Chapter 3 - Forest of Infinite Scraps

The forbidden Eldoria Forest swallowed Alex whole, its canopy blotting out the moon like a predator's maw. Twisted roots snaked across mossy ground, and distant howls promised beasts far deadlier than academy bullies. Shadow Fang Sovereign padded silently beside him, its silver fur blending with shadows, while the Abyssal Lance hummed faintly in Alex's grip.Academy hunts are no joke, Alex thought, system map pulsing with red zones. But this Weekly Event? It's my ticket to power. The panel updated:[Academy Hunt: Survive 24hrs, Evolve 5x. Reward: SSS Evolution Core.]Current Chain: 3/5 Evolutions.Rustling ahead—glowing eyes. A pack of Ironhide Boars (D-rank), tusks like scythes, charged. Alex raised the lance. "Phase and drain!"Shadow Fang blurred, phasing through the alpha's charge. Fangs sank in; essence drained in black wisps, shrinking the beast to a whimpering piglet. [+3 Vitality. Boar Essence Absorbed.] Alex speared two more, loot tumbling: fangs, hides—prime scrap."Evolve!" He fed a tusk to Shadow Fang. Light flared. [Chain 4/5: Void Fang Devourer (Epic Rank). New Trait: Scrap Feast (devours enemies for instant evo fuel).]The pack routed, but thunder cracked overhead. Kairos Voss descended on a lightning platform, flanked by Varkis and a squad of C-rank hunters. "You can't hide, Rat! That demonic pet is confiscated—along with your head!"Lightning rained. Shadow Fang devoured a bolt mid-phase, growing spikes. Alex rolled, Thunder Phase crackling his veins for the first time—body flickering intangible. This affinity rocks. He hurled the lance; it homed on Varkis, piercing armor.Varkis roared, axe swinging. "F-rank scum!" But Alex was faster, AGI buffs shining. Shadow Fang pounced, Scrap Feast activating—Varkis's axe melted into its maw. [Weapon Essence: +Axe Mastery (Lv.1). Chain 5/5! Hunt Progress: 80%.]Kairos blasted a sovereign bolt, but Void Fang countered with a shadow vortex, draining his platform mid-air. He crashed, scrambling up. "Impossible! SS-rank versus trash?!"Alex closed in, lance reformed. "Trash evolves. You stagnate." One drain slash left Kairos twitching, partial lightning essence siphoned again. [Lightning Affinity 20%. Unlock: Storm Sovereign Path? Y/N]Varkis fell next, drained dry. The hunters fled. Alex confirmed Y—system whirred: [SSS Evolution Core Acquired! Apply to Self? Y/N]Booms echoed—academy reinforcements. Not yet. Alex eyed a glowing cavern: Apex Predator Seed detected.Void Fang growled approval. "One more evo. God rank calls."Deeper in, ancient bones littered the floor. The seed pulsed—a fist-sized crystal veined with draconic power. Alex grinned. Jackpot.