The air crackled with tension. Kieran forced himself upright, every breath sending knives through his ribs. His system still flickered with damage reports, but his focus stayed on the battle before him.
Elias moved like a shadow, weaving through the Apex Predator's monstrous strikes. Claws that could shear stone barely grazed his coat. He wasn't just dodging—he was toying with it.
The creature roared, its massive form twisting unnaturally. Then it changed.
Its sinewy muscles bulged, skin shifting like liquid shadow. Its maw widened, and its tail, once thick and club-like, split into razor-edged tendrils. It had adapted mid-fight.
Kieran's blood turned cold.
It's learning…
Elias stilled, his golden eyes narrowing. "Interesting."
The Predator lunged, its speed doubling. Elias was no longer untouchable.
A claw tore through the air, forcing him back. The creature struck again, its tendrils whipping out. This time, Elias barely avoided them.
Kieran clenched his fists. Even he's struggling now…?
Then his gaze shifted—past the combat. Something moved in the shadows.
A second presence. Lurking. Waiting.
Kieran's instincts screamed.
Without thinking, he pushed himself forward, ignoring his body's protests. The second creature pounced from the darkness, a blur of teeth and hunger—straight for Elias's blind spot.
Kieran didn't think. He acted.
He grabbed a jagged stone and hurled it with all his might. It wasn't precise. It wasn't strong. But it was enough.
The rock struck the ambusher's eye, making it shriek and misstep. Elias vanished—and reappeared behind it.
With a single motion, his knife tore through its skull.
The creature collapsed. Silent.
Elias exhaled, gaze flicking to Kieran. A glint of something—approval? Amusement?—flashed before vanishing.
Then, with terrifying ease, he turned back to the Apex Predator and ended it.
A single slash.
A soundless moment.
Then its massive form crumbled, lifeless.
The cavern stilled.
Kieran's legs wobbled, exhaustion swallowing him whole.
Elias approached, sheathing his blade. He crouched, looking Kieran over. Not with concern. With evaluation.
"Not bad," he muttered. "You noticed."
Kieran coughed. "Yeah. No thanks to you."
Elias smirked. "You're learning."
Then his expression darkened. "But tell me, Kieran—what did you learn?"
Kieran hesitated. His mind replayed the battle—the Predator's adaptation, the hidden ambusher, Elias's ruthless efficiency.
What was the lesson?
His throat felt dry. He answered.
Elias listened.
Then, without warning—he struck.
Kieran barely caught the motion before pain exploded across his chest. He crashed to the ground, gasping.
"You're wrong," Elias said coolly. "Learn faster."
Kieran groaned, but his mind spun, searching—what had he missed?
But before he could ask, a distant howl echoed through the tunnels.
Not a beast. Not a predator.
Something worse.
Elias stood, cracking his neck. "We need to move."
Kieran gritted his teeth and forced himself up. No time for pain.
Because in the Abyss, the real hunt had just begun.