Hidden deep within a thorny bush, Dustin remained completely still, his breath steady. Footsteps echoed through the dense forest, drawing closer with each passing second.
Not far from his hiding spot, the mangled corpse of a Black-Armored Wolf lay in a pool of blood. A fierce Iron-Tailed Tiger Demon, drawn by the scent of fresh carnage, tore into the lifeless beast's flesh.
Suddenly, movement flickered in Dustin's peripheral vision. His eyes narrowed. It's him.
The newcomer wore white light armor and carried an iron spear on his back—the same man Dustin had glimpsed outside the stronghold earlier. Back then, the man had even smiled at him.
"ROAR!"
Sensing an intruder, the Iron-Tailed Tiger Demon snapped its gaze toward the approaching figure. With a savage snarl, it lunged forward, claws extended.
"Courting death!"
The man in white—Koel—coldly snorted. In an instant, his iron spear snapped into his grip, glowing with a sharp radiance. A swift thrust followed, slicing through the air before piercing the demon's skull in one decisive blow.
As a martial artist of the Energy Gathering Realm, Koel could effortlessly slay a first-rank demonic beast.
Koel's gaze soon shifted to the Black-Armored Wolf's corpse. Stepping forward, he examined the fatal wounds. His brows furrowed slightly before scanning the area.
"This wasn't the work of the tiger demon," he murmured. "Someone killed this wolf. Alone."
His eyes gleamed with intrigue. "If that's the case… that kid must have some skill."
Just then, another set of footsteps approached. From the surrounding trees, five figures emerged.
"Big brother!"
The voices confirmed what Dustin had already suspected—these men were a group, and Koel was their leader. Among them, one face stood out: Lennox.
Dustin's expression darkened. Are they after me?
It wasn't impossible. He had killed Kao and Onyx, who were both Lennox's subordinates. Perhaps they had recognized him back at the stronghold.
"Brother, what about the kid?"
"We tracked him here, but he's vanished."
"He just killed a Black-Armored Wolf—he can't have gone far!"
The group exchanged hushed words before Koel gave the order.
"Lennox, finish harvesting the tiger's skin and iron tail. The rest of you—spread out and search.
We took the money. We finish the job. The brat must die."
Dustin's eyes narrowed.Someone had put a bounty on his head.
And there was only one person who made sense—Jude Zhang.
After all, Dustin had crippled him. If anyone wanted him dead this badly, it had to be Jude or someone acting on his behalf.
"Even though I'm a Martial Hall student, these bastards dared to take a contract on my life… They must be desperate men."
As the assassins spread out, Dustin remained motionless, observing. Koel and his men were combing the area from different directions, moving methodically.
Only Lennox remained close, still busy with the tiger's carcass.
A plan formed in Dustin's mind.
His body tensed—then, in an explosive burst of speed, he launched from the underbrush straight toward Lennox.
"Who?!"
Lennox's instincts kicked in. He grabbed the double axes at his side and spun around.
Their gazes locked. Lennox's eyes widened in recognition.
"You!"
A flicker of inner energy burst from Dustin's body. His cultivation surged—the mark of a martial artist above the sixth level of Body Refinement.
He had no time to waste.
His blade flashed.
Lennox barely raised his axes in time to block, but the impact sent him staggering backward. His arms trembled, his grip weakening.
"What the—?! Such strength!"
He was an eighth-level martial artist, yet Dustin had overpowered him in a single strike. That meant only one thing Dustin had reached the ninth level!
Lennox's mind raced. I need to call back
His hand darted toward the small red bamboo tube strapped to his belt—a signal flare.
But before he could activate it…
A blade pressed against his throat.
"Try it, and I'll cut your head off."
Dustin's voice was cold, emotionless.
A drop of blood slid down Lennox's neck.
His survival instincts kicked in. Slowly, he loosened his grip, allowing the signal tube to slip from his fingers and hit the ground.
"Who sent you?" Dustin demanded.
Lennox hesitated.
And then
"WHOOSH!"
A silver-white arrow shot from the shadows, piercing Lennox's heart from behind.
Dustin's eyes snapped up, but it was already too late.
Lennox let out a choking sound. He glanced down at the arrow buried in his chest, blood bubbling up his throat.
Just before darkness swallowed him, Koel's voice rang in his ears.
"Boy, I knew you were hiding nearby."
Lennox collapsed. Dead.
From the shadows, Koel emerged, accompanied by three others. A fourth man—a hidden archer—stood in the distance, nocking another arrow.
"Damn it…" Dustin cursed.
This was a trap. Koel had used Lennox as bait.
Without hesitation, Dustin turned and ran.
"Kill him!" Koel barked.
The archer released another silver arrow—it sliced through the air at terrifying speed.
Dustin twisted mid-stride, barely dodging the deadly projectile. His footwork flowed seamlessly, allowing him to maintain speed while evading the relentless shots.
"This bastard's too fast!" Koel growled.
Even though he was a warrior of the Energy Gathering Realm, he wasn't specialized in movement techniques. Dustin, on the other hand, had mastered the Inch-Step Movement to High Mastery, making him far quicker than even Koel could handle.
Still, Dustin knew he had to be cautious. The archer was dangerous. More skilled than Onyx.
Soon, Koel and his men fell behind.
Dustin finally came to a stop, hidden beneath dense foliage. His breath steadied as he extended his life perception.
Five life forces.
Only Koel had reached the Energy Gathering Realm. The rest were ninth-level martial artists.
Dustin's eyes gleamed with an icy light.
"I can take them down one by one."
He wasn't just hunted.
He would become the hunter.
Not far away, a scarred man moved through the forest, swearing under his breath.
"Damn brat. Seventh-level, but hard as hell to kill."
He barely noticed the python coiled around a nearby tree—until it struck.
"Hmph."
With a swift motion, he severed its head, retrieving its gall with ease.
That's when he sensed it.
A killing intent.
His instincts screamed. He whirled around—
"CLANG!"
His blade met steel.
But then—a silver arc of light flashed.
His eyes widened in horror. A sword pierced his heart.
The world faded to black.
Dustin stood over the corpse, blood dripping from his blade. His expression remained unreadable.
"The hunt has just begun."
A clap of thunder rumbled across the sky.
Moments later, heavy rain began to fall.
Darkness swallowed the jungle whole.