David’s body ached, the lingering fatigue of countless battles weighing on his muscles as he leaned against the rough bark of a tree. His breaths came slow and measured, the air thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves. The light of the early morning sun struggled to pierce the thick canopy above, leaving the forest shrouded in an ever-present gloom. It had been a full month since the encounter with the Forest Colossus, and the memory of the towering beast still sent a shiver down his spine.

He had been lucky that day—lucky that the Colossus hadn’t sensed him, lucky that it had moved on before discovering his presence. But luck wasn’t enough in this world. David knew he couldn’t rely on fortune alone if he ever hoped to stand a chance against such a creature. He needed power—raw, undeniable strength—and he was willing to do whatever it took to get it.

The Colossus had ignited something within him, a burning desire to conquer the seemingly insurmountable. Each time he closed his eyes, he could see the massive creature lumbering through the trees, its very steps causing the ground to quake. Its existence was a reminder of just how far he still had to go, and it drove him to hunt, to push his limits day after day. But the journey was grueling.

David’s hands flexed, the system’s faint glow illuminating his fingertips as he accessed the Beast Tracker ability he had purchased a week earlier. The small investment of resource points had proven invaluable, allowing him to sense the presence of nearby beasts and gauge their strength before engaging. It had given him an edge during his hunts, ensuring he wasn’t caught off guard by creatures more powerful than he could handle—like the Duskhorn Wyrm he had bested after days of careful tracking.

He had even purchased an ability Identify Beast from the system to get the names of the beasts, he still did not know came up wit the names but using his appraisal he was able to get names that hinted at the type and nature of the beasts.

The differnt forms had been a game-changer. David’s system flickered, showing his current forms.

* Nightmare Fang: Stealth, Speed, Enhanced Reflexes.

* Darkscale Stalker: Strength, Venom Resistance, Acidic Spit.

* Duskhorn Wyrm: Dark Energy Control, Shadow Magic, Enhanced Physical Durability.

With his three primary forms, David had managed to strike a delicate balance between speed, strength, and magical power. But as always, there was room for growth.

“Time to move,” David muttered to himself, pushing off the tree and rolling his shoulders to ease the tension that had built up over the past hour.

His Beast Tracker pulsed faintly in his mind, the signature of a powerful Gold-tier creature coming from the east. It wasn’t far—perhaps a half-hour’s walk at most—and David could feel the faint hum of excitement rising in his chest. Another opportunity to grow, another chance to strengthen his Shapeshifter Class.

As he moved through the forest, his footsteps were light and precise, the predator-like instincts of the Nightmare Fang guiding his every move. The shadows seemed to welcome him, the darkness providing a natural cover as he approached his next target.

It wasn’t long before the trees parted, revealing a clearing bathed in the pale morning light. At the center of the clearing stood a massive creature—its hulking form covered in thick, armored scales that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. A Thunderhowl, a massive Gold-tier wolf with streaks of electric blue running along its fur, its eyes crackling with lightning energy.

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David crouched low, his mind calculating the best approach. The Thunderhowl was larger than any beast he had faced since the Duskhorn Wyrm, and its ability to control lightning made it a formidable opponent. But David had prepared for this. His body shifted subtly, the Nightmare Fang form taking hold as his muscles tightened and his reflexes sharpened.

He waited, watching the creature as it prowled the edge of the clearing, unaware of his presence. The Thunderhowl’s movements were powerful, but there was a sluggishness in its steps—a sign of fatigue, or perhaps an injury.

Now was the time to strike.

David moved, a blur of shadow and speed as he darted toward the creature, staying low to the ground and using the cover of the trees to his advantage. The Thunderhowl’s ears twitched as it sensed his approach, but it was too late. David was already upon it, his dagger flashing through the air as he aimed for the soft spot beneath the creature’s front leg.

The blade sank into the Thunderhowl’s flesh, and the beast let out a furious roar, electricity crackling around its body as it reared back in pain. David leaped away, narrowly avoiding the arc of lightning that lashed out toward him, the Nightmare Fang’s agility allowing him to dodge with ease.

But the battle was far from over.

The Thunderhowl turned, its eyes blazing with fury as it charged toward him, the ground beneath its paws scorched by the electrical energy coursing through its body. David darted to the side, his movements quick and precise as he weaved through the trees, using the Nightmare Fang’s speed to stay one step ahead of the beast’s attacks.

The creature’s massive paws slammed into the ground, sending shockwaves of energy rippling through the earth. David felt the force of the attack vibrate through his bones, but he pushed forward, his eyes locked on the beast’s weak spots.

In one fluid motion, David shifted forms—his body growing heavier and more durable as he took on the attributes of the Darkscale Stalker. His muscles bulged, his skin hardening into a near-impenetrable armor as he stood his ground, facing the Thunderhowl head-on.

The beast lunged, its jaws snapping inches from David’s face as he brought his arm up to block the attack. The Thunderhowl’s teeth scraped against the Darkscale Stalker’s armored hide, unable to penetrate the tough exterior. With a grunt of effort, David swung his arm forward, knocking the creature off balance and sending it crashing to the ground.

He didn’t waste a second.

David shifted again, his form rippling as he called upon the power of the Duskhorn Wyrm. Dark energy swirled around him, his muscles swelling with strength as his hands crackled with shadow magic. The Thunderhowl struggled to rise, but David was already moving, his fists charged with raw magical energy as he brought them down on the creature’s head.

There was a blinding flash of light as the dark energy collided with the Thunderhowl’s lightning-infused body, the ground beneath them shaking with the force of the impact. The beast let out a final, ear-splitting howl before collapsing, its body twitching as the last of its energy drained away.

System Message:

Thunderhowl defeated. Life Essence absorbed: 300 RP.

New Form Available: Thunderhowl.

Specializations: Speed, Lightning Manipulation, Electric Discharge.

David let out a long breath, his body trembling with the aftereffects of the battle. He had done it—he had claimed another powerful form, one that would add yet another layer of versatility to his ever-growing arsenal.

But he wasn’t finished yet.

As he stood over the fallen Thunderhowl, David couldn’t help but think of the Forest Colossus. This was just another step in his journey, another rung on the ladder that would eventually lead him to that towering beast.

Would you like to integrate the Thunderhowl form into your Shapeshifter class?

[Yes] [No]

David’s finger hovered over the option, a small grin forming on his lips as he selected [Yes].

The power continued to flow through him, and with each step forward, he came closer to becoming the hunter this world demanded him to be.

Class: Shapeshifter (Level 4).

Additional slot unlocked.

Life Energy required for next level: 600.

There was always more to hunt, and David would never stop.