The first hunt

Chapter 56 — The First Hunt

Morning came with a clear objective.

Aether needed 51 more Origin Points to reach Stage 5.

After that, he needed another 300 Origin Points to activate the Territory Anchor.

The numbers were clear.

So was the plan.

Hunt.

Aether stood outside the cave with Lyra, Aria, Nyx, and Seris.

Seris had decided to remain with them for now.

Aether still didn't fully trust her, but her knowledge of the northern ruins could prove useful.

"We'll stay within the eastern and southern parts of the zone today," Aether said.

Lyra nodded.

"No northern region?"

"Not yet."

Aether looked toward the distant mountains.

"We already have enough mysteries there."

Seris gave a small smile.

"That's probably wise."

Aether glanced at her.

"You agree too easily."

"I've been running from those ruins for two days."

"Fair."

He turned toward the forest.

"Let's move."

Their first target appeared less than thirty minutes later.

A massive boar emerged from between the trees.

Its body was covered in dark stone-like armor, and two curved tusks extended from its mouth.

The system immediately analyzed it.

[Stonehide Boar detected.]

[Cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 4]

[Potential: B]

[Ability: Stonehide.]

[Hostility: High.]

The boar charged.

Aether didn't draw his sword.

He stepped aside.

The beast crashed into a tree.

BOOM!

The trunk cracked.

Lyra raised her hand.

"Mine?"

Aether nodded.

"Go."

Lightning wrapped around Lyra's arm.

She moved forward and struck the boar's armored head.

BOOM!

The beast staggered.

Its stonehide absorbed most of the impact.

Lyra's eyes sharpened.

"Hard."

Aria moved around its side.

"Then don't attack the armor."

Starfall flashed.

Her spear pierced the exposed joint behind its front leg.

The boar roared.

It turned toward Aria.

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Aether's voice immediately sounded.

"Lyra."

Lightning exploded.

The boar's movement slowed.

Aria pulled her spear free and retreated.

Lyra followed with another lightning strike.

The boar collapsed.

[Stonehide Boar defeated.]

[Origin Points +9.]

[Origin Points: 258/300]

Aether approached the corpse.

The system analyzed its physique.

[Stonehide ability detected.]

[Origin Copy: Locked.]

Aether sighed.

"Still locked."

He placed his hand against the beast.

A small amount of its Origin Energy entered his body.

[Origin Adaptation: 22.2% → 22.3%]

Tiny progress.

But progress.

They continued.

The second target was a group of Bloodfang Wolves.

There were six.

Aether's system detected Stage 3 cultivation in all of them.

They surrounded the group.

Nyx stepped forward.

The wolves immediately stopped.

Their attention locked onto her.

Nyx growled.

Aether noticed something unusual.

The wolves weren't attacking.

They were hesitating.

The strongest wolf lowered its head slightly.

Nyx's silver forehead mark glowed.

Aether understood.

"Interesting."

Seris looked at him.

"What?"

"They recognize something in Nyx."

The Alpha Wolf slowly stepped forward.

Nyx didn't attack.

Instead, the two beasts stared at each other.

After several seconds, the wolf backed away.

The rest followed.

Aether didn't interfere.

"Let them go."

Lyra looked surprised.

"We could have gained more points."

"I know."

Aether watched the wolves disappear.

"But not everything needs to become a fight."

Nyx looked pleased with herself.

Aether gave her a small pat on the head.

"Don't get arrogant."

Her tail wagged anyway.

By noon, their hunting speed increased.

Aether personally defeated two Stage 4 beasts.

Lyra and Aria handled another group together.

Seris demonstrated her Windstep ability for the first time.

She could briefly increase her movement speed to the point that even Aether had difficulty tracking her with ordinary vision.

Her bow wasn't particularly powerful.

But her mobility was impressive.

Aether watched her fire three arrows while moving.

All three struck the same target.

[Windstep proficiency detected.]

[Current proficiency: 31%]

Aether looked at Seris.

"Your movement technique is good."

She seemed surprised.

