The forest was dense, the trees towering above them, their branches entwined like a natural fortress.
The sound of the wind rustling through the leaves filled the air, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot signaled their progress.
Cronos led the way, his eyes scanning the shadows, anticipating the next threat or opportunity that might present itself.
His grip tightened around the spear in his hand, its weight comforting as it reminded him of the responsibility he carried.
He was the leader here. At least, that's what he told himself. He wasn't just some rookie tagging along with the rest.
If he couldn't take charge, if he couldn't lead them successfully through these woods, what kind of leader would he be? He had to prove to himself — and to his team — that he was worthy of their respect.
After all, a leader was only as strong as his actions, not just his words.
'How else will I level up this basic Hunting skill of mine if I can't even hunt?' Cronos thought as he moved through the trees.
The weight of his role settled on his shoulders. But he knew he couldn't let doubts linger. His mind had to stay sharp, focused.
A successful hunt meant more than just food. It was a chance to grow, to gain experience and strength — things that would make them all better in the long run.
The conversation among the Hunters had been about the types of monsters they might encounter, particularly which ones were edible.
Some monsters were not meant for consumption; there were slimes, for instance, harmless but weak, and certainly not something you'd want to put in a stew.
Still, even the most basic creatures had their value — slime cores were small, but they could be used for crafting, and crafting was a skill Cronos wanted to develop in the future.
The air shifted, and Cronos held up his hand, signaling the group to stop. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the area ahead.
There was movement, something subtle, something that didn't quite belong. The Hunters instinctively drew their weapons, the anticipation growing thick in the air.
It wasn't long before the creature revealed itself — a slime, just as Cronos had suspected. It was small, no larger than a melon, its gelatinous body shimmering slightly as it slithered across the forest floor.
The Hunters tensed, waiting for orders.
Cronos stepped forward, his expression hardening. The others held their positions, knowing their leader would handle it. He moved past them, approaching the slime with a calm, almost practiced stride.
The slime quivered slightly, its body expanding and contracting as it sensed the danger approaching. It was weak — just another target.
Without hesitation, Cronos raised his foot and kicked the slime, sending it flying through the air.
The creature collided with a nearby tree trunk, its body splattering upon impact. A small, round core was left in the wake of the destruction, its faint glow pulsing in the dim light.
The screen materialized above the core, and Cronos couldn't help but glance at it as he bent down to collect the prize.
Cronos wiped the sweat from his brow, his heartbeat steady despite the small, seemingly harmless monster.
It was brutal to destroy such a creature with so little effort, but it was part of the job. He had to think ahead — If he couldn't hunt, how could he expect to survive in this world?
As he picked up the core, another screen flashed before his eyes.
'Yes,' he thought, his voice silent in his mind. The crystal disappeared from his palm with a soft chime, and a small amount of evolution credits were credited to his account.
The thrill of the transaction was short-lived, but it was a reminder that the System had its advantages.
Even the smallest kills could contribute to his growth, and Cronos had no intention of stopping anytime soon.
A satisfied smile crept across his face. The system was reliable — always offering opportunities. He gripped his spear tighter and signaled to the Hunters, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the deeper forest.
"We need a bigger kill," Cronos said, his voice calm but firm. It was more than just a statement.
It was a rallying cry. Everyone knew what was at stake, and no one was under any illusions about the difficulty of what lay ahead. They needed to push further, to take on something more dangerous if they were to prove their worth.
The group moved in sync, the hunt becoming more intense with each step.
Cronos led them deeper into the forest, his mind whirring with strategies and possibilities. They were after something bigger now — a real challenge, one that could provide both food and the valuable experience they all needed.
As the trees grew denser and the shadows longer, Cronos kept his pace steady.
His senses were on high alert. The forest was alive with the sounds of creatures moving through it, and Cronos knew that somewhere ahead, the real challenge awaited.
It didn't take long before the group encountered another creature — this time, something larger. Cronos held up his hand to signal a stop, and the Hunters fell silent, their weapons ready.
His eyes scanned the area ahead, and then, between the trees, he saw it.
A giant boar, its tusks glistening in the low light, snuffling through the underbrush.
The creature was massive — at least three times the size of any boar Cronos had ever seen in his past life. Its dark eyes locked onto them, and it grunted, a low, threatening sound that sent a ripple of unease through the group.
This wasn't a slime. This was a real monster, one that would put up a fight.
Cronos gripped his spear with both hands, his heart racing, but his expression remained calm. This was what they'd been waiting for. This was their moment.
"Ready yourselves," he whispered, his voice low but urgent. "This one's not going down easy."
The Hunters tightened their grips on their weapons, preparing for the fight of their lives. Cronos stepped forward, and the hunt began in earnest.