Chapter 17: *Beyond the Shadows.*

Nix stood at the base of Wonton Mountain, his breath hanging in the crisp, cold air. The towering peaks loomed over him like sentinels, daring him to step inside their rocky, dangerous embrace. This was his battleground for the day, a place only the brave would venture into, where the beasts tested one’s strength and willpower. His target? A Level 2 Mutated Golden Spine Gorilla, known for its immense strength and frightening speed, capable of smashing through thick iron with ease.

Nix closed his eyes, taking a steadying breath. He activated his [Radar Sense], a technique to monitor and detect any possible danger lurking in his around. Instantly, the vibrations in the air formed a mental map in his head. The entire landscape came alive with clarity, a three-dimensional rendering of the trees, rocks, and creatures surrounding him. For now, the area was clear.

Next, Nix summoned his [Silkshade Armor]. Black, metallic threads of hair emerged from his body, wrapping him in a protective shell. The armor adapted to his movements, lightweight but strong, like a second skin. He felt the familiar sensation of the hair threads fortifying his muscles, settling into place with ease.

He checked his watch for the most recent map data. The Mutated Golden Spine Gorilla had been spotted in a secluded valley between the mountain’s southern ridge and a cluster of towering boulders. The terrain was perfect, isolated and surrounded by natural barriers. Smirking, Nix secured Morning Wood, his beloved spiked bat, onto his back.

image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54034158663_960e990682_m.jpg]

With a deep breath, he activated his [String] ability. Thin, invisible tendrils of hair shot out from his fingers, latching onto trees and cliffs. Like a predator in its element, Nix swung effortlessly through the forest, pulling himself between the trees and rocky outcrops. The wind whistled past him, but his movements were silent, his body completely in tune with the terrain.

At last, he arrived at the valley. Massive trees formed a natural enclosure around the area, perfect for laying a trap. Nix quickly set to work, weaving a complex web like of nearly invisible Strings around the trees. This web wasn’t just for catching the Gorilla, it would serve as an emergency escape route if things went wrong. Nix always liked having a backup plan.

He scaled a solid tree, settling on a broad branch where his [Silkshade Armor] seamlessly merged with the darkness. Now, he just have to wait.

After a few hours, the rustling of bushes broke the silence, followed by the low, rhythmic thudding of the beast’s chest. The Mutated Golden Spine Gorilla entered the clearing, its massive form covered in thick, armor-like plates. Its iron-hard fists glinted in the dim light, promising destruction to anything in its path.

Nix gripped Morning Wood tightly, feeling the weight of the weapon in his hands. The Gorilla snorted, pawing at the ground, unaware of the danger lurking above. Patience. He would strike when the moment was right.

The beast wandered closer, its head lowered. Nix glanced around one last time, ensuring no other creatures were nearby. When in range, he jumped from the tree at the perfect moment, swinging his bat with full force.

CRACK!

The blow landed squarely on the Gorilla’s skull, making it stumble, but it regained its balance swiftly. With a furious roar, the creature's flaming eyes focused on Nix as it rushed towards him, fists raised like powerful weapons.

Nix grinned. This was the test he had been waiting for.

Instead of dodging, Nix prepared himself, curious to see how his [Silkshade Armor] would hold against the beast’s legendary strength. The Gorilla’s fist connected with his chest, sending him flying backward, but his armor absorbed most of the impact. The force of the blow hurt, but the armor held firm. Adrenaline surged through him. Excitement lit his veins.

However, the triumph did not last long.

The Gorilla jumped up and struck with both fists in a double hammer motion. Nix dodged the blow, but the beast was relentless. It grabbed him with its powerful hands, squeezing with enough force to crush steel. Nix grunted in pain as his armor strained under the pressure. It was holding, but he needed to escape quickly.

As the Gorilla shifted its weight, it made strange, guttural sounds that sent a chill through Nix’s spine. It was calling for backup. Another creature was on its way.

Desperation took hold. Nix fired his Strings toward a nearby boulder, hoping to pull himself free, but the Gorilla’s immense weight anchored him in place. He used multiple hair forming technique [Spear], stabbing them into the Gorilla’s sides. Blood oozed from the wounds, but the Gorilla barely flinched. He didn’t have time to let it bleed out.

Nix’s mind raced. He needed to stun the creature. He activated his [Phantom Hands], sending semi-invisible tendrils to batter the Gorilla’s skull, hoping to daze it. The Gorilla growled, confused, but the blows weren’t strong enough to incapacitate it.

Think, Nix, think!

A sudden idea flashed through his mind, what if he combined his abilities?

Taking a deep breath, Nix activated [Strong Muscles], merging it with his [Silkshade Armor]. The effect was immediate. His entire body felt like it was supercharged, strength multiplying as if he were wearing an exoskeleton. His muscles bulged with newfound power.

