Hunt Race

The ground trembled.

Once.

Then again.

Each step was heavier than the last.

The ancient trees ahead swayed violently before one of them snapped in half.

CRAAACK!

A massive figure emerged from the darkness.

Kael stopped breathing.

It stood over four meters at the shoulder.

Its body resembled a monstrous bear, yet every muscle beneath its hide looked as though it had been carved from solid rock.

Dark stone-like plates overlapped across its entire body, forming a natural armor scarred by countless battles.

Two enormous ivory tusks curved upward from either side of its jaw.

A crown of jagged black horns spread across its head like shattered stone.

Its forelegs were as thick as tree trunks.

Each claw was nearly as long as Kael's sword.

Golden eyes slowly opened.

Calm.

Cold.

Unchallenged.

A cloud of hot breath escaped its nostrils.

The surrounding air distorted from the heat.

Then...

It took another step.

BOOM!

The earth cracked beneath its weight.

Kael instinctively tightened his grip around his sword.

"...What is that?"

Leon's face stiffened.

"Ironhide Behemoth..."

"The king of this domain."

The Alpha came to a complete stop.

Its emerald eyes met the Behemoth's golden gaze.

Neither beast blinked.

Neither lowered its head.

The forest became unnaturally quiet.

Not a single bird sang.

Not a single insect moved.

Even the wind seemed to disappear.

The Ironhide Behemoth slowly lowered its massive head.

A deep rumble echoed from within its chest.

The Alpha answered with a low growl.

Its wound still bled.

Its movements remained slower than before.

Yet...

It refused to retreat.

Leon took a slow step backward.

"Now."

Kael didn't move.

His eyes remained fixed on the two kings.

The difference between them was terrifying.

One was speed.

The other was overwhelming power.

Neither was something a Bronze hunter should ever face.

The Ironhide Behemoth suddenly roared.

ROOOOOOOAR!!

The blast shook the entire forest.

Leaves exploded from the branches.

Several smaller trees bent under the pressure.

Kael felt his ears ring.

Before the echo faded—

The Alpha disappeared.

BOOM!

It burst toward the Behemoth in a blur.

Its claws slashed across the Behemoth's armored shoulder.

SCREEECH!

Sparks erupted.

The stone-like plates held.

The Behemoth barely reacted.

It swung one massive foreleg.

BOOM!

The air itself seemed to explode.

The Alpha twisted away just before the claw landed.

The impact shattered the ground, leaving behind a crater several meters wide.

Fragments of rock rained through the forest.

Kael stared in disbelief.

The Alpha landed lightly.

Its emerald eyes narrowed.

For the first time...

It wasn't looking at prey.

It was facing an equal.

Leon grabbed Kael's arm.

"Move."

This time...

Kael didn't argue.

The two hunters turned and disappeared deeper into the forest.

Behind them...

The clash of two kings had only just begun.

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