Hunting Lessons

Aldric called Fenix for a practical lesson—something long overdue. It had been two weeks since he had last set foot outside Avalon, let alone the Tower. Time had slipped by, and now March had begun.

As Fenix arrived at his usual study room, Aldric was already waiting for him.

"I think it's about time we step out of the Tower and apply everything you've been studying, don't you think?" Aldric said casually.

Fenix hesitated for a moment. "I suppose… I mean, nothing bad should happen out there, right?"

Aldric scoffed. "Kid, if you're going to be this scared your whole life, you won't accomplish much. I get that you're shaken by what happened, but you're safe with me. Besides, the old lady is keeping an eye on you."

Fenix blinked. "Old lady? Are you seriously calling the headmistress of the most prestigious academy in the world—a Seven Soul Core Awakened known as the 'Deity of a Thousand Eyes'—an old lady? Are you insane?"

Aldric grinned. "Well, I've known her since I was a kid. She basically raised me, so yeah, to me, she's just an old lady."

Before Fenix could even respond, the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway caught his attention. They grew closer until a familiar silhouette appeared at the door.

A tall, elegant woman, seemingly in her mid-30s, stepped inside. Her obsidian-black hair shimmered with subtle blue undertones, complementing her violet eyes that held an otherworldly sharpness. Her pale, flawless skin carried an almost unnatural perfection.

And just like that—as if speaking of the devil herself—Selene arrived.

Her expression was less than amused.

"Brat, who the hell are you calling an old lady?" she said, her voice sharp. "Have you looked at me? Do I look old to you?"

Aldric chuckled. "Come on, you're not fooling anyone with that youthful appearance. We both know that Awakeneds stop aging normally after their first few Soul Cores, and the stronger we get, the slower we age."

Selene shot him a cold glare but didn't argue. Instead, her gaze shifted to Fenix, this time without the oppressive weight it usually carried.

"How are you settling in, Fenix? I hope this troublemaker isn't making things too difficult for you." Her tone was calm, even somewhat warm.

Fenix quickly straightened. "I'm doing well, and… thank you for everything, Director." He still felt a little nervous speaking to her directly.

Selene nodded before her expression turned more serious.

"Well, it was something that had to be done, no doubts about it…" she trailed off before shifting her gaze back to Aldric.

"I have to leave now. As you both know, there will be a global summit with all the major world powers. Now that things have calmed down, a resolution must be reached. These acts cannot go unpunished, especially when they happened in my domain—Avalon. I must be present at the council."

She turned toward Fenix one last time. "Take care of yourself."

Fenix gave her a respectful nod in response.

Aldric, however, smirked mischievously.

"Yeah, yeah. Stay safe, old lady."

Selene sighed heavily before disappearing down the hallway.

With Selene gone, the atmosphere in the room became noticeably lighter. Aldric stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders lazily before turning to Fenix.

"Alright, now that the 'old lady' is gone, it's time for us to head out before it gets too late. We'll be back by nightfall."

Fenix nodded, already adjusting the straps of his Voidweave Attire. He had grown accustomed to the unique fabric—it was both durable and flexible, resistant to his flames yet light enough to move freely in battle.

As they exited the Tower and made their way toward the city gates, Aldric started speaking, his tone casual but filled with knowledge.

"I never really explained to you how the system actually works when it comes to hunting, did I?"

Fenix shook his head. "Not in detail, no."

Aldric smirked. "Thought so. Well, listen up, because this is important."

The two continued walking through the streets of Avalon, the bustle of the stronghold city slowly fading as they neared the outer perimeter.

"The system assigns Soul Shards based on the difficulty of the kill," Aldric began. "If you're fighting monsters around your level, you get the full amount of Shards. But the stronger you become, the fewer rewards you'll get for killing weak monsters."

Fenix furrowed his brow. "So the stronger I get, the less I gain from weaker enemies?"

