The Mana-Infused Spring had been a revelation. Eron could still feel the faint hum of absorbed energy in his bones, a vibrant echo of the Lumina-Berries and the shimmering water. Raiv, curled up nearby, looked subtly changed, his fur now holding that faint, iridescent sheen, a testament to the "Mana Conduit - Minor" trait. The "Deep Protocol Override" warning, though unsettling, now felt less like a threat and more like a mysterious invitation. He and Raiv weren't just playing a game; they were somehow part of its unraveling.
The sheer vitality he felt in this virtual body, the strength in his limbs, was a constant, exhilarating reminder of the life denied to him in the real world. Here, with Raiv by his side, he wasn't just existing; he was thriving, pushing against limits, and uncovering secrets.
"Alright, Mana-Muncher," Eron whispered, nudging Raiv with his foot. The cub stirred, blinking his newly brightened eyes up at Eron. "Those Lumina-Berries were great, but we need more. Something with real protein. Something that'll help you grow even faster."
Raiv responded with an eager whine, pushing himself up and stretching. His limp was almost gone, a testament to the healing properties of the rare spring water and the Lumina-Berries, and perhaps, his "Mana Conduit" trait. He was growing steadily, no longer just a small pup but a lean, agile young wolf, even if his Rank still stubbornly clung to "F (Glitched)."
Their Mana Sense, now fully "Active," was their compass. It was a subtle pull, a whisper of vibrancy that seemed to emanate from areas rich in mana or life, and a distinct repulsion from places thick with danger or decay. It wasn't always obvious, but Eron was learning to trust Raiv's instincts, which now seemed amplified by the trait.
"Okay, let's look for something... substantial," Eron decided. "Something that smells like dinner."
They emerged from the crevice, the Wounded Fang Forest greeting them with its usual symphony of rustles and distant calls. The air was heavy, but the subtle hum of mana, now clearer to Eron's enhanced perception, seemed to permeate everything.
Raiv led the way, his nose twitching, his ears swiveling. He wasn't just sniffing the ground anymore; he was reading the very energy of the forest. He would occasionally pause, his body tensing, then gently guide Eron around a patch of thorny vines Eron's eyes alone wouldn't have spotted, or steer clear of a dense thicket where a faint, unpleasant shimmer warned of a lurking, hostile presence. This proactive avoidance was a new skill, a direct benefit of their evolving Mana Sense.
After an hour of careful trekking, Raiv suddenly dropped low, a deep, resonant growl rumbling in his chest. His tail, usually a barometer of his mood, was flattened, and his ears were pressed back. This was not the frustrated snarl for a single Gnawler; this was a warning of something more serious.
Eron immediately crouched beside him, straining his ears. Then he heard it: a soft, chitinous scuttling, followed by a low, chittering sound. Not one creature, but several.
Peering through a dense curtain of ferns, Eron saw them. Not Forest Gnawlers, but something new: Shadow Skitters. They resembled oversized, armored beetles, each about the size of Raiv, with multiple spindly legs and razor-sharp mandibles. Their obsidian-black carapaces seemed to absorb the light, making them almost invisible against the shadowy forest floor. There were three of them, methodically tearing apart the carcass of a small, unfortunate rodent.
[System Notice] – Target Detected: Shadow Skitters (Bronze Rank). Known for coordinated attacks and resilient carapaces.
Bronze Rank. That was a step up from the Gnawlers. And three of them? Direct confrontation was still suicide for a freshly spawned Tamer and an F-rank wolf. But they needed meat. And the Skitters had just provided it.
"Okay, Raiv," Eron whispered, his mind racing. "Plan. We need to split them up. Or distract them." He remembered the Skitters' "coordinated attack" behavior from the bestiary. They would swarm, surrounding prey.
"Echoing Roar, Raiv," Eron commanded, pointing towards the Skitters. "Just enough to get their attention, but don't charge in! Then... lead one away. Far away." He mentally projected a path, a narrow, winding trail through a dense patch of thorny bushes.
Raiv seemed to understand. He took a deep breath, his small chest expanding. Then, he let out a sharp, resonant bark that vibrated through the air, amplified by his trait. The "Echoing Roar" wasn't as potent as a full battle cry, but it was enough.
The three Shadow Skitters immediately snapped their heads up, their multiple eyes glowing faintly red. They abandoned their meal, their chittering turning into an angry click-clack as they scuttled towards the sound.
As they neared, Raiv darted out, a blur of grey fur. He didn't engage, but instead, he barked again, then pivoted sharply, leading one of the Skitters down the narrow path Eron had envisioned. The other two hesitated, their hive-mind instinct momentarily disrupted.
"Now!" Eron whispered to himself. With Raiv distracting one, he saw his chance. The other two Skitters were still focusing on where Raiv had been. This was a new challenge – not just surviving, but actively hunting.
Eron spotted a fallen log, thick and partially hollow. A desperate idea sparked in his mind. It was risky, but they needed this.
"Raiv, lure it past the big mossy log!" Eron projected, pointing towards the log with his mind. "Then... howl!"
Raiv, surprisingly agile despite the winding path, managed to lead the first Skitter perfectly. As it scuttled past the log, Raiv spun around, letting out a deep, sustained howl that reverberated through the trees.
