As Pride flowed back into his body, Azrael couldn't suppress a satisfied sigh. "There's the familiar feeling I've been missing."
The gradual strengthening of his physical capabilities brought a smile to his lips as he considered the tactical implications. "Once this enhancement process completes, I won't need to rely solely on my cards for close combat. Most Bronze-level Lore Cardians wouldn't stand a chance against me in direct confrontation."
Pride's body enhancement ability represented far more than simple convenience, it was a cornerstone of Azrael's survival strategy. Beyond improving his personal safety margins, the symbiote's augmentation would dramatically increase his effectiveness during practical training exercises where direct combat skills often determined success or failure.
The thought sparked curiosity about Pride's newest capability, leading Azrael to voice an intriguing question. "If Pride can obtain genetic modules through temporary possession, what exactly did he copy from bonding with me?"
He immediately accessed Pride's updated information through their mental link.
Currently obtained genetic modules: [Enhanced Metabolism]
Currently active genetic modules: 0/1
[Enhanced Metabolism]: This module significantly improves the organism's metabolic efficiency and energy processing capabilities.
"Well, that's... practical," Azrael muttered, though he'd been hoping for something more dramatic.
Currently active genetic modules: [Enhanced Metabolism] 1/1
Still, since no alternative modules were available at the moment, activating his only option seemed reasonable. The enhancement might prove more valuable than its modest description suggested.
As the module integrated with Pride's biological matrix, Azrael felt a surge of vitality and endurance that spoke well for future endeavors requiring sustained effort. A predatory smile gradually spread across his features as possibilities crystallized in his mind.
"With this foundation established, I can pursue more ambitious genetic acquisitions."
However, before launching into extensive field research, Azrael needed to handle administrative obligations that could complicate his plans if left unaddressed.
[Azrael: Senior Sister, I need to request tomorrow off from classes.]
[Alice: Something wrong?]
[Azrael: I have a card-related matter requiring immediate attention. I'll definitely return before Wednesday's practical training session.]
[Alice: Approved. 😊]
Seeing Alice's quick approval after such minimal explanation, Azrael released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The elaborate justifications he'd prepared proved entirely unnecessary, sometimes simplicity was the most effective approach.
Opening his digital maps, Azrael began researching locations with sufficient ecological diversity to provide meaningful genetic sampling opportunities. After all, entering practical training exercises with only an [Enhanced Metabolism] module would be professionally embarrassing.
"This should work perfectly."
After extensive consideration, his choice settled on the Dabie Mountains, a substantial range located within reasonable distance of Pixar that offered diverse wildlife without requiring multi-day travel commitments. While more famous mountain ranges might provide richer ecological resources, their greater distances posed scheduling risks he couldn't afford given his Wednesday deadline.
"Time to see what genetic treasures the mountains have to offer."
In the pre-dawn darkness, a massive black and red aerial predator cut through the night sky with supernatural grace, its rider studying the terrain below with tactical interest.
"Pride's advancement to Silver tier has definitely improved Pidgeot's enhanced form," Azrael observed, noting the increased speed and maneuverability their symbiotic partnership now provided.
While the improvement was measurable, it remained insufficient for his growing transportation needs. The gap between his advancing capabilities and his supporting infrastructure continued widening, creating limitations that would require eventual solutions.
"I should consider creating a dedicated mount card or vehicle," he mused, filing the consideration away for future material allocation.
As philosophical contemplation occupied his thoughts, the vast expanse of the Dabie Mountains emerged from the darkness ahead, endless peaks and valleys stretching beyond his enhanced vision's limits.
"Perfect testing ground for Pride's new capabilities."
With a voice that dissipated into the mountain winds, Azrael directed their descent toward the wilderness below. The black and red figure plummeted like a meteor, ready to begin systematic exploration of whatever genetic opportunities awaited them.
Zaelum was beginning to seriously regret every decision that had led to his current predicament. He should never have listened to Bleam's enthusiastic arguments about taking an "authentic wilderness experience" through unmarked trails in the Dabie Mountains.
Hiking itself was enjoyable enough, but his best friend's insistence on avoiding established paths had transformed what should have been a weekend adventure into an increasingly desperate survival situation.
If genuine concern for Bleam's safety hadn't overridden his common sense, Zaelum would never have agreed to such a reckless expedition.
