While the rest of the group was still wondering what was happening, a red—slightly greenish—creature jumped out of the attacked bush to dodge Alexander's ice spell.

  Unfortunately for the creature, this wasn't its lucky day.

  As soon as the spell collided with the ground near it, an icy explosion swallowed it.

  The explosion itself wasn't enough to kill the creature, which tried to escape.

  Taking advantage of the creature’s slowed movements, Ocean finished it with a skill that launched five ice thorns.

  Ocean's thorns were smaller and didn't explode like the stalactite Alexander materialized by modifying the |Water Cannon| spell with his (Frozen Water Heart) enhancement. However, they were sharper and emanated a freezing power—as well as looking very much like Paraíba Tourmalines.

  Alexander was surprised that the creature had been killed by a single one of Ocean’s skills and thought: "The color of her ice is different… The ice power may have also become true ice?"

  "It's not impossible, because the lethality of this skill corresponds at least to the peak of a Tier I spell," analyzed Alexander. "This skill also doesn't seem to be one of the spells I gave her…"

  Approaching the creature to look more carefully, Alexander realized it was a {High Goblin} and thought: "He didn't stand a chance. His (Defense) attribute must have been low, and Ocean hit him squarely in at least 4 vital points."

  Moving away from the body, Alexander saw his team waiting for an explanation to understand what was happening and said: "He was a scout."

  Noticing his group would need more information, Alexander sighed dejectedly. "He was following us."

  Seeing they still hadn't made the connections, Alexander decided to be as clear as possible: "A creature that simply passes by us isn't a very serious problem. But those that start following us to gather information and/or confirm our position to try to ambush us must be eliminated."

  Even with the group finally understanding Alexander's point, a doubt remained, and it was Stella who voiced it: "Do we really need to worry that much? It was just a goblin."

  "What you just said has so many errors I don't even know where to start correcting you," said Alexander as he started walking again.

  He clearly didn't want to stay there to see what creature the goblin's body would attract.

  When their scout started moving again, the rest of the group followed. "Your first mistake was thinking we were dealing with just 1 goblin. Goblins are—to a certain extent—quite sociable creatures that usually live and attack in groups or packs."

  Feeling the group was receptive, Alexander continued: "Your second mistake was thinking it was just a {Goblin}, when in fact it was a {High Goblin}—a 1st evolution monster."

  "It might not seem like it, but it makes all the difference," said Alexander. "To use it as a scout, its leader must be at least in the 2nd evolution."

  "Your third mistake was underestimating the Goblin race," assured Alexander.

  He, more than any other human, knew this very well. "They may not have devastating power like some feared species, but they have various sub-races and can develop numerous skills. Some of which perhaps aren't even recorded yet."

  Appalled by the group's lack of knowledge, Alexander began pondering their situation: "This is strange. My group should be among the strongest—if not the strongest. However, they don't seem to have the slightest practical knowledge or survival sense."

  "There must be other ways to level up besides hunting—like training and strengthening the body with environmental energy—but even so… It's as if they've never hunted," thought Alexander, trying to understand the situation.

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  Surprisingly, it didn't take long to find a small cave where they could spend the night.

  As soon as they checked it, a strange smell caught the group's attention… Something was burning nearby.

  "There shouldn't be natural fires at this time of year—especially on a rainless night like this," said Alexander while observing the sky, which showed no hint of lightning or rain.

  "What should we do?" asked Diana.

  After considering his options a bit, Alexander replied: "Wait here. I'll see what's happening and come right back."

  Seeing Alexander disappear into the vegetation, Diana unconsciously asked out loud: "How can he make so little noise when walking through the vegetation?"

  The rest of the group instinctively wondered the same thing upon hearing her.

  Upon thinking about it, they became quite surprised and frightened. This wasn't a "skill" their academy taught.

  They obviously had no way of knowing that this was just the combination of the experience Alexander had in the small clearing where he woke up in this world with the superhuman instincts his talent provided him.

  Their lack of information didn't stop them from making assumptions about him until his return about 10 minutes later.

  Still thoughtful, as if calculating something, Alexander explained the situation to the group: "It's exactly as I imagined. There are some creatures fighting not far from here."

  "What are we going to do? Retreat?" asked Stella, subconsciously treating Alexander as the group's leader.

  "Retreat?" smiled Alexander. "We're going to hunt them in this turbulence."

  This wouldn't be the first time Alexander hunted in "turbulent waters."

  However, since it would be the first time for the rest of the team, he had to explain his plan step by step.

  His team was happy to learn that the plan mainly consisted of an ambush. It would be easier and less dangerous than direct combat.

  Their happiness immediately disappeared when they discovered the target was a rare 2nd evolution creature.

  "Wouldn't it be better to retreat for now? It's already getting dark," argued Mark. "We'll be at a disadvantage due to poor lighting."

  Alexander just shrugged. "I presented an option, which obviously has its pros and cons. I won't force you to follow it."

  "But consider your options well," Alexander countered. "We can take a risk now and, who knows, finish quickly. Or we can leave it for tomorrow and remain, who knows how many days—at the mercy of this forest searching for an opportunity that might not even be as good as this one."

  "Maybe… maybe it's better to finish this quickly," opined Diana while looking at the vast expanse of trees surrounding the group.

  "Maybe…" agreed Stella, also apprehensive about having to stay there longer than necessary.

  "And the 2nd evolution monster you mentioned?" inquired Mark. "Is it strong?"

  "It's a rare type," replied Alexander without hiding the truth. "It's at the initial stage of the 2nd evolution, but should be capable of facing some creatures that have reached the intermediate stage."

  "Are you crazy?" exploded Stella. "Are you trying to get us killed?"

  He had expected that reaction—especially considering the group still remembered well his explanation about the true terror of a 2nd evolution creature. Still, he only smiled calmly.

  "Stay calm and trust the plan," said Alexander. "But we have to go now for the plan to work."

  Despite their doubts, the group chose to trust Alexander.

  They then left the horse in the cave and followed him through the vegetation, making as little noise as possible.

  Upon getting close to the conflict, they quickly hid. The last thing they needed in an ambush was to expose themselves before planned.

  Positioned on the outskirts of the situation, the group soon saw something that could only be described as… comical.

  It was as if one of the parties wasn't trying to kill the other, and their fight was nothing more than a big game of tag.

  The part trying to "tag" was formed by a blue humanoid creature about 1.75 meters tall—holding a large and rustic spear—and its mount, an {Iron Tusk}.

  The {Iron Tusk}, in turn, was a 1st evolution porcine creature that resembles a wild boar. It was 1.5m tall and had metallic tusks.

  The part trying not to be tagged was a blue fox that seemed to be 0.8m tall and modest at first glance. But as time passed, it showed that its agility and cunning shouldn't be underestimated.

  "You said he was in the 2nd evolution, but you didn't say he had a mount/familiar," said Stella, pointing at the blue creature. "You’re crazy if you think we’re getting involved."

  "Watch your voice," warned Alexander.

  "And of course WE won't fight him," said he, turning to Diana, Mark, and Stella with a bittersweet smile. "YOU will fight him."

  "We'll what?!" Stella almost shouted. But Alexander was faster and covered her mouth with his hand.

  "For the last time, mind your voice," Alexander reminded again.

  Stella quickly slapped Alexander's hand away from her mouth and moved away from him—gesturing as if to say something—but said nothing.

  Only she, or maybe not even she, could say if it was due to shame or anger.

  Seeing the situation going too far, Alexander tried to soften it: "I wouldn’t ask you to do something impossible. Trust me, and my plan."