The forest didn't change, not with time, not with movement, not even with effort, it remained the same oppressive existence, silent yet alive, watching every step Han Chandu and Han Sen took as if it was measuring them, weighing their worth, deciding whether they deserved to survive within it or not.
They moved carefully, never too fast, never careless, their senses stretched to the limit as they stayed within the outer area, not daring to go deeper, not because they were afraid without reason, but because instinct told them clearly that what lay deeper was something they were not ready to face.
Another creature appeared.
Small.
Fast.
Familiar.
This time, there was no hesitation between them, no need for words, because after the previous fights, they had already begun to understand each other's rhythm, Han Sen moved first, cutting off its path and forcing it to change direction, while Han Chandu stepped in from the side, his body reacting faster than before, his punch landing cleaner, sharper, more controlled than anything he had done in the past.
The creature staggered.
Han Sen followed instantly.
A kick.
Direct.
The creature collapsed.
Han Chandu finished it.
Silence returned.
But this time—
They didn't relax.
They waited.
A faint panel appeared.
[ Notification ]
→ Basic Creature Killed
→ No Gene Points Gained
→ No Beast Soul Obtained
Nothing.
Again.
Han Sen exhaled slowly, his shoulders lowering slightly as he looked away.
"…still nothing."
Han Chandu didn't reply.
Because he had already expected it.
They moved again.
Time passed.
Another fight.
This one harder.
The creature faster, more aggressive, its claws sharper, forcing both of them to react more seriously, Han Sen almost got hit, barely pulling back in time, while Han Chandu took a light scratch across his arm, the pain sharp but not enough to slow him down.
They adapted.
They fought better.
They won.
Again—
They waited.
[ Notification ]
→ Basic Creature Killed
→ No Gene Points Gained
→ No Beast Soul Obtained
Still nothing.
The silence afterward felt heavier than before, not because of danger, but because of reality slowly pressing down on them, reminding them that effort alone wasn't enough here.
"…so it's really luck," Han Sen muttered quietly.
Han Chandu nodded slightly.
Not frustrated.
Not angry.
Just understanding.
They continued.
Hours passed.
The sun shifted.
Their movements slowed.
Fatigue began to show.
Their breathing grew heavier.
Their bodies started reaching their limits.
Then—
Hunger.
It came quietly at first, a dull emptiness, then sharper, more demanding, impossible to ignore as their bodies began to weaken slightly from lack of energy.
Han Sen leaned against a tree, exhaling slowly.
"…we can't keep going like this."
Han Chandu stood still, silent, thinking, his gaze slowly shifting toward the corpse of the last creature they had killed.
"…we eat," he said.
Han Sen frowned.
"That thing?"
A pause.
"…we don't have a choice."
Silence followed.
Not hesitation.
Acceptance.
They moved back, preparing it roughly with no tools, no experience, only necessity guiding their actions, the smell unpleasant, the process crude, but hunger didn't allow rejection.
They ate.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Without speaking.
Because this wasn't about comfort.
This was survival.
Time passed.
The forest remained unchanged.
But inside them—
Something shifted.
Not strength.
Not power.
But understanding.
This world didn't give anything freely.
Not growth.
Not food.
Not even a single reward.
Everything—
Had to be taken.
A faint panel appeared again.
[ Notification ]
→ Basic Creature Meat Consumed
→ No Gene Obtained
Han Sen let out a quiet breath, almost a tired laugh.
"…seriously?"
Han Chandu looked at the panel.
Calm.
Unshaken.
"…again," he said.
No frustration.
No disappointment.
Because he had already accepted it.
Night began to fall slowly, the light fading as the forest grew darker, more silent, more dangerous, the atmosphere shifting into something heavier, something that made even breathing feel slightly tighter.
Han Sen looked around, his body clearly tired now.
"…we go back?"
Han Chandu nodded.
No pride.
No stubbornness.
Because surviving one day—
Was enough.
For now.
They turned back, walking toward their shelters, their steps slower, heavier, their bodies carrying fatigue, their stomachs barely satisfied, their minds clearer than before.
No genes.
No beast soul.
No progress.
Only effort.
Only survival.
But even then—
Neither of them stopped.
Because deep inside—
They both understood something clearly.
If they kept going—
One day—
Something would change.
And until that day came—
They would continue.
No matter what.