"You're complimenting me?"

"I'm stating a fact."

She smiled.

"I'll take it."

By late afternoon, Aether's Origin Points had reached 292/300.

Only eight remained.

He looked at the system.

[Origin Points: 292/300]

"One more."

Lyra smiled.

"Let's find something."

They didn't have to.

A roar suddenly shook the forest.

The trees trembled.

Birds fled.

Aether's expression changed.

His Origin Sense immediately expanded.

One enormous signature appeared.

[Powerful Origin Beast detected.]

[Cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 5]

[Species: Ironback Ape.]

[Potential: A-]

[Hostility: Extreme.]

The beast emerged from the forest.

It was nearly four meters tall.

Its arms were enormous.

Its back was covered in thick metallic plates.

The moment it saw them—

it charged.

Aether drew the Executioner's Blade.

"Everyone spread out."

The ape swung.

Aether blocked.

BOOM!

The impact forced him backward several meters.

His arms went numb.

Aether's eyes sharpened.

"Strong."

The ape attacked again.

Aether twisted aside and slashed its arm.

The blade cut through the outer hide.

Blood appeared.

The ape roared.

Lyra attacked from the side.

Lightning struck its shoulder.

Aria followed with Starfall.

The spear pierced between two armor plates.

The ape staggered.

Seris fired three arrows into its eyes.

The beast covered its face.

Aether saw the opening.

He moved.

Origin Energy gathered around the Executioner's Blade.

Origin Severance.

The blade struck the ape's chest.

A deep wound appeared.

The beast fell to one knee.

Aether raised the sword for the finishing strike.

Then he stopped.

The ape was no longer attacking.

Its killing intent had disappeared.

The system confirmed it.

[Hostility: Low.]

Aether lowered the blade.

The ape stared at him.

For several seconds, neither moved.

Then the beast slowly lowered its head.

Lyra looked confused.

"You're letting it live?"

Aether nodded.

"It surrendered."

Aria lowered Starfall.

"Then what happens to the eight points?"

Aether looked at the ape.

"Nothing."

He stepped away.

"Let's go."

The ape remained kneeling.

They had barely walked fifty meters when the system suddenly activated.

[Origin Points: 292/300]

[Origin Point gain detected.]

Aether stopped.

[Ironback Ape has voluntarily transferred a portion of its Origin Energy.]

[Origin Points +8.]

Aether's eyes widened.

[Origin Points: 300/300]

[Stage breakthrough requirements fulfilled.]

The ape remained behind them.

Aether turned.

The beast slowly stood.

It didn't follow.

It simply watched.

Aether gave it a small nod.

Then the system appeared.

[Cultivation breakthrough available.]

[Origin Awakening — Stage 4 → Stage 5.]

Aether looked at Lyra and Aria.

"I'm breaking through."

Lyra smiled.

"Finally."

Aether sat down beneath a nearby tree.

His Origin Core began rotating.

The 300 accumulated Origin Points surged through his body.

His Origin Energy compressed.

His muscles strengthened.

His senses expanded.

The Infinite Origin Physique reacted.

[Breakthrough initiated.]

The forest suddenly became silent.

Aether's aura began rising.

Stage 5.

The pressure spread through the surrounding area.

Lyra, Aria, Seris, and Nyx watched.

Aether opened his eyes.

A sharp silver light flashed across them.

[Breakthrough successful.]

[Cultivation: Origin Awakening — Stage 4 → Stage 5.]

[Origin Points: 300/300 → 0/500.]

Aether stood.

His strength had increased dramatically.

But the system wasn't finished.

[New cultivation requirement established.]

[Next breakthrough: 500 Origin Points.]

Aether looked at the number.

"Five hundred."

Lyra laughed.

"Looks like the hunting isn't over."

Aether smiled faintly.

"No."

He looked toward the cave.

"Now we build."

Behind them, the Ironback Ape watched silently.

And for the first time, Aether wondered whether not every powerful beast in this world needed to become an enemy.

Some might become something else.

Something far more useful.