Renji stepped into the heart of the gate.
Humidity clung to his skin like a second layer. The deeper he went, the more unnatural everything felt. Faint snake-like statues coiled through the ruined stonework, their eyes hollowed out and moss-ridden. Thorny vines moved subtly—like they were breathing.
[Status Effect: Minor Toxin Exposure – Stamina Recovery Reduced by 10%]
He exhaled calmly. "Perfect place for snakes to thrive."
The rusted sword in his hand was a simple weapon, but his senses were tuned beyond that of a normal cadet. Ever since his awakening, everything had felt more alive… too alive.
A distant rustle.
Then a snap.
He dodged backward by instinct just as a green blur whipped past. A serpent—long, scaled like iron bark—hissed and slithered into view. Its fangs were lined with a faint blue liquid. Venom.
Renji's body moved without conscious thought.
[Skill Activated: Dash – Level 1]
He burst forward, sword raised, and swept across the side of the serpent's head.
Clang!
Its hide was harder than it looked. His blade glanced off, barely digging in. But the snake recoiled, giving him a moment.
[Passive: Fearless Tenacity – Triggered]
Pain resistance + minor defense bonus against surprise attacks.
Another hiss.
This time, three more slithered from the ruins.
"Alright," Renji muttered, loosening his stance. "Guess we're doing this the hard way."
One lunged. He ducked, slammed his foot into its jaw, then rolled forward to avoid the others.
His breath was steady.
His body was moving better.
Each attack came easier to respond to—like he was learning mid-fight.
[Adaptive Evolution – Combat Sync Detected]
+1 Perception (Temporary boost active in current gate)
You are gradually adapting to serpentine movement patterns.
Renji parried a fang strike, ducked under a whipping tail, and finally plunged his blade deep into one of the serpent's eyes. It screamed in a shrill tone before going limp.
[Beast Defeated – F-Rank: Jungle Viper]
XP gained…
Partial Beastline unlocked… analyzing…
Nothing triggered yet, but that was fine.
One down.
Two more to go.
Renji's feet shifted automatically—he kicked up loose soil, blinding the second snake mid-lunge, then swung upward with both hands.
His sword lodged into its mouth as it struck.
Crack. Blood. Hiss.
The third tried to wrap around his leg, constricting—
He didn't panic.
A savage slash tore through the serpent's body, spraying venom and bile across the undergrowth. The monster writhed before collapsing beside its kin.
Silence returned.
Only his breath and the hum of the gate remained.
[Gate Progress: 3/12 beasts eliminated]
[System Update – Stat Synchronization (Level 6):]
Strength: 11
Speed: 20
Perception: 15 (+1 in-gate boost active)
Endurance: 12
Vitality: 7
Luck: 7
Beast Resonance: 6%
Skills:
[Feral Claw – Lv 1]
[Predator's Gaze – Growth Skill (F Rank)]
[Passive: Fearless Tenacity]
[Copied: Dash – Lv 1]
Points: 2
Talent: Adaptive Evolution
Renji didn't celebrate.
He wiped the blood from his face, then crouched, listening again.
Something was watching from deeper inside.
And it was bigger.