Chapter 5: The Hunter’s Path
The forest had never felt this quiet.
Even the wind seemed afraid to rustle the leaves.
Arin moved carefully through the underbrush, every step measured. The warning from the System echoed in his mind:
> "A Rank-D beast has entered the Southern Ridge. Probability of encounter: 67%."
He didn't know what a Rank-D beast looked like, but judging by how even the birds had gone silent, it was something dangerous far more powerful than any Ember Rabbit.
Still, he couldn't stop moving.
Staying in one place made him an easy target.
The forest grew denser as Arin moved northeast. He chose that direction because the trees were thicker there it would be harder for a large beast to move fast among them.
"System," he whispered. "Any signs of pursuit?"
> "Current threat radius: 1.2 kilometers. Large creature detected beyond range. No immediate danger."
He let out a slow breath. "Good. Then I'll keep heading east."
As he walked, he activated his tracking skill again.
> "[Basic Wilderness Tracking (Lv. 1)] activated."
Glowing pawprints appeared once more lighter, smaller. Probably another Ember Rabbit, though there was no fire damage in the area.
He followed them.
Ten minutes later, he found the source.
A baby Ember Rabbit, no bigger than a cat, was chewing on red moss near a rock.
Arin hesitated.
It was too small to fight back. Its flames hadn't even awakened fully.
But EXP was EXP.
He struck quickly and cleanly.
> "Beast killed. +1 EXP. +1 KP."
> "EXP: 19 / 100 | KP: 2"
The rabbit's core didn't drop, but Arin wasn't upset. Every small fight added up.
He wrapped the meat and moved on.
About an hour later, after crossing a small ridge, a system alert popped up.
> "You have entered: Hollow Creek Zone."
> "New Quest Unlocked: Trial of Patience (Rare)"
Arin blinked. "A quest?"
> "Yes. You have stepped into a rare training ground."
> "Trial of Patience: Survive inside Hollow Creek for 6 hours without using any items or resting. Reward: 10 EXP, 3 KP, +1 Willpower."
> "Warning: Trial activates immediately. Countdown begins."
> "Time remaining: 5:59:57…"
He almost cursed. "You could've warned me!"
> "System warning given after entry. Area locked. Please begin trial."
Arin looked around. The Hollow Creek wasn't dangerous-looking. In fact, it was oddly peaceful. A gentle stream flowed nearby, and wild blue flowers grew on the banks. But the air here… was strange. Heavy.
He took a step forward and immediately felt it.
Pressure.
Like gravity had doubled. His knees bent slightly. Breathing became harder.
> "System note: Hollow Creek is a low-spirit pressure zone. Training here strengthens internal resilience."
"Great," Arin muttered, "so I just have to survive here for six hours without food, rest, or using any items. While it feels like a mountain is sitting on my shoulders."
> "Correct."
Arin sat down cross legged. If he couldn't move too much, he'd try meditating.
He closed his eyes and began the Core Stabilization technique he had purchased earlier. The instructions appeared again in his mind like glowing symbols.
Breathe in…
Hold…
Breathe out…
Guide the Qi…
Minutes passed. Then an hour.
Then two.
His legs started to cramp.
His chest felt tighter.
But he kept going.
At the fifth hour, sweat poured from his face.
The pressure had only gotten worse.
But Arin didn't stop.
By the sixth hour, he was trembling, nearly at his limit.
Then, finally…
> "Trial complete."
> "+10 EXP | +3 KP | +1 Willpower"
> "EXP: 29 / 100 | KP: 5"
> "New Passive Gained: [Resilient Mind] — Minor resistance to fear and spiritual pressure."
Arin fell backward, gasping for breath.
He laughed softly.
"I did it…"
Even the System seemed impressed.
> "Mental fortitude increased. Survival rate in pressure zones improved by 17%."
Just as Arin stood to leave Hollow Creek, a loud crashing noise echoed through the forest.
Branches snapped.
Birds screamed.
Then silence.
> "Warning: Rank-D beast is approaching rapidly. Estimated distance: 450 meters. Speed: high."
> "Beast classified: Flame-Furred Hound (Low D-Rank)."
Arin froze.
A hound?
> "Beast Type: High-agility fire beast. Weak point: exposed underbelly. Estimated combat rating: 80. Your current combat rating: 23."
"That's not even close!" he whispered.
> "Escape recommended. Evasion route suggested northwest ridge."
Arin didn't wait.
He sprinted.
Branches whipped against his arms. The forest blurred around him.
Behind him, a low, rumbling growl shook the air.
Then fire.
A burst of heat rushed past, singing the edge of his sleeve.
He threw himself into a ditch and rolled just as a massive shape landed behind him with a thud.
The Flame Furred Hound stood three meters tall, covered in blazing red fur. Its eyes glowed like molten gold.
It sniffed the air and growled again.
> "System activating emergency skill: [Phantom Dash] (Temporary). Speed doubled for 4 seconds."
> "Use now?"
"Yes!"
His body surged forward.
Everything blurred.
Trees flew past.
He barely noticed the edge of the cliff until it was right in front of him.
> "Warning: Cliff ahead."
Too late.
Arin leapt.
Wind roared in his ears as he fell.
He twisted mid-air, aimed for the river far below and slammed into the water.
After the Fall pain exploded across his back.
But he was alive.
Barely.
He dragged himself to shore, coughing water.
> "Health critical. Suggest rest."
> "Current EXP: 29 / 100 | KP: 5"
> "New entry unlocked: Flame-Furred Hound — avoid unless Level 10 or in group combat."
Arin stared at the sky.
He had almost died.
But something else had changed.
Something deep inside.
Not just strength but focus.
The will to keep going.
He opened his Status window one more time.
Status Window - Updated
Name: Arin
Level: 2
EXP: 29 / 100
Kill Points (KP): 5
Cultivation Level: Body Tempering Stage (4)
Qi Core: Blocked (41%)
Strength: 17
Agility: 15
Endurance: 13
Intelligence: 17
Willpower: 22
New Passive: [Resilient Mind]
Arin smiled weakly.
Still alive.
Still growing.
And still hunting.
He sat up and looked around.
Wherever he had landed… it wasn't the Southern Ridge anymore.
A whole new part of the forest stretched out ahead darker, deeper, and unknown.
He stood up slowly.
"I'm not done yet," he whispered.
And then, he walked forward.