Unbeknownst to them, Fang Mu stood in the shadows, watching as the hunters departed. His sharp eyes followed their every movement, from the way they dragged the cart carrying their fallen comrades to the hurried steps of those still standing.
A wicked grin crept onto his lips.
"Damn… what a great show," he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with delight. His heart pounded—not with fear or sympathy, but with sheer excitement.
Never in his previous life had he witnessed something like this. A real battle, raw and merciless, where survival hung by a thread. The sight of bloodied bodies, the tension in the air, the struggle between life and death—it was intoxicating.
He licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with an insatiable hunger for more.
"The core that can help me evolve into a magical beast?" Fang Mu smirked, his three eyes glinting with anticipation.
"If that core really has the power to push me to the next level… now that would be interesting." His mouth watered at the thought, his mind already spinning with possibilities.
Fang Mu wanted that core. Even if it was only a semi-core, there was a chance—however small—that it could accelerate his evolution. But just as he was about to make a move, he watched as Jerome swiftly stuffed the core into a strange pouch.
Fang Mu's excitement turned to frustration. Damn. With so many hunters surrounding Jerome, the odds were against him. Even if he managed to take down five, the others would overwhelm him in an instant.
Reluctantly, he clenched his tiny fists and pushed the thought aside. Not now.
For now, he would wait if there a chance in the future he wouldn't hesitate anymore.
And as the hunters disappeared into the distance, Fang Mu remained still, savoring the thrill that pulsed through his veins.
After a few minutes, Fang Mu finally turned away. The excitement still lingered in his chest, but another pressing urge overtook it—hunger.
For some reason, his appetite had grown stronger than before. It gnawed at his stomach, more intense than anything he had felt in his past life. Why am I this hungry? he briefly wondered. But he quickly dismissed the thought.
Right now, only one thing mattered—finding food.
Without hesitation, he slipped into the shadows of the forest, his instincts guiding him toward his next hunt.
Fang Mu leaped through the air, his sharp eyes scanning the forest floor below. Beasts roamed about—small rodent-like creatures skittering in the underbrush, their tiny forms darting between roots and fallen leaves.
But Fang Mu had grown picky. Those tiny creatures no longer satisfied him. He wanted something bigger, something that would truly fill his stomach.
Then, he spotted it.
Not far ahead, a massive snake lay in wait, its thick body camouflaged among the grass and dirt. It was nearly the size of an adult’s arm, its scales blending seamlessly with the earth. A perfect ambush predator.
But Fang Mu was no ordinary prey.
Using his three eyes, he saw past the snake’s camouflage. Its body radiated heat, glowing against the cool darkness of the forest floor. It was hunting—patiently waiting for the right moment to strike.
Fang Mu smirked.
Instead of approaching head-on, he circled around, creeping toward the snake from behind. Each movement was calculated, slow and deliberate, ensuring he didn’t alert his target. He measured the distance, gauging whether he could reach it in a single leap.
Then, he tensed his powerful legs.
With a sudden burst of force, he kicked off the ground, soaring through the air.
Before the snake could react, Fang Mu’s jaws snapped open.
Clamp!
His sharp teeth sank into the snake’s flesh, locking it firmly in his grip. The serpent thrashed wildly, its body twisting and coiling around Fang Mu’s mouth in a desperate attempt to break free.
But its efforts were useless.
Fang Mu didn’t savor the taste, nor did he give the snake a chance to resist any further. With one swift motion, he swallowed it whole, feeling its long body slide down his throat in a single gulp.
"Not bad for a snake," Fang Mu thought, licking his lips.
Then, without hesitation, he leaped off once more—his hunger still unsatisfied, his hunt far from over.
**AT THE VILLAGE**
Jerome and Shelly’s team finally returned home, but their arrival sent shockwaves through the village. Their bloodstained clothes and exhausted faces spoke of the brutal battle they had endured.
Gasps of horror rippled through the gathered villagers as their eyes fell on the cart behind them—laden with the lifeless bodies of fallen hunters. A moment of stunned silence hung in the air before it was broken by the wails of grieving families. Mothers, fathers, siblings, and children rushed forward, their cries of anguish filling the village square.
Grief spread like wildfire, its weight pressing down on every soul present.
Chief Elder Oxor and Elder Gido quickly approached, their expressions grave as they took in the scene.
"What happened to you all?" Elder Gido asked anxiously, his gaze flickering over the wounded hunters barely able to stand.
