The next morning, under the pale light of dawn, the hunters of the tribe moved through the valley, gathering the bodies of the fallen snow apes. Their breath curled in the crisp air as they worked, piling the creatures together, the remnants of the fierce battle from the night before. Blood stained the once-pristine snow, a stark reminder of the tribe's struggle and victory.
Not far from where the bodies were gathered, a duel was about to begin.
Ajis and Al stood opposite each other, their feet firmly planted in the snow. The others formed a loose circle around them, watching in silence. Al had stepped into the Spirit Blood Hunter realm just hours ago, his strength surging to a new level with the arrival of dawn. Now, he needed to understand and control his newfound power.
Ajis, already experienced in the realm, had agreed to help. He would defend, letting Al go on the offensive. They would use only the claw technique—testing precision, speed, and mastery over their movements.
Al exhaled, steadying himself. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, he lunged forward, his fingers curling into claws, aiming for Ajis' shoulder.
Al lunged, his fingers curled into claws, striking toward Ajis' shoulder. His movements were fast but raw, his newfound strength still unfamiliar to him. Ajis shifted his stance slightly, raising his arm just enough to redirect the attack, deflecting Al's strike with practiced ease.
Al did not stop. Stepping forward, he twisted his body and swiped again, aiming for Ajis' ribs. His claws whistled through the air, but once more, Ajis deflected the attack, moving just enough to avoid being struck while keeping his footing firm.
The onlookers watched in silence, studying the exchange. Al's attacks carried power, but Ajis' defense was effortless. He moved with fluid precision, never wasting energy, never reacting too much.
Al growled in frustration. He stepped back, adjusting his breathing, and then launched a flurry of strikes—left, right, an upward slash, followed by a downward claw. His attacks became sharper, his movements quicker. But Ajis remained calm, evading each strike, shifting just beyond Al's reach.
Sweat formed on Al's brow despite the cold air. He gritted his teeth and took a deep breath, recalling what he had observed from Ajis during the battle against the snow apes. He adjusted his stance and attacked again, this time focusing not just on speed but control.
Ajis finally smiled as he noticed the change. Al's strikes were no longer wild but calculated. He still blocked every attack, but Al was improving with each exchange.
The duel continued, Al growing steadier, his movements becoming sharper. Though Ajis still dominated the fight, it was clear—Al was learning. His control was improving, and his attacks becoming refined.
Ajis nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, again."
Ajis, feeling no pressure from Al alone, decided to test himself further. He glanced around the training ground, his gaze settling on the three other hunters who had advanced at dawn. Their eyes burned with excitement and determination, their bodies brimming with newfound strength.
"Come," Ajis called, his voice firm. "Join Al and attack me together."
The three hunters exchanged glances before stepping forward. They took their stances, their fingers curling into claws, ready to test their strength against the strongest among them.
As soon as Ajis nodded, they lunged. Al struck first, aiming for his side, while the others came from different angles, attempting to overwhelm him. But Ajis moved with newfound sharpness, weaving between their attacks with effortless grace.
His strength had doubled since mastering the first part of the claw technique. Before, he had relied on instinct and raw force, but now, every movement was precise. He was faster, stronger, and more efficient. And now, with the second part of the technique at his disposal, he had an even greater edge.
Instead of simply defending, Ajis used this fight as a chance to refine his mastery. He countered their strikes with the second part of the claw technique, testing its movements against live opponents. His claws moved in unpredictable arcs, striking pressure points, locking joints, and redirecting their momentum.
For the first time, Al and the others felt the true gap between them and Ajis. Even though they fought together, they couldn't overpower him. Every time they thought they had an opening, he countered seamlessly, pushing them back with a smirk.
Still, they did not back down. They kept attacking, pushing their limits, forcing Ajis to sharpen his skills even further.
As Ajis continued to spar with Al and the others, more hunters gathered around, watching intently. They observed the sharpness of the movements, the fluidity of the counterattacks, and the sheer effectiveness of the claw technique in combat. The realization struck them all at once—this was the best way to learn.
Without hesitation, the remaining hunters split into groups, pairing off or forming small teams to duel against each other. They fought only using the claw technique, forcing themselves to rely solely on its movements, refining their skills through actual combat.
The training ground soon became a flurry of motion. Clawed hands clashed, swift dodges were met with sudden counters, and bursts of energy surged through the warriors as they adapted to the flow of battle. Some stumbled at first, their forms sloppy, but the longer they fought, the sharper their movements became. Every exchange allowed them to learn from their mistakes, their bodies gradually memorizing the rhythm of the technique.
"Again!" one hunter shouted, breathing heavily as he wiped sweat from his forehead, stepping back into his stance.
"Faster this time!" another urged, pressing his opponent to react quicker.
The sound of feet shuffling in the snow, the occasional grunt of exertion, and the sharp crack of blows landing filled the air. The morning sun cast long shadows across the field, highlighting the intense atmosphere.
Ajis, sparring against four opponents now, glanced around with satisfaction. The entire tribe had turned the training ground into a battlefield of discipline and growth. The claw technique was no longer just a technique—it was becoming second nature to them all.
And in the heart of it, warriors were being forged.
The clashes of clawed hands and the sound of heavy breaths filled the training ground until a sudden commotion broke through.
"Everyone Elder, ask all of you to return to the tribe!" a child's voice rang out, cutting through the air.
Heads turned as a group of children sprinted toward them, their faces flushed with excitement. "The totem rewarded us with another technique!" one of them shouted, nearly stumbling in his haste.
The warriors exchanged glances, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten. A new technique?
Ajis exhaled sharply, lowering his stance. Around him, the other hunters did the same, curiosity lighting up their faces. The claw technique had already shown its worth—another technique could only mean further growth and more strength for the tribe.
Without another word, they followed the children back toward the heart of the tribe, their training left behind for now. The snow beneath their feet crunched as they moved, the air thick with anticipation.
Whatever the totem had granted them, it would change the tribe's future once again.