Chapter 25: Testing Abilities

In the lush, shadowy forest, the atmosphere was tense. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled light onto the forest floor, where four men stood in a loose circle. Their breaths were slow and measured as they faced the scarred tree at the center of their makeshift training ground. The deep scratches on the bark told the story of earlier practice—Zheng’s claws, sharp and deadly, had dug into the wood, leaving marks that looked less like practice and more like a battle for survival.

Zheng stood beside Niko, his hands transformed. His claws were elongated, covered in thick, fur-like hair that was dark and coarse, much like Candreva’s unruly chest hair. The faint purple glow emanating from Zheng’s claws gave off an aura that Niko could almost feel, though it lacked the weight to induce real fear. Still, there was an edge to it, a reminder of the power Zheng held.

"I'm next!" Candreva’s voice broke the stillness, his tone brimming with his usual bravado. His posture was proud as he strode confidently toward the center of the group. He turned to face Zheng with a cocky grin, puffing out his chest, as if preparing for a gladiator’s duel. "Zheng, my skill doesn’t kill, but it’s very manly! Let me test it on you!"

Niko glanced over at Zheng, who raised an eyebrow but shrugged, looking more curious than worried. With a nod, Zheng stepped forward, his claws flexing as he braced himself.

“Charge at me!” Candreva bellowed, his chest gleaming with sweat under the patches of sunlight. His wide stance and unwavering gaze were more for show than strategy, but Niko couldn’t deny that his raw confidence had a strange appeal.

Zheng grinned, then burst into motion. His clawed hands slashed through the air as he sprinted toward Candreva. But just as he gained speed, something unexpected happened.

[Powerful Beast Roar]

"ROAR!" The sound that erupted from Candreva’s mouth was almost inhuman. It reverberated through the forest, sending a shockwave that rippled through the air. Birds scattered from the trees, their frantic wings rustling the leaves above.

Zheng’s eyes widened in shock as the sound hit him like a wall. His charge came to an abrupt stop, his muscles freezing in place as if his body had betrayed him. For a brief moment, he was utterly paralyzed. Momentum nearly sent him crashing into the ground, but with great effort, he managed to regain control, stumbling slightly before steadying himself.

“What… just happened?” Ivanic’s voice broke the silence, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Zheng blinked, shaking his head as though trying to clear it. "I… I don’t know. The second I heard that roar, everything went blank. My body just… stopped."

Candreva threw his head back in hearty laughter. "Hahaha! Manly! Truly manly! Even the mightiest beasts will tremble before my roar!"

Niko watched the exchange with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Candreva’s skill was far more powerful than he had expected, but it was the man’s sheer joy in using it that caught Niko off guard.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

Ivanic, however, was more measured in his response. "That’s a unique skill, Candreva," he said thoughtfully. "If you use it right, it’ll be a valuable asset in a fight. Paralyzing an enemy, even for a moment, can mean the difference between life and death."

Candreva, of course, wasn’t really listening. He flexed his muscles and puffed out his chest even more. "Aid? Ha! Aid is for the weak! I don’t need to aid anyone—I am a one-man army!"

Ivanic sighed, clearly irritated but knowing how to handle the brash Italian. "Yes, and a true warrior doesn’t let his team down, right?"

Candreva blinked, as if the logic took a moment to land, then nodded with enthusiasm. "Yes! Very manly indeed!"

Niko rolled his eyes. This guy is going to get someone killed. Candreva’s recklessness and over-the-top bravado were more dangerous than his powerful roar. But at least now, Niko knew the man wasn’t just talk— he was a roar instead, he had the skills to back up his bluster, even if he lacked subtlety.

Hours had passed in the forest, the sun moving across the sky as the group trained and familiarized themselves with each other’s abilities. Ivanic had taken the role of leader and mentor, guiding them through various strategies and tactics. They had also learned to form a party through their watches, allowing them to share experience points from each kill, though the lion’s share always went to those who contributed the most.

For now, Niko kept his [Steampunk Bee Spirit] hidden, using his weaker spirits to support the group. Ivanic had advised Niko to focus on distracting enemies rather than engaging them head-on—a strategy that fit Niko’s cautious approach. With Candreva’s roar to paralyze enemies and Zheng’s deadly claws to finish them off, the group was shaping into a capable unit.

“We’re making progress,” Ivanic said, his tone firm. "Now, let’s see if we can put this to the test."

The others nodded, their expressions a mix of determination and nerves. This was no longer just practice—what came next was real.

“There’s a Roughback Boar nearby,” Ivanic continued, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the forest. "It’s slow and easy to handle, but don’t let your guard down. Plenty of beginners have underestimated them and paid the price."

“Let’s go kill it!” Zheng’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. Niko had noticed the shift in Zheng’s demeanor whenever they were about to fight. He transformed into something more primal, a bloodthirsty hunter eager for the kill. It unnerved Niko, though he kept his thoughts to himself.

“How are there monsters in an unranked layer?” Niko asked, frowning. The whole system of ranked and unranked areas still confused him.

Ivanic shrugged, his expression grim. "No one really knows. Some think the monsters migrate here from ranked layers, or maybe they’re just naturally spawning. Either way, there’ve been more of them recently."

Niko absorbed the information, filing it away for later. He knew there was more to this world than they had been told, but for now, survival was the priority.

“Follow me,” Ivanic instructed, leading them deeper into the forest. The sounds of their footsteps were muffled by the thick underbrush as they moved in formation, alert for any signs of danger.

Suddenly, Ivanic raised a hand, signaling them to stop. He crouched behind a thick tree, and the others quickly followed suit, their breaths shallow as they tried to stay as quiet as possible.

“Speak through your minds from here on,” Ivanic’s telepathic voice echoed in their heads. "We don’t want to alert it just yet."

Niko peeked around the tree and saw it—a Roughback Boar, larger than any wild pig he had ever seen back on Earth. The beast’s bulky body was covered in rough, jagged patches of stone-like growths that jutted out from its flesh. A single horn protruded from its head, and its dark, beady eyes scanned the ground as it rooted through the dirt.

“That thing is massive…” Niko whispered to himself, his heart racing. The sheer size of the boar was intimidating, even though Ivanic had assured them it was slow and easy prey.

Zheng’s voice rang in their heads. “Let’s kill it.”

Ivanic’s telepathic voice was calm. “Remember the plan. No mistakes.”

Niko felt his pulse quicken as he readied himself. This was their first real test, and while the boar wasn’t the most dangerous creature they could face, it was still a deadly threat if they weren’t careful.

Stay focused, Niko. Stay alive. And one step closer to finding her.