Lucien slowly opened his eyes.
The cave was quiet.
For a moment, he could not move. Pain spread through his body, especially his head.
So this is the price of using that power.
He placed his hand on his forehead and took a deep breath.
The memory of the battle against the Thornback Treant King flashed through his mind.
If I had missed that last attack, I would be dead.
Lucien slowly sat up and looked outside the cave.
The forest was no longer the same.
The air felt different. Heavier. Dangerous.
Then a sharp sound cut through the silence.
A piercing cry echoed from the sky.
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
So this is their territory.
---
Lucien needed more time to rest, but he knew staying in the cave would only make things worse. He would not be able to find food there.
If this is how it is, then I will keep moving. A man has to do what he has to do.
I will push past my limit today.
Lucien left the cave and climbed a tree within the Razorwing Hawks territory. He moved from tree to tree, trying to leave without fighting. Survival was his only goal.
While climbing, he noticed fruits growing on one of the trees. He plucked them and ate until he was full.
Just as he was about to move again, a Razorwing Hawk attacked.
Lucien reacted instantly and blocked the strike.
The air from its wings brushed against his hands. It felt sharp.
So the air from their wings turns into blades. If I am not mistaken, they have already surrounded me.
This is going to be difficult.
As long as they have their eyes on me, I cannot escape. Running on the trees is a mistake. I would not last even a minute.
And I am still injured from the Thornback Treants territory.
Lucien clenched his fist.
No. I should not think like that. As long as I am not dead, nothing is impossible.
He jumped down to the ground.
If they rule the sky, then let us see how they move on the ground.
The trees will restrict their movement. They will not be able to dive properly. Their wings are their strength, but also their weakness here.
They will not fight well as a team. Their attacks will be less effective.
Thanks to the books at home, I understand these monsters.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
---
Lucien moved quietly through the forest and hid his presence.
The Razorwing Hawks searched for him.
There were five of them.
Two stayed above, watching. Three spread out below.
Lucien focused on the three that separated.
He moved fast.
Before one could react, Lucien grabbed its mouth and silenced it.
A quick strike.
The Hawk died instantly.
He dragged the body aside and covered it with leaves.
Then he moved again.
The second one fell the same way.
The third struggled more. Lucien pinned it down, tied its mouth, and broke its wings.
Without its wings, it was useless.
The creature could not endure the pain and died.
Lucien stood up slowly.
It would be better to avoid them and leave this place.
---
He continued forward.
Just thirty miles remained before he could leave the territory.
Then the sky darkened.
More Razorwing Hawks appeared.
Lucien stopped.
So I am doomed.
A massive shadow descended from above.
The Razorwing Hawk King appeared.
Lucien's breathing slowed.
Am I this unlucky?
I need to run. I cannot defeat this.
---
The killing intent of the Hawk King forced Lucien to his knees.
This is different from the Treant King. This is far more powerful.
Lucien forced himself up and ran.
He ran toward the Ironhide Boars territory. No monster would enter another monster's territory so easily.
But he was too slow.
The Hawk King released a storm of razor-sharp feathers.
They filled the sky.
Lucien dodged as he ran.
Each feather struck the ground like an explosion.
Sharp. Deadly.
Thirty miles felt endless.
The attacks never stopped.
One mistake and he would die.
---
Just as he neared the border, everything slowed.
The Hawk King moved.
Too fast.
It appeared above him instantly.
The Hawk grabbed Lucien and lifted him into the air.
Then it threw him down.
Lucien crashed into the ground with force.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
His body trembled as he stood up.
I will not go down like this.
He charged forward again.
The Hawk King commanded the others.
They attacked together.
Lucien activated his future sight.
He saw everything.
Every movement. Every strike.
He fought back.
One by one, the Hawks fell.
Even at the edge of death, he kept moving.
---
Finally, he reached the Hawk King.
Lucien threw a punch.
Crack.
His bone broke.
His hand became useless.
Before he could react, the Hawk King struck his leg.
It tore through it.
Lucien screamed.
No… my leg…
Pain flooded his body.
Still, he refused to fall.
He endured it.
But his vision began to fade.
---
The Hawk King moved in for the final strike.
Just as it was about to kill him
A voice echoed through the forest.
GO BACK.
A terrifying aura exploded outward.
The Hawk King froze.
Fear filled its eyes.
It retreated instantly.
---
Master White appeared.
He carried Lucien and left the forest.
Back at the mountain, he treated his wounds.
Lucien's leg slowly regenerated.
Master White looked at him.
I did not expect you to come this far.
But now you understand.
The danger in this world is far greater than you imagine.