Chapter 11: The Endless Hunt Begins

Kang Seung-woo's footsteps sank into the damp moss-covered earth. A faint trace of toxic mist lingered in the air, but it no longer burned his nose like before.

His eyes locked on the portable display.

[Bio-Energy Signal: GEU 152 – Tier 1: Maximum] [Species: Viperchlorona – Mutated Venomous Serpent] [Distance: 93 meters]

He halted and held his breath, lowering his gaze to let instinct take over.

A whisper echoed faintly in his mind—a voice from nowhere.

"Silence... and move with the ground..."

Seung-woo crouched low, fingertips grazing the soil. The hiss of scales and a soft tremor signaled the creature's approach.

Whoosh!

A giant serpent, over three meters long, burst from the underbrush and spewed a cloud of green mist!

The fog spread in a wide fan, accompanied by a sharp hiss. Yet Seung-woo didn't retreat.

He closed his eyes for a split second.

His right hand opened—gravity twisted briefly around him, deflecting the mist upward into the treetops.

In that instant, he lunged toward the serpent's blind spot—just above its tail.

A sharp energy blade slashed.

Schlak!!

Purple blood splattered across the forest floor, its pungent stench filling the air.

The serpent thrashed violently.

Seung-woo leapt back, slashing down again with all his might.

The final hiss was cut short.

[Evolution System: Core Absorption Complete] [Accumulated: 2] [Initiating Biowave Conversion] [Evolution Level: E → D] [Gene Evolution: Level D – Adaptive Type]

The system's voice rang in his mind as a hot surge radiated from his left chest.

"Adaptive Type..."

"New abilities unlocked."

Floating text appeared before him, slightly blurred.

Resistance to low to mid-grade toxins

Automatic regulation of body temperature and pressure

Instinctive danger response

Ability to detect weak points in recurring creatures

Seung-woo collapsed to one knee, still panting.

He squinted at the last line, unease creeping in.

"So... what I just did wasn't entirely mine anymore."

He flexed his fingers. His reactions were faster than ever, despite lingering pain.

A portion of his exhaustion had mysteriously faded.

"So this... is the power of evolution."

He laid a hand on the ground, touching the Viperchlorona's blood.

"Only 18 cores left..."

"I will survive—not just for the exam, but to live."

A green glow flared from his core container.

Seung-woo shut off the display and stepped silently back into the forest.

The rustle of leaves.

And something unseen... watching.

Not long after collecting his second core, a piercing scream echoed through the trees.

It wasn't a mutated beast—it was human. A girl?

Frowning, he dashed through dense brush toward the source.

Breaking through, he saw a girl panicking in a clearing.

Surrounding her were eight fist-sized "Bloodbugs," spewing black liquid as they circled.

She wore a long white-blue school uniform marked with District 10's Research Division insignia.

But what caught his eye most was her faintly glowing violet eyes.

"Stay still, damn it!" she muttered, operating a sleek handheld device projecting a 3D hologram.

Seung-woo didn't hesitate.

He hurled a rock at the furthest Bloodbug to draw attention, then dashed in to slash the nearest one.

Schlak!!

The mutant bug split in two.

The rest turned toward him.

The girl gasped. "You—!?"

"Keep them separated! I'll draw aggro!" he shouted, swinging a gravity burst at three bugs lunging toward him.

She said nothing but swiped her screen and whispered:

"...Analyzing field: High-mobility type. Group behavior. Weakness: right wing balance."

Seung-woo understood instantly. He lunged again, targeting the right wing.

Stab!!

The bug hit the ground and burst into black smoke.

They began syncing seamlessly.

She fed him weaknesses and positions in quick, clipped phrases.

He struck, learning the rhythm of team combat without meaning to.

Within a minute, all bugs were eliminated.

The clearing fell silent again, broken only by ragged breathing.

Seung-woo slumped against a tree, turning to her.

"Who are you?"

She wiped her forehead and answered softly but clearly.

"Lee Yeon-ah. Biotech Academy. I'm not a fighter... I was chosen for my support abilities."

She held up her analyzer.

"I can read battlefield patterns, scan energy, and detect weaknesses in real-time. But I can't fight..."

Seung-woo nodded slowly.

"No need to explain more... Just giving me that intel was enough."

She paused, then offered her hand.

"Thanks for saving me."

He shook it gently.

"Didn't want to watch you die in front of me, that's all."

Her gaze softened, a faint smile forming.

"What's your power type? Your GEU... it's unstable. I can't read it."

Seung-woo froze. Then answered plainly.

"I don't know what I am yet."

Thunder rumbled in the distance. Light flashed above the canopy.

They both looked up.

A massive silhouette passed overhead—far larger than any Bloodbug.

It radiated intense heat, shaking the ground.

A low growl trembled through the earth. Wind stirred dust from the grass.

They both knew instantly—this was no Tier 1 beast.

"Wh-What is that?" Yeon-ah whispered, eyes wide.

Seung-woo narrowed his eyes.

"From the size and biowaves... At least Tier 2.5."

"It shouldn't be in this test zone..."

He activated his GEU scanner—but the screen blacked out.

[Signal interference: Unknown energy source] [Unable to detect GEU or lifeform type]

"It must have breached from the danger zone."

"This test field... isn't as safe as they promised."

Heavy footfalls cracked branches nearby.

Seung-woo grabbed Yeon-ah's wrist.

"Hide. We're not ready for a frontal fight."

They slipped into a rocky ridge, using shadow and elevation as cover.

Through a narrow gap, they saw it.

A panther-like mutant beast fused with glossy black natural armor.

Four antenna-like horns jutted from its head, and two pairs of glowing red eyes scanned the area.

Every step it took left scorched footprints.

[Approximate Name: Bellraphine – Hunter of the Violet Nest] [Tier: 2.8 – Borderline Danger Zone]

"I've never seen this in any database," Yeon-ah murmured, pale.

Seung-woo swallowed hard. "It shouldn't be here..."

"But if we take it down... our scores would skyrocket."

He turned to her. "What else can you do?"

Yeon-ah took a deep breath.

"Besides weak point analysis... I can disrupt its energy field briefly. Might slow it for a few seconds."

Seung-woo smirked.

"Long enough to get close, then..."

Lightning flashed again. Thunder roared.

The beast's claws slammed into the ground.

And the unavoidable battle... began.