The deeper the Great Seventeen walked into the hunting grounds, the quieter the world became.
The massive trees of the wilderness towered over them, their thick branches blocking most of the sunlight. Only thin beams of light slipped through the leaves, forming scattered golden patches across the forest floor.
Dry leaves crunched under their boots.
No one spoke for a few minutes.
Even the more relaxed members had become alert.
This was no longer the academy courtyard.
This was a beast zone.
Aiden walked at the front, his gaze constantly moving across the forest.
"Spread out slightly," he said calmly. "But stay within sight."
Marcus stretched his arms.
"Finally."
Kairo chuckled beside him.
"You look like you've been waiting all morning to punch something."
Marcus grinned.
"Obviously."
Lena glanced back at them.
"Just try not to rush in blindly."
Marcus shrugged.
"No promises."
Behind them, Kai walked quietly.
His mind, however, was still replaying what had happened earlier.
System Activated.
The words had been clear.
But since then…
Nothing.
No screen.
No messages.
No voice.
Kai glanced around subtly.
The others seemed completely normal.
Maybe it was just stress…
Still, the memory of the floating screen felt far too real.
Leaves rustled somewhere ahead.
Everyone stopped instantly.
Aiden raised a hand.
The group froze.
Silence filled the forest.
Then—
CRACK.
A branch snapped.
Marcus's grin slowly returned.
"Something big."
Another rustle.
This time closer.
Then the creature stepped out from behind the trees.
A massive beast.
Roughly the size of a large horse.
Its body was covered in thick gray fur, but patches of hardened black hide covered its shoulders and back like natural armor. Long curved fangs extended from its mouth, and its yellow eyes glowed with a wild hunger.
Several students instantly recognized it.
"Stoneback Fangwolf," Victor muttered.
Marcus rolled his shoulders.
"Nice."
The beast growled, low and threatening.
Kai watched it carefully.
Then he remembered something.
The system.
He focused slightly and thought:
Identify.
For a brief moment, nothing happened.
Then the screen appeared again.
Floating in front of his eyes.
Beast Identified
Name: Stoneback Fangwolf
Tier: Low Tier Beast
Traits: Strong hide, high bite strength, aggressive when threatened
Weakness: Neck and underbelly
Kai's eyes widened slightly.
So it works…
The screen vanished again.
No sound.
No extra message.
Just the information.
Meanwhile the Fangwolf lowered its body and growled louder.
Marcus stepped forward.
"Mind if I take this one?"
Kairo smirked.
"You always ask after stepping forward."
Marcus laughed.
"Good point."
The beast suddenly lunged.
Fast.
Its massive body shot forward with explosive power.
Marcus moved instantly.
He stepped to the side and slammed his fist into the creature's shoulder.
THUD
The impact echoed through the trees.
The Fangwolf staggered but didn't fall.
Marcus blinked.
"Huh."
The beast roared and swung its claws.
Marcus jumped backward.
Kairo laughed loudly.
"Not as easy as you thought?"
Marcus cracked his neck.
"Relax. I'm just warming up."
The Fangwolf lunged again.
This time Marcus ducked under its jaws and drove another punch into its ribs.
BOOM
The beast staggered again.
But suddenly—
Another shape burst out of the forest.
"Second one!" Mira shouted.
A second Fangwolf rushed toward the group.
This one targeted the side of the formation.
Lena moved instantly.
Her blade flashed from its sheath.
A silver streak cut through the air.
SHING
The Fangwolf barely reacted before a deep slash opened across its shoulder.
It roared in pain and spun toward her.
"Fast," Kairo muttered.
Lena didn't respond.
She simply stepped forward again.
The beast lunged.
Her sword moved again.
SHING
Another clean cut.
Meanwhile Marcus was laughing as he fought the first one.
"Now this is better!"
The Fangwolf tried to bite him, but Marcus grabbed its upper jaw and shoved it sideways.
The beast slammed into a tree.
Leaves exploded into the air.
Kai watched carefully.
The power difference between the Great Seventeen and normal students was obvious.
But the beasts were still dangerous.
This wasn't effortless.
Victor stepped forward beside Lena.
"Need help?"
"I'm fine," she said.
The Fangwolf lunged again.
Victor sighed.
"Too late."
His spear thrust forward.
THRUST
The weapon pierced deep into the beast's side.
It roared violently.
Marcus suddenly shouted.
"Move!"
The second Fangwolf had turned and was charging toward Lena again.
Before it could reach her—
Marcus intercepted it.
He slammed his shoulder into the beast.
BOOM
Both of them crashed into the ground.
Marcus rolled and stood instantly.
The Fangwolf staggered.
Kairo laughed loudly.
"You're stealing everyone's fight."
Marcus grinned.
"Then hurry up."
Lena didn't waste time.
Her blade flashed once more.
This time it sliced cleanly across the creature's neck.
The Fangwolf collapsed.
Silence returned to the forest.
Only Marcus's opponent remained.
The beast growled weakly but still tried to attack.
Marcus stepped forward.
One final punch.
CRACK
The Fangwolf collapsed.
Dead.
Marcus exhaled slowly.
"Alright. That was decent."
Kairo crossed his arms.
"You call that decent?"
Marcus shrugged.
"They're low tier beasts."
Lena wiped her blade clean.
"Still dangerous for weaker students."
Kai approached the fallen Fangwolf slowly.
He knelt beside it.
Following the academy training, he pulled a small knife from his belt.
Carefully, he cut into the beast's chest.
After a moment, he found it.
A small glowing crystal embedded within the flesh.
He pulled it free.
The moment the crystal touched his hand—
The screen appeared again.
Beast Crystal Detected
Absorb Crystal?
YES / NO
Kai stared at the message.
The crystal glowed faintly in his palm.
Behind him, Marcus called out.
"Find one?"
Kai closed his hand around it.
"…Yeah."
The screen waited silently.
No pressure.
No extra message.
Just the choice.