The cave was very quiet.
All members were resting.
Shell lay in the corner, the crack on his chest not yet fully healed.
Horn leaned against the cave wall, eyes closed.
Shadow, Spike, and Venom were also recovering stamina.
Waspy and Brownie sat together, magic slowly recovering.
Time passed bit by bit.
I didn't rest, but thought instead.
The Wolf King was too strong.
So strong we had no power to fight back.
If we wanted revenge, if we wanted to survive in this forest.
We had to become stronger.
Had to evolve.
About two hours passed.
Brownie opened its eyes.
"Magic's recovered a bit," it said.
[Brownie MP: 120/300]
Recovered 120 points.
"Heal Shell," I said.
Brownie nodded, walking to Shell's side.
Green light emanated from its body.
"Heart of the Forest."
Warm healing power enveloped all members.
The crack on Shell's chest slowly repaired.
Horn and Shadow's injuries were also recovering.
Ten seconds later, the light faded.
[Shell HP: 180/250]
[Horn HP: 170/180]
[Shadow HP: 150/160]
Much better.
Though not fully recovered, at least it wouldn't affect movement.
"Thanks," Shell said.
It stood up, moving its body.
Though the crack on the armor remained, it wasn't serious anymore.
I looked at all members.
"We need a plan to get stronger."
All members looked at me.
"First, I need to confirm everyone's status."
I checked each member's panel individually.
Waspy: Level 2/50.
Brownie: Level 2/50.
Shadow: Level 20/30.
Horn: Level 20/30.
Venom: Level 19/30.
Shell: Level 3/30.
Spike: Level 3/25.
Myself: Level 22/25.
After reviewing this data, I had a clear picture.
Though Waspy and Brownie were only level 2, their species cap was 50.
This meant their species strength far exceeded other members.
Even at just level 2, they were the two strongest in the team.
But the problem was their magic consumption was too high.
Mind Control and Forest Bind were both high-cost skills.
Not suitable for continuous combat.
Shadow, Horn, and Venom's levels were all around 20, approaching their cap of 30.
Their strength was good, and their coordination seamless.
Could serve as main combat members.
Shell and Spike had evolved but their levels were too low.
Shell was level 3, cap 30.
Spike was level 3, cap 25.
They needed time to grow.
And me—
Level 22, cap 25.
Though nearly maxed, my species cap was very low.
This meant if I didn't evolve, my growth space was already minimal.
Had to reach level 25 quickly, then evolve.
"I have a plan," I said.
All members listened seriously.
"First, I need to reach max level."
"I'm level 22 now, need 3 more levels."
"I'll hunt solo so experience isn't divided."
Spike asked: "What about us?"
"You also need to level up," I said.
"Shadow, Horn, Venom—you three can hunt as a team."
"Your levels are similar, coordination good."
"You can hunt some medium-strength magic beasts."
The three nodded.
"Spike, Shell, your levels are too low."
"For now, follow and learn, hunt some weak magic beasts."
"Once your levels increase, participate in stronger battles."
Both nodded too.
"Waspy, Brownie..." I looked at them.
"You're the strongest."
"But your magic consumption is too high."
"Don't participate in regular hunting."
"Stay as trump cards and support."
"Only act at critical moments."
Waspy and Brownie exchanged glances.
"Understood," Waspy said.
"Where do we hunt?" Venom asked.
I thought for a moment.
"Far from the Wolf King's territory."
"At least 10 kilometers away."
"Look for some medium-strength magic beasts."
"Claw Moles, Vine Serpents, Spike-Tail Rabbits—these are all fine."
"But avoid Forest Wolves, Shadow Cats, Steel-Fur Boars."
"They're too dangerous."
All members nodded.
"Good, I'll head out first."
"You wait here for me."
"When I return, I'll arrange your hunts."
I walked out of the cave.
Sunlight shone on me, warm and bright.
Took a deep breath.
Began searching for prey.
I moved through the dense forest.
Using my high sensitivity to sense movements around me.
Not far away, digging sounds came.
I quietly approached.
Through the bushes, I saw my target.
A Claw Mole was digging a hole.
Front claws sharp, dirt constantly being scraped out.
I checked its information.
[Claw Mole]
[Level: 12/20]
Level 12.
Cap 20.
Could handle it.
I lowered my body, slowly approaching.
The Claw Mole suddenly stopped.
Its nose sniffed the air.
Then whirled around!
Looked toward where I was hiding.
Damn, discovered.
The Claw Mole immediately charged at me.
Front claws gleaming coldly, lunging straight for my neck.
"Spatial Dodge!"
My body vanished, appearing five meters away.
The Claw Mole pounced on empty air, froze for a moment.
I seized the opportunity and charged.
Aimed at its neck, opened my mouth.
"Bite!"
Teeth bit into the mole's neck.
But didn't break through.
The mole's skin was thick.
It howled in pain, struggling wildly.
Front claws swung at me.
I quickly released and jumped back.
The sharp claws grazed my flank, leaving a shallow bloody mark.
[My HP: 220/230]
The mole turned, attacking again.
I retreated, circling behind it.
It turned quickly, but I was faster.
I kept staying behind it.
Then during a gap in its turning—
Bit toward the neck again.
