Hunt or Hunted?.

Liam saw Harry and the others slightly tilt their heads, indicating they had no idea what an original weapon was.

His face twisted in annoyance—this was basic knowledge, something even a toddler could explain. Well, at least a ten-year-old.

He started in a low tone.

"Normally, weapons have nearly the same power as their level. For example, if a weapon is at Foundation Building Level 9, its power will be almost the same.

But for low-level weapons, they don't provide any measurable power. That's why people infuse these weapons with abilities instead of using original weapons.

At the Foundation Building realm, magical beasts and weapons don't have much of a power difference.

However, at the Elemental Master level or higher, weapons and beasts are divided by the same levels as humans.

That's why many advanced weapons here are labeled by their level instead of just being called advanced-level weapons."

Harry understood what Liam was saying, but he still didn't understand why his system also divided beasts into basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.

After inspecting various weapons, he concluded that the system was based on the information available in the domain, functioning just as Liam described.

Now, he was curious about how the system would distribute experience points at each level.

They returned to their room with some newly purchased weapons.

Harry chose an intermediate longsword with no skills, yet the moment he wielded it, he felt power surging through his body—unlike with his previous weapons. The sensation was smooth, almost as if he had gained one or two levels instantly.

Unsurprisingly, Meru also chose a sword. Since no one had taught them how to use different weapons, it was safer to stick with something familiar.

The only difference now was that she had intermediate-level power in her hands.

Tyler, on the other hand, selected a pair of daggers—sleek and shiny, the kind any boy would want to keep hidden like a prized possession.

With their new weapons, they were now ready to take on an advanced-level beast. But for that, they had to wait two more days.

"Tomorrow, I won't be able to guide you. I need to prepare for the competition and discuss the rules with the elders," Liam said before leaving the three in their room.

The others already had a plan, so they booked a training room in the same building.

For the next two days, they familiarized themselves with their new weapons.

Meru and Harry frequently sparred, learning from their mistakes.

Meanwhile, Tyler focused entirely on a dummy target. Strangely, his fighting style was improving far faster than the other two.

After their tedious training sessions, their bodies ached with exhaustion. But after a long sleep, they felt fully recharged.

Finally, the day arrived the day to reap the rewards of their hard work.

Now, they waited for Liam to arrive.

"When is he coming? It's almost afternoon," Meru complained, practically bouncing in place.

Harry had noticed something about Meru—she wasn't a typical woman. She took everything head-on, lacked any sense of vulnerability, and never carried herself with laziness or hesitation.

At that moment, Liam entered the room.

"Are you ready?" His words left no room for complaints about his late arrival.

Everyone nodded and followed Liam to the Mist Forest.

As they approached, they spotted Blake and his friends waiting. All the elders were present, each at Foundation Building Level 9.

"Let me explain the rules," one of the elders said. "Both teams will enter at the same time. Whoever kills an advanced beast first wins, but you must land the final blow."

A long pause followed, giving them time to process the information.

'That means there's a chance the other team could steal our kill,' Harry thought.

He observed that Blake and one of his friends were at Level 6, while the other two were at Level 5.

With no further discussion, the elders signaled them to enter.

Both teams rushed into the forest, heading in opposite directions.

"Do you see this red mist? The deeper you go, the denser it gets.

At the outer edges, it's faint, but deeper inside, your chances of dying increase," Liam warned.

"Why are you trying to scare us?" Tyler scoffed, shaking his head.

They passed through countless trees and encountered several basic and intermediate-level beasts, but an advanced beast was yet to be found.

[Exp: 5300/12800]

Harry killed another intermediate beast with his longsword.

They remained cautious for obvious reasons—one of them being the possibility that their opponents were lurking nearby.

But their careful approach resulted in hours without a single worthy hunt.

Even Tyler was beginning to crave some excitement, but Liam constantly warned them that a beast beyond their league could appear at any moment. Slow and steady progress was the safest bet.

And true to his words, they encountered a formidable enemy—one even stronger than Liam had anticipated.

A deafening roar filled the air, and the next moment, blood dripped from Harry's arm.

When he turned, he saw a massive lion standing before them.

It was nearly six metres tall and four meters long, its three tails swaying menacingly.

Harry barely had time to admire the beast's terrifying beauty before Liam's urgent voice cut through the moment.

"Run! It's a Level 9 beast! We can't handle it!" Liam shouted.

Harry didn't even have time to inspect the beast. He saw its sharp claws slicing toward him and instinctively leaped with all his might, barely dodging the attack.

"Harry, we just have to hold on! The elders will be here soon.

They used a special technique to determine which team lands the final blow on an advanced beast, but once they sense this thing's power, they'll come immediately," Liam said.

"No, it's too powerful. Meru and Tyler won't be able to dodge its attacks. I'll lure it deeper into the forest.

When the elders arrive, send them after me," Harry said, swinging his sword with full force at the beast's leg.

It was a split-second decision. He knew his two companions would be killed instantly if they took a direct hit.

But when he thought about it, he couldn't understand why he was willing to go this far to save them.

Why?

Yet, before he could answer his own question, reality snapped back.

With a loud roar, the beast swung one of its tails, sending Harry flying. He crashed into a tree metres away, blood spilling from his mouth.

Before he could even process what had happened, he saw the beast turning toward Meru and Tyler.

Though injured, the pain wasn't enough to keep him down.

He was Level 7. But Meru and Tyler? They wouldn't survive a single blow.

He noticed the beast had a small cut on its leg from his previous attack, but it was far from enough to stop it.

Harry charged toward the beast.

'What...? This white line again. It's the same as when I was about to die last time... but I didn't understand it then.

Should I follow it? Is it the right decision?' Tyler thought.

He tightened his grip, ready to follow the mysterious white ray and strike at the beast's eyes.

But suddenly—

A sword clashed against the beast's claws, shielding Tyler.

It was Liam's new advanced level sword, but even it couldn't withstand the raw power behind the attack.

With a sharp clack, cracks spread across the blade, and Liam stumbled backward, spitting a mouthful of blood.