[System Notification] – Raiv's vocalization has achieved [Primal Howl] status. Area-of-effect fear applied to low-to-mid rank creatures. Sustained use may attract stronger predators.
The Shadow Skitter froze, its multiple eyes darting wildly. It chittered in what sounded like fear, its legs scrambling uselessly on the mossy ground. It was stunned, momentarily paralyzed by primal terror.
Eron didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, grabbing a heavy, jagged rock he'd spotted near the log. He brought it down with all the strength his virtual body could muster, aiming for the Skitter's head. The carapace cracked with a sickening crunch. The Skitter twitched once, then went still.
[System Notice] – Shadow Skitter defeated. Experience Gained: 75. Loot Acquired: Skitter Carapace (Common), Skitter Meat (Common).
Eron panted, adrenaline coursing through him. He'd done it. They'd done it. It wasn't elegant, but it was effective. He turned, looking for the other two Skitters.
Just then, Raiv came darting back, panting softly, his Mana Sense flaring. He nudged Eron's leg, then looked towards the remaining two Skitters. They were still hesitating, seemingly confused, their coordinated attack disrupted by Raiv's howl.
"Good boy!" Eron praised, rubbing Raiv's head. "Okay, let's try the same thing. One more."
Raiv barked softly, then once again darted to bait one of the remaining Skitters. The creature, infuriated, followed. Raiv led it on a shorter, sharper loop, then unleashed another powerful [Primal Howl]. The second Skitter froze. Eron, ready this time, quickly found another rock and delivered a decisive blow.
One more. This was it.
The last Skitter, realizing it was alone, seemed to hesitate, its chittering taking on a note of uncertainty. Raiv let out a low, challenging growl, then began to circle, his Mana Sense practically humming with focus.
[System Update!] – Raiv's evolving predatory instincts have unlocked a new combat parameter.
[New System Rule Activated!] – [Coordinated Strike]: When Tamer and Beast apply synchronized pressure to a single target, a temporary vulnerability window is created. Success rate increases with Bond Level.
Eron's eyes widened. "Coordinated Strike"? This was a game-changer. It wasn't about brute force; it was about their bond, their teamwork.
"Okay, Raiv," Eron whispered, aligning his movements with the cub's. "Now! Together!"
Raiv darted forward, not attacking, but feinting, drawing the Skitter's attention. Eron moved in tandem, stepping to the side, then striking out with a well-aimed kick at the Skitter's leg, momentarily throwing it off balance. Raiv immediately followed up, a quick, sharp snap at the exposed joint.
The Skitter staggered, a faint shimmer appearing around its carapace, indicating the "vulnerability window." Eron saw it, a faint, almost glowing spot on its head. He didn't need another rock this time. He just needed to be precise. He lunged, driving his fist into the vulnerable spot. The Skitter shuddered, then collapsed.
[System Notice] – Shadow Skitter defeated. Experience Gained: 75. Loot Acquired: Skitter Carapace (Common), Skitter Meat (Common).
[System Notice] – Tamer Eron has demonstrated adaptive combat strategy.
Eron slumped back, exhilarated. Three Bronze-ranked enemies. Solo. Well, duo. With Raiv. He looked at the cub, whose chest was heaving, but whose eyes were bright with an almost human sense of accomplishment.
"We did it, buddy," Eron breathed, reaching out and pulling Raiv into a rough, grateful hug. Raiv leaned into it, his purr-like rumble starting in his chest, a comforting vibration.
He checked Raiv's status.
[Beast Status: Raiv]
Rank: F (Glitched)
Evolution Stage: Hatchling
Traits:
Instinctual Forager (Active) Resistance to Environmental Toxins (Active) Echoing Roar (Active) Mana Sense (Active) Primal Howl (Active) Mana Conduit - Minor (Active) ??? (Unregistered Trait Signature) Primary Stats: Strength: 3 (+1) Agility: 5 (+1) Endurance: 4 (+1) Instinct: 8 (Anomaly Detected) Bond Level: 18% (Accelerated. Coordinated Strike Synergy Gained!)
Eron's eyes widened at the stat increases, and then the "Coordinated Strike Synergy Gained!" That explained the new rule. His gaze lingered on the Instinct stat, now an astounding 8 for a Hatchling. And that ominous "??? (Unregistered Trait Signature)" still lingered, a constant reminder of the deeper mystery.
They had meat. Plenty of it. Enough to last them days. As Eron began to butcher the Skitters, Raiv suddenly whined, nudging Eron's hand. His Mana Sense seemed to be flaring, pulling Eron's attention away from the bloody work.
Raiv turned, looking towards the northern edge of their current area, towards a part of the forest Eron hadn't dared to explore yet. It was denser, darker, and the hum of mana from that direction was different – not just vibrant, but almost… resonant. Eron focused his own Mana Sense. He could feel it too now, a distinct, powerful pulsation, like a giant, slow heartbeat.
[System Warning!] – Localized mana flux approaching critical levels. Core anomaly detected: Ancient Beast Shrine. Danger Level: High. Proceed with extreme caution.
An Ancient Beast Shrine? Eron stared, a mixture of awe and trepidation washing over him. Raiv looked back at him, then towards the north, his eyes gleaming with an undeniable, almost challenging curiosity.