In the gentle moonlight and the deep silence of the forest, Jai Veer moved forward cautiously, each step measured.
"Hmmm… looks like I'm not too deep into the forest," he muttered under his breath, glancing around. "Otherwise, I would've already encountered some high-grade beast by now."
Then—
"Growl… Growl…"
The sound sent a chill down his spine.
Jai Veer turned sharply.
A lone wolf stood behind him. Its eyes glowed red, its posture tense and aggressive.
Before he could fully react, the wolf lunged.
At the last possible moment, Jai Veer twisted to the side, barely dodging as he fell hard to the ground. The wolf spun mid-motion and slashed with its paw, releasing a sharp wave of magical energy aimed straight for his neck.
"Ahh!" Jai Veer gasped, clutching his neck.
Warmth spread across his skin—but when he checked, it was only a shallow scratch.
No serious wound…
"So it's just a Grade-1 beast, equal to a 3-star Jagruti (Awakening) stage," he thought calmly. And I'm already at 7-star Jagruti.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Now it's my turn," he said quietly. "Filthy beast."
With a flick of his will, Jai Veer pulled out his sword from his Jiva Shakti storage ring—the very blade given to him the day after his core had awakened.
He lowered his stance, feet firm against the earth.
The wolf charged.
So did he.
The beast swung its claws again, magical energy tearing through the air. Jai Veer ducked under the strike and surged forward, his movements sharp and precise.
Jiva Shakti flooded into his sword.
In the next instant, he burst forward.
One clean slash.
The blade sliced through the wolf's neck effortlessly.
"Tip… Tip… Tip…"
Blood dripped onto the forest floor, echoing softly in the silence. The wolf's head rolled away, its body collapsing lifelessly moments later.
Jai Veer stood still for a breath.
This was his first real battle.
He sat beside the corpse and began absorbing the wolf's Jiva Shakti, drawing the fading life force into himself.
About an hour later, he opened his eyes, energy steady once more.
"Alright… time to keep moving," he murmured.
But then—
That familiar presence again.
His expression tightened.
A wolf? No… three.
He drew his sword instantly.
Three wolves emerged from the shadows—one to his left, one to his right, and one directly ahead.
This time, there was no opening.
They attacked together.
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, leaving Jai Veer barely any space to dodge or counter. Claws sliced past him again and again, forcing him back step by step.
Still, he remained focused. His breathing stayed controlled as his eyes tracked every motion, waiting.
"Huff… I need to change something," he muttered, jaw clenched. "I have to take at least one down first."
As he retreated, his gaze flicked upward.
A tree branch—low enough.
This may work.
He moved instantly.
Jai Veer sprinted toward the tree. One wolf chased him head-on, while the other two split to block his escape.
Just as I thought… he smirked inwardly. You fell right into it.
Two steps before the branch, he leapt.
His hand latched onto the wood. His body swung upward, flipping upside down—
And in the same motion, he hurled his sword backward.
The pursuing wolf jumped as well, jaws wide—
Too late.
The sword pierced straight through its mouth, pinning it into the ground. The beast convulsed once before going still.
"Double kill," Jai Veer said, a confident grin flashing across his face.
He pulled the sword free.
With their formation broken, the remaining two wolves didn't last long. Jai Veer dispatched them swiftly, his movements sharp despite the fatigue creeping into his limbs.
Dragging the three corpses behind him, he searched for a safe place.
After some time, he found a cave.
He inhaled deeply, sensing the aura within.
"Alright… this place seems fine," he murmured. "Doesn't look like any magical beast lives here."
Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, he settled inside to rest.
The next morning, he resumed his search for a way out.
Explore by day.
Fight beasts.
Return to the cave by night.
Three days passed like this.
By the fourth evening, his body was covered in minor injuries, exhaustion weighing heavily on him.
"It's already the fourth day…" he muttered, glancing at the setting sun. "And still no luck."
Then—
"Is anyone nearby? Please help!"
The trembling, innocent voice froze him in place.
Jai Veer's heart skipped a beat.
That voice… it's coming from ahead.
He sprinted toward the sound and quickly took cover behind a tree.
"A girl?" he whispered in surprise. "And—again? A wolf…"
He was beyond tired of wolves.
Dressed in blue stood a delicate girl, around his age. From her refined appearance, she looked like the daughter of a noble clan.
She was fighting desperately.
Scratches covered her hands, blood trickling lightly, yet she refused to give up, forcing herself to keep moving.
But the outcome was clear.
If this continued—
She wouldn't last much longer.