32: The Quiet Before the Storm

That night, as the group sat around the fire, Kai silently proved something to them all—something he hadn't spoken of much before. With the aroma of spices, the sizzling of pan-seared meat, and the presentation of perfectly balanced dishes, it became impossible to deny one truth:

Kai had once been a chef—before he ever became a hunter.

He didn't say it outright. He didn't have to.

Ruby, who had once mocked him only days ago for his kitchen skills, now sat silently with a slightly flushed face. She didn't utter a word—not out of pride or shame—but because she was too busy eating. Bite after bite, savoring the complex flavors, her earlier ridicule had faded like smoke in the wind.

Minji, usually quick with a comment, was even more immersed. She ate like she hadn't had food in days, her eyes focused only on her plate. She didn't talk. Didn't blink. Just kept eating.

James licked his lips and leaned forward, speaking with a mixture of respect and jealousy. "Chef-saab... teach me this magic, will you?"

Kai only smiled lightly, brushing his hair back with his usual calm demeanor. "You all made fun of it once."

The twin cubs, having already eaten, had curled up and fallen asleep. The wolf cub snuggled close to Moon's chest, while Leo retreated into Ruby's beast space to rest. Once dinner ended and the dishes were washed, everyone set up their sleep kits and prepared for rest.

---

The Next Morning

The sky was bathed in a beautiful gradient of soft orange and warm crimson. The horizon stretched out endlessly, touched by the glow of the morning sun. Light clouds floated lazily across the sky, as golden rays danced between their edges. Birds chirped like a gentle chorus, and a breeze moved softly across the land, brushing the tall grass like whispered secrets.

Nature felt peaceful. Alive.

They resumed their journey northward. The terrain around them was mild, and over the next few days, they crossed paths with several other hunters. But interaction was kept minimal—just curt nods, the occasional 'hello' or 'safe hunting'. Nothing more.

They started crossing path with many hunter for somedays because in east human base #12072008 is there .

In the Shifting Expanse, trusting a stranger was foolish. Here, even your own shadow could betray you.

Tauras, the echo, was still carrying Moon gently on the wooden cart. The wolf cub, loyal and peaceful, continued sleeping on Moon's chest like a protective spirit. Leo remained resting within Ruby's beast space.

Everything was calm.

Until it wasn't.

Suddenly, the ground rumbled. A deep, thundering sound echoed through the trees. BOOM... BOOM... It wasn't just noise—it was vibration. The earth beneath their feet shook slightly with every impact.

Kai narrowed his eyes. "That... definitely sounds like a battle."

James stood up, alert. "Should we check it out? Someone could be in trouble."

Minji and Kai exchanged glances and nodded.

Without wasting time, the group moved toward the direction of the sound. Tauras continued to pull the cart with Moon in it, but Kai whispered instructions to the Echo. "If you sense danger… take him and run. Don't look back."

Tauras gave a snort in understanding.

As they approached, new sounds pierced the air—low, guttural growls and the unmistakable roar of a bear.

They reached the edge of a clearing. And there, in the center of the battlefield, stood a scene that would remain etched into their memories.

A massive black bear—easily ten feet tall—with streaks of white across its fur, was engaged in a brutal hand-to-paw brawl with a man.

No—a monster of a man.

He was slightly shorter than the bear, perhaps just over nine feet tall. Blonde hair gleamed in the light. His skin was pale and smooth, yet his body was sheer muscle—packed, dense, and brutal, even after all this load of muscle his body was still in v shape .

He didn't dodge. He didn't flinch.

He fought the bear like a sumo wrestler—grappling, slamming, tearing.

With a sharp movement, he gripped the bear's waist and yanked with such force that the bear's skin tore under his fingers. Blood splattered across the field.

The bear shrieked, but before it could retaliate, the man gripped its mouth, ripped its jaws open, and plucked its eyes out. The scene was savage. Relentless.

When the bear tried to jab its sharp claws into his side, he countered by tearing the bear's paw apart with his bare hands. Then, with a roar, he delivered a devastating elbow strike to the bear's skull, shattering bone.

The beast collapsed.

Silence followed.

Kai stood frozen.

At first glance, he had mistaken the man for someone from the Titan Race. But this wasn't a titan—titans were larger, slower, and lacked such refined brutality.

The blonde giant turned and looked directly at them. He had sensed their arrival long ago and had ended the fight early because of it.

He began walking toward them, calm but purposeful.

Kai instinctively extended his hand for a shake.

But the giant brushed past him and extended his hand to James.

James looked annoyed but reluctantly shook it.

"So, James," the man said with a mocking grin, "Won't you introduce me to your friend?"

His tone was playful, but there was venom beneath it.

James replied with an edge, "This is Jack. Second Young Master of Apex Defense Systems. Our company's main rival."

Then, turning to Jack, he added, "And that's Kai."

Jack nodded with an indifferent 'Hmm' and glanced at Ruby and Minji.

James tried to introduce them, but Jack interrupted, "Oh, I know them. We were old business partners, weren't we?" His voice turned creepy, like a whisper crawling down their spines.

Ruby and Minji exchanged looks and gave forced smiles, shaking hands coldly.

Jack's eyes scanned past them.

"Once the introductions were over, Jack's gaze slowly shifted to the back... as if sensing a presence he hadn't confronted yet."

"Who's that at the back?" he asked.

Without waiting, he began moving toward it.

Kai stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. "Don't."

Jack stopped. Kai's grip was tight.

"You don't want the consequences of crossing that line," Kai said, voice low but firm. "We're not some weaklings you can bully with your money or title."

Jack's eyes darkened.

With a grunt of anger, he threw a punch at Kai, launching him several feet back. Kai skidded across the ground but quickly got to his feet.

Minji's eyes burned with warning. "Jack, enough. We tolerated your tantrums when we were kids. But you're an adult now—act like one. Or be ready for what comes."

Ruby's voice followed, cold and sharp. "Don't pretend you're untouchable."

Jack's ego flared. Glaring at them, he marched toward the cart.

The wolf cub still lay asleep on Moon's chest.

Jack reached down, picked up the cub, and brought it near his face.

He sniffed once.

"Delicious," he whispered with an unhinged smile.

Minji smiled too—for the first time in a long while. But it wasn't warm. It was chilling.

James, too, smirked like he knew what was about to happen.

Ruby didn't smile. Her eyes simply mocked Jack, as if watching an idiot dig his own grave.

Suddenly—SNAP!

Jack screamed.

"My hand!!"

Blood sprayed. His hand had been bitten off.

The cub still lay asleep, seemingly unaffected by what had happened.

In shock and agony, Jack turned to see Kai holding a blackish-brown spear—Tauras' spear.

"I warned you," Kai said, his voice like steel.

But Jack, humiliated and furious, didn't care anymore. He looked at Moon and moved to attack him instead—

BOOM.

A voice echoed.

"Stop that nonsense."

The weight of it crushed the air. It wasn't loud—but it was absolute. Authoritative. Heavy.

Everyone turned.

A man stood there in a black three-piece tweed suit. Impeccable, composed.

Not one hair was out of place. His shoes were polished, his presence overwhelming.

Minji, Ruby, and James all whispered the same words, barely audible:

"Gang Leader..."

To be continued…

I might not be able to drop with that much consistency for some days , my exams are near , i will try my best to give atleast a chapter per day but lets see if i able to or not .