Chapter 7: The Hidden Edge

Chapter 7: The Hidden Edge

The hunting ground was vast, a sprawling battlefield where warriors fought to prove themselves. Towering steel barriers enclosed the area, separating it from the wilderness beyond. Drones hovered overhead, monitoring the battles and ensuring the mutated beasts didn't escape. The scent of blood was thick in the air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of energy weapons.

I stood still, taking a deep breath. The distant roars of mutated beasts echoed through the battlefield, sending a shiver down my spine. I could see several warriors engaged in combat, their weapons flashing under the artificial lights installed across the hunting ground. Some fought alone, others in small groups, but all of them were here for one thing—growth.

For me, this was more than just a training ground. It was a hunting ground in the truest sense, a place where I could rapidly accumulate lifespan and build my strength. However, I had to be extremely cautious. My Infinite Space Storage was an advantage unlike any other, but if revealed, it would bring endless trouble.

A Ruthless Hunt

My first target of the evening was a mutated Shadow Panther, a Level 9 Body Training Stage beast. It was known for its speed and stealth, its dark fur blending into the shadows. The moment I stepped into its territory, its glowing yellow eyes locked onto me. A low growl rumbled from its throat as it circled me, its muscles tensing, ready to pounce.

I didn't hesitate. The moment it lunged, I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding its razor-sharp claws. Spinning on my heel, I swung my blade, aiming for its exposed flank. The panther reacted fast, twisting its body mid-air to avoid the worst of the attack. Still, my blade sliced into its side, drawing a deep wound.

The beast let out a furious snarl, but I was already moving. Using my enhanced agility, I dodged its counterattack and leaped onto its back. With a swift motion, I drove my blade deep into its spine. The panther let out a final, agonized roar before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching before going still.

[Ding! You have killed a Level 9 Mutated Shadow Panther.]

[90 days of lifespan absorbed!]

I exhaled, stepping away from the carcass. My body tingled as the system absorbed the lifespan, the extra time seamlessly adding to my total.

I glanced around. Several warriors were hunting nearby, but none seemed to be paying attention to me. Carefully, I knelt beside the corpse, pretending to inspect it while I activated my Infinite Space Storage in secret.

[Ding! Shadow Panther corpse has been stored.]

The massive body vanished in an instant, hidden within my personal dimension. Anyone watching would think I had simply left it behind. A small smirk formed on my lips.

This was an advantage no one else had.

Hunting and Lifespan Gains

I moved swiftly through the hunting ground, targeting high-level beasts that I could take down efficiently.

A Steel-Scaled Monitor Lizard slithered towards me, its heavy body crushing the ground beneath it. With its armored hide and brute strength, it was a tough opponent—but not for me. I baited it into lunging at me, then dodged at the last second, driving my blade into the gap between its scales.

[Ding! You have killed a Level 8 Mutated Steel-Scaled Monitor Lizard.]

[80 days of lifespan absorbed!]

Another battle. Another victory. Another boost in my lifespan.

Soon after, I encountered a Bloodfang Boar, a beast known for its berserk strength. It charged at me with terrifying speed, its crimson tusks gleaming under the lights. I sidestepped, narrowly avoiding being skewered, then plunged my sword into its exposed neck. The beast let out a guttural roar before collapsing.

[Ding! You have killed a Level 7 Bloodfang Boar.]

[70 days of lifespan absorbed!]

With each battle, I grew stronger. My movements became sharper, my strikes more precise. But I had to be careful. If I advanced too quickly, I'd attract unwanted attention—especially from the observer.

Earning AstraCoins

After several hours of hunting, I decided it was time to cash in on my efforts. The trading post within the hunting ground was bustling with activity. Warriors gathered to sell their beast materials, exchanging them for AstraCoins or bartering for better equipment.

I approached one of the merchants, an old man with a cybernetic arm. His single organic eye studied me as I placed a bundle of beast fangs and claws on his counter.

"Hmm, decent quality," he muttered, inspecting them. "I can offer you 15 AstraCoins for the lot."

I nodded, completing the transaction. Of course, I had far better materials stored away in my Infinite Space Storage, but I couldn't sell them all at once—it would raise too many questions.

With these AstraCoins, I could buy better weapons, armor, or even cultivation resources to accelerate my progress. But for now, I decided to hold onto them.

A New Encounter

As I was about to leave the trading post, I felt eyes on me.

A young warrior, probably around my age, leaned against a nearby pillar. He wore lightweight armor and carried a plasma dagger at his waist. His sharp, calculating eyes locked onto mine.

"You fight well," he said, stepping forward. "Not many can handle Level 9 beasts so easily."

I gave him a neutral look. "Experience helps."

He chuckled. "Experience? Or something else?"

Was he testing me? Trying to gauge my strength? I wasn't sure, but I knew one thing—Mumbai was filled with warriors competing for power, and not all encounters would be friendly.

The Day Ends, Plans Begin

As night fell, I decided to leave the hunting ground. Today had been fruitful—both in terms of combat experience and lifespan gains. Walking back to the city streets, I reflected on my next move.

I needed 100 years of lifespan to reach the Foundation Stage, and I was gaining it fast. But I had to ensure I didn't stand out too much.

The key was balance—growing strong while staying under the radar.

And for that, I needed a perfect strategy.

Tomorrow, the hunt would continue.

END OF CHAPTER 7.....