"Exactly. The system adjusts itself to prevent Awakeneds from farming low-tier monsters endlessly. If someone like Selene went around slaughtering Tier I creatures, she wouldn't get a single damn Shard."

Fenix let the information sink in as they passed through the massive gates of Avalon, stepping into the wilderness. The sun had already begun its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple.

Aldric continued, "That's why stronger Awakeneds constantly push themselves. If you want to grow, you have to challenge yourself against stronger foes. Otherwise, you'll stagnate."

Fenix exhaled slowly, his mind racing with the implications. "So there's no point in hunting things far weaker than me."

Aldric nodded. "Correct. But don't misunderstand—hunting isn't just about killing. It's about doing it the most efficient way possible. It's about knowing when to strike, where to hit, and how to conserve your energy. Wasting stamina on flashy moves might look cool, but in a prolonged fight, it could get you killed."

Fenix remained silent, absorbing every word. He had already experienced firsthand how reckless combat could cost lives. Efficiency in battle was something he needed to learn.

Just as he was about to respond, he caught sight of the familiar twisted trees and dense foliage ahead. The realization struck him like a brick.

They had arrived at the forest from the incident.

Fenix's breath hitched for a moment. This was where everything had gone wrong. This was where Irel had died.

Aldric noticed his sudden stiffness and glanced at him, his expression unreadable.

"Looks familiar, huh?"

Fenix clenched his fists, his gaze scanning the forest.

"Yeah," he muttered. "This was the place."

Aldric sighed. "Figured as much. That's why I brought you here. Consider this another step in your training. This place doesn't hold power over you anymore—so don't let it."

Fenix swallowed the lump in his throat. Tonight… he would hunt in the place where it all began.

Fenix took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the dense undergrowth ahead. The twisted trees cast long shadows under the fading light of the evening, giving the forest an eerie atmosphere. He knew exactly what kind of monsters lurked here—he had fought them before.

This time, however, he wouldn't be relying on sheer instinct or brute force. He had learned from Aldric. Tonight, he would hunt efficiently.

Aldric trailed behind him, arms crossed, watching silently. He had no intention of interfering unless absolutely necessary. This was Fenix's trial.

The first targets appeared soon enough.

A low growl rumbled through the bushes ahead, followed by the glowing crimson eyes of a pack of Shadowfang Wolves.

Fenix summoned his blade Ashfang

Fenix's grip on Ashfang tightened. He had fought these creatures before. Their dark fur and skeletal armor plating made them hard to take down with conventional attacks. Most new Awakeneds wasted their stamina hacking away at their defenses.

'Not this time.'

He exhaled sharply and analyzed their movements.

Five wolves. Two circling from the flanks. The alpha, larger and more aggressive, waited at the back.

The weak point? Their joints and underbelly.

The wolves pounced—Fenix reacted.

Instead of wildly swinging his blade, he sidestepped the first wolf, pivoting smoothly as he drove his sword underneath its ribcage. The blade pierced through the soft flesh between the armor plating, cutting straight to the heart.

One down.

[Soul Shard gained +2]

[Soul Core Progress 2/800]

'Long way to go'

The second lunged from his right. Fenix ducked low and slashed across its exposed throat, dodging the spray of blood as the creature collapsed.

He kept moving, dodging and striking with precise movements. He wasn't wasting energy on unnecessary swings—every attack landed exactly where it needed to.

The last two wolves hesitated, realizing their packmates had fallen too quickly. Fenix took advantage of their hesitation and dashed forward.

One quick thrust to the jugular. Another clean stab through the ribs.

Silence.

The alpha wolf growled, eyes locked onto Fenix. But before it could move, Ashfang whipped through the air in a blur. The blade found its mark—right through the exposed tendon of its hind leg.

The alpha howled in pain, collapsing as Fenix delivered the finishing blow.

[Soul Shard gained +10]

A moment later, the forest was quiet once more.

