After dispatching the Dire Lynx, Liam returned to his northern path, eyes scanning the forest as he pressed forward toward the center point. The journey was far from simple; the forest itself seemed alive with resistance, throwing obstacle after obstacle in his path. Uneven terrain tore at his boots, gnarled roots sought to trip him, and fallen logs forced him to leap or vault with precision. But above all, it was the wildlife that turned the forest into a living gauntlet.
As he moved deeper, Liam found himself pursued and challenged repeatedly. Giant Spineback Vipers slithered through the underbrush and swung from the branches above, their eyes gleaming with predatory intent. A pack of jackals emerged, circling and testing his defenses with coordinated attacks. Other creatures—smaller, territorial, or startled by his presence—reacted violently, forcing Liam to fight or evade on instinct alone.
