As Kaelen began advancing forward, the last rays of sunlight filtering through the trees illuminated his body in fragments. The air was heavy, the forest's moisture clinging to his skin, and with every step, the rustling of leaves echoed like an instinctive alarm. Kaelen—using his "Kai" form—moved with careful yet confident strides. Without making a single sound to disrupt the silence, he glided through the forest's intricate structure with the instincts of a hunter.
After a while, Kaelen stopped. His eyes narrowed slightly. A faint, nearly imperceptible trace of mana lingered in the air. He raised a finger, as if sensing an invisible ripple. The trace was fresh and familiar. It belonged to a mana beast.
But this time… it was weak.
Its mana was nearly depleted; the fluctuations unstable, its energy erratic. This was a clear sign that the beast had suffered a severe wound.
Kaelen's lips curled, a slow smile spreading across his face. He had found it. And this time, the odds were in his favor.
Mana-wielding beasts were usually difficult prey. But tracking their mana made it easier to turn the hunter into the hunted. This balance suited Kaelen just fine.
The footsteps behind him slowed slightly. Olivia and Liam, as if sensing Kaelen's signal, suppressed their mana flow. As their energy withdrew inward, they blended seamlessly with their surroundings. Moving silently through thick vines, they controlled even their breathing, moving as if they were part of the forest itself.
In this state, they were virtually invisible to the wild, intelligent creatures known as the forest's rulers—especially the chimpanzees. These creatures hunted in groups, capable of turning the tables on hunters with unexpected ambushes. Kaelen and his group had to avoid such a confrontation. Their current target was clear and focused on a single creature.
After about an hour of cautious progress, the dense forest canopy suddenly thinned.
Kaelen halted.
Before them stretched a wide clearing. At its center lay a still, motionless pond.
"A pond," Kaelen murmured, his eyes scanning the area carefully.
This clearing in the heart of the forest was like a window opening to the sky. Free from the shadows of the trees, the stagnant water reflected every hue of the sky… For a wounded animal, such an open space would be an enticing place to drink and rest. A sanctuary.
Once again, Kaelen's instincts had not failed him.
At the edge of the pond, a massive figure lay motionless. With its dark brown fur—partly wet and mud-streaked—it was a bear.
---
**But this was no ordinary bear.** It was a colossal being, weighing nearly a ton. Blood trickled down from its shoulders, and the scars scattered across its body were impossible to miss. Its head rested in the pond, and the slow rise and fall of its breath against the water's surface betrayed that it was still alive.
Liam narrowed his eyes. Olivia let out a short sigh and turned her head away. This bear wasn't just big—it was a mana-infused creature. But now, it was exhausted. For a monster, wielding mana meant greater strength and speed. Even a wounded bear like this could pose a threat to inexperienced mages.
*"It's hurt. But still dangerous,"* Olivia whispered.
Kaelen kept his eyes fixed on the bear, deep in thought. He *could* attack alone—but that would be an unnecessary spectacle. Breaking the forest's silence might attract not just this beast, but other hunters as well. He had no intention of taking needless risks.
So, he left the planning to Liam. He was a clever mage, quick-witted and skilled at resource management.
After crouching briefly to assess the situation, Liam raised his head. *"Kaelen will draw its attention first,"* he said. *"Using Pik. Then Olivia and I will strike from the opposite direction. Don't forget the metal pellets—we have enough. A few precise hits could trigger panic and drive it toward the shore. That's open ground, limiting its escape routes. The perfect spot for an ambush."*
Kaelen wasn't entirely sure if classic trap tactics would work on a mana beast. But it was worth a try. And if they failed, *he* would be the first target of the attack. That would simplify things—because he was ready for it.
The plan was set.
Kaelen glanced briefly at the sunset-stained sky. The golden-crimson hue draped over the forest like a tranquil veil. But this peace was fleeting. The real battle was about to begin.
He turned his head toward Olivia and Liam. The two were poised and waiting amidst the vines on the far side of the pond, iron pellets clenched tightly in their fists. Kaelen gave a silent nod. Their eyes met. Everyone was ready.
Now, it was time for **"Pik."**
One of the three fundamental forms of mana manipulation, **"Pik"** was an aggressive energy discharge. While *"Enn"* represented defensive application, **"Pik"** channeled mana outward, granting the caster a temporary but immense surge of power—muscles strengthened, reflexes sharpened, endurance peaked.
But Kaelen's goal wasn't to attack. He would use **"Pik"** for something else: **to instill fear.**
Mana beasts, like humans, were sensitive to mana fluctuations. The energy released through **"Pik"** was a pure manifestation of force—meant to strike terror into the prey's heart, drive it into panic, and force mistakes. It also warned other mana-wielders to back off. This was a **threat**, a **challenge.**
Kaelen took a deep breath. His body trembled slightly as the mana core within him stirred. Energy surged like liquid through his veins, spreading to his muscles, his bones. His eyes flashed crimson.
And then—**the explosion came.**