One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The bodies of the fallen jungle hounds lay motionless, their blood seeping into the dirt. The air was thick with the scent of iron and smoke, but I barely noticed—my instincts screamed that the danger wasn't over yet.

The wolf beside me let out a low growl, its golden eyes still locked on the dark jungle beyond the fire's glow.

I tightened my grip on my club. My breath was still heavy from the fight, but I couldn't relax.

Something was watching us.

Something stronger.

A Silent Stalker

The jungle was too quiet.

The usual rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of insects—gone.

It was like the entire forest was holding its breath.

I swallowed hard, scanning the treetops, the undergrowth, the shifting shadows beyond the firelight.

Then—

A chilling sensation crawled up my spine.

I turned my head slightly—

And that's when I saw them.

A pair of massive, glowing yellow eyes staring directly at me from the darkness.

My blood ran cold.

This wasn't like the jungle hounds.

This was something bigger.

Something smarter.

A true predator.

The Apex Hunter

The firelight flickered, revealing a silhouette among the trees.

A massive feline shape, muscles coiled like steel, its sleek black fur blending into the night. Clawed paws the size of my head pressed silently into the dirt as it crouched, tail flicking with anticipation.

My breath caught in my throat.

A Panther King.

Even back on Earth, I had seen documentaries of big cats hunting. They didn't rush. They didn't waste energy.

They stalked.

They waited for the perfect moment to strike.

And this one was waiting for us to show any sign of weakness.

A Fight We Couldn't Win

My hands trembled as I gripped my weapon tighter. My body screamed at me to run—but I knew better.

Running from a panther was suicide.

It would chase. It would catch. It would kill.

The wolf beside me lowered its body into a defensive stance, fur bristling.

But even it knew—we weren't winning this fight.

Not as we were now.

We had to get out of here.

Slowly, I edged back toward the fire, keeping my eyes locked on the predator.

The panther didn't move.

It was waiting. Calculating.

I swallowed hard, thinking fast. How do I escape?

Then, an idea formed in my mind.

A gamble.

A dangerous one.

The Fire Gamble

I bent down, pretending to adjust the firewood. My fingers trembled as they closed around one of the half-burnt logs.

Still glowing red-hot.

I took a deep breath.

Then, with everything I had, I grabbed the burning log and hurled it straight at the panther.

WHOOSH!

The firelight streaked through the air—and the jungle erupted in chaos.

The burning log smashed into dry underbrush, igniting instantly.

FLAMES EXPLODED INTO THE AIR.

The panther snarled and leapt back as fire suddenly flared between us, its glowing yellow eyes narrowing with fury.

This was my chance.

"RUN!" I shouted, grabbing my club and bolting into the jungle.

The wolf was already moving, sprinting beside me.

Behind us, I heard the roar of the panther, but it didn't immediately chase.

The fire had forced it back.

But I knew it wouldn't last.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

Escape Into the Unknown

I ran until my lungs burned, until my legs felt like they would give out. The jungle blurred around me, branches whipping at my arms and face, but I didn't stop.

I couldn't.

Not until I was sure we had lost it.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I collapsed near a large rock, gasping for air.

The wolf skidded to a halt beside me, panting just as hard.

We had escaped.

For now.

But as I sat there, every muscle in my body shaking, one terrifying truth settled in my mind.

I was no longer the hunter.

I was the hunted.

And that meant one thing—

If I wanted to survive… I had to become stronger.