Descent into the Silent Bone Forest
The Silent Bone Forest loomed ahead, shrouded in eerie mist. Towering trees with skeletal branches twisted toward the sky, their bark ashen and lifeless. This place was infamous—home to rogue monsters, abandoned beast corpses, and remnants of battles fought long ago.
Jiang Chen crouched near the treeline, his eyes sharp as he surveyed his surroundings. Ghost stood beside him, its crimson eyes glowing faintly in the darkness. With Phantom Step, it blended seamlessly into the shadows.
"This place… feels different." Jiang Chen muttered. He could sense an unnatural presence in the air, a lingering energy that made his skin crawl. It wasn't just the monsters—it was something deeper.
A notification flashed before his eyes.
> [Warning: The Silent Bone Forest is classified as a Tier-Restricted Zone. Recommended Tier: Elite (Level 11-20).]
[Current Tier: Normal (Level 5)]
Jiang Chen smirked. "Dangerous? Good. That means there's something valuable here."
Ghost let out a low growl, sharing his anticipation.
They moved forward.
---
Hunting for Strength
Jiang Chen had two objectives:
1. Find Bloodfire Essence to awaken Ghost's hidden potential.
2. Hunt wild monsters to accelerate Ghost's growth.
The deeper they ventured, the more unnatural the surroundings became. The ground was littered with bones—remnants of past creatures. Occasional howls echoed in the distance.
Then—movement.
A pair of glowing yellow eyes flickered in the darkness.
Jiang Chen narrowed his gaze. A Bullet Rat. The creature was small but deadly, its body covered in steel-like fur. It could accelerate like a projectile, piercing through its prey at terrifying speeds.
> [Bullet Rat - Normal Tier (Level 7)]
Grade: Normal
Skills: Rapid Dash, Piercing Fang
A good target.
"Ghost." Jiang Chen's voice was calm. "Let's test your Phantom Step in real combat."
Ghost let out a bone-chilling snarl and vanished into the darkness.
The Bullet Rat screeched and launched itself forward like a bullet.
But just before it could strike—Ghost reappeared behind it.
CRACK!
Its bony claws slashed downward, severing the rat's spine.
> [Bullet Rat Defeated. Ghost has gained 80 EXP.]
[Ghost - Level 5 → Level 6]
Jiang Chen's eyes gleamed.
So it's true. Ghost could level up by killing monsters.
If they kept hunting, they could push Ghost to the Elite Tier much faster.
A grin crept onto Jiang Chen's face. "Let's find more."
They disappeared deeper into the forest.
---
The Phantom Stalker
Hours passed. The forest was a hunting ground, and Jiang Chen was its predator.
Ghost had already killed four more monsters—a Steel Pig, a Grey Disc Spider, and two more Bullet Rats.
> [Ghost - Level 6 → Level 9]
It was fast. Much faster than any other tamers' monsters. While others relied on slow training, Jiang Chen was evolving Ghost through battle.
However—something was watching them.
Jiang Chen felt it before he saw it.
A flicker of movement in the mist. A whisper of energy.
Then—a blur of shadow lunged at them.
Jiang Chen barely dodged, rolling to the side. Ghost reacted instantly, summoning Bone Claw to strike.
The shadow dodged effortlessly.
Jiang Chen's eyes locked onto their attacker.
It was a Phantom Stalker—a rare Elite Tier (Level 12) undead beast. Its body flickered between the material and spirit realms, making it nearly impossible to hit.
A true predator of the Silent Bone Forest.
> [Phantom Stalker - Elite Tier (Level 12)]
Grade: Excellent
Abilities: Shadow Shift, Soul Drain, Ghost Claw
Jiang Chen's heart pounded.
This was far beyond their current strength.
But he wasn't going to back down.
"Ghost," he said coldly. "We kill it."
---
A Battle of Shadows
The Phantom Stalker let out a haunting wail and vanished.
Jiang Chen's mind raced. It was using Shadow Shift.
"Phantom Step—NOW!"
Ghost flickered out of existence just as claws slashed through where it had stood.
The two undead creatures circled each other in the darkness, each vanishing and reappearing in an unpredictable battle.
Jiang Chen focused, analyzing its pattern.
Then—he saw it.
It hesitated for half a second after reappearing.
That was their chance.
"Ghost—full power Bone Claw! NOW!"
Ghost roared, appearing right in front of the Phantom Stalker. Its massive Bone Claw slashed downward—glowing with spectral energy.
CRACK!
The Phantom Stalker let out a horrible screech as the attack tore through its spectral body.
> [Phantom Stalker Defeated. Ghost has gained 350 EXP.]
[Ghost - Level 9 → Level 10]
Silence.
Then—a new notification appeared.
> [Ghost has reached Level 10. Evolution requirements unlocked.]
[Select Evolution Path:]
1. Bone Specter Ape (Specializes in pure physical strength and bone manipulation.)
2. Abyssal Phantom Ape (Gains stronger spectral abilities and shadow mastery.)
3. Undead Revenant Ape (A balance between the physical and spectral, with lifesteal abilities.)
Jiang Chen's eyes narrowed.
He had a choice to make.
But before he could decide, something glowed in the remains of the Phantom Stalker's body.
A dark-red crystal.
Jiang Chen's breath caught.
Bloodfire Essence.
They had found it.