The forest had gone quiet.
Too quiet.
Even the wind felt like it was holding its breath.
Nime slowed his steps, his eyes scanning the trees. The ground beneath him was damp, the air thick—but something was wrong. The usual sounds—birds, insects, movement—were gone.
"…Why is it so silent?" he muttered.
The lion didn't answer immediately.
And that alone was enough to tighten something in Nime's chest.
"…Hey," Nime said, lower this time. "Don't do that ignoring thing again."
"…We are no longer alone," the lion replied.
Nime froze.
"…What?"
"Do not panic."
"…That is exactly what people say before something bad happens."
A branch snapped.
Behind him.
Nime turned instantly—
Nothing.
But the feeling was there.
Watching.
Waiting.
"…I don't like this," he whispered.
"You shouldn't," the lion said.
Another sound.
Left.
Then right.
Then—
A voice.
"Target confirmed."
Nime's heart dropped.
Three figures stepped out from the trees.
They moved with precision—too controlled to be normal. Dark outfits clung to their bodies, marked with faint glowing patterns that pulsed softly like they were alive.
Their eyes were locked on him.
Not curious.
Not confused.
Certain.
"Energy signature matches," one of them said.
"Unstable," another added. "Recently awakened."
The third stepped forward slightly.
"…So this is the vessel."
Nime took a slow step back. "…I think you've got the wrong person."
"No," the man replied calmly.
"We don't."
The air shifted.
"Secure or eliminate."
Nime's stomach dropped.
"…Eliminate?"
They moved.
Fast.
One of them appeared in front of him instantly, fist already coming forward.
Nime barely reacted—
Impact.
The hit slammed into his arms and sent him flying backward. He crashed into the ground, air knocked out of his lungs.
"—ghk!"
Before he could recover—
Another strike.
He rolled just in time, the attack smashing into the earth where his head had been.
They're too fast—!
"They're not normal!" Nime shouted.
"Focus," the lion's voice cut in. "Do not let fear control you."
"I'm getting attacked—fear is very reasonable right now!"
Another one rushed him.
Nime forced himself up, his body screaming in protest. His instincts kicked in—
Move.
He twisted sideways, barely avoiding a clean hit. The attacker passed him like a blur.
"…He dodged," one of them noted.
"Reflex-based response," another said. "Interesting."
Nime's breathing became uneven.
They weren't trying to kill him.
Not yet.
They were testing him.
"…You people are seriously annoying," he muttered, wiping blood from his lip.
"Resistance confirmed," the leader said.
"Escalating."
The pressure changed instantly.
Nime felt it.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Like the air itself was pushing down on him.
"…Lion," Nime said under his breath, "anytime you want to step in would be great."
"…Not yet."
"…Not—what do you mean not yet?!"
"Survive."
"THAT'S NOT HELPFUL!"
They moved again.
This time—
All three.
Nime's eyes widened.
"No, no, no—!"
One came from the front.
Another from the side.
The last—
Behind.
No space.
No escape.
—
Something inside him snapped.
—
The world slowed.
Not completely.
But enough.
Enough for him to feel it again.
That spark.
That pressure.
That thing.
"…There it is," the lion murmured.
Nime moved.
He ducked under the first strike—
Twisted past the second—
And when the third came—
He turned—
And pushed.
—
A burst of energy exploded from his body.
The ground cracked beneath his feet. Air blasted outward, forcing the three attackers back as dust and leaves shot into the air.
Silence.
Nime stood there, breathing heavily, his body shaking.
"…I did it…"
But this time—
He didn't fall.
The men steadied themselves, their expressions no longer calm.
"…Energy output increased," one said.
"Still unstable," another replied. "But dangerous."
The leader stepped forward slowly.
"…So it's true."
Nime frowned. "…What are you talking about?"
The man's gaze locked onto him.
"…The vessel has awakened."
Nime's chest tightened.
"…What did you just call me?"
The man raised his hand.
The air around him distorted.
"…Capture him."
—
Behind Nime—
The lion stood.
And something changed.
The air grew heavier.
Darker.
Ancient.
"…You have seen enough," the lion said.
This time—
There was no calm in his voice.
Only warning.
—
The hunt had begun.