“Alright,” Nix muttered through gritted teeth. “Let’s see how you handle this.”

With a roar, Nix broke free from the Gorilla’s crushing grip, sending it staggering backward. Before the creature could recover, Nix shot out sharp [Strings], wrapping them around its body. The Gorilla thrashed in confusion, slicing its own skin as it struggled against the sharp [String] made of tough hair.

Seizing the moment, Nix lifted the massive creature off the ground. His muscles burned, but the power coursing through him gave him the strength to continue. With a final push, he hurled the Gorilla five feet into the air.

As it flew, Nix gripped Morning Wood, taking a batter’s stance. When the Gorilla was in range, he swung with all his might.

CRACK!

The bat connected with the Gorilla’s nose, the sound of bone shattering echoing through the valley. The beast flew another fifteen feet before crashing to the ground, unconscious.

Panting heavily, Nix stood over the fallen Gorilla, his chest heaving. His stamina was nearly spent, combining his abilities had cost him more energy than expected. But he wasn’t out of the woods yet. The second creature was getting closer.

Nix wasted no time. He delivered a final blow to the Gorilla, ensuring it wouldn’t rise again. After extracting its Gene Bone and a piece of its valuable meat, he heard the distant rustling of another beast struggling through the web of Strings he had set earlier.

His body ached, and his stamina was dangerously low. There was no way he could handle another fight right now.

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Without hesitation, Nix used his Strings to escape, shooting the tendrils to a nearby cliff and pulling himself to safety. The creature below roared in frustration, trapped in the invisible web.

Hours Later.

As the sun began to set, Nix rode his rented ATV back to the Hunter Base. His muscles screamed in protest, and exhaustion clung to his mind, but the quiet sense of triumph in his heart made it all worth it. Today had been a test of his limits, both in terms of his abilities and his new [Silkshade Armor]. The realization that he could now channel [Strong Muscles] into his armor made him feel invincible.

Upon reaching the base, Nix parked his ATV and headed inside to find Concierge Lisa. Spotting her near the hotel, he waved, catching her attention. Lisa finished her transaction with another hunter and walked over, a smile on her face.

“Looking for me?” she asked, her voice light and playful.

Nix returned the smile, pulling the Golden Spine from his pack. “Yeah, I’ve got something to sell.”

Lisa’s eyes gleamed at the sight of the spine. “Nice! Level 2 Mutated Golden Spine Gorilla, good stuff. I can offer you 250 COIN for it.”

Nix nodded, knowing from experience that Lisa always gave fair prices. As she processed the transaction, he couldn’t help but ask, “Hey, Lisa, what are the prices for GEMs these days?”

Without missing a beat, Lisa responded. “Level 1 GEMs are around 250 to 300 COIN depending on purity. A Level 2 GEM will set you back between 850 and 1,000 COIN, and if you’re thinking about Level 3, those go for 2,500 to 3,000 COIN. You’ll find higher levels only at bigger bases like Mulan Fields.”

Nix whistled at the steep prices. “That’s a lot of COIN.”

Lisa chuckled. “Hunter life isn’t cheap, Nix. You know that by now. Most of us grind every day just to keep up with the costs of leveling up. The more powerful you become, the more expensive the climb.”

Lisa paused, her usual playful expression giving way to a more serious tone. “Some hunters even chase after immortality, though I’d be cautious of those rumors.”

Nix’s curiosity was piqued. “Immortality? Is that even possible?”

Lisa’s expression darkened. “Hunters have given up everything chasing that dream. Trust me, it’s a dangerous path, one where COIN isn’t the only price you pay. Some lose their humanity altogether.”

A weight settled on Nix’s shoulders. The more he learned about the hunter world, the deeper and darker it seemed. He had felt confident after his recent battle, but now this warning from Lisa gnawed at him.

Lisa gave him a sympathetic smile. “Look, Nix, you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. I wouldn't share this with just anyone, but you have the strength to handle the truth. If you keep on this path, you’ll eventually face the darker sides of hunting. The life you know now? It’s a paradise compared to what’s out there.”

Nix felt a chill as Lisa continued. “Beyond the city lies a place called Crimson Paradise. It sounds nice, right? But it’s chaos, violence, betrayal, and survival of the fittest. If you ever decide to become an official hunter, you’ll step into that world. Just know, once you do, there’s no turning back.”

Nix was silent for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. He hadn’t realized the hunter life could get so brutal. “That sounds intense... I’ll have to think about it.”

Lisa nodded. “That’s all you can do. Take your time, Nix. And remember, be careful who you trust.”

The mood shifted back to business as Lisa asked, “So, do you need any other services today?”

Nix thought for a moment. “Yeah, I’d like to convert my Level 2 Gene Bones into a Level 2 GEM.”

