In the distance, they made out a figure partially concealed by the thick foliage. The stranger observed them, his face hidden beneath a hooded cloak. Oblivious to the danger, Isaac ran ahead, unaware of the potential threat lurking nearby.

Silently, they advanced toward the spot where the dagger originated. Jack's mind raced as he tried to solve the puzzle. Who was this mysterious attacker, and why did they target them? The answers eluded them, but they knew they had to confront the danger directly. This wasn't a drill, nor was it a test of his survival skills. They could very well die if he didn’t fight back. He needed to understand what he faced before they could proceed.

As the confrontation approached, the figure's senses heightened. Jack felt the tension in the air, revealing piercing eyes that held a mix of malice and anger. The stranger turned to face them, anticipation of an impending clash in the air. Reaching the edge of the clearing, they stood still, allowing their eyes and ears to adjust to the darkness within the forest.

"Orion Vesperis," Amelia whispered his name.

[System Level: 7/12]

[Power level: 87,000/100,000]

[Beast type: Kun Peng]

[Name: Orion Vesperis]

[Age: 35]

[Clan: Stormwatch Clan]

[Race: Kaelith]

[Blood-type: Verdant]

[Blood Color: Green]

[HP: 90/100]

[EP: 40/50]

[AP: 55 units]

[Mana: 90/100]

[Beast Energy: 80/100]

[Beast Race Type: Zephyrbeasts and Lunafins]

[Beast Ability: Flight]

[Energy Manipulation]

[Skills: 68/70]

[Action Speed: 1-2 seconds per action]

[Skill Cooldowns: 6-15 seconds]

[Movement Speed: 10-15 units per second]

[Base Strength: 14]

[Damage Output: 19+ damage per hit]

[Carrying Capacity: 200+ units]

[State Points: 180/200]

Without uttering a word, Orion lunged forward, drawing another dagger from their cloak. Jack swiftly unsheathed his weapon, engaging in a fierce battle of blades.

They circled each other, weapons clashing with every step. Each parry met with counterattacks, each strike countered with a thrust. They danced around each other, never quite getting close enough to engage in lethal combat. It seemed like the two had no plan to attack until the moment it would happen. For now, Jack held the upper hand, as Orion was too preoccupied with blocking his strikes. But he didn’t have much longer to enjoy the advantage. They’d danced around each other for so long, they might not even reach a killing blow. Jack saw the faintest hint of a smile on Orion’s lips; he knew what was happening and wanted him to react, but how could he tell Jack he was trying to trick him into lowering his guard?

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No time to wonder. He went with the direct approach first. It was a game of cat and mouse, an eternal dance of swordsman and archer, one who would eventually strike first. Jack felt as if he were playing chess against the man before him. He fought back, using everything he had learned in the past year. His instincts screamed that this man was dangerous. But Amelia didn’t understand one thing: as a member of the Stormwatch Clan, why was he attacking them instead of saving the baby? The clash of steel reverberated through the forest as the three combatants fought with unmatched skill. Jack's determination burned within him, fueling each of his strikes. He sensed that this encounter was not ordinary; something more significant was at stake. Seeing them fight, Amelia chased after Isaac. Jack managed to knock the dagger out of Orion’s hand, sending it flying into the bushes. With a quick kick, he took Orion down and held him to the ground. The hood fell back, revealing an eye hidden by a mask.

Breathing heavily, Jack demanded answers. "Why are you attacking us? We’re not involved with the Stormwatch Clan."

Orion's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and desperation. "You don’t understand," he whispered. "You can't lay a hand on that child."

Jack chuckled. "I believe we should resolve our conflict before dealing with that child."

Orion's gaze shifted toward Isaac, who had finally run far away, his eyes filled with relief. "He is not who you believe him to be," he said mysteriously. "Ten years have passed, and the Seven Dark Forces are at play, beyond your imagination."

Amelia chased after Isaac, raising her hands, her palms emitting a dark radiant light. A burst of energy erupted from her fingertips, creating a smoky nail to attack him. "Stop!" she screamed, directing the magical light straight at Isaac. But he vanished into the shadows of the forest. In pursuit of him, she ran through the brush and branches, feeling no need to slow down now that her prey was safely hidden behind cover.

Orion threw a punch, causing Jack to fall to the ground. He quickly stood up, attempting to grab Orion, but then paused and looked up. He saw a massive Kun Peng flying in the sky. The mythical creature descended gracefully from the heavens, its enormous wings casting a shadow over the land. As it descended, Orion swiftly leaped over it and flew toward the eastern sea.

The Vesperis family from the Stormwatch Clan possessed the system to tame the Kun Peng, a colossal beast resembling a hybrid of a bird and a fish. They lived underwater and soared through the air. With a fish-like body, wings, and a bird-like tail, they had four eyes, two on each side, allowing them to see in complete darkness.

Jack swiftly ran toward Amelia to assist her. "He was just here, Jack. I chased him, but now he has vanished?" Amelia expressed her frustration.

"We must leave this place quickly," Jack said, pulling her along.

"No, Jack, we must take him away today," Amelia shouted at him. Jack held her tightly and vanished in an instant.

They reappeared in a concealed cave, far from the forest. Amelia surveyed the surroundings, her eyes filled with determination. She glanced at the ceiling before making her way down, hoping she was following the right path. Jack followed closely behind, occasionally checking for any threats or unusual sounds. Eventually, they found themselves before a pool of water that emitted a reddish glow. Amelia dropped her sword on the ground and sat beside the pool.

"We cannot let him escape with that child," she said, her voice brimming with frustration. "We cannot miss this opportunity."

Jack nodded, understanding the urgency in her words. "I get it, Amelia. But we need a plan. We can't just rush in without thinking."

Amelia took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "A plan? Do we really need one to catch Isaac? When did he become this powerful?"

Jack placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. His mind flashed back to the yellow light through which Isaac had disappeared—an immense power that radiated far beyond anything they had ever encountered. It was clear that the Seven Dark Forces were involved, and they needed to be ready.

"We underestimated him," Jack confessed, regretting lacing his voice. "But we couldn’t dwell on that now. We had to focus on finding a way to stop him."

Isaac halted his running and glanced behind him, realizing that no one chased him. He looked down at the child in his arms and made his way toward his village. He entered a charming small house nestled in the heart of the village. The house was constructed with weathered wooden planks and had a thatched roof that showed signs of age. Its modest exterior emitted a feeling of warmth and simplicity.