[System Alert!]

  Stats temporarily increased by 10 through sheer will.

  I stared at the glowing notification in front of me, blinking in disbelief. Then, instead of feeling cautious or worried, I laughed. A deep, confident laugh that I hadn't felt in a long time.

  “Oh, now we’re talking!” I grinned.

  Kaito looked at me like I had lost my mind. “What’s so funny?! We’re about to deal with a Grade 2 Black Panther, and you’re standing there laughing?!”

  Maito and Ryoji were still trying to process what was happening, but I didn’t wait for them. Without hesitation, I turned toward the overwhelming aura coming from the dense forest and ran straight at it.

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  “Hiroshi, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!” Maito shouted in shock.

  Ryoji frowned, gripping his sword. “Is that idiot seriously rushing toward it?!”

  I ignored them. My body felt lighter, my senses sharper than ever. Was this what it felt like to break past my limits? The temporary level-up from the system was a blessing in disguise. If this power boost was real, I needed to take advantage of it before it wore off.

  As I sprinted into the trees, the golden glow of the evening sky began to fade. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world into darkness. Within moments, the sky transformed into a deep shade of navy blue, and the moon ascended to its peak.

  The perfect hunting hour.

  A chill ran down my spine, but I clenched my fists. I wasn’t prey—I was here to fight.

  Suddenly, the oppressive aura in front of me grew even stronger. The shadows between the trees shifted unnaturally, moving like living entities. I could hear the faint rustling of leaves and the soft sound of paws pressing against the dirt.

  It’s here.

  The Black Panther wasn’t revealing itself just yet, but I could feel it watching me. Stalking me. Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

  I inhaled sharply and steadied myself. “Alright, big guy… let’s dance.”