The cave was silent except for the sound of shallow breathing.
Prince sat near the entrance, staring out at the glowing forest. His fingers still tingled from earlier when he defeated the Frost Wolf.
Ordinary Gene Point: 1/100
So this is how it starts…
"Can't sleep?" Anaya's voice broke his thoughts.
Prince turned slightly. "Yeah… just thinking."
Anaya smirked. "You think too much, topper boy. Relax a bit. You're not in math class anymore."
"I'll try," Prince murmured with a faint smile.
---
🌠 A Sudden Attack
"Shhh! Did you hear that?" Kabir hissed.
A low growl echoed from deeper in the forest. The six friends froze.
Then a massive shadow stepped out from the glowing trees.
It was a beast twice the size of the Frost Wolf. Its black fur shimmered faintly, and two glowing red eyes locked on the group.
[Species: Shadow Panther]
[Grade: Primitive]
[Threat Level: High]
"Primitive-grade…" Anaya whispered. Her hand tightened around a metal rod. "Everyone, stay together! We can't outrun it."
"But we can't fight it either!" Rhea said, panic in her voice.
Prince's smartwatch vibrated faintly.
[Host is advised: Join the fight. Defeating a Primitive beast is possible with current system boost.]
[Reward: +2 Primitive Gene Points.]
Two points? Prince's eyes widened slightly.
---
🏃♂️ The Fight Begins
The Shadow Panther leapt forward. Arjun swung a branch, but the beast batted him aside like a toy.
"Arjun!" Mira screamed.
Kabir and Anaya attacked together, jabbing their rods at the beast's flanks. It snarled and swiped at them, forcing them back.
Prince's heart pounded.
If we don't do something, someone will get hurt badly…
---
🌌 Prince's Move
"Prince! Stay back!" Mira shouted as she dodged the beast's claws.
But Prince stepped forward.
He grabbed a sharp stone and whispered: "System… help me."
[Beginner Boost Active.]
[Strength +10%. Reflex +15%. Temporary Agility Boost.]
When the beast lunged at Mira, Prince darted forward faster than anyone expected. He slammed the stone into the beast's eye.
The Shadow Panther roared in pain, rearing back.
"Now! Everyone attack!" Anaya yelled.
Together, the group swarmed the distracted beast. Anaya struck its jaw. Kabir jabbed at its chest. Mira and Rhea swung from the sides.
Finally, with one last shove, the Shadow Panther collapsed, unconscious.
---
🧬 A Secret Absorption
A faint glow rose from the beast and floated into Prince's chest.
[Primitive Gene Point +2 (2/100).]
Warmth spread through his body again, stronger than before. His muscles felt firmer, his senses sharper. Even his hearing seemed better.
But he said nothing.
"That was crazy," Kabir panted. "We actually beat a Primitive beast."
"I thought we'd be done for," Mira said, her face pale.
Anaya turned to Prince. "Hey… how did you move so fast back there?"
"I… don't know," Prince said honestly. "Maybe just lucky timing?"
Anaya narrowed her eyes but said nothing.
---
🌌 The Night Ends
As the group settled back into the cave, Prince sat quietly, staring at his hands.
So even a Primitive beast can be defeated now…
The system's voice echoed softly in his mind:
[Good work, Host. Continue absorbing gene points. Higher-grade beasts will soon be within your reach.]
Far away, another pair of glowing eyes watched from the treetops.
This time, they weren't red.
They were golden.