Chapter 26: Shadows in the Wilds

Jian moved swiftly through the dense foliage, his steps silent against the damp earth. The 47th floor was unlike any he had encountered before—alive in a way that sent an uneasy sensation crawling up his spine. Every shadow seemed to breathe, and every rustling leaf felt like a whisper of something unseen.

The Warden's Wilds was not just a test of strength but a trial of patience and perception. The toxic spores that hung in the air made prolonged exposure dangerous, reducing stamina and dulling reflexes over time. His Frost Nexus mitigated the worst of it, but even with his enhanced resistance, he couldn't afford to linger.

His immediate goal was clear: locate the Spirit Core before the Iron Vanguard did.

But there was something else—something that had been watching him since he stepped onto this floor.

A Predator's Stare

Jian crouched behind a thick tree, observing the Iron Vanguard from a distance. There were at least six of them, all heavily armored and well-equipped. Their leader, a man with a jagged scar across his jaw, barked orders as they cut through the undergrowth with brutal efficiency.

"Secure the perimeter," he commanded. "We don't move for the core until we confirm we're alone."

They were taking precautions, but Jian knew their kind—ruthless, efficient, and willing to eliminate competition without hesitation. If they spotted him, there would be no negotiation.

But he had no intention of engaging them just yet.

As he slipped deeper into the forest, something shifted in the air. A presence.

A hunter.

Jian barely had time to react before the first attack came. A blur of motion from the treetops, something massive descending upon him with terrifying speed. He twisted, rolling out of the way just as razor-sharp claws tore into the earth where he had stood.

The creature was unlike anything he had seen—a towering, feline-like beast with chitinous black armor covering its body, eyes glowing a sickly green. Its movements were disturbingly fluid, as though the very shadows obeyed its will.

[Warden's Apex - Rank: Mythical]

The name appeared in his vision, but Jian had no time to focus on details. The Apex Predator was already lunging again.

The Hunter and the Hunted

Jian's blade met the beast's claws, sparks flying as Frost Nexus surged around him, creating a shield of ice just in time to block another strike. But the creature was fast—faster than anything he had encountered on this floor.

It vanished into the shadows, only to reappear behind him, striking with unnatural precision.

Jian barely managed to dodge, feeling the air shift as its claws grazed his shoulder. The armor absorbed most of the impact, but the sheer force sent him skidding backward.

His mind raced. This wasn't a fight he could brute-force. He needed to use his environment, just as the creature was using it against him.

He activated Shadow Stride, disappearing into the darkness as the Apex Predator's eyes scanned the area.

For a brief moment, there was silence.

Then he struck.

Jian emerged from the shadows above the creature, his blade coated in abyssal frost as he drove it downward toward the beast's exposed back.

The Apex Predator snarled, twisting unnaturally mid-air, but it was too late.

The blade connected.

Frost spread across the creature's back, freezing parts of its chitinous armor and slowing its movements. It roared in fury, swiping at him wildly, but Jian was already gone, teleporting several meters away.

It was injured. But not dead.

The creature's glowing green eyes burned with fury as it let out a low, guttural growl. Then, without warning, it vanished into the darkness once more.

Jian exhaled, gripping his blade tighter.

The hunt wasn't over.

The Shifting Battlefield

Jian didn't move immediately. He listened, focusing on every sound, every shift in the air. The Apex Predator was still out there, circling him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

But he wasn't its only prey.

A sudden shout in the distance caught his attention. The Iron Vanguard.

The Apex Predator had set its sights on them.

Jian moved swiftly, reaching a vantage point just in time to see the creature descend upon the Iron Vanguard like a living nightmare.

The first man didn't even have time to react. Claws tore through his armor, cutting him down in a single strike.

"Shit! What is that thing?!" one of the Vanguard shouted, raising his weapon.

"Formation! Do not break formation!" their leader barked, but it was already too late.

The Apex Predator moved like a shadow, weaving between them with deadly precision. Another challenger fell, his screams cut short as the beast crushed his throat with its jaws.

Jian watched, his mind calculating.

He could let the Iron Vanguard weaken the Apex Predator for him. But if they killed it, they would claim the rewards—and possibly the Spirit Core as well.

He had to make a move.

The Turning Tide

Jian activated Abyssal Cleave, stepping from the shadows just as the Apex Predator lunged at the Vanguard's leader.

His blade tore through the beast's side, frost spreading instantly.

The creature shrieked, twisting mid-air to swipe at him, but Jian was already gone, teleporting behind it. He struck again, this time targeting its injured back, driving his sword deeper into the frozen wound.

The Iron Vanguard leader seized the opportunity.

"Attack! Now!"

Their weapons glowed with energy as they unleashed a coordinated assault. Swords, spears, and spells crashed against the Apex Predator, forcing it onto the defensive.

It snarled in fury, its wounds finally catching up to it. The ice spread, slowing its movements.

And then, with one final, desperate attack, Jian plunged his blade into the creature's heart.

A deafening silence followed.

Then, the Apex Predator collapsed.

Victory and Consequences

[Mythical Beast Defeated: Warden's Apex]

Contribution: 64% (Final Blow Bonus Achieved)

Rewards:

Warden's Mantle (Unique Item) Feral Instinct (Passive Skill) Forest Warden Title Acquired

Jian barely had time to register his rewards before he sensed movement behind him.

The Iron Vanguard leader had his weapon raised, his eyes filled with calculated malice.

"We appreciate your help," he said. "But we can't have you claiming the Spirit Core."

Jian sighed, rolling his shoulders. "You know, I was hoping we could just go our separate ways."

The leader smirked. "Afraid not."

The remaining Iron Vanguard members closed in, weapons drawn.

Jian's grip on his blade tightened.

The battle wasn't over yet.

End of Chapter 26