As Raze stood, he could feel something inside him guiding him. It was the same thing that had guided him on his first hunt. Raze knew it immediately.
His instincts.
His senses sharpened, and the subtle noises of the forest grew louder. The faint rustle of leaves. Distant movement somewhere ahead.
'It's the same thing as before… but this time I'm in control,' Raze thought.
He moved deeper into the forest, following that pull.
Birds chirped nearby, briefly catching his attention before he forced his focus elsewhere.
He opened his system and checked the remaining time.
[13:52 remaining]
Not much time had passed since the quest began. Raze let out a small sigh of relief. He still had enough time.
A branch snapped ahead.
Something was moving.
Raze slowed, eyes narrowing as he focused on the outline between the trees. Its body was partially obscured by branches and shadow.
"I found you…" he muttered.
He eased forward, step by careful step.
When he got close enough, the outline became clear.
A deer.
He'd hunted one before. And with his improved agility and new skills, this would be easier than last time.
'Voidstep would let me end it instantly,' Raze thought. 'But running would make noise. If it bolts, it's over.'
Then an idea crossed his mind.
If he bent his knee while standing and activated the skill… would it still work without carrying momentum—or blacking out his vision?
It was risky.
But even if it failed, he could still chase it.
Raze bent his knee.
"Voidstep."
In an instant, he appeared just a foot away.
His vision stayed clear.
It worked.
Without wasting a breath, Raze released a Piercing Slash aimed at the deer's neck.
The slash severed its head cleanly.
Everything happened too fast for the deer to react.
Blood sprayed outward, but Raze stepped back immediately, avoiding his clothes.
For most people, the sight would've been horrifying.
But ever since becoming a halfling, scenes like this no longer shook him.
He felt only a brief pang of sympathy.
This was the cycle of life.
The system appeared again.
[11:12 remaining]
[Replenish your Flesh Bank]
Raze swallowed.
"Here comes the part that hurts the most," he muttered.
He pulled off his shirt and approached the body, bracing himself.
A few moments passed.
[Flesh Bank Replenished]
[10 kg / 10 kg]
[Flesh Bank Full]
[Regeneration Restored]
[Quest Completed]
[50 EXP Awarded]
[55 / 1600 EXP]
When Raze pulled back, blood stained his hands and mouth.
If anyone saw him like this, there'd be no explaining it away.
He wiped his hands on the deer's fur, then dragged his wrist across his mouth.
His hands weren't shaking.
Not this time.
He stood, grabbed his shirt, and put it back on.
After a moment, he glanced around and searched for something nearby. Flowers—anything with a scent.
He found a dandelion beneath a tree and rubbed it between his palms.
"Smells good enough," he said quietly.
The walk back to the academy was uneventful.
Inside, the corridors buzzed with students chatting loudly.
Raze scanned the passing groups but didn't see Felix, Beatrix, or Liam.
'Dorms… or the canteen,' he thought.
The dorm was empty.
Raze frowned. 'Canteen.'
He headed there, weaving through the crowd.
Inside, he spotted Felix and Beatrix at their usual table.
Felix was talking animatedly. Beatrix responded in short, clipped replies.
Felix looked up, grinned, and waved like a child.
"Raze! Over here!"
Raze let out a quiet breath of relief and walked over. For a moment, he'd been worried he wouldn't find them.
As he sat down, Felix pointed across the room.
"If you're wondering where Liam is—he's over there. Says he made some new friends."
Raze followed his gaze.
Liam sat at a table with higher-level students. Level fours. Fives. Even a level six.
Raze frowned. "Suddenly?"
Felix shrugged. "Beatrix asked if he was getting targeted. He said he's fine."
Beatrix spoke quietly. "They're treating him like a close friend. It feels… off."
Raze nodded. "I was in the VR room earlier. Played Awakening Battlegrounds."
Felix leaned in, smirking. "Nice. What awakening did you pick? Win?"
Raze scratched the back of his head. "Won most. Lost a few."
He lied about the lost part.
His eyes drifted back to Liam.
"We should keep an eye on him," Raze said slowly. "If they keep treating him well… then maybe—"
Beatrix cut in. "We're not replaceable."
Felix nodded. "Yeah. We're not."
Raze didn't answer.
Liam's laughter.
His relaxed posture.
The way the higher levels leaned toward him.
Too natural.
Felix followed his gaze. "Weird, right?"
Raze nodded. "Yeah."
Liam glanced over.
Their eyes met.
For a split second, Liam stiffened.
Then he smiled.
Not relieved.
Not happy.
Careful.
He turned back and said something Raze couldn't hear.
The higher levels laughed.
Raze's fingers tightened against the edge of the table.
Something had already started.
And whatever it was—
Liam hadn't chosen it freely.