Something shifted in the grass.
Lucas froze. His grip on the Moonwood staff tightened as his entire body tensed.He held his breath. Eyes locked onto the darkness ahead.
The air turned heavy. No wind. No sound.Just the pounding of his heart, loud and alone.
And then—A shadow exploded from behind the vines.
A beast.
About half a meter tall. Covered in dense, ash-gray fur.Its limbs were lean, claws curved like scythes.Those crimson eyes? Pure murder.
It didn't roar. It didn't snarl.It just struck, fast and silent.
Lucas rolled to the side on instinct.The creature missed him by inches.
The moment he hit the ground, he twisted and swung his staff.
Crack!
It connected. A solid hit to the shoulder. Sparks flew.
[System Prompt: Target struck in restricted environment. Combat Proficiency +1.]
The beast stumbled. Snarled.It didn't retreat. Just circled, slow and low, like a predator savoring the kill.
Lucas gritted his teeth.Fast. Durable. And his stick? Probably not enough.
Run?No chance. He was surrounded by shadows.And this thing had already chosen him.
No way out. Only forward.
He inhaled sharply. Eyes narrowed.It was waiting—reading him. Looking for weakness.
"Tch. Trying to spook me?" he muttered. "Wrong guy."
He faked a retreat.
The beast took the bait.
It launched.
"Now."
Lucas sidestepped, turned with the motion—and slammed the staff into its flank.
WHAM!
[System Prompt: Heavy strike landed. Target HP -15%. Combat Proficiency +2. Energy Point +1.]
The creature yelped and tumbled across the forest floor.It rolled, rebounded, and unleashed a piercing screech. Then it charged again.
Lucas had no time to think.He threw up the staff just as it crashed into him.
Boom—!
The world spun.His back slammed into a tree. Pain exploded through his chest.
[System Prompt: Hit received. HP -6. Current HP: 94 / 100.]
"Still breathing," he gasped, forcing himself upright.
The beast wasn't unscathed either.Its movements were heavier now. Sloppier.
He couldn't win in a head-on clash.He needed something—anything—to tip the balance.
Then he saw it.
A smoldering patch of Moonwood ash on the ground.
His eyes lit up.
He jumped back a few steps, opening the system panel.
"System. Can you activate residual Moonwood energy?"
[System Prompt: Residue detected. Temporary state available—Flame Resonance.Weapon effect: Burn. Duration: 60 seconds. Activate now?]
"Yes!"
The Moonwood staff trembled in his hands.Silver flames flared along its length, twisting like a living ribbon.
The beast paused.
For the first time—it hesitated.
Lucas grinned, breath sharp.
"You're not the only one that evolves mid-fight."
He moved first.
The silver flame roared as his staff tore through the air.Slam!A searing line burned across the creature's shoulder.
He followed through.Second strike. Third strike.
Burn marks layered over fresh bruises. The beast stumbled.
[System Prompt: Consecutive hits registered. Target HP reduced to 28%.Skill unlock threshold met. New active skill available: Flame Lash.]
The creature lost control—roaring blindly, it charged again.But Lucas had found rhythm.He wasn't reacting anymore.
He was hunting.
With one last spin, he brought the staff down like a hammer.
The beast flew.It didn't get up again.
[System Prompt: Level 1 creature "Forest Stalker" defeated.Energy Point +2. Loot acquired: Stalker Hide ×1, Low-grade Beast Soul Fragment ×1.]
Silence fell.
Lucas slid down against the tree, chest heaving.Sweat drenched his back.But his eyes stayed sharp.
He'd survived.Not by luck—but by thinking, adapting… and hitting back hard.
"This… is what surviving here feels like?"
His gaze dropped to the ashes.Still warm. Still faintly glowing.
A strange look passed through his eyes.
The system interface blinked again.
[System Prompt: Confirm unlocking active skill: Flame Lash?]
Lucas didn't hesitate. He hit "Yes."
Far off, somewhere in the forest, something growled.Low. Deep. Heavy.
Darker than before.
Lucas's smile faded.
Yeah…This night wasn't over yet.