"Quick! Help them!" Chief Elder Oxor ordered.
At his command, the villagers sprang into action. Several hunters who had remained in the village rushed forward, supporting their wounded comrades. Carefully, they carried the severely injured to the Medicine Hall, one by one.
Amid the chaos, Elder Gido turned to Jerome, his face lined with worry.
"The Antilla we drove away from the camp before… it came back," Jerome said, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "It returned for revenge against our team. We never expected it."
Elder Gido’s eyes widened in shock, and murmurs spread among the villagers. Fear crept into their expressions—Antillas were dangerous, but for one to seek revenge? That was unheard of.
Chief Elder Oxor's face darkened. "And the casualties…?"
Jerome took a deep breath, his fists clenching. "Four dead. Ten gravely injured. If we hadn't fought with everything we had… there would have been more."
A heavy silence fell over them, the weight of their losses sinking in. The grief of the villagers turned into hushed whispers, sorrow and fear intertwining.
Elder Gido placed a firm hand on Jerome’s shoulder. "You did what you could. Right now, rest. We will discuss this further once the wounded are taken care of."
Jerome nodded, though the burden in his chest remained.
"Brother!" Elma rushed forward with Yato by her side, her face filled with worry as she hugged Jerome tightly.
"Are you alright?" Yato asked, his expression serious as he scanned his son's injuries.
Before Jerome could answer, a voice interrupted.
"Looks like you had quite the battle."
Jerome turned toward the voice and was met with the sight of a young man clad in a pristine white robe. He looked to be in his early twenties, his presence carrying an air of confidence and prestige.
"Senior Brother?" Jerome's eyes widened in surprise.
"Senior Brother Kai!" Shelly exclaimed, her expression brightening with excitement.
"Why are you here, Senior Brother?" Jerome asked, still confused. He knew Kai was the most talented disciple of their master's lineage, someone who spent most of his time in the tower, training relentlessly.
"Of course, I'm here to take a stroll," Kai said with a teasing smirk. "Training all the time isn’t good for you. You need to relax once in a while." Then, his sharp gaze flickered over Jerome. "So, Junior Brother, you look like you've been through hell."
"Senior Brother, we fought an Antilla," Shelly said.
Kai's eyes widened slightly. "You fought an Antilla?"
"Yes," Jerome nodded. "If we had a choice, I would have avoided it. But we didn’t."
Kai exhaled and crossed his arms. "I see… So that explains why you look like drenched chicks." He chuckled at his own joke.
Jerome sighed, shaking his head, while Shelly stifled a laugh.
"Anyway, I won’t bother you too much. Focus on recovering first," Kai said with a relaxed smile. "I'll be staying in the village for a while, so once you're feeling better, we can catch up."
"You’ll be staying here?" Jerome asked.
"Of course. What? You don’t want me here?" Kai teased.
"No, Senior Brother," Jerome replied with a small smile. "It just puts my mind at ease knowing you’re here to protect the village."
Kai laughed. "Don't worry about it."
"Now go rest."
Jerome and Shelly nodded, feeling reassured by his presence.
Meanwhile Elder Gido and Chief Elder Oxor personally visited the grieving families, offering their condolences. Their words could do little to ease the pain, but their presence provided some comfort to those who had lost their loved ones.
Though the night was still young, no one in the village could sleep. Fear clung to the air like a thick fog. The news of the Antilla’s revenge spread quickly, and anxious whispers filled every home.
If one Antilla sought revenge, what about the others?
Were there more beasts out there, waiting for the right moment to strike?
The thought sent shivers down their spines. Parents held their children close, warriors sharpened their weapons, and the village seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something—anything—to break the uneasy silence.
Sensing the rising panic, Elder Gido gathered the villagers in the square. Standing before them, he raised his hands, his voice steady yet firm.
"Listen, everyone," he began, his gaze sweeping over the anxious crowd. "I know fear grips your hearts. I know the thought of another attack weighs heavily on your minds. But let me remind you—we have survived worse. We have endured hardships before, and we will endure this as well!"
His words carried across the village, cutting through the murmur of uncertainty.
"We will strengthen our defenses. We will stand together. This village has always been our home, and we will not let fear drive us from it!"
The villagers listened intently, some nodding, some gripping their loved ones tightly. The fear did not disappear, but Elder Gido’s words were like a small flame in the darkness—a flicker of hope in a night filled with uncertainty.