Alvin observed the water below and the dry riverbed.
"Strange," he muttered.
He snapped a small branch from the tree and coated it with wind energy. With a flick of his wrist, he threw it.
The branch struck the riverbed. Instead of bouncing, it embedded itself into the cracked ground. Slowly, it began to sink like an iron stick in water.
A grin tugged at the corner of Alvin's lips.
"Looks like this isn't going to be the easy stroll I hoped for."
Ruins were dangerous. Every second demanded caution.
The sun dipped low, casting a golden hue across the sky.
"Whatever," Alvin muttered. "Let's find Lesley and Crandall."
But first, he needed shelter. The night would fall soon, and the ruins were unpredictable after dark.
It didn't take long.
He stood before a colossal tree, its gnarled roots twisting through the cracked earth. Towering branches loomed high, offering both cover and vantage.
"This should do it."
Without hesitation, Alvin scaled the tree, finding a sturdy branch to settle on. The rough bark scraped against his palms, but it didn't matter.
The moon climbed the sky, bathing the landscape in pale light. Alvin remained on guard.
He'd played the game. He knew what happened to those who let their guard down.
'Why haven't I seen a single monster?'
As if answering his thoughts, a sound echoed behind him.
"Meow."
Alvin's body tensed. A dagger flashed into his hand as he spun around.
Perched on the branch, a small black cat stared back.
'I didn't even sense it.'
His thoughts raced.
'What kind of monster is this? Or… was it even a monster?'
The cat blinked lazily, then sprang forward, landing closer to him.
"Meo—"
It never finished.
With a swift flick of his wrist, Alvin hurled the dagger. The blade sliced through the air, aimed directly at the creature's throat.
But the moment it touched the cat, the dagger passed through.
No resistance. Just cold air, as though the cat wasn't even there.
'What?!'
Alvin didn't wait. Instinct screamed at him. He leapt from the branch, his feet barely touching the bark before launching into the air.
The branch cracked slightly under the sudden force. He landed on a higher branch, his eyes locked on the creature.
"What the fuck was that?"
The cat twisted unnaturally. Its sleek form expanded, limbs elongating. Fur darkened, its body growing larger until the black silhouette loomed over the branch.
A panther.
The air thickened. Pressure weighed down on Alvin's chest as the monster's true presence emerged.
Tier-4.
'Shit.'
His mind raced. He remembered the world's monster classifications — seven tiers in total.
Tier-1: Equivalent to an Initiate ranker.
Tier-7: Capable of rivaling a Sovereign.
A Tier-4 monster stood before him. Comparable to a Specialist Ranker.
'This was supposed to be a minor ruin.'
His pulse quickened.
'Then why the hell is a Tier-4 monster here?'
"Rarr!"
The panther's roar echoed through the night as it lunged. Alvin's instincts screamed. He pushed off the branch, twisting to the side just as the massive claws swiped past him.
'Fast.'
Without wasting a second, he stashed the dagger back into his storage bracelet.
A bow and arrow's set materialized in his hands, the polished wood gleaming under the moonlight.
The panther spun, locking its yellow eyes on him.
Alvin's fingers pulled the bowstring taut, mana surging into the arrow. With a sharp twang, the projectile shot forward.
But the monster didn't flinch.
It swatted the arrow mid-air with a powerful paw. The force shattered the arrow's mana coating, sending the remnants plummeting into the swamp below.
"Wow," Alvin muttered, lowering his bow slightly. "Great. So much for a quiet night."
His lips curled into a grin.
"Alright, big cat. Let's play a game."
No hesitation. Alvin dashed forward, closing the gap in an instant. The panther roared once more, its muscles coiling.
It lunged.
The air crackled as its paw slashed through the space Alvin once occupied.
He sidestepped, boots skidding against the bark. With one swift motion, he reversed his grip on the arrow, driving its jagged tip straight at the creature's exposed belly.
The impact barely made any damage.
'Shit.'
The arrowhead scraped against the beast's skin, leaving nothing but a faint mark. Its skin was far tougher than he anticipated.
The panther snarled.
Alvin's breaths came quick and shallow. His chest heaved.
'What now? I can't kill it, even if I wanted to.'
His eyes stayed locked on the panther, which paced along the trembling branch. Its glowing gaze bore into him.
'I need to distract it. Escape while I still can.'
He clenched his fists. The frustration gnawed at him.
'If only I could use these damn elements properly.'
A low growl snapped him out of his thoughts. The monster lunged again. This time, it didn't aim for him.
The branch cracked.
Wood splintered under the force of the beast's claws, sending shockwaves up the massive tree. Alvin's legs wobbled as he struggled to keep his footing.
'It's no use.'
But he got an idea.
'Wait. This might work.'
He quickly stored the bow and arrows, his hands balling into fists. A sharp grin flickered across his face.
Standing at the very edge of the branch, he spread his arms wide, as if daring the creature.
"Come on, big guy," Alvin called, his voice steady despite the pounding in his chest.
The shadows twisted. Wind curled around his fingers. Both elements tangled together, spiraling into a small, dense marble that pulsed with unstable energy.
The panther's ears flattened. Its low growl rumbled through the air.
"Gurr..."
The tension thickened. For a moment, neither moved.
Then, the monster sprang forward.
Alvin's eyes narrowed. The beast's powerful limbs propelled it through the air, jaws wide open, aiming straight for his neck.
'This might hurt a little.'
At the last moment, Alvin thrust his arm forward — right into the creature's open mouth.
The panther's teeth sank into his flesh. Agony shot up his arm. But Alvin didn't flinch.
The instable marble.
He shoved it down the monster's throat.
"Now!"
He severed his control over the compressed mana.
The reaction was instant.
Boom!
A muffled explosion erupted inside the panther. Its body convulsed. Blood burst from its eyes, nose, ears — even its rear.
Its pupils rolled back, and it collapsed, lifeless.
Yet, disturbingly, its thick skin remained intact. Not a single tear.
Alvin stumbled back, clutching his mangled arm. His face twisted in pain as crimson droplets splattered to the ground.
Pain shot up his arm, numbing his fingers. He stumbled, barely catching himself on the trembling branch.
'Damn, it's hurt so much'
He fumbled for his storage bracelet, retrieving a small glass vial.
The healing potion gleamed a faint blue. Without hesitation, he uncorked it and downed the liquid.
A cooling sensation spread through him. He exhaled, expecting relief.
But none came.
The wound remained. Blood continued to seep from the jagged bite marks.
'What?'
Panic flickered in his chest. He yanked out another potion, gulping it down.
The cold spread once more. Yet the gashes didn't close. The bleeding didn't stop.
The realization struck him like a hammer.
'The potions... they're not working on this injury.'