Now, several days into their unplanned extended stay, both hikers had long since abandoned any pretense of knowing their current location. The unmarked terrain that Bleam had praised for its "authenticity" had become an endless maze of identical-looking valleys and ridges.
Getting lost was problematic enough, but the Dabie Mountains harbored genuine dangers that extended far beyond simple navigation challenges. They'd encountered tigers on multiple occasions during their wandering, fortunately, the great cats had shown no interest in pursuing two scrawny humans who probably weren't worth the energy expenditure.
Of course, wild animals represented only the beginning of their potential problems.
The prospect of encountering wandering demons remained Zaelum's greatest fear. While such creatures were typically weak compared to those found in established secret realms, they were still far beyond what two ordinary civilians with basic support cards could handle.
Even though the statistical probability remained low, Zaelum had read enough internet horror stories to understand exactly how such encounters usually ended. At the time, he'd laughed at the victims' poor decision-making. Now he was living proof that stupidity was often more a matter of circumstances than intelligence.
"Do you think we'll actually make it out of here?" Zaelum asked his companion with undisguised pessimism, studying Bleam's increasingly bedraggled appearance. "There's no signal anywhere in these mountains, so calling for help isn't an option."
Bleam responded with his characteristic optimism, thumping his chest with false confidence. "Leave everything to me! I'll get us home safely, no matter what it takes."
Looking at his friend's torn jacket and generally disheveled state, Zaelum's eye twitched with barely suppressed exasperation. "Your leadership is exactly why we're in this mess to begin with."
"I'm starting to think these mountains will become our permanent resting place."
Bleam's forced laughter carried nervous undertones despite his continued bravado. "Don't worry so much! I told my family that if we don't return by tomorrow, they'll organize a search party."
Hearing that his friend had finally demonstrated some basic planning competence, Zaelum felt marginally better about their prospects, though he remained deeply pessimistic about how long it would take for any rescue team to locate them in such vast wilderness.
By the time they were found, decomposition might have progressed considerably.
Just as Zaelum prepared to voice these morbid thoughts, the mountain silence was shattered by a tremendous impact.
BOOM!
"What the hell was that?!" both hikers exclaimed simultaneously, the unexpected noise sending adrenaline spiking through their systems.
They exchanged panicked glances before hastily breaking camp and fleeing toward what they hoped was a safer direction. Whatever had caused such a massive disturbance, their survival instincts agreed that distance was preferable to investigation.
"Do you think it could be a demon?" Zaelum gasped as they stumbled through the undergrowth, his breathing already labored from their desperate pace.
Bleam's expression revealed the confusion of someone whose wilderness expertise had never included supernatural encounters. "I... I honestly have no idea what we're dealing with."
BOOM!
The sound of splintering trees echoed behind them, each crash growing noticeably closer as something large carved a path through the forest in their direction.
Zaelum risked a backward glance and felt his blood turn to ice. "We're dead. Whatever it is, it's definitely following us."
Seeing their impossible situation, Bleam gritted his teeth and made what he believed was a heroic decision. "I'll hold it off while you escape!" he declared, stopping abruptly and turning to face their pursuing threat.
As Bleam basked in his own perceived nobility, he felt Zaelum's hand repeatedly striking his back with increasing urgency.
"I said I'll make the sacrifice!" Bleam insisted, maintaining his heroic pose while addressing his companion. "Don't try to talk me out of it!"
When he finally looked at Zaelum, his friend's face had gone ashen with terror.
"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Bleam asked with growing confusion.
Zaelum's bitter laugh held no humor whatsoever. "Because I think today is the day we both die."
He raised a trembling hand to point behind Bleam's position.
Following the gesture, Bleam turned to face their pursuer and immediately understood why Zaelum hadn't fled. A massive humanoid creature of writhing black and red biomass dominated their field of vision, its alien features radiating predatory intelligence that reduced both humans to paralyzed prey.
The oppressive aura emanating from the creature operated on a level that transcended conscious fear, their bodies simply refused to obey movement commands when faced with such overwhelming presence.
"Why were you running?" The voice that emerged from the creature carried harmonics that seemed to resonate from multiple sources simultaneously, creating an auditory experience that spoke of inhuman fusion and terrible intelligence.
The question hung in the mountain air like a death sentence, while two terrified hikers realized they had stumbled into something far beyond their worst nightmares.