Chapter 15: Preparing for the Hunt
The forest canopy thickened as Mike carried Eli deeper into the woods. Each step was calculated, his claws digging into the soil as he scanned their surroundings. Eli clung to his back, silent but alert, his small hands gripping Mike's fur tightly.
"Alright, kid," Mike began, his tone lighter to mask his concern, "if we're gonna take on those Barbed Raiders and their boss, I need to bulk up. That means hunting some low-level pests."
Eli tilted his head. "You're going to fight other monsters?"
Mike smirked. "Not fight—train. There's a difference. Plus, I get Evolution Points for every one of those critters I squish."
"Evolution Points? Is that what you used to buy the magic juice?" Eli asked.
"Exactly. It's like a monster's allowance, but instead of chores, I wreck anything that moves," Mike replied with a wink. "Now, let's see what we've got around here."
---
[Skill Activated: Predator's Sense]
The forest lit up again in Mike's vision, revealing a cluster of small, skittering creatures in the distance.
---
[System Notification]
New Creature Identified: Spined Crawlers (Lv. 2)
Description: Tiny but aggressive insect-like monsters with venomous barbs.
---
Mike chuckled. "Perfect. These guys are weak but plentiful—my favorite kind of snack."
Eli wrinkled his nose. "You're going to eat them?"
"Not literally, kid. Points are what I'm after. You stay here and keep out of trouble," Mike said, setting Eli down behind a thick tree trunk. "Yell if anything gets too close."
Eli nodded, his expression serious. "Be careful, Mr. Monster."
"Careful's my middle name," Mike said with a grin, before bounding off toward the cluster of creatures.
---
The Spined Crawlers hissed and scattered as Mike burst into their territory. They were small, only reaching up to his knee, but their sharp barbs gleamed in the dim light. One lunged at him, but he swatted it aside with ease.
---
[System Notification]
Defeated Spined Crawler (Lv. 2)
+5 Evolution Points
---
"Too easy," Mike muttered, grabbing another crawler mid-leap and crushing it in his claws. The creatures swarmed him, but their tiny attacks barely scratched his tough hide.
---
[System Notification]
Defeated Spined Crawler (Lv. 2)
+5 Evolution Points
Defeated Spined Crawler (Lv. 2)
+5 Evolution Points
---
Within minutes, the clearing was littered with twitching insect bodies. Mike stood in the center, his claws dripping with green ichor. "That's a nice haul," he said, checking his Evolution Points.
---
[System Notification]
Current Evolution Points: 486.74
---
Satisfied, Mike turned back toward Eli. The boy peeked out from behind the tree, his eyes wide. "You're really strong," he said, his voice filled with awe.
"Strong enough for these little guys, yeah," Mike replied, ruffling Eli's hair. "But we're gonna need way more points to take down that Onyx Fang Commander."
Eli hesitated. "What if... what if you can't beat him?"
Mike crouched down, meeting the boy's worried gaze. "Listen, kid. I don't pick fights I can't win. We'll train, get stronger, and when the time comes, we'll wipe the floor with those raiders. Got it?"
Eli nodded slowly, a flicker of hope returning to his eyes. "Okay. I trust you."
"Good," Mike said, standing up. "Now let's find a safe spot to rest. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
---
Nightfall in the Forest
Mike found a small cave tucked into the hillside, its entrance concealed by thick vines. After clearing the area with Predator's Sense, he deemed it safe enough for the night.
Eli curled up on a makeshift bed of leaves, his small frame shivering despite the warmth of the cave. Mike settled nearby, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness outside.
"Mr. Monster?" Eli's voice was soft.
"Yeah, kid?"
"Why are you helping me?" Eli asked, his tone hesitant. "You could've just left me back there."
Mike paused, his claws tapping against the stone floor. "I don't know, honestly. Maybe I'm just a sucker for kids in trouble. Or maybe..." He glanced at Eli, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Maybe you remind me of someone I used to know."
Eli didn't respond, but his breathing evened out as he drifted off to sleep. Mike leaned back, staring at the stars visible through the cave's opening.
"Don't worry, kid," he murmured. "I'll make sure you get back to that village—and then some."
As the forest settled into silence, Mike's system chimed softly.
---
[System Notification: Quest Updated]
Objective: Rescue the Villagers
Defeat the Onyx Fang Commander
Free the captured villagers
Reward:
700 Evolution Points
Rare Item: necklace of unknown
---
Mike's eyes gleamed in the darkness. "A rare item, huh? Guess it's time to start grinding."
With that, he closed his eyes, his mind already planning the battles to come.