The Sanctuary was quieter than usual.
A thin veil of fog covered the hunting grounds, muting the usual sounds of beasts and hunters alike. Veer Raheja stood atop a jagged rock, his gaze sweeping across the terrain. The Sacred Black Beetle armor clung to his body, its dark sheen blending perfectly with the shadows.
It had been days since the whispers of "Ass Freak" had begun spreading like wildfire.
Now, those whispers had turned into expectations.
Ping.
"System Notification: Area Scan Complete. Multiple lifeforms detected. Threat Level: Moderate."
Veer exhaled slowly. He had started getting used to the system's calm, emotionless voice. It didn't guide him directly—but it gave him just enough information to stay one step ahead.
And in this place, one step ahead meant survival.
Without hesitation, Veer leapt down from the rock, landing silently. His movements were smooth, controlled—every step calculated.
A sudden rustle.
Three mutant mantises burst out from the bushes, their blade-like arms slicing through the mist.
Veer didn't panic.
He moved.
A swift sidestep—his shield collided with the first mantis, crushing its limb instantly. Before the second could react, Veer twisted his body and drove the edge of the shield straight through its neck.
The third one lunged.
Too slow.
Veer ducked, pivoted, and slammed it into the ground.
Ping.
"Beast Soul Absorbed: Mutant Mantis. Experience +39."
"Beast Soul Absorbed: Mutant Mantis. Experience +41."
"Beast Soul Absorbed: Mutant Mantis. Experience +38."
His breathing remained steady.
Stronger… faster… sharper.
The system wasn't just tracking his growth—it was pushing him toward something greater.
But then—
Ping.
"Warning: High-Level Presence Detected Nearby."
Veer froze.
His instincts screamed.
Someone… or something… was watching him.
Hidden behind a cluster of broken stone pillars, a girl observed silently.
Her eyes were sharp, calculating—yet calm.
Siya Chauhan.
Unlike the others who had been secretly watching the so-called Ass Freak, Siya wasn't here out of curiosity.
She was here to confirm something.
"I've heard enough rumors…" she murmured softly. "Let's see if you're actually worth it."
Her gaze remained locked on Veer.
Every movement.
Every breath.
Every strike.
Nothing escaped her notice.
Back in the clearing, Veer slowly turned his head.
He couldn't see her.
But he knew.
Someone strong was nearby.
Ping.
"System Notification: Unknown Entity Observing User."
"Threat Level: Undetermined."
Veer's grip tightened on his shield.
Unknown.
That meant dangerous.
But instead of retreating…
He stepped forward.
The ground trembled.
A massive creature emerged from the fog—a Berserk Ironclaw Beast, its body covered in thick, metallic scales. Its glowing red eyes locked onto Veer instantly.
A dangerous opponent.
Exactly what he needed.
Siya's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Let's see how you handle this…"
The beast roared and charged.
Fast.
Too fast for an average hunter.
But Veer wasn't average.
At the last second, he shifted his stance—his body moving almost instinctively. The claws missed him by inches as he slid to the side and slammed his shield into the beast's leg.
CLANG!
The impact echoed through the clearing.
The beast staggered—but didn't fall.
Veer's eyes sharpened.
"Tough…"
The beast swung again.
Veer jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike.
His mind raced.
Analyze. Adapt. Strike.
That's how he fought.
From the shadows, Siya watched intently.
"His movement… it's not just raw talent…"
"It's control."
For the first time, her expression changed slightly.
Interest.
Veer inhaled deeply.
Then moved.
Faster than before.
He circled the beast, forcing it to turn, disrupting its balance. Each step was precise, calculated.
The beast roared in frustration.
That was the opening.
Veer dashed forward—his shield glowing faintly under the strain—and struck the same weakened spot on its leg.
CRACK!
The armor shattered.
The beast collapsed.
Without hesitation, Veer delivered the final blow.
Silence.
Ping.
"Berserk Creature Eliminated."
"Experience Gained: +120."
"Mutation Progress Increased: 28%."
Veer exhaled slowly.
Another victory.
Another step forward.
But something felt different.
This time… he wasn't alone.
A soft sound.
Footsteps.
Veer turned.
And for the first time—
He saw her.
Siya Chauhan stepped out from the shadows.
Tall.
Confident.
Her presence alone carried authority.
Her eyes met his—and for a brief moment, the entire world seemed to pause.
No words.
Just silence.
A silent clash of two minds, two strengths.
"So," Siya finally spoke, her voice calm yet sharp, "you're the one they call Ass Freak."
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just pure observation.
Veer didn't respond immediately.
He studied her instead.
Strong.
That was the first thing he noticed.
Not just physically—but mentally.
She wasn't like the others.
"Rumors don't usually impress me," Siya continued, taking a step closer. "But you…"
A slight pause.
"…might be interesting."
Veer finally spoke.
"Observation from the shadows suits you."
A subtle reply.
But enough.
Siya's lips curved into a faint smile.
"So you noticed."
For a moment, neither moved.
The air between them carried tension—not of hostility, but of curiosity.
This wasn't a normal meeting.
This was the beginning of something bigger.
Ping.
"System Notification: New Interaction Recorded."
"Potential Ally Detected."
Veer glanced at the notification—but said nothing.
Ally?
Maybe.
Or maybe something far more complicated.
Siya turned slightly, preparing to leave.
But before she disappeared into the fog, she paused.
"Get stronger," she said without looking back.
"Because next time… I won't just watch."
And just like that—
She was gone.
Veer stood still for a moment.
Then—
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting…"
Far away, hidden beyond the visible paths, another pair of eyes watched everything.
Qin Xuan.
Her expression unreadable.
"So… he's already attracting attention."
A faint smirk appeared.
"This might get fun."
Back in the clearing, Veer looked toward the horizon.
The Sanctuary was changing.
Or maybe—
He was.
Ping.
"System Notification: New Mission Unlocked."
"Objective: Explore Deeper Zones."
"Reward: Unknown."
Veer tightened his grip on the shield.
A new path.
New challenges.
New people.
And somewhere along that path—
More encounters awaited.
Veer Raheja's journey had only just begun.