Raze stirred awake, his body aching from the cold, hard cave floor. The lingering fog of exhaustion clouded his mind, but it wasn't what made his breath catch in his throat.
Warm, damp air brushed against his face, accompanied by a low, guttural growl. Slowly, his eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering into the cave.
A creature loomed just centimeters away, its snout twitching as it sniffed the air.
The beast was unlike anything he had seen before. Its sleek, black fur gleamed faintly in the dim light, rippling over powerful muscles. Its feline frame was lean yet intimidating, with sharp claws clicking softly against the rocky ground. Raze's gaze drifted to its face—gleaming yellow eyes, slitted pupils scanning the air with an eerie focus, and rows of small, needle-like teeth bared slightly as it exhaled.
His heart pounded so loudly he was sure the creature would hear it. Every instinct screamed at him to scream or bolt, but he bit his lip hard enough to draw blood, forcing himself to stay still.
The beast sniffed again, its nose hovering dangerously close to his chest. It seemed to be searching for something, confused by the anomaly in its cave.
The mud and grime caked over Raze's body masked his scent, blending him with the earth and stones. Slowly, as if losing interest, the creature growled softly and backed away. Its movements were cautious yet calculated, like a predator not fully convinced of its safety.
Raze watched, unmoving, as the beast crept out of the cave. It paused briefly at the entrance, its sharp ears twitching at the slightest sound, then vanished into the forest.
He exhaled shakily, his fingers twitching as he released the dagger he had unconsciously gripped. The faint shimmer of his invisibility flickered as his power reserves waned.
"A Stage-1 beast," he muttered, the tremor in his voice betraying his fear. He had seen enough to recognize its level from its size and demeanor, but the encounter was far too close for comfort.
Pulling himself to his feet, Raze leaned against the cave wall, his breath still ragged. He wiped his sweat-soaked brow, his mind racing.
"I can't keep running. If I don't eat soon, I'll collapse before anything else kills me."
He knew he was low on rations, and the only viable option was to hunt. His gaze shifted toward the cave entrance, where faint claw marks etched into the dirt reminded him of the creature's recent presence.
"I'll track it," he decided, gripping his knife tightly. His invisibility flickered again, a grim reminder of how little energy he had left.
Stepping cautiously outside, Raze scanned the forest floor for tracks. The beast's paw prints were unmistakable—deep impressions in the soft soil, leading away from the cave.
The trail was easy to follow, winding through the dense forest until it opened into a small clearing. The glimmer of sunlight reflected off a serene lake, its surface rippling gently in the breeze.
Raze crouched behind a bush, watching as the beast padded to the water's edge. It lowered its head, lapping at the water with quick, precise movements.
"Now or never," Raze whispered, his grip tightening on the knife.
He waited until the beast finished drinking and began to turn away from the lake, its head lowered in momentary relaxation. Summoning every ounce of resolve, Raze crept closer, his footsteps silent against the forest floor.
As the beast passed by his hiding spot, he struck.
In one swift motion, he drove his knife deep into the creature's neck, feeling the blade pierce through flesh and muscle. The beast let out a bloodcurdling screech, thrashing wildly as its blood sprayed onto the forest floor.
It writhed in agony, unable to see or comprehend what had attacked it. Invisible and merciless, Raze twisted the knife, ensuring the wound was fatal. Within moments, the beast's movements slowed, its life ebbing away until it collapsed in a lifeless heap.
Raze staggered back, his invisibility finally fading as exhaustion overwhelmed him. Eight hours of constant use had drained him completely, leaving him vulnerable.
He knelt beside the carcass, his breath labored. "I can't take all of this," he muttered, slicing away chunks of meat with practiced efficiency. Carrying the entire beast would attract attention, and he wasn't about to risk another encounter in his weakened state.
Wrapping the meat in strips of cloth, he carefully avoided the bloodied trail left behind. He moved deeper into the forest, finding a small, isolated clearing surrounded by thick underbrush.
There, he gathered dry branches and kindling, igniting a small fire. The smoke was faint in the daylight, unlikely to draw unwanted attention.
The smell of cooking meat filled the air, and Raze's stomach growled in anticipation. He ate cautiously, savoring each bite while keeping his senses on high alert.
As the warmth of the fire seeped into his bones and the food replenished his strength, Raze's resolve hardened.