His pulse quickened, but his expression remained calm.
"Alright… test number two," he muttered under his breath, his stance shifting as his system began calculating every possible move.
Survive… and evolve.
What he didn't know was that behind one of the thick, twisted trees, hidden in the dense undergrowth, a figure silently observed him.
A tall, hooded woman with sharp silver eyes watched with interest. Her gaze lingered on the shattered spirit bees and the confident stance of the boy.
She knew about the system—it wasn't uncommon in this world. But her sharp ears caught something impossible…
[SYSTEM RECOGNITION: Ancient World Detected]
Her eyes widened, heart skipping a beat.
"Ancient World?" she muttered. "But… that… only…"
Her thoughts raced. Only they, the outsiders, the ones whispered about in forbidden tales, carried systems linked to the Ancient World.
And as far as she knew, only two individuals had ever crossed from the modern world into this one.
Aris and Sweety.
She narrowed her eyes, lips pressing into a thin line. "If that's true… this boy… could be connected to them."
For the first time, unease replaced curiosity. This wasn't a normal encounter. It was the beginning of something far greater.
"I need answers," she whispered, vanishing into the shadows.
Meanwhile, Sion's eyes narrowed at the approaching predator.
His system displayed countless strategies. He could reveal his true power and end the beast instantly—but no, not yet. There were eyes in the forest, and the ancient world's connection made things more complicated.
"Keep it subtle," he muttered to himself.
Without warning, he dashed sideways, using the terrain to his advantage. His small frame slipped between roots and fallen branches as the Lupine Stalker lunged.