Shh... Crack.

Agil took a deep breath, his body straining under the weight of the massive corpse he was dragging. The Sharp-Toothed Deer was enormous, nearly the size of an elephant, with a sleek body and twisted antlers that extended like ancient branches. A deep wound gaped at its neck, blood still seeping from it, though the murder weapon was nowhere to be seen—Agil had already retrieved his twin daggers and returned them to his belt. He tied a green rope around the deer's twisted antlers and pulled with all his strength. Yet, despite his physical prowess, the task was grueling due to the sheer size of the corpse.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, revealing glimpses of the skin beneath the layer of mud covering his face. The mud wasn't just for camouflage but also to mask his scent from the Sharp-Toothed Deer during the hunt. Beneath the grime, his face was pale with a reddish hue, his sharp black eyes cutting like blades, and his long, wavy hair sharing the same dark color. Though he was only seventeen, his gaze carried a maturity far beyond his years.

A wide smile spread across his face. He had finally succeeded! This was the first dormant-spirited creature he had ever hunted. The tension that had gripped him throughout the hunt began to fade, replaced by a rising excitement. From this moment on, even dormant creatures would no longer be safe from his fangs!

After a short while, he returned to the hunting site, ensuring the battle hadn't attracted any unwanted predators. He had already scouted the area beforehand and confirmed it was free of threats, so there was no reason for concern… at least not for now.

But when he turned to the tree the deer had been hiding behind, a thought crept into his mind.

"A massive tree... a sturdy trunk, deep cracks, and a thick canopy... this really looks like a Root-Trap Tree!" he muttered. He hadn't paid much attention to this tree before, having been too focused on preparing for the hunt.

Even if it was a Root-Trap Tree, as long as he didn't get too close, it wouldn't pose a threat. These trees were predators, true, but they only attacked those who entered their domain. Still, he felt a twinge of regret.

"Too bad, I don't have time to hunt you now... I need to leave before nightfall."

He glanced at the sinking sun. Traveling back in the dark would be dangerous—visibility would drop, and who knew? The scent of blood might attract other beasts!

Quickly, he bent down and grabbed a handful of leaves, wiping the blood off the deer's corpse. He had another good reason for this—his spirit energy had dropped to a dangerously low level, leaving him with only about 40% remaining. Facing another predator in this state would be sheer recklessness.

Once finished, he tossed the leaves aside and rested for a moment before heading toward the fruits he had used as bait for the deer. As for the rabbit, it had long since fled.

He hadn't expected the rabbit to play a role in his success. When the deer first approached the fruits, it was hesitant—perhaps it had encountered traps before. But when the rabbit appeared and began eating without consequence, the deer let its guard down and focused on attacking, giving Agil the perfect opening.

A smirk tugged at Agil's lips as he looked at the fruits. "I guess I owe that rabbit one." Maybe he'd sell the fruits… or eat them himself.

But as he neared, something else caught his attention. The disturbed soil beside the fruits, right beneath them… the location of his unused trap!

His trap was simple but effective: a pit covered with sturdy branches. A thick branch kept them from collapsing, but it had been split into two halves. The only thing holding them together was a small metal piece connected to a fiber string that extended to Agil's hiding spot. The moment he pulled the string, the branch would snap, causing the wooden cover to give way beneath whatever stood atop it.

But before he could reach it—

Swoosh!

A sudden crash!

He had no time to think. Instinctively, he unleashed his spirit energy, reinforcing his body just as he had trained countless times!

But it wasn't enough!

Crack!

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A small shadow shot toward him at insane speed, slamming into his chest and shattering his ribs!

"Ugh…!"

Agil coughed up blood as he staggered backward, crashing against a tree. But there was no time to complain—he strengthened his legs and leaped to the side, barely dodging the second strike!

Bam!

Something struck the tree where he had been standing just moments ago. If he hadn't moved…

He retreated again, drawing his twin crimson daggers, his eyes locked onto the swirling dust around the tree.

Then, suddenly, a small shadow leaped from the haze, soaring through the air.

A green rabbit with massive emerald eyes.

It stared directly at Agil, as if memorizing his every move.

"A Spring Rabbit!"

A sharp tension ran through Agil, but he didn't attack. He knew Spring Rabbits weren't aggressive without reason. And Agil had a good guess as to why—it was the fruits!

Just as he suspected, the rabbit didn't advance toward him. Instead, it turned to the fruits and shot him a warning glare, as if saying: "These are mine. Stay back."

Agil let out a quiet sigh, despite the pain in his chest. "So, it came back for the fruits..." But why was a dormant-spirited rabbit here? It wasn't supposed to be in this area!

Then, an idea struck him, his eyes gleaming with realization.

"Could it be… it was just born?"

Talented rabbits awakened and reached the dormant spirit level within half a year. If one went unnoticed during that time, its existence wouldn't be recorded.

He decided to retreat. These were just fruits—not worth the risk of fighting such a creature. Had he known he'd get injured like this, he wouldn't have even considered reclaiming them.

But he didn't lower his guard. He continued watching the rabbit, and the rabbit watched him in return. In the meantime, he subtly channeled his spirit energy to heal his injury!

Then...

The rabbit's ears twitched, as if picking up something.

Agil froze. The rabbit was no longer focused on him… it was looking to the side.

He followed its gaze, but there was nothing there.

He enhanced his hearing with spirit energy… nothing. But a few moments later—

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Multiple footsteps—fast, approaching rapidly.

His body tensed, his eyes widening in alarm. He didn't move. He forced himself not to think about running—if he fled, he'd have to abandon the deer's corpse due to its weight! Then what was the point of all the effort he had put into this hunt?

Then—

They appeared.

Four beasts.

The first, as large as an elephant, with massive, twisted antlers… just like the deer he had killed!

The other three were smaller, antlerless—female Sharp-Toothed Deer!

The male looked at the corpse, then at Agil and the rabbit.

It growled.

It stepped forward, revealing its steel-like fangs.

The rabbit growled back, stepping forward as well, issuing its own warning.

Tension surged.

Though the deer had just arrived, battle was already on the verge of erupting.

Agil remained silent, his mind racing with questions, even as he tried to stay calm. Why are they here? Was the deer I killed not actually alone? Were my sources wrong? Or… did they come from another territory to claim this one's domain?

One thing was certain—the male deer had to be of the dormant spirit rank as well! Otherwise, why would it have a herd of females? He dismissed the possibility of it being at the developed spirit rank—if that were the case, he'd already be dead!

And in the end…

Agil made his decision.

Retreating wasn't an option. If his final guess was correct and they were here to claim this territory, they wouldn't let him go even if he ran! Male deer were arrogant—they killed competitors to take over their domains. Since Agil had slain this one's predecessor, he could be seen as the new ruler!

Then, an idea struck him. The deer didn't know he was the one who killed the Sharp-Toothed Deer. The rabbit was here too!

He glanced at the rabbit with a sharp smirk. I don't know why you're so bold, but… I'll use you!

And then…

Quietly, careful not to draw attention, he leaped onto a branch, swiftly climbing into the tree. He wouldn't interfere—he would simply watch!

And let the rabbit fight in his place.

And beneath Agil's gaze…

The deer and the rabbit moved.

Then, in an instant—an explosion!

The battle had begun.