Behind him lay Sanctuary #47, half-swallowed by the earth and silence. Ahead—the Red Forest.
A twisted land where the laws of nature no longer applied.
Location: 9 kilometers from Red Forest perimeter
According to legends, the Red Forest wasn’t just home to mutated beasts—it was alive. A place saturated with unstable genetic radiation, its trees bled red sap, and the beasts within were intelligent, some even rumored to be evolving like humans.
But it was also the best place to find rare Gene Cores. And Zayn needed power.
So he walked.
Every step into the wild lands made his Gene System hum, reacting to the chaotic energy around him.
?? [Alert: You are entering an Unstable Zone.]
?? Effect: All genes evolve faster. Mutation risk increased.
?? Warning: Host strength below local average. Proceed with caution.
Zayn smirked. “Let’s take that risk.”
By midday, the broken roads vanished, swallowed by roots and blood-colored grass. Trees rose from the earth like twisted bones—bark black as coal, their leaves a crimson hue that seemed to bleed light.
Even the air changed here. It felt thick, humming with unseen energy.
Zayn crouched beside a rock and examined deep claw marks in the soil.
Fresh.
Whatever made them had six limbs, moved fast, and weighed at least 300 kilos.
His system pinged.
?? [New Entity Detected: Crimson Ravager (Mutant Class – C Rank)]
Estimated Gene Core Value: 15–20 GP
Threat Level: High
Note: Known for ambush tactics. Avoid low ground.
Zayn’s pulse quickened. That was nearly double the points he had ever earned. But fighting a Ravager meant dying if he made one mistake.
He climbed a dead tree nearby to get a better vantage.
And that’s when he saw it.
It moved through the brush like a demon. Six limbs, sharp and clawed, a long tail with bony plates, and a mouth that split open vertically. It wasn’t just fast—it was smart.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Zayn watched. Studied it.
And then—noticed something strange.
A corpse lay nearby. Not animal. Not beast.
Human.
Zayn dropped silently to the ground and crept toward it. The body was torn apart, missing an arm, but still had its Guild insignia.
Black Horn.
His eyes narrowed. Another one of them.
Whoever this was, they’d been tracking the Ravager, too. Their gear was partially intact.
Zayn searched the body carefully and recovered:
-
?? One incomplete Gene Core (Cracked)
-
?? Log Device – partially functional
-
?? Modified Vibro-blade (high vibration frequency)
Then, the system pinged.
?? [Do you wish to absorb Incomplete Core?]
Risk: 10% Core Instability
Estimated Gain: 6–8 GP
Zayn hesitated. 10% was high. But if he waited until he was desperate, he might not have a choice.
He made the call.
“Absorb it.”
The cracked core liquefied in his palm and entered his bloodstream.
Zayn gritted his teeth as his body shook. A surge of violent heat tore through him like he was being electrocuted from inside. His muscles convulsed. His vision blurred.
Then—clarity.
?? [Absorption Successful. +7 GP]
?? [Genetic Mutation Triggered!]
?? New Trait Gained: Hyper Nerve Web (Mutated Nerve System)
Effect: Increases pain tolerance and reaction time temporarily during extreme conditions.
Zayn’s eyes widened. “That’s... actually good.”
He clenched his fists. His fingers felt sharper, his awareness more focused.
Then, something growled behind him.
Snap. A branch broke.
Zayn turned too late.
The Ravager burst from the treeline, all six limbs slamming toward him like falling hammers.
He barely Shadow Stepped sideways. One claw tore open his vest, slicing across his ribs. Blood spilled, but his Hyper Nerve Web dulled the pain.
He rolled, gritting his teeth.
“Okay,” he muttered. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The Fight
The Ravager hissed, its throat pulsing with bioluminescence. Then it charged.
Zayn moved—dodging with Shadow Step, weaving through trees, striking where he could. His pulse dagger slashed across its side, burning the skin, but the beast healed rapidly.
He realized—its core was active. It had regeneration like his.
He needed to destroy it fast.
Zayn baited it. Led it toward a stone outcrop, where the ground dipped and rocks rose in jagged spikes.
He ran straight toward the rocks, faked a stumble, and turned.
The Ravager leaped.
And Zayn vanished.
WHOOSH.
He Shadow Stepped behind it mid-air.
And threw his dagger with all his strength—aimed not at the body… but the core node glowing near the neck.
? THUNK. ?
The blade embedded deep, electricity surging through the Ravager’s nervous system.
The beast shrieked, body convulsing.
Zayn didn’t stop. He appeared beside it, grabbed a loose spike of bone from the ground—
—and drove it into the core.
CRACK.
The beast went still. Then collapsed.
[Crimson Ravager Defeated.]
Core Acquired: +18 GP
Combat Experience Bonus: +3 GP
Gene Points: 28
Zayn slumped down beside the carcass, panting, blood still dripping from his side.
But he smiled.
One fight. 28 points.
He was growing—fast.
And deeper in the Red Forest… lay even stronger prey.
He stood, staring into the crimson jungle.
“Let’s evolve again.”