Fenix straightened, his breathing steady. He glanced at his hand as Soul Shards materialized—ten in total.

Aldric, leaning against a tree, smirked. "That was much better. No wasted energy, no unnecessary movements. See how much easier it is when you fight smart?"

Fenix wiped the blood off his blade and nodded. "Yeah… definitely makes a difference."

Aldric pushed off the tree and motioned forward. "Good. Because your next opponent won't go down as easily."

As they moved deeper into the forest, the atmosphere changed.

The rustling of leaves felt… different. The air carried a strange stillness.

Fenix knew what that meant.

The Stranglethorn Stalker.

A Tier II predator known for its near-invisible camouflage and its ability to strike from the shadows. Unlike the wolves, this wasn't an enemy he could just react to. He had to find it first.

Aldric stopped beside him. "No rushing in. If you don't find it first, it'll find you—and that never ends well."

Fenix nodded and scanned the area. 'Think. How do you find something that doesn't want to be found?'

Then he remembered what Aldric had taught him.

Look for the signs.

His eyes flickered across the ground—disturbed soil. Clawed-up bark. A snapped branch overhead.

It was nearby.

He took a step forward, then stopped.

Something was off.

The trees had unnatural shadows—too dark. As if something was bending the light around it.

'Got you.'

Without hesitation, Fenix kicked up dirt toward the shadows.

The dust revealed a vague outline—something crouching in the tree line.

Before it could pounce, Fenix lunged first.

His blade sliced toward the shape—but the creature twisted away, barely missing a lethal strike.

It became visible in an instant—a large, feline-like beast, its body covered in thick vine-like fur, its amber eyes burning with predatory hunger.

It lashed out.

Fenix dodged, using a nearby tree for leverage as he repositioned. He couldn't attack recklessly—one mistake could cost him.

Aldric watched from the sidelines, arms crossed. "You already found it. Now finish it."

Fenix took a slow breath, focusing. The beast was fast, but he had already forced it out of hiding.

'It won't escape again.'

The creature lunged—Fenix ducked low and rolled underneath it, slashing across its exposed stomach.

The beast screeched in pain, its movements slowing.

Fenix didn't waste the opening. He pivoted and drove his sword straight through its chest.

A final guttural snarl.

Then silence.

And the System announcing the kill.

[You have slained a Tier II Beast, Stranglethorn Stalker]

[Soul Shard gained +4]

As the body hit the ground, Fenix felt the familiar warmth of Soul Shards absorbing into his core.

Another four shards.

He exhaled and turned to Aldric, who was nodding in approval. "Not bad. You're getting better at reading the battlefield."

Fenix sheathed Ashfang. "Still took longer than I wanted."

Aldric chuckled. "Perfection takes time. Now, let's see if you can keep this up."

They moved deeper into the forest—the night was still young, and the hunt was far from over.

The night deepened as Fenix and Aldric pressed further into the forest. The sounds of distant creatures echoed through the trees—some familiar, others unknown.

Fenix rolled his shoulders, feeling the fatigue settling in. His breathing was steady, but he could already tell the difference between fighting one monster and fighting multiple in succession.

Aldric smirked. "Feeling it already?"

Fenix exhaled sharply. "Just warming up."

Aldric laughed. "That's the spirit. But don't get too comfortable—our next target is going to make those last two fights feel like a warm-up."

Fenix raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Aldric glanced at him and then pointed ahead. "We're tracking something bigger this time. A Ravager Boar—Tier II, heavily armored, and aggressive as hell."

Fenix frowned. "A boar?"

Aldric shook his head. "Not just any boar. These things are nearly the size of a small carriage, with hide so thick that normal weapons barely scratch it. If you go in swinging wildly, you'll break your arm before you break its defenses."

Fenix tightened his grip on Ashfang. "So, how do I kill it?"

Aldric's smirk widened. "That's what I'm waiting to see."

The hunt for the Ravager Boar began with silence.

