The forest was eerily quiet. Apophis slithered through the dense underbrush, its black, shimmering scales reflecting faint beams of sunlight filtering through the canopy. The wind whispered through the trees, and the usual rustling of small creatures had all but disappeared. Something was wrong. The silence was unnatural, a clear sign of danger nearby.

As Apophis pushed forward, it suddenly stopped. A powerful scent filled its senses—the unmistakable odor of a large beast. It was strong, musky, and layered with the sharp metallic smell of blood. The air was thick with tension, and Apophis instinctively lowered its body closer to the ground, coiling into a defensive position.

Ahead, the bushes shook violently, and moments later, a massive figure emerged from the shadows. It was a monstrous bear, standing over five meters tall on its hind legs, its brown fur matted with dirt and dried blood. Its claws were as long as daggers, and its glowing yellow eyes locked onto Apophis.

This wasn’t just an ordinary bear—it was a Feral Spirit Bear, a powerful monster known for its brute strength and savage nature. Its rank wasn’t far from Apophis, but its sheer size and physical power made it a dangerous opponent.

The bear let out a deafening roar, shaking the leaves off the nearby trees. The sound reverberated through the forest, causing the ground to tremble. But Apophis didn’t flinch. It was ready.

“Finally, a worthy opponent,” Apophis thought as it began circling the bear, studying its movements.

The bear charged without hesitation, barreling forward with frightening speed for its size. Its massive paws swung downward, aiming to crush Apophis into the ground. But Apophis was faster. With a swift flick of its tail, it darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the bear’s attack.

Boom!

The bear’s claws slammed into the earth, sending rocks and debris flying into the air. Apophis used the moment to strike. Its body lashed out, wrapping around the bear’s hind leg with incredible force. It tightened its coils, squeezing hard enough to crush bone.

The bear let out another roar, this time in pain. It thrashed wildly, trying to shake off Apophis, but the serpent held on. Apophis’s constricting force was one of its most lethal abilities, capable of breaking even the toughest defenses. But the bear wasn’t giving up easily. It slammed its massive body against a tree, smashing through it and sending Apophis crashing to the ground.

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Undeterred, Apophis quickly recovered and slithered back into position. The bear, now limping slightly from the injured leg, snarled in fury. Its eyes gleamed with rage, and it charged again, this time with more fury, its mouth open wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth.

Apophis knew it couldn’t afford to take a direct hit from the bear’s powerful jaws. It needed to change its strategy. Quickly, it activated its venom. Dark venom dripped from its fangs as it waited for the perfect moment.

Just as the bear’s claws came crashing down again, Apophis darted forward, aiming for the beast’s throat. It struck with lightning speed, sinking its fangs deep into the bear’s flesh. The venom pumped into the bear’s body, and almost immediately, the beast staggered, its movements slowing.

But the bear was far from defeated. It let out a pained growl and swung wildly, landing a glancing blow on Apophis’s side. The force of the strike sent Apophis flying into a nearby tree, the impact knocking the wind out of it. Apophis quickly shook off the pain, but the bear was already stumbling, the venom working its way through its bloodstream.

“Good, the venom is taking effect,” Apophis thought as it coiled its body once more, preparing for the final strike.

The bear tried to steady itself, but its movements were sluggish. The venom had begun to paralyze its muscles, and its breathing became labored. With one last roar, it collapsed onto all fours, unable to support its own weight.

Apophis saw its opportunity. With a swift, fluid motion, it coiled around the bear’s neck, squeezing with all its might. The bear struggled weakly, its massive body shaking as it fought to stay alive, but Apophis was relentless. It tightened its grip, feeling the bear’s life force slowly slipping away.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the bear went still. Apophis uncoiled itself and slithered back, watching as the massive beast lay lifeless on the ground.

The battle was over.

Panting slightly, Apophis glanced at the blue screen that appeared before its eyes.

【Defeated: Feral Spirit Bear. Potential Points: +1】【Strength stat increased.】

The screen faded away, and Apophis felt a surge of power coursing through its body. The victory had not only granted it experience but also another step toward becoming stronger.

Still, as the adrenaline began to fade, Apophis knew it couldn’t linger here. The bear’s death would attract other predators, and it wasn’t yet ready to face another challenge so soon. Without another glance at its fallen foe, Apophis turned and slithered away, deeper into the forest.

But as it moved, Apophis couldn’t shake the feeling that something more dangerous was lurking ahead—something far more powerful than the bear it had just defeated.