The moment it lunged, I knew one thing—
This wasn't like before.
The creature was faster than the Forest Fangs. Much faster.
I barely reacted in time, throwing myself to the side as its claws tore through the space where I had been standing. The ground cracked slightly from the impact.
"Too slow!" Pip shouted. "Watch its movements!"
"I am watching!" I snapped, scrambling back to my feet.
The creature turned toward me slowly.
Calm.
Controlled.
Like it knew it was stronger.
"That's not a good sign…" Pip muttered.
I tightened my grip on the dagger.
"Level 5," I said under my breath. "So what? It's still just one enemy."
"Confidence is good," Pip said. "Overconfidence gets you killed."
"Not helping!"
The creature moved again—
But this time, it didn't charge.
It circled.
Studying me.
Waiting.
"Why isn't it attacking?" I whispered.
"Because it doesn't need to rush," Pip replied. "It's testing you."
I exhaled slowly, forcing my breathing to steady.
Think.
The earlier fights were simple. Dodge. Strike. Repeat.
But this…
This required more.
"Energy Strike uses stamina, right?" I asked quickly.
"Yeah," Pip said. "Don't spam it."
"Got it."
The creature suddenly dashed forward.
Fast.
Too fast.
I reacted late—raising the dagger just in time to block.
Clang!
The force pushed me backward, my feet sliding across the dirt.
My arms shook.
"That's… way stronger than before," I said through gritted teeth.
"No kidding!"
The creature pulled back and swung again.
This time, I ducked under the attack and rolled to the side.
Better.
Faster.
I was learning.
"Good!" Pip said. "Keep adapting!"
I got back up quickly, circling just like it was.
If it wants to test me…
I'll test it too.
The creature lunged again, but I was ready this time.
I stepped forward instead of back.
That surprised it.
Just enough.
I drove the dagger toward its side—
But it twisted its body mid-motion.
My attack barely grazed it.
"Tch!"
It countered instantly.
A claw slammed into my shoulder.
Pain exploded through my arm as I was thrown backward.
I hit the ground hard.
"Get up!" Pip shouted.
"I'm trying!"
I forced myself up, clutching my shoulder.
That hurt.
A lot.
My breathing became heavier.
"Still think it's just one enemy?" Pip said.
"Yeah," I said, wincing. "Just… a stronger one."
The creature approached slowly again.
Confident.
Like it already knew the outcome.
That annoyed me.
"Hey Pip," I said quietly.
"What?"
"You said I adapt fast, right?"
"Yeah… why?"
I wiped some dirt off my face and stood straight.
"Then let's prove it."
The creature charged again.
This time, I didn't hesitate.
I moved forward.
Not away.
At the last second, I shifted my body to the side—
Narrowly avoiding its claws—
And stepped into its range.
"Now!"
Energy surged into my arm.
Brighter than before.
More controlled.
I drove my fist forward.
"Energy Strike!"
The hit landed clean.
A burst of force exploded on impact, sending the creature staggering back.
It growled—louder this time.
Angrier.
"That did damage!" Pip shouted. "Again!"
"Not yet," I said, breathing heavily.
I could feel it.
That attack took more out of me than before.
I couldn't waste it.
The creature recovered quickly.
Faster than I expected.
It lunged again—but this time, its movements were more aggressive.
Less controlled.
Good.
That meant it was reacting.
I dodged left—
Then right—
Barely avoiding each swipe.
Too close.
Way too close.
But I was keeping up.
"Your timing's improving!" Pip said.
"Doesn't feel like it!" I replied.
The creature roared and charged straight at me.
No tricks this time.
Just raw force.
I steadied myself.
This was it.
One chance.
If I missed…
I wouldn't get another.
I focused.
On its movement.
On the timing.
On the moment.
Three steps.
Two—
One—
"NOW!"
I stepped in at the last possible second.
Twisted my body.
And drove the dagger forward—
At the same time, energy surged through my arm.
"Energy Strike!"
The blade struck deep.
A burst of energy followed instantly.
The impact echoed through the forest.
The creature froze.
For a moment…
Everything went still.
Then—
It collapsed.
Silence returned.
But this time…
It felt earned.
I stood there, breathing heavily, staring at the fallen creature.
"I… did it," I said.
Pip floated closer, wide-eyed.
"You actually did it," he said. "That was a Level 5!"
I let out a shaky laugh. "Yeah… let's not do that again too soon."
The menu appeared, brighter than ever before.
---
Enemy Defeated: Unknown Forest Beast
Bonus Experience Gained!
Level Up! → Level 3
---
A surge of energy rushed through my body.
Stronger.
Sharper.
I straightened slightly.
Even my shoulder felt better.
"Level 3 already…" Pip said. "You're progressing fast."
"Feels fast," I said. "Almost too fast."
Pip didn't respond immediately.
That was unusual.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said. "Just… stay alert."
I frowned slightly.
Before I could ask more—
The menu appeared again.
---
New Information Discovered:
Unusual Monster Detected
Area Threat Level Increased
Quest Updated:
Investigate the Forest Disturbance (Progress: 1/?)
---
"'1/?'?" I said. "That's not helpful."
"It means we're not done," Pip replied.
I looked deeper into the forest.
It was darker now.
Quieter.
But not empty.
Not anymore.
Whatever was causing this…
That creature wasn't the source.
"Guess we keep going," I said.
Pip looked at me carefully.
"You sure?"
I tightened my grip on the dagger.
"Yeah."
I took a step forward.
Then another.
Deeper into the forest.
Stronger than before.
But now…
I understood something important.
Strength alone wasn't enough.
Not here.
Not in this world.
As we moved forward, the shadows seemed to shift around us.
Watching.
Waiting.
And somewhere in the distance—
Something else moved.
Something bigger.
The real threat…
Was still ahead.