"Well, this is certainly something you don’t see every day," Grey muttered with an amused expression as he watched the battle unfolding beneath the enormous tree he and Ruk had climbed.
From their position several meters above the ground, they had an excellent view of the clearing where the Ironback Ravager was currently fighting against what remained of the Redfang pack.
The enormous monster had already killed two of the predators, and another lay several meters away with its hind legs twisted at an unnatural angle, struggling unsuccessfully to drag itself away from the battlefield.
However, the Ravager wasn’t escaping the confrontation unharmed either.
Several bloody wounds covered the exposed flesh around its shoulders, and one of its armored plates had been partially torn away, revealing dark red muscle beneath.
Although none of the injuries appeared immediately fatal, Grey noticed that the creature’s breathing had become heavier and its movements were gradually losing some of their earlier explosiveness.
’So even something that big has its limits,’ Grey thought while resting one hand against the rough bark beneath him.
The Redfang Pack Leader seemed to have reached the same conclusion, judging from the way it continued directing its remaining subordinates around the larger monster.
Rather than allowing them to attack randomly, it repeatedly sent one or two Stalkers forward to provoke the Ravager before withdrawing them whenever the creature attempted to retaliate.
The strategy was surprisingly effective, especially considering the difference in strength between the two species.
"That bastard is smarter than I expected," Grey remarked, narrowing his eyes as another Redfang deliberately approached the Ravager’s injured shoulder.
The predator lunged forward and sank its teeth into the exposed flesh, but before the enormous monster could turn and crush it, the Pack Leader released a sharp growl that caused the attacker to retreat.
Another Redfang immediately approached from the opposite direction, forcing the Ravager to divide its attention between multiple threats.
Grey watched the exchange carefully, gradually recognizing the pattern behind their movements.
The Pack Leader wasn’t trying to defeat the Ravager through brute force.
It was exhausting the larger monster, taking advantage of its comparatively slower movements while gradually accumulating injuries that would eventually weaken it enough for a decisive attack.
Unfortunately for the Redfangs, their strategy came at a considerable cost.
The Ironback Ravager suddenly twisted its enormous body and struck one of the approaching predators with its armored shoulder, sending the creature crashing into a nearby tree with enough force to shake several branches loose.
The Redfang collapsed beneath the trunk and remained motionless for several seconds before attempting to rise, its front leg trembling beneath its weight.
Grey immediately noticed the opportunity.
Ruk followed his gaze and frowned when he realized what Grey intended to do, but the younger goblin had already begun climbing down the opposite side of the tree.
His newly acquired [Silent Step] skill allowed him to descend without disturbing the surrounding branches too much, and within moments, he had reached the forest floor.
Grey remained crouched behind the vegetation for several seconds, carefully observing the battlefield before approaching the injured Redfang from behind.
The creature was still struggling to stand, apparently unaware that another predator was approaching while its attention remained fixed on the enormous monster fighting its pack.
Grey tightened his grip around his weapon.
’Let’s make this quick.’
He moved forward with controlled steps, taking advantage of Silent Step to cross the remaining distance without alerting the wounded creature. Once he was close enough, Grey drove his weapon into the exposed side of its neck with all the strength his enhanced body could produce.
The Redfang released a strangled cry and attempted to turn, but its damaged leg prevented it from moving properly. Grey immediately followed his first attack with another strike, forcing the creature back against the tree before delivering a final blow that ended its resistance.
[Redfang Stalker has been defeated.]
[Experience acquired.]
[Evolution Energy acquired.]
Grey released a satisfied breath as the familiar notifications appeared before him, although he didn’t waste time celebrating while an entire battle continued less than fifty meters away.
He quickly examined the corpse.
[Corpse detected.]
[Possible actions:]
[Consume]
[Extract Trait]
[Discard]
Grey selected Consume without hesitation, knowing that the ordinary Redfang traits were unlikely to offer anything more useful than the Silent Step ability he had already obtained.
Dark energy spread across the corpse as the system began breaking down the biological material, and within seconds, the creature’s body had disappeared completely.
[Consumption successful.]
[Evolution Energy acquired.]
Grey smiled faintly before turning his attention toward the battlefield again.
He was about to retreat toward Ruk when another notification appeared.
[Experience threshold reached.]
[Level Up!]
[Current Level: 5]
[Physical attributes increased.]
A familiar warmth spread through Grey’s body, beginning in his chest before gradually extending toward his limbs.
His muscles tightened beneath his skin, and the lingering soreness from his earlier injuries seemed to diminish slightly as his body adjusted to the increase in strength.
Grey flexed his fingers experimentally, noticing that his movements felt somewhat smoother than before.
’Level 5 already. Not bad.’
He had spent most of his previous life believing that strength came from years of training and discipline, yet this world allowed him to improve through a process that was both terrifying and strangely addictive.
Of course, the possibility of growing stronger didn’t change the fact that nearly everything in the forest still wanted to kill him.
Grey glanced toward the Ironback Ravager as it released another furious roar, reminding himself that a single level increase wouldn’t make him capable of surviving a direct confrontation with that monster.
He returned to the tree shortly afterward, climbing back toward Ruk while the Hobgoblin watched him with an expression that seemed to combine disbelief and reluctant admiration.
"Don’t look at me like that," Grey muttered once he settled beside him. "I’m just making sure nothing goes to waste."
Ruk glanced toward the place where the injured Redfang had disappeared before returning his attention to Grey, apparently confused by the absence of a corpse.
Grey pretended not to notice.
Explaining that he possessed a mysterious system capable of consuming monsters and granting him their abilities would probably be difficult enough even if they spoke the same language.
Besides, he wasn’t particularly interested in sharing that information yet.
For now, surviving the forest remained his priority.
And judging from the battle below, another opportunity was approaching.