A Predator's Gaze
The moment Adam heard the deep, guttural growl, he knew he wasn't the most dangerous thing in the forest. Something was hunting him.
He had fought goblins before—mutants even—but this was different. The air grew heavy, filled with the raw scent of blood and primal rage. Leaves rustled, branches cracked, and the ground trembled beneath approaching footfalls.
Adam turned slowly, gripping his Bloodfang Dagger tightly. His heart pounded—not from fear, but from instinct, sharpened by the Adaptive Combat Instincts he had absorbed.
Then, the monster stepped into view.
A Crimson Fang Bear—but not just any. An Alpha.
Twelve feet tall, shoulders wide as a warhorse, muscles coiled like steel cables. Its fur was thick, dark, and coarse, but its jagged fangs glowed with an eerie red energy, crackling with power. Its eyes burned like molten embers, locked onto Adam with unwavering hunger.
[Crimson Fang Bear – Alpha]
[Rank: B]
[Threat Level: Extremely Dangerous]
[Abilities: Titan Strength | Blood Frenzy | Regenerative Hide]
Adam's breath hitched.
This thing wasn't just strong—it was a walking disaster.
Even a squad of trained knights would struggle against it. And he was alone.
The First Clash
The Crimson Fang Bear didn't hesitate. It charged—faster than any beast its size should be able to move.
Adam barely reacted in time. He dove sideways, rolling just as massive claws tore through the space he had occupied.
The ground shattered beneath the force of the bear's attack. Rocks and dirt sprayed outward like an explosion. If that had hit him directly, he would've been ripped in half.
Adam landed on his feet, dagger ready, his mind racing. He couldn't take it head-on.
His best option? Wear it down. Make it bleed. Force its regeneration to its limits.
The bear roared again and lunged, swiping with claws longer than swords. Adam weaved between its attacks, his enhanced reflexes barely keeping up.
Then, an opening.
He dashed forward and drove Bloodfang Dagger deep into its side. The blade sank into thick flesh, its vampiric energy drinking the bear's blood.
But the effect was slow—too slow.
[Warning: Bloodfang's Absorption Rate Too Weak]
Adam's eyes widened. The Crimson Fang Bear's regeneration was counteracting the dagger's effect!
Before he could react, the bear twisted, throwing him off with a violent swipe.
CRACK.
Pain exploded in Adam's ribs as he slammed into a tree. His vision blurred, breath knocked from his lungs. He hit the ground hard, rolling before pushing himself up.
Blood dripped from his mouth. One hit. That was all it took.
And the bear was already charging again.
Adapting Mid-Battle
Adam forced himself to think.
His Bloodfang Dagger wasn't enough. He needed something stronger—something that could negate the bear's regeneration.
I have to forge a new weapon. Now.
His mind flashed back to the battle with the goblins—how he had refined materials and created Bloodfang mid-fight.
Could he do it again?
Adam gritted his teeth.
[Activate Material Refinement]
A glow surrounded his hands. He reached into his inventory, pulling out Mutation Stone shards, fragments from the goblins, and pieces of rock from the battlefield.
[Refining Materials…]
[New Material Acquired: Stone Shrapnel (Infused)]
His instincts screamed as the bear lunged again.
Adam had no time to dodge. Instead, he threw himself forward, sliding beneath the bear's attack. As he passed under its belly, he slashed with his dagger, carving a deep wound.
The beast howled in fury, but Adam wasn't done.
[Blueprint Creation: Stone Grenade]
[Description: A small explosive made of refined Mutation Stone essence, designed to paralyze enemies briefly.]
[Forging…]
Within seconds, a small, pulsing orb appeared in his hand—a crude but effective grenade.
This was it.
The bear turned toward him, fangs bared, and charged.
Adam waited. One second. Two seconds.
Then, at the perfect moment—
He threw the grenade directly into its mouth.
BOOM!
A controlled explosion rocked the area. Blue energy surged through the bear's body, temporarily locking its muscles.
It was stunned.
Adam didn't hesitate. He dashed forward, climbing onto its back, gripping his dagger in both hands.
Then, he drove it straight into the back of its skull.
The bear let out a final, deafening roar, its body convulsing.
For a moment, Adam thought it was over.
Then—the Crimson Fang Bear's body surged with a violent, desperate energy.
Its Blood Frenzy activated.
[Warning: Enemy entering Berserk Mode!]
The bear's muscles bulged, its wounds beginning to close even faster. Its eyes glowed brighter, its rage turning it into an unstoppable force.
Forging the Final Blow
Adam had no time to hesitate.
I need something stronger. A weapon that can finish it.
[Blueprint Creation: Bloodforged Blade]
[Description: A dagger enhanced with a direct counter to regenerative abilities, created using the blood and essence of the Crimson Fang Bear.]
[Forging…]
A pulse of energy surrounded him. His Bloodfang Dagger melted, reshaping into something larger, deadlier.
When the glow faded, he held his new weapon—a crimson dagger with black veins pulsing along its blade.
[Weapon Created: Bloodforged Dagger]
- Rank: B+
- Effect: Any wound inflicted negates regeneration and amplifies bleeding.
Adam gripped it tightly.
The bear roared and charged again, but this time—
Adam didn't dodge.
He ran straight toward it.
At the last moment, he ducked beneath its attack and plunged the dagger deep into its chest—right where its heart beat strongest.
The bear froze.
Then, it collapsed.
The massive body hit the ground, twitching. Blood poured from the wound, but this time—it wasn't healing.
The Bloodforged Dagger had ended its regeneration completely.
Adam stood over the corpse, breathing hard, heart still racing.
Then—his Omniforge System flickered.
[Skill Absorption Activated]
[New Abilities Acquired: Titan Strength | Blood Frenzy | Enhanced Regeneration]
Power surged through Adam's body.
His muscles burned, his vision sharpened, and his bones felt like they were being reforged from the inside out.
When it was over, he stood taller, stronger.
And he knew—he had changed.
I was prey before. Now, I am the predator.
The Reward of Victory
[Quest Complete: Trial of the Predator]
[System Expansion Unlocked: Hidden World Construction Available]
Adam's breath hitched. The Hidden World…
[Would you like to activate your Hidden World?]
A slow grin spread across his face.
Not yet.
He had won this battle, but this was just the beginning.
Now, he had to decide his next step.
End of Chapter 3
Next Chapter: The Awakening of the Hidden World.