After two days of rest, Fang Mu finally felt strong enough to hunt again. His wounds had mostly healed—only faint scratches remained where the bird's talons had grazed his back. Though his body was still sore, the burning pain was gone, replaced by a dull ache that no longer hindered his movements.
Emerging from his temporary shelter, Fang Mu took a deep breath, his throat croaking softly as he tested the air. The swamp was quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures.
With a swift push of his powerful legs, he propelled himself forward, his webbed feet gliding through the water. The surface rippled around him as he moved, his senses on high alert.
Fang Mu had no intention of becoming prey again. This time, he decided to venture into the forest rather than searching for food in the swamp.
With a powerful leap, he propelled himself forward, the damp ground beneath him shifting slightly as he landed. The air here was different—fresh, alive. Birds chirped in the canopy above, insects buzzed lazily, and the scent of verdant leaves filled his nostrils. A sense of calm washed over him, the natural harmony of the forest both soothing and invigorating.
Then, something caught his eye.
Not far ahead, a small burrow lay nestled among the roots of an ancient tree. Just outside the entrance, a beast emerged—a creature that resembled a rabbit or rodent from his past life. Its brown fur twitched as it sniffed the air, its long ears flicking at the faintest sounds.
Fang Mu's mouth curled into a silent grin. His muscles tensed with anticipation, and in his excitement, he nearly tripped over his own feet. If the mother had left to search for food, there was a good chance her offspring were still inside.
Moving with deliberate slowness, he crept through the undergrowth, his charcoal-black skin blending with the shadows. He crouched low, pressing himself against the damp earth, his eyes locked onto the burrow. Reaching the entrance, he peered inside, his keen vision adjusting to the darkness.
There they were.Four tiny creatures, pink and hairless, their eyes still sealed shut. A thrill ran through him. He needed to be quick—there was no telling when the mother would return.
With a swift, fluid motion, he lunged forward, his wide mouth engulfing two of the helpless infants in one bite. Their small, warm bodies wriggled briefly before sliding down his throat. The satisfaction was immediate—a rush of warmth and energy spreading through his limbs.
Not wasting a moment, he swallowed another. Then another.
Within seconds, the nest was empty.
Fang Mu let out a slow, satisfied breath, his hunger finally appeased. The soft crunch of twigs in the distance made him pause, his body tensing. The mother was returning?.
Licking his lips, he turned and slipped back into the undergrowth, disappearing into the burrow. He leap in fast motion. Until he was far away to the burrow.
Licking his lips, Fang Mu slipped back into the undergrowth, vanishing into the shadows. He leaped swiftly, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the burrow.
Yet, he wasn’t satisfied. His hunger gnawed at him, an insatiable craving that burned hotter with each passing moment. He didn’t know why his appetite had become so ravenous, but he didn’t care. All that mattered was finding more food.
As he bounded through the forest, a scent drifted into his nostrils—rich, intoxicating, and utterly irresistible. His entire body tensed, his limbs surging with newfound energy. Whatever was giving off that scent, it wasn’t just food—it was something extraordinary.
Driven by instinct, he followed the alluring aroma, leaping from branch to branch with increasing urgency.
Then—
BOOM!
The ground trembled beneath him, a deafening explosion tearing through the silence of the forest. Fang Mu froze, his body coiled with tension. His throat tightened.
“What was that?” he thought, his pulse quickening.
Pushing forward, he reached the source of the disturbance and peered through the foliage. His breath caught in his throat.
A young man stood in the clearing, clad in a resplendent golden robe that shimmered in the dim light. Not far from him lay a massive beast—something between a lion and a wolf, its towering form easily the size of a grown man. Blood pooled beneath its motionless body, and surrounding them were the corpses of countless other creatures, slain in battle.
Fang Mu's gaze darted past the carnage, locking onto a small herb nestled in the grass behind the fallen beast. That was it—the source of the scent that had drawn him here. Just looking at it made his body tremble with yearning.
But before he could act—
"Beast, die "The golden-robed youth’s voice rang out, calm yet commanding. With a mere flick of his wrist, razor-sharp fire spikes materialized in the air, glinting under the faint light.
Fang Mu’s eyes widened. His throat tightened as he witnessed the impossible.
Magic?
Then—
Fang Mu’s mind nearly short-circuited. The Lion beast had just shot thunder from its mouth.
“Son of a sheep,” he cursed under his breath. “That thing can throw thunder?”
This wasn’t an ordinary human. And that beast—it was no simple animal.
