Ryuga adjusted the makeshift bandage on Kaira's arm as they trudged through the dense forest, the tension between them heavier than the humid air. The encounter with the Gorgodile had shaken them, not just because of its ferocity, but because it had exposed how little they knew about the dangers lurking in the wilderness.
"You sure you're okay?" Ryuga asked, glancing at Kaira.
"I told you, I'll be fine," she replied curtly, her tone masking the obvious pain in her voice.
Jin, walking slightly ahead, kicked a fallen branch out of his path. "Fine or not, we've got bigger problems. What was that thing, and how many more of them are out here?"
"Gorgodile," Kaira said. "Rare, but not unheard of. Apex predator, usually solitary. Its territory probably covers miles of this forest."
"That's not exactly comforting," Jin muttered.
Ryuga hesitated, then asked, "Why didn't anyone warn us about these things? I thought the Seeker Exam was about dealing with other candidates, not surviving against monsters."
Kaira stopped walking and turned to face him, her sharp eyes locking onto his. "Do you think becoming a Seeker is just about fighting people? If you can't handle the world's dangers, you'll never survive as one."
"I get that," Ryuga said, his voice firm. "But that thing wasn't normal. I've seen wolves and bears, but nothing like that. What are these creatures, and why are they here?"
Kaira stared at him for a moment before sighing. "You really don't know, do you?"
Ryuga shook his head. "I've lived in a village my whole life. We don't see... things like that."
"Alright," Kaira said, leaning against a tree. "Let me explain. The creatures you've seen—like the Gorgodile—are called 'Chimera Beasts.' They're hybrids, born from environments saturated with Rynt energy. Some people think they're natural mutations, while others believe they're remnants of an ancient experiment gone wrong. Either way, they're real, and they're deadly."
"Wait," Jin said, raising a hand. "Rynt can create monsters?"
"Not exactly," Kaira replied. "Rynt is everywhere—in the air, the earth, even in us. In places where it's especially concentrated, like this forest, it can cause... changes. Creatures living in these areas adapt over generations, merging traits from different species to survive. That's how you get things like the Gorgodile."
Ryuga frowned. "So, these beasts are a byproduct of the world's energy?"
"More or less," Kaira said. "And the stronger the Rynt in an area, the stronger the beasts. That's why places like this are dangerous. It's not just about the other candidates—it's about proving you can handle the world's chaos."
The group continued walking, the canopy above them thickening until only slivers of sunlight pierced through. The forest was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of birds and insects absent.
"Are there more types of Chimera Beasts?" Ryuga asked after a long silence.
Kaira nodded. "Dozens, maybe hundreds. Some are as small as dogs; others are as big as houses. The Gorgodile is dangerous, but it's far from the worst."
"Great," Jin muttered. "Can't wait to meet one of those."
"Most Seekers spend their careers avoiding them," Kaira said. "But some specialize in hunting them. Chimera Beasts are valuable. Their hides, claws, venom—all of it can be sold for a fortune. But you need skill and experience to take one down and survive."
Ryuga glanced at her. "You seem to know a lot about them. Have you hunted one before?"
Kaira's expression darkened. "Once. It didn't go well."
Jin raised an eyebrow but didn't press further.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the group found a small stream and decided to rest. Ryuga filled his canteen, the cool water offering a momentary reprieve from the oppressive heat.
"Do you think the Chimera Beasts were always part of this world?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Kaira, sitting nearby and sharpening her dagger, shrugged. "Depends on who you ask. Some scholars believe they're ancient, older than humans. Others think they're a product of Rynt exposure over thousands of years. Either way, they've been around long enough to become part of the ecosystem."
Ryuga thought about his village, nestled in a quiet valley far from places like this. The idea of creatures like the Gorgodile existing out there felt almost surreal.
"Why doesn't anyone talk about them?" he asked. "You'd think something that dangerous would be common knowledge."
"Because most people don't leave their safe little bubbles," Kaira said bluntly. "They stay in their villages, towns, and cities, far from places like this. The world they know is small, and they're happy keeping it that way."
"But Seekers aren't like that," Ryuga said, more to himself than to her.
"No," Kaira agreed. "Seekers are different. We're the ones who go beyond the boundaries, who see the world for what it really is—monsters and all."
Jin chuckled dryly. "Great sales pitch. Really makes me want to pass this exam."
As night fell, they built a small fire and huddled around it, the flickering flames casting long shadows on the trees.
"What do you think we'll face next?" Ryuga asked, his voice low.
Kaira glanced at him. "If we're lucky, just other candidates. If not..."
"More Chimera Beasts," Jin finished grimly.
Ryuga stared into the fire, his thoughts racing. The world was far bigger—and far more dangerous—than he'd ever imagined. But despite the fear gnawing at the edges of his mind, he felt something else growing inside him: determination.
The Seeker Exam wasn't just a test of strength or cunning. It was a trial by fire, a chance to prove he could survive in a world full of chaos and danger. And Ryuga was determined to see it through to the end.