---
The Silence Before the Storm
The jungle wasn't quiet.
Not really.
The distant rustling of leaves. The occasional chirp of some unseen creature. The steady hum of mana pulsing from embedded Gemite Crystals.
But something was missing.
Kyle noticed it first.
He had grown up training his senses, refining them through constant battle. And right now?
There were no insects. No small creatures.
A jungle like this should have been teeming with life. Something had silenced everything.
And that meant one thing—a predator was near.
He glanced at the others. None of them noticed yet.
Jace stretched, tossing the Veil-Tier Crystal up and down. "Not bad for a first haul. Now, if we could just find some Dominion-Tier beasts, we'd win this thing easy."
Lena smirked. "You volunteering to be bait?"
Darius snorted. "He'd probably enjoy it."
Vivian wiped sweat from her brow. "Let's focus. We've only just started. We should keep moving before—"
She stopped.
Because Kyle moved.
Not a big motion. Not something obvious.
Just a step back.
And the moment he did—a shape burst from the trees.
---
Ambush – The Jungle Strikes
A blur of black and gold. A low snarl that vibrated through the air.
Then—impact.
A massive creature landed where Kyle had been standing just a second earlier. Its claws dug into the earth, tearing through the blue grass with ease.
A Stormclaw Panther.
Veil-Tier—on the edge of Dominion-Tier.
Fast. Precise. Deadly.
Its golden stripes flickered with static, each crackling with stored lightning mana. Its eyes locked onto Kyle, lips pulling back to reveal razor-sharp fangs.
And then—it vanished.
Not disappeared.
Not ran away.
Just… moved.
Faster than human eyes could track.
---
The Team Reacts
Jace's body tensed. "Shit. That thing's—"
The panther reappeared behind him.
Jace barely ducked in time as claws slashed through the air where his head had been. Sparks flew as the beast's claws cut through solid rock behind him.
Darius moved instantly. "It's fast—stay close!"
But even as he spoke, the panther was already gone again.
It reappeared above them, perched on a tree branch, staring down like a king surveying his domain.
Lena clicked her tongue. "It's playing with us."
Vivian's eyes darted around. "It's not alone."
Kyle already knew that.
The jungle was shifting.
From the shadows, two more Stormclaw Panthers stepped forward.
Three.
One? Possible.
Two? Bad.
Three? A massacre.
They weren't supposed to be here.
The instructors had said Dominion-Tier threats weren't in this zone. But these creatures? They were right on the edge of that level.
And now? They were circling.
---
Kyle's System Reacts
Then—a soft chime.
Kyle's vision flickered.
A system notification appeared.
---
[System Alert]
New Threat Identified – Stormclaw Panther (Elite Veil-Tier) ✔ Survival Recommendation: Engage or Evade
Kill Quest Updated: 1/10 Gorefang Wolves | Bonus: 0/2 Elite Veil-Tier Kills
EXP Bonus: 50% increase due to higher-tier opponent
Skill Unlock Available Upon Successful Kill
System Function Detected: Absorb Crystal?
[YES] / [NO]
---
Kyle's jaw tightened.
His body wanted to accept. To take the crystal.
To grow stronger.
But he couldn't.
The competition came first.
So he dismissed the notification.
And focused.
---
The First Strike
The lead panther moved.
Not just fast—instantaneous.
It appeared between them, claws already swinging.
Lena was the closest.
Her dagger barely came up in time—clash! Sparks flew as the blade met claws. The force sent her skidding backward, boots digging into the dirt.
Darius moved, slamming his fist into the beast's ribs—but the panther twisted mid-air, absorbing the impact.
Vivian launched a mana pulse, aiming for its flank. A direct hit.
And yet—
The creature simply absorbed the mana through its golden fur, the lightning rippling across its body.
It was using their attacks to charge itself.
Jace cursed. "That's not fair!"
Kyle exhaled. No wasted movement. No wasted energy.
Then—he stepped forward.
---
Kyle's Move – New Skill Activation
The Stormclaw Panther lunged.
Kyle waited.
Waited until just before the claws reached his throat.
Then—he moved.
A single blink-step to the side.
His body phased slightly, leaving behind a shadow afterimage where he had been standing.
[Shadowstep Activated.]
The beast missed.
Its head whipped around, confused.
And that's when Kyle struck.
**A brutal kick to the ribs—**hard, precise, knocking the panther off balance for the first time.
Jace's eyes widened. "Since when the hell could you do that?!"
Lena – Smirking, despite herself. "You're full of surprises, Kyle."
Kyle didn't answer.
Darius – Cracking his knuckles. "Good. I was getting bored."
He felt it, finally it's been a few days I levels up
The system was waking up.
And this?
This was just the beginning.
The panthers weren't done.
And neither was Kyle.