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

The jungle blurred around me as I ran.

The beast was close—too close.

I could hear its powerful strides, its claws digging into the earth.

It wasn't just chasing me.

It was playing with me.

Waiting for me to make a mistake.

But I wasn't running blindly.

I had a plan.

The Hunter's Trap

The trees thickened ahead, their roots twisting into a chaotic maze.

This was my chance.

I dove under a low-hanging branch, rolled over damp earth, and squeezed between two massive tree trunks.

The beast lunged after me—

But its massive body slammed into the trees.

CRACK!

It growled in frustration, momentarily stuck.

I didn't waste time.

I turned and ran again, weaving through the undergrowth.

The beast tore itself free, but I had gained precious seconds.

Now, I just needed one more advantage.

And I found it.

A ravine.

The earth dropped into a sharp slope, leading to a pit of tangled roots and jagged rocks below.

If I fell, I was dead.

If the beast fell—

It was over.

I took a deep breath, tightening my grip on the dagger.

This was it.

My one shot.

A Fight in the Dark

The beast emerged from the trees, its golden eyes burning with hunger.

It had lost its patience.

It wasn't playing anymore.

It charged.

I didn't move.

I held my ground.

I let it get closer.

Closer.

Then—

At the last second—

I dropped to the ground.

The beast lunged over me, its momentum carrying it forward.

It realized too late.

Its paws skidded against the loose earth at the edge of the ravine.

It slipped.

Its claws tore into the ground, desperately trying to hold on.

But I was already moving.

I lunged forward and—

SLASH!

Drove my dagger deep into its exposed side.

It roared in pain—

And then—

It fell.

The beast tumbled down, crashing through the tangled roots and disappearing into the darkness below.

Silence followed.

Then—

A final, distant thud.

I lay there, panting.

Heart racing.

Chest burning.

I had done it.

I had survived.

The Mark of a Hunter

The jungle was silent now.

The predator was gone.

And I was still standing.

Slowly, I pushed myself up.

My body ached. My hands trembled.

But I wasn't the same as before.

I wasn't prey anymore.

I was a hunter.

A rustling sound made me turn.

Shira stepped out from the shadows, watching me.

I didn't know how long she had been there.

But she saw everything.

She nodded, just once.

Then, she spoke:

"You're ready."

For what?

I wasn't sure yet.

But something told me—

This was only the beginning.