After leaving the shelter beneath the roots, the first thing I did was head toward the small pond I'd noticed yesterday.
The water was so clear that I could see smooth pebbles resting at the bottom. Thin strands of water grass swayed gently with the current while tiny silver fish darted between them before disappearing again.
I lowered my head and took a careful sip.
The cool water slid down my throat, carrying a faint sweetness unlike anything I remembered from Earth. It washed away the dryness in my mouth almost instantly.
I couldn't help drinking a little more.
"...Not bad."
After spending so many years inside that gloomy cave, even something as simple as fresh water felt strangely refreshing.
Only after drinking my fill did I continue deeper into the forest.
Ancient trees stretched endlessly ahead, their towering canopies blocking most of the morning sunlight. Only scattered beams reached the forest floor, painting shifting patterns across the moss.
The farther I walked, the more alive the forest seemed. Leaves rustled overhead as a gentle breeze drifted through the branches.
Thick roots twisted across the ground, forcing me to weave around them, while unfamiliar plants covered the forest floor.
Some looked no different from ordinary plants.
Others carried faint traces of Natural Qi. After spending an entire week under that old skeleton's training, I could already spot the difference without much effort.
Some trees contained noticeably more Natural Qi than the ones around them. Certain flowers and patches of grass held faint traces as well, and before long my eyes settled on a cluster of crimson fruits hanging from a nearby branch.
As soon as I looked at them, a blue screen appeared.
Spirit Dew Fruit
Grade: Mortal Grade
Description: A fruit that naturally absorbs traces of Natural Qi while growing. It contains mild medicinal properties and can slightly replenish energy after consumption.
Looks useful.
Unfortunately, they were hanging several meters above the ground.
I glanced at the sturdy trunk before quietly shaking my head.
Knocking the tree over just for a few fruits would make far too much noise. With so many beasts wandering nearby, it wasn't worth the risk.
I left the fruits behind and continued deeper into the forest.
Earth Sense quietly spread beneath my feet as familiar Qi fluctuations appeared one after another. Some drifted through the trees, others lingered nearby before gradually moving away.
The skill only told me that something carrying Beast Qi had entered its range.
Whether it was dangerous or harmless...
I'd have to see it with my own eyes.
Carefully using the ancient trees as cover, I followed the nearest fluctuation until a graceful deer came into view.
Its white fur was streaked with pale gray markings, while a pair of small crystal-like horns reflected the morning sunlight with a gentle luster as it calmly grazed on the grass.
A blue screen quietly appeared.
Crystal Horn Deer
Beast Qi: Earth Beast Qi
Realm: Early Mortal Beast
Description: A gentle beast that naturally refines Earth Beast Qi. Its crystal horns become harder as it grows, serving as its primary means of defense.
I remained hidden, watching it for a moment before another Qi fluctuation entered Earth Sense.
High above, a squirrel leaped effortlessly between the branches. Wisps of green Beast Qi occasionally gathered around its body as it sprang from tree to tree.
Windtail Squirrel
Beast Qi: Wind Beast Qi
Realm: Early Mortal Beast
Description: A small beast that naturally refines Wind Beast Qi. It relies on its remarkable speed to escape danger.
Not long after, another blue screen appeared before my eyes.
A rabbit with a single jade-colored horn cautiously nibbled on a patch of grass before suddenly lifting its head to scan the surroundings.
Horn Rabbit
Beast Qi: Wind Beast Qi
Realm: Early Mortal Beast
Description: A timid beast that naturally refines Wind Beast Qi. It possesses remarkable speed and rarely chooses to fight.
I watched the three beasts in silence before letting out a helpless sigh.
Catching them would be harder than killing them.
They were all far faster than I was, and none of them had any reason to come close. Black Carapace Guard only worked if something attacked me first, while Mountain Crushing Bite was useless unless I managed to get within biting distance.
I clicked my tongue.
"A whole week..."
"And that old skeleton still didn't teach me a proper way to fight from a distance."
I quietly left them behind.
There was no point wasting time chasing prey I couldn't catch.
Earth Sense continued picking up Qi fluctuations from every direction. Some drifted away before I reached them, while others lingered nearby before moving on. None of them paid me any attention, which was exactly what I wanted.
I continued forward, weaving around the nearby Qi fluctuations one after another.
After a while, something suddenly reached my nose.
I stopped behind a thick tree trunk and carefully peeked into the clearing.
...
Blood.
I immediately slowed my pace.
The metallic scent lingered in the air, faint at first but becoming clearer with every step.
At the same time, Earth Sense picked up another Qi fluctuation.
It remained in the same place.
I quietly approached, using the trees as cover until a small clearing came into view.
The first thing I saw wasn't the beast.
It was the corpse lying on the ground.
Judging from its size, it was one of the smaller beasts I'd seen earlier. Most of its body had already been torn apart, the surrounding grass stained dark with blood.
My gaze slowly shifted forward.
A wolf stood over the carcass.
Its thick black fur carried faint crimson streaks that seemed to flow beneath its coat.
Every bite tore away another mouthful of flesh as its powerful jaws crushed bone with ease. The sharp cracking sounds echoed through the otherwise quiet forest while fresh blood dripped from its fangs onto the ground below.
It didn't eat in a hurry.
It ate with frightening calm, as though this was nothing more than another ordinary meal.
My breathing unconsciously slowed.
I didn't dare make the slightest sound.
The aura this beast gave off was completely different from the Crystal Horn Deer, the Windtail Squirrel, or the Horn Rabbit I'd encountered earlier.
Even while feeding, its ears twitched from time to time, as though it remained alert to everything happening around it.
...What kind of beast is that?
Before I realized it, Appraisal activated on its own.
Appraisal.
Demonfang Wolf
Beast Qi: Demonic Beast Qi
Realm: Peak Ferocious Beast
Description: A ruthless predator that naturally refines Demonic Beast Qi. Its violent nature makes it far more dangerous than ordinary beasts of the same realm, and once it locks onto its prey, it rarely gives up until the hunt is over.
My pupils shrank.
Demonic Beast Qi...
The moment I read those words, the old skeleton's voice echoed inside my head.
"Listen carefully, you little brat. If you ever encounter Beast Qi tainted with Demonic Qi, don't get arrogant just because the beast is in the same realm... or even lower than you. Demonic beasts aren't merely more vicious. Demonic Qi is far more dangerous than Chaotic Qi itself."
My heartbeat quickened.
I quietly lowered my body, not taking my eyes off the wolf for even a moment.
Without making a sound, I slowly took a step back.
Crack.
A dry twig snapped beneath my foot.
The wolf's chewing stopped.
Its ears twitched slightly, but instead of looking toward me immediately, it slowly lifted its head and scanned the surrounding forest. Those crimson eyes swept across the trees with terrifying calm, as though searching for whatever had disturbed its meal.
I unconsciously held my breath.
...It noticed.
I remained completely still, praying it hadn't discovered my exact location.
Then...
I blinked.
The wolf was gone.
My pupils contracted.
One moment it had been standing over the corpse.
The very next moment—it had simply vanished, leaving only the blood-soaked carcass behind.
I hurriedly searched the surrounding forest, my eyes sweeping across every tree and every patch of undergrowth, but there was no sign of it anywhere.
Where did it go?
My heart tightened.
Before I could think any further, every instinct in my body screamed at me.
Danger.
Without the slightest hesitation, I withdrew my head and limbs into my shell.
The very next instant—
BOOOOOOM!!