Lisa smiled as she entered the order into her tablet. “Would you like to pay with your COIN or deduct it from your Golden Spine earnings?”

“I’ll pay the rest from my COIN account,” Nix replied, knowing he needed to save the extra COIN for future upgrades.

Once the transaction was completed, Lisa handed over the freshly made GEM. Nix held it in his hand for a moment, feeling the weight of the future decisions he’d have to make. The hunter world was growing darker, but he was making progress, step by step.

Before he could leave, Lisa stopped him. “One more thing, have you heard about Evolution Point Bars?”

Nix raised an eyebrow, curious. “No, what’s that?”

Lisa explained, “It’s a new chip we’ve been offering. It helps track your evolution progress, informing you with its status bar how close you are to the next level. It’s a bit pricey, but it can be worth it if you want to see your growth in real time.”

Nix considered it. “I’ll think about it. Thanks for the info, Lisa.”

With the GEM in hand, Nix left the Hunter Base and headed home. His body still ached from the battle, but the thought of consuming the Mutated Golden Spine Gorilla’s meat to gain its abilities kept his spirits high.

Later That Night.

Nix arrived home, tired but satisfied. The hunt had been grueling, but successful. As he stepped through the door, the familiar sight of Granny Laurie and Roni sitting at the table greeted him. He smiled, expecting one of Roni’s usual playful jabs or teasing comments. But this time, something was different.

Roni stood up slowly and walked toward him without saying a word. Before Nix could react, she wrapped her arms around him in a gentle hug with her arms.

"Welcome back," she murmured, her voice radiating warmth and sincerity.

Nix was surprised, not knowing how to reply. This was not the familiar mischievous Roni he was accustomed to. He experienced a sensation he hadn't felt in a while - a comforting warmth in his heart that was unfamiliar but welcomed. Without hesitating, he returned her hug, allowing the moment to engulf him.

For some time, they remained in an embrace until a gentle cough from the table brought to their attention Granny Laurie's presence. Both of them quickly pulled apart, faces flushing with embarrassment. Granny Laurie simply smiled knowingly, saying nothing.

To shake off the awkwardness, Nix placed the package on the table, revealing the fresh meat from his hunt. “I brought home the goods,” he said with a grin. “Mutated Golden Spine Gorilla. Took a while, but I got it.”

Granny Laurie and Roni both looked relieved. They began preparing the meat together, the earlier tension dissolving into lighthearted conversation and laughter. As the savory scent of cooking meat filled the room, Nix reflected on the day’s events. It had been a tough fight, but coming home to this felt worth it.

After the meal, Nix suddenly felt a strange energy course through his body. A pleasant, spicy odor began emitting from his skin. Closing his eyes, he focused on the sensation. His muscles felt tighter, stronger, he was evolving again. The fusion of the Mutated Golden Spine Gorilla’s innate ability [Strong Muscles] with his existing [Strong Physique] had pushed his body further. He’d need to test this out later.

The evening wound down, and Roni prepared to leave. However, Granny Laurie insisted she stay the night, it was late, and Roni had stayed over plenty of times before. Roni smiled and agreed, following Nix to his room.

As they entered, Nix noticed something different about her. Roni surprised him by leaning in and kissing him before he could say anything. He felt his heart beating rapidly while everything around him became fuzzy.

When they finally pulled apart, Nix found his hands resting gently on her waist. He quickly pulled away, stammering an apology, but Roni only smiled. She softly murmured, "It's fine." "I'm not sure what the reason was, but I simply had a feeling to do it."

Nix smiled back, realizing he had been feeling the same way. “I love you,” he said, the words slipping out before he could stop them.

Roni's eyes widened with surprise, yet a slow smile appeared on her face. “I love you too.”

They spent the rest of the evening talking, Nix recounting his hunt and the dangers he had faced, but eventually, the conversation turned to more serious matters. He told her about Crimson Paradise, the mysterious place that only official hunters could enter.

Roni listened quietly, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern. “If you’re going after Crimson Paradise... then I’ll become an official Hunter too,” she declared. “I still need to find my parents. No matter what.”

Nix nodded. “I’ll help you train.”

With their decisions made, Nix suggested they get some rest. Roni agreed, and as she headed to bed, Nix turned his attention to testing his new abilities. His hair-tentacles extended, and he could feel the raw power coursing through them. They were stronger, almost three times as powerful as his physical body alone. The [Strong Physique] from the Mutated Golden Spine Gorilla had truly transformed his strength.

A satisfied smile crossed Nix’s face as he named this newly acquired innate ability: [Might]. The sense of power brought him comfort, easing his mind as he climbed into bed. With Roni nestled in his arms, Nix allowed himself to finally relax, drifting into sleep with the reassuring knowledge of his growth.