Aldric motioned for Fenix to take the lead, testing his ability to track without guidance.

'Okay, think.'

Fenix crouched, scanning the area for signs of movement. The last fight had reinforced a simple truth—the best hunters weren't the strongest, they were the smartest.

His eyes drifted to deep indentations in the soil. Large hoof prints—fresh. The ground was disturbed, signs of something heavy moving through the underbrush.

'It came through here recently.'

He followed the trail, staying low, his senses sharp. The footprints led to a clearing where deep scratches lined the trees—tusks marks.

Aldric's voice was a low murmur. "Good. It's close. Now, what's your plan?"

Fenix considered his options. Charging in head-on was suicide. The thing was bigger, stronger, and built for endurance.

'A frontal attack won't work. I need to find an opening.'

His gaze shifted to the terrain. The clearing had multiple elevation points—a few rocky outcrops, thick tree roots, and uneven ground.

Then he spotted something else—a fallen tree, its trunk half-buried in the dirt.

'That might work.'

Before he could relay his plan, the ground trembled.

A heavy snort broke the silence.

Then came the thunderous stomp of hooves.

Fenix barely had time to react before the Ravager Boar charged through the brush, its tusks gleaming under the moonlight.

Massive. Armored. Furious.

This was no ordinary beast.

Fenix barely dodged in time, rolling to the side as the boar's tusks shattered the tree behind him. Splinters exploded into the air, the sheer force of the impact shaking the ground beneath his feet.

Aldric remained where he stood, arms crossed. "Figure it out, kid."

Fenix clicked his tongue. 'Right. No help this time.'

The boar reared its head, snorting angrily, its glowing red eyes locked onto him.

Fenix steadied his stance. It was fast for its size, but that speed came from momentum. If he could interrupt that…

The beast charged again.

This time, Fenix didn't dodge completely.

Instead, he angled his body and slashed at its front leg. The blade bit into the flesh, not enough to sever it, but enough to make the beast stagger.

It roared in fury, but Fenix was already moving.

He sprinted toward the fallen tree trunk.

The boar, enraged, turned to chase him—exactly as planned.

Fenix reached the log and vaulted over it effortlessly.

The boar, blinded by rage, didn't stop in time.

Its front legs hit the trunk—its momentum carrying it forward uncontrollably.

In that instant, Fenix turned, raising Ashfang.

One decisive strike.

The blade sank deep into the boar's exposed throat as it fell.

The creature let out a final, guttural cry before collapsing.

Silence followed.

And the system said.

[You have slained a Tier II Beast, Ravager Boar]

[Soul Shard gained +4]

Then, a faint shimmer as Soul Shards manifested before him—twenty-six in total.

Fenix exhaled. 'That… was harder than I thought.'

Aldric finally approached, nodding in approval. "Not bad. You used your surroundings, made the beast's strength work against it. That's what separates a good hunter from a dead one."

Fenix, still catching his breath, wiped the sweat off his forehead. "So… did I pass?"

Aldric chuckled. "Barely. But you'll need to do much better next time. You're still a long way from mastering this."

Fenix looked at the Soul Shards in his palm. 

He consumed them and the system said.

[Soul Core Progression 26/800]

His second Soul Core was just getting some shards.

He still had a long way to go.

But tonight, he had taken another step forward.

By the time they made their way back to Avalon, the night had deepened.

Fenix felt the weight of exhaustion creeping in, his limbs aching from the long hunt. His body had adapted to combat, but there was always room for improvement.

Aldric clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Get some rest. You'll need it for tomorrow."

Fenix scoffed, shaking his head. "You really don't give me a break, do you?"

Aldric grinned. "Nope. You want to be strong, don't you?"

Fenix sighed but smirked slightly. "Yeah… I do."

As he entered his room in the tower, he collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

'Another step forward.'

He closed his eyes, his mind already preparing for the next challenge.