The hunt ended with dust and blood settling into silence.
No cheers.
Only heavy breathing.
---
"Check injuries," the leader said.
---
Sohan stood still for a moment, then stepped back.
Watched.
---
This was how it always went now.
Fight.
Survive.
Move on.
---
Daily Hunts
The next days followed the same pattern.
---
Morning.
The group left the shelter.
Nine people.
Weapons ready.
Eyes sharp.
---
They moved in formation.
Front line engaged first.
Middle supported.
Back stayed alert.
---
Sohan stayed in the middle.
---
Not hiding.
---
Positioning.
---
When creatures appeared—
The front took impact.
Others followed.
---
Ordinary beasts rushed fast.
Sharp claws.
Wild movements.
---
Sohan didn't rush.
---
He watched their rhythm.
---
One beast lunged—
He stepped aside.
---
Strike.
---
Clean.
---
Another came—
He waited half a second longer—
Then attacked.
---
Efficient.
---
No wasted motion.
---
Sometimes—
They faced groups.
Five.
Eight.
Even more.
---
Then—
Things got messy.
---
People panicked.
Missed attacks.
Got injured.
---
Sohan didn't.
---
He adjusted.
Moved with control.
---
Step.
Avoid.
Strike.
---
He never chased.
Never overextended.
---
Only killed what came into his range.
---
That was why—
He survived.
---
Losses
Not everyone did.
---
One day—
A member stepped too far.
---
Surrounded.
---
Too fast to react.
---
Gone.
---
Another day—
A delayed reaction.
---
A bite.
---
Poison.
---
Gone.
---
No one spoke much after that.
---
Because they understood.
---
This wasn't luck.
---
This was consequence.
---
Twenty became fifteen.
Then twelve.
---
Then—
Nine.
---
And it stopped there.
---
The remaining—
Had learned.
---
Or adapted.
---
Growth
Each hunt added something.
---
Sohan felt it clearly.
---
Energy accumulated.
---
Control improved.
---
Movements became sharper.
---
Faster.
---
More precise.
---
After another hunt—
He sat down.
Closed his eyes.
---
Ordinary Genes: 100 / 100
Primitive Genes: 60 / 100
---
"Done."
---
His body felt different.
---
Stable.
---
Balanced.
---
But not enough.
---
The Rhino Hunt
That day—
The air felt heavier.
---
Tracks on the ground.
Deep.
Wide.
---
"Careful," the leader said.
---
Then—
It appeared.
---
A Two-Horn Rhino.
---
Massive.
Armored skin.
Two sharp horns.
---
It charged.
---
Too fast.
---
The front line barely dodged.
---
Impact shattered the ground.
---
"Spread out!"
---
Chaos.
---
One mistake—
Death.
---
Sohan moved sideways.
Kept distance.
Watched.
---
The rhino turned again.
Charged another.
---
This time—
They attacked together.
---
Weapons struck.
But barely penetrated.
---
"Target the side!"
---
Sohan moved in.
---
Not rushing.
---
Waiting.
---
The moment came—
---
The rhino slowed after a charge.
---
Opening.
---
Sohan stepped in.
---
Strike.
---
Then retreated instantly.
---
Others followed.
---
Hit.
Pull back.
---
Again.
---
Slowly—
Damage built up.
---
The rhino weakened.
---
One final attack—
---
It fell.
---
Silence.
---
Then—
A voice echoed in Sohan's mind:
"Primitive Beast Soul – Two-Horn Rhino Dagger obtained."
---
He didn't react.
---
Just stepped back.
---
Calm.
---
Soul Sea
That night—
He checked.
---
The daggers were there.
---
And the cocoon.
---
Still sealed.
---
Still absorbing energy from the Gene Stone.
---
Unchanged on the surface.
---
"…Three months."
---
He opened his eyes.
---
Decision
He stood up.
---
"I need skill."
---
Hunting alone wasn't enough now.
---
He had power.
---
But no technique.
---
"I'll leave."
---
Two months.
---
Training.
---
Dagger control.
Gene arts.
---
He turned toward the exit.
---
No hesitation.
---
Behind him—
The Sanctuary remained.
---
Ahead—
Preparation.
---
Inside—
The cocoon pulsed silently.
---
Waiting.
---
"Now… I refine myself."