Fang Mu rested in the nest, his eyes fixed on the Acdilla Herb. Its green and violet hues shimmered faintly under the dim light filtering through the leaves. He sniffed it, and the rich aroma sent a surge of energy through his body.
"I don’t know why those people were willing to fight a beast for this herb, but my instincts tell me this herb it’s valuable," he muttered.
Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and swallowed it whole. Then, he waited.
Seconds passed. Then minutes.
Nothing happen.
"Is that all?" he thought, disappointment creeping in.
Fang Mu remained still in his nest, his eyes narrowing in disappointment.
"Was I wrong?" he muttered, glancing around as if expecting something to change.
But just as the doubt settled in his mind, a sudden heat flared in his stomach. It spread like wildfire, surging through his veins and radiating to every inch of his body. His muscles tensed, his vision blurred, and his skin—it felt like it was burning from the inside out.
"What the fuck?! What’s happening? Is this poison?" he panicked as the scorching sensation intensified, twisting and searing through him. 
He thrashed wildly, his body convulsing as he tried to spit out what he had swallowed—but it was too late.
"Fuck…" he gasped, his vision spinning. Then, darkness swallowed him whole— he pass out.
Unbeknownst to him, his body was undergoing a profound transformation. His slimy green skin began to shed, peeling away like old bark from a tree. Beneath it, a new layer formed—tougher, darker, shifting from green to a deep, earthy brown.
Then, slowly, something impossible happened.
From his sides, small bumps emerged, twitching and stretching. They grew longer, the skin splitting open as two fully-formed arms began to take shape. Fingers twitched as nerves connected, the once helpless frog now evolving into something more.
Fang Mu remained unconscious, unaware that his body was no longer just that of a simple toad. 
AT THE GATE OF ISHORA VILLAGE
Two robed youths stood at the entrance of Ishora Village, their presence exuding a mysterious yet captivating aura. They were Jerome and Shelly.
"Open the gate," ordered one of the hunter patrol guards upon noticing the two visitors.
Then, turning to his companion, he added, "And notify Elder Gido."
With a deep creaking sound, the heavy wooden gates slowly swung open. As Jerome and Shelly stepped inside, the hunter patrol greeted them with a respectful bow.
"Sir Jerome, Miss Shelly, you may enter now. I will personally escort you to Elder Gido," the guard said politely.
"Thank you," Jerome replied with a nod.
As they strode through the village, a strange unease settles over Jerome. Something felt off. His sharp eyes carefully scanned the surroundings, taking in every detail—the familiar streets, the same old houses, and the villagers going about their day.
"Nothing has changed but why I felt something off," he muttered under his breath, yet the feeling of unease only grew stronger.
Shelly, on the other hand, took a moment to observe the surroundings. "At least your villagers look happy," she remarked.
However, Jerome’s frown deepened as he caught sight of the villagers’ weary and lifeless expressions. "No… something is wrong here."
"You’re right," their escort chimed in. "A lot has happened since you left."
Shelly turned to the guard, curiosity evident in her gaze. "Really? What happened?"
The hunter patrol let out a heavy sigh, sadness flickering in his eyes. "You’ll learn everything once you speak with Elder Gido. He’ll explain everything in his office."
Jerome’s frown didn’t ease. Something troubling was brewing in the village.
AT THE VILLAGE SECOND FLOOR IN ELDER GIDO OFFICE
Jerome and Shelly entered the modest yet dignified office of Elder Gido, the village’s respected leader. The elderly man sat behind his wooden desk, his tired eyes lighting up as he saw them.
"How have you been, Elder Gido?" Jerome asked.
Elder Gido let out a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. "It’s good… It’s good that you’re here," he said, his voice carrying both weariness and gratitude. "And you too, Shelly."
"It’s nice to see you again, Elder Gido," Shelly said warmly, bowing her head in respect.
Elder Gido nodded at her before settling back in his chair, his expression turning serious.
Jerome’s eyes narrowed as he faced Elder Gido. "Elder, can you tell me what happened? Why do the villagers look so bleak? The hunter patrol mentioned that a lot has happened recently."
Elder Gido let out a deep sigh, his face etched with exhaustion. He leaned forward, resting his hands on the wooden desk before him.
Elder Gido’s voice was heavy with sorrow.
"A terrible series of events struck our village in the past few days ago. a beast entered our village and killed Tino’s livestock. I don't know how that beast managed to enter our village without being noticed."
He paused for a moment, his gaze lowering. "And then another event happened— A beast—fierce and merciless—rampaged through the hunter's camp. It broke through our defenses."
Jerome’s expression darkened. "And the hunters? Were there any casualties?"
Elder Gido shook his head slowly. "No casualties… but the worst loss wasn’t just the livestock." His voice grew heavier. "One of our young trainees met a tragic end. It was an accident, but it has shaken the entire village. Especially with the mysterious deaths of two unknown individuals."