This time bit deeper.
Teeth pierced flesh.
The mole screamed, struggling even more violently.
But I held on tight, wouldn't let go.
Blood flowed, staining my mouth red.
The mole's struggles grew weaker.
Finally, it stopped moving.
[Killed Claw Mole]
[Gained 140 experience]
I released my bite, gasping for breath.
[Level: 22/25]
[Experience: 655/750]
Still needed 95 more experience to reach level 23.
I licked the blood from my mouth.
Continued searching for the next prey.
Walked for about half an hour.
Ahead on a tree, many vines were wrapped around.
I stared at those vines.
One of them was slightly different in color.
A Vine Serpent.
I checked the information.
[Vine Serpent]
[Level: 15/20]
Level 15.
Stronger than the previous mole.
I slowly backed away.
Wanted to go around.
But the Vine Serpent suddenly moved.
It dropped from the tree, lunging at me the instant it landed.
Incredibly fast!
"Leap!"
I jumped hard, dodging the snake's lunge.
After landing, immediately retreated.
The Vine Serpent twisted its body, attacking again.
It wanted to coil around me.
Snake body like a rope, wrapping toward me.
"Spatial Dodge!"
I vanished, appearing behind the snake.
Before it could react—
I rushed forward, biting toward the snake's vital point.
Teeth pierced the snake's body.
The Vine Serpent struggled frantically.
Its tail swung over, striking me.
"Bang!"
I was sent flying, crashing into a tree.
[My HP: 190/230]
Pain.
But I couldn't let go.
I held the snake body tightly, letting it struggle.
The Vine Serpent rolled on the ground, trying to shake me off.
But I bit firmly.
Teeth bit deeper and deeper.
Finally, the Vine Serpent's struggles stopped.
[Killed Vine Serpent]
[Gained 180 experience]
[Level Up: 23/25]
I released my bite, collapsing on the ground.
Gasping for breath.
[Level: 23/25]
[Experience: 85/850]
Leveled up.
But still needed two more levels.
I rested briefly, then continued forward.
Couldn't stop.
Had to hunt more while my condition was still good.
Walked a bit further.
Ahead in the grass, there was movement.
I stopped, observing.
Three Spike-Tail Rabbits were foraging in the grass.
I checked their levels.
One level 8, one level 9, one level 10.
None too strong.
I aimed for the weakest one, level 8.
Quietly approached.
Then suddenly burst forward!
Rushed into the grass, pouncing at the target.
That Spike-Tail Rabbit shrieked in terror.
But too late.
I bit its neck in one go.
Pulled hard.
[Killed Spike-Tail Rabbit]
[Gained 100 experience]
The other two Spike-Tail Rabbits immediately fled.
I chased one of the level 9 ones.
Its speed was fast, spikes on its tail standing up.
Turned back and swung at me.
I dodged to the side, kept chasing.
Finally caught up.
Pounced on it, bit through the neck.
[Killed Spike-Tail Rabbit]
[Gained 95 experience]
[Level Up: 24/25]
[Level: 24/25]
[Experience: 280/950]
One more level.
The last level.
I needed 670 experience points.
Had to find stronger prey.
I continued searching.
Walked for a long time.
A strange area appeared ahead.
Faint purple mist permeated the air.
Poison Mushrooms.
I remembered this type of magic beast.
Released toxic mist, surrounding creatures would all be poisoned to death.
I circled around that area.
But saw some magic beast corpses.
All poisoned to death.
Unfortunately, I couldn't touch these bodies.
Kept moving forward.
Suddenly, wind sounds came from overhead.
I looked up.
A Wind Feather Sparrow circled in the air.
It had spotted me.
Diving down!
I checked the information.
[Wind Feather Sparrow]
[Level: 17/20]
Level 17.
And an aerial magic beast.
Very difficult to handle.
But if I could kill it, experience would definitely be substantial.
The Wind Feather Sparrow dove, talons grabbing at my head.
I rolled to the side.
Talons scraped the ground, grabbing up dirt.
The sparrow climbed back up, circling again.
Then dove a second time.
This time I didn't dodge.
Instead, I waited.
Waited for it to get close—
"Spatial Dodge!"
I vanished, appearing directly below it.
The Wind Feather Sparrow missed, swooping past my original position.
Just as it passed overhead—
I jumped with all my strength!
"Leap!"
Jumped to maximum height, opened my mouth.
Bit one of the Wind Feather Sparrow's legs.
The sparrow screamed, frantically flapping its wings.
Trying to shake me off.
But I held on tight.
We rose into the air together.
Then—
Began falling.
"Crash—!"
We slammed heavily into the ground.
My back hit rocks, intense pain spreading.
[My HP: 150/230]
But I didn't let go.
While the Wind Feather Sparrow was still struggling—
I adjusted position, biting toward its neck.
Teeth pierced.
Pulled hard.
Blood gushed out.
[Killed Wind Feather Sparrow]
[Gained 200 experience]
[Level Up: 25/25]
I released my bite, collapsing on the ground.
Pain all over my body.
But—
Max level.
[Hoarder Squirrel] [Gray]
[Level: 25/25]
[Experience: ——]
[Evolution Options]
I took a deep breath.
"View."
Multiple options appeared on the panel.