The forest had not changed.
But everything felt different.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Calm.
Measured.
Every step placed with purpose.
No wasted movement.
No unnecessary sound.
The trees stood tall.
Silent.
Watching.
The ground beneath him was uneven.
Dry leaves.
Broken branches.
But none of it made noise.
Because now—
He controlled even that.
His breathing slowed.
Natural.
Steady.
His senses spread.
Not forcefully—
But clearly.
Then—
A sound.
Low.
Heavy.
From ahead.
Han Chandu stopped.
Stillness.
Absolute.
Then—
It appeared.
A large beast stepped out from the trees.
Its body was thick.
Muscles layered beneath dark, rough skin.
Its eyes—
Sharp.
Focused directly on him.
A Blood Fang Beast (Mutant Creature).
Its jaws opened slightly.
Revealing sharp, uneven fangs.
Stained dark.
It stepped forward.
Slow.
But heavy.
Each step carried weight.
Han Chandu watched.
Silent.
No fear.
Only calculation.
Mutant level.
Stronger than primitive.
Dangerous.
But manageable.
The Blood Fang Beast moved.
Without warning.
It lunged.
Fast.
Faster than expected.
Han Chandu stepped aside.
Clean.
Minimal.
The claw tore through empty air.
Close.
Too close.
He didn't counter.
Not yet.
Because the first exchange—
Was information.
The beast turned.
Instantly.
Its second attack came.
Relentless.
Han Chandu raised his arm—
Blocked.
Impact.
Heavy.
Force traveled through him.
But his stance held.
Stable.
Unbroken.
"…strong."
Not overwhelming.
But real.
The Blood Fang Beast roared.
Louder now.
More aggressive.
It stepped forward again.
Trying to overwhelm him.
Force over control.
That was the flaw.
It attacked again.
Wide.
Powerful.
But predictable.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
Inside the attack.
Closer.
Safer.
He struck.
Precise.
The leg.
A dull sound echoed.
The beast staggered.
Slight.
But real.
He stepped back.
Reset.
The Blood Fang Beast roared again.
Anger rising.
Its movements changed.
Less controlled.
More force.
More mistakes.
Exactly what he needed.
It lunged again.
Faster.
Stronger.
But wider.
Han Chandu shifted.
Minimal movement.
Perfect timing.
The attack missed.
Completely.
The beast's balance broke.
That moment—
Han Chandu moved.
Instant.
He struck again.
Same leg.
Harder.
A crack.
Faint—
But enough.
The Blood Fang Beast stumbled.
Clearly now.
Its stance weakened.
Its balance—
Unstable.
Han Chandu didn't rush.
Didn't chase.
Because the fight—
Was already decided.
The beast just didn't know it yet.
It attacked again.
Desperate.
Slower.
Predictable.
Han Chandu circled.
Calm.
Measured.
Forcing it to turn.
Again.
And again.
Each movement—
Drained it.
Weakened it.
Until—
It broke.
Han Chandu stepped in.
Final strike.
The leg shattered.
The Blood Fang Beast collapsed.
Heavy.
Loud.
It struggled.
Tried to rise.
Failed.
Han Chandu stepped forward.
No hesitation.
One strike.
Clean.
Final.
Silence returned.
Then—
The voice.
Only for him.
"Blood Fang Beast (Mutant Creature) killed."
A pause.
"Beast Soul gained."
Han Chandu crouched.
Work began.
Efficient.
Precise.
The fire burned low.
The meat cooked slowly.
The smell spread lightly through the air.
Then—
He ate.
Mutant Gene +1Mutant Gene +1Mutant Gene +1Mutant Gene +1Mutant Gene +1Mutant Gene +0
He stopped.
Limit reached.
No excess.
No greed.
Only control.
He stood.
His gaze lifted.
Deeper into the forest.
Still dangerous.
Still unknown.
Still something waiting.
Something stronger.
But not today.
Because progress—
Was not about rushing.
It was about consistency.
Step by step.
Fight by fight.
Until the gap—
Disappeared.
The forest remained silent.
But far deeper—
Something moved.
Watching.
Waiting.
Something far stronger—
Not yet ready—
To be faced.
Han Chandu turned.
Walking back.
Calm.
Silent.
Controlled.
Because now—
He didn't chase strength.
He built it.
One step at a time.