Chapter 22: Beyond the Wild: A new horizon.
After their grueling battle against the family of Thunderback Wyverns, an intense fight with a Level 3 and a formidable Level 4 Thunderback Wyvern protecting the baby, they emerged victorious. Nix and Roni felt exhausted but triumphant. The baby wyvern was dead, its Crystal Core claimed, but now in Ron’s possession. In return, Ron handed them two metal coins, one for Nix and one for Roni. “Take these to the Hunter’s Association in Ikup City,” he said in his usual gruff voice. “I’ll find you both in a few days for the last leg of this journey. ‘Crimson Paradise’ awaits.” He then faded back into his almost ghost-like presence, silent, ever-observing, but detached from the experience of the journey itself.
The trek back down the mountains should have felt like a relief, but an unease hung over them. They noticed that their path back was oddly devoid of high-level beasts. Most creatures they encountered were only Level 2s, nothing compared to the dangers they had faced earlier. It felt like the calm before a storm. Their suspicion was soon confirmed when they stumbled upon a clearing, strewn with the corpses of Level 3 and 4 creatures. The scene was almost surreal, these mighty beasts lay scattered and broken, as if something more powerful had cut through them like paper.
image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54025518273_46ffd82cee_m.jpg]image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54025729385_59b3da65af_m.jpg]
Roni's voice broke the tense silence. “What do you think happened here?” Her voice wavered with a mix of fear and curiosity. “Could a Level 5 have done this?”
Nix kept his eyes fixed on the horizon, scanning it with his [Radar Sense] but feeling no signs of immediate danger. “Maybe,” he said cautiously. “Or worse, a Level 6. Either way, we need to stay hidden and get out of here quickly.”
Their paranoia heightened, and they advanced cautiously through the thick forest. Every movement was careful, their steps deliberate, keeping to the shadows and staying low. Nix and Roni couldn't shake off the feeling that something monstrous lurked nearby. Ron’s ghost-like presence throughout the journey seemed to make more sense now; whatever the case, they were glad he wasn’t a burden, but neither did they expect him to save them from anything that might have killed those beasts.
Eventually, as they made their way deeper into the forest, they came across a creature Roni recognized from WISDOM, a dead Level 5 Darkscale Lizard. Her eyes went wide. “Nix, this is one of the five recorded species in WISDOM with edible meat... and it has natural poison immunity. It also produces a paralytic toxin that can incapacitate nearly anything it touches.”
image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54025578054_2b8e5c9625_m.jpg]
Nix’s mind raced. A Level 5 beast with poison immunity, and the ability to paralyze, this was a rare opportunity. If he could eat its meat with his [Devour] ability, he might gain those same resistances and abilities. One of his greatest limitations in consuming beasts was the danger of being poisoned, but with poison immunity, that shackle would be broken. A whole new world of possibilities would open up.
"Let's cook this," Nix said firmly. They quickly set up a campfire and sliced a portion of the Darkscale Lizard’s meat. Roni watched closely as the meat sizzled over the flames, its scent filling the air.
“Careful with how much you eat,” Roni warned, remembering the lizard's toxicity despite it being edible. “You don’t know how your body will handle it.”
“I know,” Nix replied, focused and steady. Once the meat was done, he took his share, and Roni took a smaller portion, knowing it would provide essential E.P. for her evolution.
The moment the cooked meat touched Nix’s lips, his [Devour] ability activated, and he felt a powerful energy rush through his veins. His surroundings became slightly blurry, his senses heightened as his body adjusted to the new genetic data flowing in. His hands tightened into fists, and suddenly, his muscles involuntarily tensed as his body started convulsing. Sweat poured from his hair as his body reacted violently to the new abilities.
Roni panicked but kept her composure, remembering Nix’s warning not to touch him. But as his body continued to spasm, she couldn't hold back. Ignoring the risk, she reached out and held him tight, trying to steady him. The moment her skin touched his, she felt her body seize up. The sweat covering Nix’s body was actually a paralytic toxin produced from his hair, and as it made contact with her, she found herself unable to move, paralyzed on top of him.
The seconds felt like hours as Roni’s mind raced. “Think, Roni. You have to get up,” she thought desperately. She willed her hair-vines to move but could barely twitch them. Frantically, she tried to think of another way to break free. Then it came to her, perhaps a [Slick Seed] could help wash away the paralytic toxin.
As she focused on creating a [Slick Seed], something unexpected happened. The seed being formed in her hair began absorbing the poison from her body. Gradually, she felt the paralysis dissipate as the seed continued to draw out the toxins, not just from her but from the sweat on Nix’s body as well. Within minutes, she regained control of her movements, standing up in surprise at the new function of her [Seed Creation].
Without a second thought, she kissed Nix, who reciprocated weakly as he neared the end of the [Devour] process. The convulsions stopped, and his breathing steadied as the adaptation finished.
