Outside, the jungle surrendered to an oppressive darkness, broken only by the faint glimmers of bioluminescent plants.

The sounds of the day, chirping insects and distant calls of birds, gave way to a different chorus.

Low growls, rustling branches, and the occasional piercing scream echoed through the night.

Just as Nex's muscles began to relax, a faint noise reached his ears. Footsteps.

His heart leaped into his throat. Every nerve in his body went on high alert. The sound was soft at first, barely more than a whisper of movement against the forest floor.

But it grew louder, closer, each step nearing, slow.

Nex grabbed his knife and gun, pressing himself deeper into the shadows of the hollow. His breathing slowed, and his body stilled as he prepared for whatever was coming.

The footsteps stopped right outside the entrance.

Silence fell, thick and suffocating.

Then, a silhouette appeared, barely visible in the faint glow of the surrounding forest.

The shadow outside the hollow moved, and then the beast stepped inside.

Nex's heart pounded in his chest as the creature's form became clear.

It was massive, a wolf-like monster with sleek, obsidian-black fur that shimmered faintly in the dim light, as though it absorbed the glow around it.

Its eyes burned a vibrant green, like twin embers. Every movement of its powerful frame radiated deadliness.

Sweat rolled down Nex's temple. He couldn't move. He couldn't even breathe too loudly.

A notification flickered to life on Nex's wrist screen:

[Lone hunter Fenrir Identified]

The notification blinked to life on Nex's wrist screen, the soft glow lighting up the damp hollow.

[Rank: Advance]

[Description: Lone hunter, Fenrir. Due to Ether, the wolf has mutated and evolved. It possesses extreme speed and raw power. These beasts are typically found in the deeper areas of the forest. Caution: High-rank creatures are capable of using Ether magic.]