Shelly’s eyes widened slightly. "An accident? What exactly happened?"
Elder Gido exhaled slowly, pain evident in his expression. "During the chaos, the trainee was killed… by an Antilla."
"An Antilla?" Jerome repeated, his eyes narrowing. He knew that an Antilla was a high-tier enchanted beast—one so powerful that even elite hunters struggled to take it down.
But what troubled him the most was how such a beast was still alive in the forest.
Didn’t the High Caster already clear the area? Jerome thought, his mind racing. The enchanted beasts had been hunted down long ago—or so he had believed. If an Antilla had appeared now, something was seriously wrong.
Elder Gido nodded grimly. "Yes. The beast went on a rampage, wreaking havoc on the camp. We were lucky—our ballista managed to drive it away before it caused further destruction."
Silence filled the room, thick with unease. Jerome clenched his fists. He had only just returned, but trouble was already stirring in Ishora.
Shelly crossed her arms and looked at Elder Gido. "Tell me, Elder, did the Antilla die from the ballista strike?"
Elder Gido shook his head. "No, it didn’t. It was severely injured, but before we could reload another shot, it managed to flee."
"I see," Shelly said, her expression unreadable.
Elder Gido sighed, rubbing his temples. "You’ve probably noticed how heavy the atmosphere is."
"If only you knew," he muttered.
Jerome straightened, his voice firm. "Don’t worry, Elder Gido. We’ll help. We actually came here to gather ingredients for our master, but if I have the time, I’ll take care of the beasts troubling the village."
"Really? That’s great news, Jerome!" Elder Gido said, his face brightening.
"By the way, if you're going to hunt, I suggest you prioritize Three-Eyed Toads."
Jerome frowned. "Three-Eyed Toads? Why? They’re just low-tier pests."
Elder Gido’s expression darkened. "Because none of this would have happened if not for them."
Jerome raised a brow. "Are you saying the Three-Eyed Toads caused all this? What does this have to do with Tino’s livestock?"
Elder Gido sighed again. "The beast that killed Tino’s livestock? Tino swears it was a Three-Eyed Toad. And do you remember the trainee’s death? It wouldn't have happened if I hadn’t ordered the hunters to exterminate the toads in the forest."
He clenched his fists. "This is all my fault. Everything that happened—it was because of my decision."
"Don’t say that, Elder Gido," Jerome said firmly. "It was an accident. You couldn’t have predicted this."
Beside him, Shelly nodded in agreement. "You did what you thought was best for the village."
Elder Gido sighed in relief. "Thank you…" he muttered.
Then, Jerome smirked slightly. "By the way, I have some unfinished business with those Three-Eyed Toads."
Elder Gido raised a brow. "Oh? And why is that?"
Shelly grinned mischievously. "Because Jerome was outsmarted and robbed by one. It stole an Acdilla Herb from him."
Elder Gido blinked. "Seriously? An Acdilla Herb?"
Jerome scowled. "I wasn’t outsmarted—I was just busy fighting a Thunder Lion!"
"You mean an infant Thunder Lion," Shelly teased, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Even if it’s an infant, it can still kill a caster," Jerome shot back, crossing his arms.
Shelly chuckled. "Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that."
"That was true," Jerome scoffed.
Elder Gido chuckled before laughing at their banter. "Ah, youngsters… it’s good to be young."
"Anyway, if you ever need anything, don’t be shy, to ask" Elder Gido said warmly.
"Thank you, Elder Gido," Shelly said with a polite smile.
Jerome nodded, a small smile on his face.
"Good," Elder Gido said with a nod. "You are dismissed. You may leave now—I know you all miss your families. Go and reunite with them."
"Thank you, Elder," Jerome said, bowing respectfully.
Shelly followed suit, lowering her head in gratitude before they turned to leave.
The moment Jerome stepped out of the office, a cheerful voice greeted him.
"Big brother!"
A young girl ran up to him, her face beaming with joy.
"Elma," Jerome said with a warm smile.
Elma threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"Hello, big sister Shelly!" she chirped.
"Hello too, Elma," Shelly responded, smiling softly.
Before Jerome could say anything else, a deep, familiar voice called out to him.
"Jerome."
He turned and saw a middle-aged man approaching—his father, Yato.
"Father," Jerome said, stepping forward and embracing him.
"Uncle," Shelly greeted with a respectful bow.
Yato nodded at her with a smile. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet," Jerome admitted.
"Then come. I’ve prepared something for you," Yato said, gesturing toward their home.
As they walked, Elma tugged on Jerome’s sleeve eagerly. "Big brother, tell me a story again!"
Jerome chuckled, patting her head. "Of course. But first, let’s eat."
Elma grinned and nodded excitedly.