A week had passed since the incident. The wound had been healed completely and James was able to hunt properly again. There was a thin line running across his chest now, depicting the scar left behind the bear. 

"I will hunt you before I leave this forest" said James as he looked at the scar with resolute eyes. 

Since the incident James hadn't been able to work his mind into the same state as while facing the bear again. It was like it had never happened. He didn't know how to proceed now and he only had three weeks left. 

As he continued forward he suddenly stopped. The forest seemed quiet, not even birds chirping could be heard. This only meant one thing that this small area was controlled by a spirit beast! Feeling the imminent danger he was in James quickly took action. 

He calmed his heart and forced his senses to feel the environment. He was paying attention to every little detail around him when suddenly he captured the sound of leaves rustling nearby. As he looked closely he saw a huge snake like creature coiling around trees and approaching towards him. 

The creature looked like an anaconda. It was about 50 metres long. It slithered soundlessly as it moved. James looked at the creature and derived it's identity. It was a Violet striped Anaconda!

Usually they are Azure realm spirit beats and highly poisonous but this one is just about 50 metres which means it was only a 3rd stage Form realm beast. However it was still an opponent James could not take on presently. Their weak point was the spot between its eyes on the head. 

As the beast approached James decided to fight it as he knew that he was not fast enough to escape and even the water won't be able to save him from the Anaconda. 

The snake stopped as it reached him. It was just 10 metres away. It was coiling around a tree and it's amber eyes looked down at James and it's tongue flickered as if looking at a meal. 

Time stood still as both the child and the beast looked at each other. Both wanting each other's death, both waiting for the other to make a move. James was standing still looking at the anaconda and trying to predict its movement. His body tensed as he readied himself to move as quick as possible. 

Seeing the prey not making a move the anaconda sprang into action as it moved with immense burst of speed lunging itself on James. It's mouth opened wide as it tried to engulf him in one go. 

It is said that when a person sees danger approaching his body forces itself in a fight or flight mode. James felt a gush of adrenaline and reacted by jumping sideways narrowly escaping the attack. He again felt immense power reverberate inside his body as all his senses worked above optimal state. It was the similar feeling he had while escaping from the bear.

As he escaped the charge, he quickly took out his dagger and threw at the head of the creature with all his might. The dagger landed on the weak spot wounding the beast. The anaconda glared hatefully at James as it lunged towards him again. James jumped off in the air avoiding the attack but the creatures movement had a sudden change as it shot off in the air towards him and bit on top of his shoulder and neck. 

"Aaaaaa!! " James wailed loudly as the anaconda bit off the flesh on his body. He felt weak and powerless as he realized the poison had entered his bloodstream. He felt down weakly on the ground but manage to get himself up. 

The anaconda stared at James it's head swaying as if doing a victory stance and charged head on at the weak prey. As the anaconda approached James did not retract his gaze away and looked at the creature with determination. Suddenly the energy that was surging inside his body engulfed him and he felt boundless strength inside him. 

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Not far away Edward was about to charge at the anaconda but when he looked at his son's eyes, he stopped himself. A smile crept up his face as he looked towards the ongoing battle. 

It all occurred in a flash. James did a sudden flip at a speed he had never moved before when the anaconda was just a hair's breadth away. Matching the speed and trajectory of the beast he aimed and landed on the head where his dagger lay embedded. 

With a flash he took it out and dug the dagger deep inside the wounded spot with all his might. The anaconda struggled at the sudden pain, it's pupils constricted and it's mouth opened wide but it was unable to do anything as it fell and lay dead on the ground. 

Within a flash the spirit beast became a prey from a predator. Not long after James also fell off the creatures head and lay unconscious on the ground due to exhaustion and the wound caused by the creature earlier. 

As he opened his eyes he saw the sky was dark with multitudes of stars shining and a fire burning in front of him. His father beside him as he cooked a meal. James found himself bandaged well and saw the dead creature beside him. 

"You did well son. You turned a calamity into an opportunity and broke through the 3rd stage of Form realm. Congratulations" smiled his father as he looked at him. 

James quickly checked himself and felt suddenly that he was more powerful than before. He was able to hear ants moving underneath the soil and was able to spot a rabbit 100 meters away from him in the bushes. He realised his senses were now more enhanced and responsive than before. 

He tried to get up but felt a sudden pain in the right shoulder. 

"Don't get up right now, you need rest. The poison had affected you but I was able to quell it before it did more harm. You've been unconscious for over a day now and it'll take a few more to get you back in shape."

" I also cannot take you back home in this condition even if our objective here is complete as your mother might kill me seeing you in this condition. " grinned his father. 

James smiled at his father and looked up at the sky. 

" I also can't return just yet. Now that I have the power I still have an unfinished business. " mumbled James as he looked at the stars, his eyes filled with determination. 

A few days had passed since. The sky was dark and a boy could be seen battling a bear. 

James was dodging each strike of the One horned bear. It was the very same creature he had battled before. 

He clutched his knife and charged at the bear. A low growl was heard and with a huge thud the bear fell down to its death. James had finally killed this 3rd stage spirit beast. 

" All done now son? "

" Yes dad time to return" smiled James as he looked up, his father standing on top a tree branch. 

Only a week was left for the 2 month forest training to be over but since they had achieved the goal they had set out for, the father-son duo decided to return back home. 

" I am coming Ma" said James as he looked towards the direction of the city. 

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Notes- here's the fifth chapter for today. Another will be uploaded today but after 10-12 hours or so. I hope you guys like it. Comment and voice your opinion and if you find any mistakes, do inform me! Enjoy