He was standing at the edge of something far beyond his understanding.
The lion-like beast let out a low howl , its golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
“Do you really think you can claim that Herb for yourself, beast?” the youth in the golden robe said, his voice steady and confident. “Soon enough, more beasts will arrive, drawn by its scent. And when they do, you’ll regret wasting your strength on me.”
The beast let out a deep, resonant howl that shook the air. Its golden eyes gleamed with challenge as it lunged forward, claws extended, aiming straight for the youth.
The golden-robed youth’s expression darkened. Without a word, he raised both hands, flames surging to life in his palms. With a forceful thrust, a blazing fireball shot toward the beast, illuminating the battlefield with an intense glow.
But the beast merely scoffed, its lips curling into a sneer.
"I thought you were smart," the golden robe youth retorted, his robe fluttering as he stepped forward, flames dancing in his palms. "But you're still just a beast."
Opening its massive jaws, it unleashed a crackling blast of thunder. The bolt struck the fireball midair, detonating it in a violent explosion of embers and lightning.
Fang Mu gawked, his mind reeling from the sheer power on display.
Magic?Elemental abilities?Beasts that could unleash thunder. Fang Mu's mind reeled. This world was far more dangerous—and far more fascinating—than he had ever imagined.
Fang Mu watched as the battle raged on, dust and debris swirling through the air. Explosions of fire and lightning illuminated the battlefield, casting flickering shadows across the forest floor.
Then, movement caught his eye.
Another beast, drawn by the irresistible scent of the herb, emerged from the undergrowth. It was smaller than the lion-like beast but still formidable, its eyes burning with primal hunger. Driven by instinct, it ignored the battle and rushed straight for the herb.
Fang Mu tensed.
He wasn’t the only one who wanted it.
"You overestimate yourself," the golden-robed youth said as he unleashed another fireball toward the upcoming beast.
The beast barely had time to react before the flames engulfed its body. With a final, agonized cry, it exploded into a shower of blood and charred flesh, its remains scattering across the battlefield.
The golden-robed youth soared into the air, his aura blazing like the sun. He turned his attention to the lion-like beast, his hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. Magic and thunder clashed, the explosions shaking the ground, growling and bursts of energy echoing through the forest.
Fang Mu watched, his eyes gleaming with fascination. This was power beyond anything he had ever known.
Then, his gaze shifted.
The herb.
That intoxicating aroma still filled the air, its rich scent almost overwhelming. It was the reason so many beasts had gathered here, the reason they fought so fiercely. His instincts screamed at him—if he could just get his hands on it, something incredible might happen.
His tongue flicked out, wetting his lips.
"Please, kill each other," he thought, his body tensed with anticipation.
Slowly, carefully, he crept forward, his small form hidden by the grass and undergrowth. Step by step, he edged closer to the herb, his heart pounding in his chest.
Fang Mu’s heart pounded in his chest as he crept closer to the Achilla Herb. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to seize it, to devour it before the warriors battling in the distance could take notice. The golden-robed youth and the thunder-beast clashed with such ferocity that the very air trembled with each spell cast and blow exchanged.
Flames roared, lightning crackled, and the ground itself seemed to quake beneath their might. Yet Fang Mu forced himself to remain calm.
One step at a time.
Closer.
Closer.
The herb’s scent was overwhelming now, intoxicating and almost maddening in its allure. His tongue flicked out, wetting his lips as he crouched low. His webbed fingers brushed against the damp earth, his body coiled like a spring, ready to strike.
Just a little more—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion sent a shockwave through the clearing, nearly knocking Fang Mu off his feet. He froze, his entire body tensed as dust and debris clouded the battlefield. For a brief moment, the forest fell eerily silent.
Then—
A guttural roar shattered the stillness.
The lion-beast staggered back, deep gashes seared into its hide by the youth’s relentless assault. Blood dripped from its wounds, sizzling against the scorched earth. But even in its battered state, its golden eyes burned with fury.
"You... dare...!" it growled, struggling to stay upright.
The golden-robed youth floated above the battlefield, his expression cold and unreadable. His hands crackled with residual energy, his robes barely ruffled despite the chaos. "Know your place, beast," he said icily.
Fang Mu barely heard them. His entire focus was on the herb.
Now!
With a swift movement, he darted forward, his tongue lashing out. The second it touched the herb, an electric thrill shot through his body. His muscles clenched, his vision blurred, and an indescribable heat flooded his veins.