Chapter 70 — The Predator's Test
S.C. 1510 — Late September
Foosha Village — Forest Edge Near the Shed
The sun hovered low, painting the forest in orange light that made every shadow stretch long and sharp. Ren stood outside the shed with Zemo pressed against his leg, both staring into the treeline.
The predator had been watching for days.
But today… it was close.
Closer than ever.
Ren didn't know its name.
He didn't know its nature.
He only knew one thing:
It wasn't afraid of him anymore.
Zemo's growl was deep, slow, steady—the kind of sound that came from instinct, not anger.
Ren whispered, "We should go inside."
Zemo didn't move.
His eyes locked on something in the forest.
Something Ren couldn't see yet.
But he felt it.
A heaviness in the air.
The smell of damp leaves and… something wild.
---
The First Sign
A leaf fell.
Not drifting.
Not fluttering.
It dropped straight down.
Cut cleanly in half.
Ren froze.
Zemo stepped in front of him, back arched, ears flat.
A low hum vibrated through the ground—barely noticeable, but Ren felt it through his feet.
The forest predator wasn't wandering.
It was approaching.
Testing.
Watching.
Ren's heart thumped loudly in his ears.
"Z…Zemo, back up."
Zemo didn't listen.
The fox-creature's entire body had transformed into a guardian stance, teeth bared, fur standing like bristles.
Ren swallowed hard.
He wasn't a fighter.
He wasn't strong.
And he couldn't let Zemo face danger alone.
He stepped slowly backward toward the shed.
Zemo mirrored him, walking backward without turning his eyes away from the trees.
---
The Predator Appears
A sound cut through the forest—
Not a growl.
Not a roar.
A soft, low click.
Like claws tapping wood.
Then Ren saw it.
Just a pair of glowing eyes first, catching the dying sunlight.
Golden-yellow.
Unnaturally bright.
Then the shape emerged slightly:
Large.
Muscular.
Covered in dark, mottled fur.
Not a wolf.
Not a big cat.
Something in between.
Its shoulders rolled with silent power.
Its steps made no sound.
Its gaze fixed straight on Ren.
It had come for him.
Ren whispered, trembling, "Why… why me?"
He wasn't a hunter.
He wasn't attacking its territory.
Unless…
His eyes darted to the shed.
The grass extracts.
The jelly.
The crystals.
Had the predator smelled them?
Zemo's growl snapped him out of his thoughts.
The creature took one step forward.
Zemo lunged.
---
Zemo's Warning Attack
Zemo didn't go for the kill.
He didn't even go close.
Instead, he sprinted forward and slashed the ground with his claws, kicking dirt and leaves into the air.
A clear warning.
A territory claim.
A declaration: "Stay away."
The predator stopped instantly.
Zemo barked—sharp, loud, echoing.
The forest seemed to shiver.
Ren took another step back toward the shed door.
"Come on… come on…"
The predator lowered its body slightly—
Not to pounce—
But to evaluate.
Ren felt cold sweat drip down his neck.
"This thing is intelligent…"
Its eyes flicked between Ren and Zemo.
Ren knew animals.
Normal beasts charged when challenged.
Fled when threatened.
Attacked food instantly.
This creature did none of those.
It simply observed.
Then, in one fluid motion—
It stepped forward again.
Closer.
Zemo snarled, teeth bared.
Ren grabbed Zemo's tail with a shaking hand.
"Don't… don't go alone…"
But Zemo was locked in.
Protective.
Furious.
Determined.
And Ren—though terrified—refused to run.
---
The Test Ends
The predator suddenly stopped less than ten meters away.
It tilted its head.
Studied Ren silently.
A chilling understanding passed between them.
This wasn't a hunting attempt.
It was a test.
A judgment.
After several long seconds, the creature flicked its tail once—
—and vanished.
Silent.
Instant.
Gone.
Ren gasped, finally breathing again.
His legs gave out and he fell to his knees.
Zemo rushed to him, circling, checking him, whining in distress.
Ren hugged him tightly.
"Thank you… thank you…"
His body trembled uncontrollably.
The forest returned to normal.
Birds chirped.
Leaves rustled.
But the danger lingered in the air.
---
The Aftermath
Ren finally stood and carefully entered the shed.
He secured the underground entrance and lit a small oil lamp.
Zemo curled beside him, still alert, still stiff.
Ren stared at the strange extracts on the table.
"…It wasn't random."
That creature didn't come closer because it wanted to eat them.
It came closer because—
something Ren discovered
something he extracted
something inside the grass—
had caught its attention.
A dangerous realization settled over him.
His research wasn't happening in isolation.
It wasn't happening quietly.
And he wasn't the only one interested.
Ren whispered into the dim light:
"I have to move faster.
And I have to get stronger.
Or next time…"
He looked at the ladder, imagining those golden eyes staring down at him.
"…it won't be a warning."
Zemo pressed against him gently.
Ren placed his hand on Zemo's head.
"Tomorrow… we prepare."