Finally, Nix sat up and instinctively opened his E.P. Bar. “Whoa...” He was stunned. He had become a Level 3 Evolver. His physical strength had doubled to 300kg, his speed now reached 30km/h, and his stamina had increased to a full 200/200. His body felt more durable, the muscles beneath his skin more defined and strong. Testing his [Hair-Tentacles], he found they now extended up to 20 meters, and his [Radar Sense] covered a broader range of 12 meters.
Roni's eyes shone with excitement. “I think I get it,” she said thoughtfully. “Every time you use [Devour] to fuse with new abilities, it forces your body to adapt quickly... that’s why you evolve so much faster than others.”
Nix mulled it over, realizing how this breakthrough aligned with his rapid evolution compared to the few GEMs he’d consumed. It was a comforting thought, a confirmation of their progress. No longer did Roni feel guilty about being the one to receive most of the Gene Bones and GEMs, they were discovering that Nix’s path to power was simply different.
Then, Nix felt something, a familiar absence. A deep hunger that lay within him felt muted. “I think my cooldown increased,” he muttered, feeling the gap of seven weeks now between his ability to use [Devour] again.
Roni tilted her head thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s not just hunger pushing you to grow stronger. It could be something inside of you, driving you to adapt... to survive.”
A fear gripped Nix’s heart. “What if that makes me a monster?” he whispered.
Roni’s voice was steady and unwavering. “Power doesn’t make someone a monster, Nix. It’s the decisions we make. These abilities, they’re just tools. You decide how you use them, and you... will never be a monster.”
Nix let out a breath, feeling warmth replace his earlier fear. Roni was right; it wasn’t the power but the choices that mattered.
Roni leaned in, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “And besides, you have a secret weapon.”
“What do you mean?” Nix asked, puzzled.
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“Me,” Roni said, smiling mischievously before kissing him. The realization hit Nix like a wave, and all the emotions, the stress, the fear, and the joy of being together, rushed through both of them. That night, their love and passion took over, and what was supposed to be a one-day journey back to Ikup City became a three-day adventure of intimacy, their bond deepening with each passing moment.
As they approached the hunter base, the sun rising on the horizon, Nix finally broke the peaceful silence. “Do you think... a person could live alone forever?”
Roni pondered the question and then replied, “No. Without someone to share life with, the world loses its warmth. I call it the fuel of life. Without it, we’re just... existing, not living.”
Nix didn’t fully grasp her words, but he didn’t need to. He kissed her softly, holding her close. “Don’t ever leave me,” he whispered.
“I won’t,” Roni assured him. “Never.”
“I’ll always find you, no matter what,” Nix said, sealing his promise with another kiss.
And with that, they took the final steps toward the hunter base, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
---
At the Hunter Base, Nix and Roni approached the front desk to ask about handing in their quest token. Nix felt a sense of relief seeing Concierge Lisa standing there, someone familiar amidst all the new changes.
“Hello again,” Lisa greeted warmly, her eyes lighting up with recognition. “It’s been almost two months since I last saw you... And look at that, you just reached Level 3 evolution. Congratulations!” She then turned to Roni, eyes sparkling with curiosity. “And Mrs. Veronica, how are you feeling? Already a Level 2 yourself, and it only took you two months. You both must have worked really hard to get here so quickly.”
image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54025210286_bf49e670e2_m.jpg]
Roni smiled at the compliment but paused, puzzled. “Wait, Mrs. Veronica? How did you know we’re married?”
Lisa chuckled softly, leaning in a bit closer. “I can just tell by how you both interact. After all, my job is to provide the best customer service, so I’ve gotten quite good at reading people. It’s a talent that comes in handy.” She grinned. “So, what brings you two lovebirds here today?”
Nix grinned back, appreciating her observant nature. He and Roni both pulled out their COIN tokens and handed them over to Lisa. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise as she examined them.
“Wow! Congratulations to both of you, you’ve passed the Official Hunter trial!” Lisa announced, an excited gleam in her eyes.
Nix and Roni both gaped at her in disbelief. “What? When did we take the trial test?” Nix blurted out, confusion evident on his face. He started to piece together that maybe Ron had been playing some elaborate prank on them throughout their journey.
Lisa chuckled at their reactions, clearly accustomed to the bewilderment. “Well, you see, hunters can't just sign up for the trial because they want to. To become an Official Hunter, you either have to stumble upon it, or it finds you. There are people in these mountains, at the Pro-Hunter level or senior Official level, who act as supervisors. If they find you worthy, they can judge you without your knowledge, and if they deem you fit, the trial is considered passed. You probably received your first official quest, correct?”
Nix nodded, confirming that they had completed the task of hunting the baby Thunderback Wyvern, and mentioned they were about to embark on their second quest: escorting Ron to Crimson Paradise.
Roni’s curiosity peaked as she asked, “Who was our trial supervisor?”
