From atop the tree, I was still enjoying the view when suddenly—
The sky darkened.
No, not because of clouds.
I looked up. And what I saw stole the breath from my lungs.
An eagle.
But not an ordinary eagle. This one... was massive.
Its body stood at least five meters tall comparable to a large truck upright. Its wingspan stretched over ten meters, like a shadow ready to swallow the sky.
Its feathers shimmered with deep black and hints of violet, and its eyes—two glowing red orbs—locked onto me.
I froze.
"Oh... Shi...." I muttered inwardly.
Before I could even move, those iron-like talons struck.
Snap!
I was trapped within its grip. Strong. Unbreakable with normal force. Its claws clamped down on my shoulders like a steel trap, giving me no room to resist.
My body lifted off the ground. Wind lashed against my face and hair as it took off—diving once, then soaring high into the sky.
I was being taken away.
From above, the trees looked like bushes. The earth became a dark green blur. The world shrank beneath me. The air grew colder.
I couldn't move.
Not because of fear, but because it all happened too fast.
That eagle... was too big and too dominant.
Was this a Rank 2 mutant beast? Or higher? I couldn't even guess. The aura it radiated sent my instincts screaming—survive.
And then—for the first time in a while—the system voice returned.
[QUEST SYSTEM ACTIVE]
Title: Evolution Hunt
Description: Kill 100 Rank 2 Mutant Beasts within 7 days.
Reward: Active Skill – Appraisal.
Note: Failing to complete this quest will erase any future related quests.
Remaining Time: 168 Hours.
I froze.
"WHAT?!"
I screamed internally. Not because of how hard the quest was, but…
Look at me now!
I didn't even know where this eagle was taking me. Didn't know if I was going to be its lunch or just tossed from the sky for fun.
And now the system gives me my first quest?
Excellent timing, System… truly impeccable…
I sighed, resigned.
But not completely.
I began analyzing. Its grip—strong, but maybe I could break free using Razor Toxic Claw on the joints between its talons. But if I fell from this height I'd be shattered.
My HP was full. But from hundreds of meters in the air? It might not be enough.
Not to mention if it attacks while I'm falling…
I needed to wait for the right moment.
Wait… and learn more about this creature.
If I could survive this, then the system's hunt wouldn't be a dream. I might even level up faster.
But first… I had to escape from this giant bird's claws.
I strained my neck to move, trying to look around. Wind roared against my face, whipping my hair wildly.
The scenery below began to change.
No longer thick forests, but jagged cliffs and wide valleys. It looked like the eagle was heading to its nest perhaps a rocky area, or a cave it called home.
I suspected… I was about to become its lunch.
But then my eyes caught something.
Below, near the cliffside, a herd of mutant deer with four-branched antlers. On the other side a six-eyed bear dragging the carcass of a mutant wolf.
In other words…
This was a hunting ground.
And maybe the eagle wouldn't kill me right away.
Maybe, it would just drop me into the middle of the field.