Lisa placed the COIN tokens on a scanner. As the data loaded, the name "Ron Moe's" appeared on her screen. Nix and Roni exchanged a knowing look, the realization hitting them simultaneously. The chaotic carnage of dead Level 3 and 4 creatures they'd encountered wasn’t the result of some rogue monster, it was all connected to that eccentric old man who’d been quietly following them around. But something else tugged at Nix’s mind, and he asked, “What was the name of our trial supervisor again?”
Lisa repeated, “Ron Moe’s.”
Nix let out a laugh. Roni glanced over, confused. “What’s so funny?”
Nix grinned wide. “Read it backward.”
Roni blinked a few times before it dawned on her: “Moe Ron.” She joined in the laughter. The entire journey suddenly felt like a puzzle they'd never realized they were solving.
Somewhere far away, on a rocky cliff, Ron lay down on its edge, his hat tipped over his eyes. He sneezed suddenly, a sharp “Achoo!” breaking the silence. Sniffing, he muttered to himself, “Huh, did someone just think of me?” He shrugged lazily. “Well, whatever.” And with that, he rolled over and drifted back to sleep, the faint sound of the wind his only companion.
After registering as formal hunters, Nix and Roni felt a sense of accomplishment, the Novice title now stripped away. Lisa handed each of them a new Hunter’s Watch along with a silver coin engraved with a panther’s red eyes.
Nix squinted at the coin in his palm. “What’s the deal with this panther symbol?” he asked, holding it up to the light.
“It represents our country’s Hunter Association,” Lisa explained. “The panther’s red eyes mark you as an official hunter from our homeland, a way to identify your roots and connect with others. It’s your badge of origin.”
Roni raised an eyebrow, turning her coin in her fingers. “But... won’t it be dangerous for people to know where we come from? What if they use it against us?”
Lisa gave a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about that. The coin is secure and unique to you. You just wear it, and you’ll understand soon enough.”
Both Nix and Roni glanced at each other, confused about how to use this seemingly simple coin. Nix, ever curious, played around with it in his hand before deciding to press it against the top of his hand.
The coin shimmered and suddenly dissolved into his skin. Nix jumped slightly, trying to shake it loose, believing he dropped it, but the coin was nowhere to be found.
Lisa chuckled. “It’s not gone, Nix. It’s actually connected to you now, nano-tech at its finest. Just say your name followed by ‘Activate,’ and you’ll see.”
Hesitant but curious, Nix spoke aloud, “Nix Grimwald, Activate.”
In an instant, thin lines of light traced across the top of his hand, and the image of the panther’s eyes appeared before him, projecting a hologram that displayed his stats, abilities, and evolution level. The holographic display was a translucent mix of blue and white, only visible to Nix, as if it existed solely within his own senses.
“Whoa... it’s like I can see it, but nobody else can,” Nix said, waving his hand through the projection.
Lisa nodded. “Exactly. The nano-tech connects directly to your neural sensors and brain waves. You’ll get used to it. Also, now that you’re formal hunters, you have access to WISDOM, our global information network. Your rank will determine how much of WISDOM’s data you can access, but it’s a treasure trove of knowledge.”
Roni, following Nix’s lead, pressed the coin on her hand and activated it. The same glowing lines appeared, followed by the panther’s eyes and her own holographic display.
Soon after, Nix’s watch vibrated subtly. Confused, he pressed the area where the coin had dissolved. To his surprise, an image of Roni’s face popped up in his mind, the interface of the call clear and familiar. It was strange yet intuitive.
Roni grinned through the connection, her face framed by the faint projection of light. “I love you!” she said playfully before ending the call.
Nix looked over at her and laughed. They both stood there for a moment, the realization settling in that their world was expanding beyond anything they’d imagined. It wasn’t just about the hunt anymore; it was a life that promised adventure, danger, and possibilities they hadn’t even begun to comprehend.
After their orientation with Lisa, Nix and Roni made their way back to the familiar city near Mount Trashmore. As they arrived home, the comforting sight of their grandparents, Laurie and Rosalie, greeted them warmly. There were heartfelt embraces, shared stories, and endless questions about their journey as new hunters. Life felt both the same and entirely different, like they’d stepped into a new chapter.
Once the catching up was over, and the night had settled in, Nix and Roni sat together, watches in hand, browsing WISDOM. They explored information on Crimson Paradise, the upcoming destination for their next quest, and marveled at the vast array of knowledge available: creatures, territories, combat strategies, and countless other details of the world they were now part of. It was like stepping into a world where every breath could be life or death, where every decision could mean glory or ruin.
For the first time, the gravity of their new reality hit them. While fear was present, so too was an overpowering sense of excitement. A shared glance spoke of dreams, battles to come, and the promise of something greater than themselves, fueling their thirst for adventure.
These emotions they are feeling is the mark of how their life is about to change.