Daniel rested at the cave's entrance the rock providing solace against his spine.
He always took the watch shift, a responsibility he assigned to himself that provided the solitude he strongly desired.
He clasped the F-Grade Vibro-Knife, the grip still slightly heated by the power of its former owner.
The fire had shrunk to glowing amber embers casting flickering silhouettes on the cave walls while his teammates rested.
Ragnars snoring produced a rumbling sound that seemed to make the stone tremble a calming noise, amid the deep stillness of the night.
Sophie remained motionless and small her breathing gentle and regular that she could easily be confused with a natural feature of the cave.
Bran, curled into a ball whispered softly in his sleep as his body twitched his mind reliving the day's horrors.
Outside, the Verge was alive with a lethal beauty.
The pair of suns disappeared, replaced by a spread of stars shining with a cold jewel-like glint.
Despite the beauty, around him Daniel experienced a hollowness in his stomach.
The meager supplies they had gathered were. His thirst felt like a harsh gritty sensation lingering at the back of his throat.
He understood that surviving had abruptly become more important, than earning experience points. The pursuit was no longer a choice; it was necessary.
As the pale white sun ascended above the mountains, its gentle grey illumination extended over the terrain rousing the team.
Almost at once, the day's oppressive heat set in, bringing with it serious of hunger.
"My throat feels rough like sandpaper " Ragnar muttered, his voice still groggy, from sleep as he stood up and stretched his arms letting out a low groan.
"My stomach aches as if my throat were cut."
Sophie was up early her gaze attentive as she inspected their remaining water supply.
She removed the lid from a flask. Tipped it slightly sipping carefully once before passing it to Bran, who was resting feebly against the cave wall.
"That's everything " she said evenly. "If we don't find water today we'll be, at risk."
The immediacy lent their actions a keen, hunting quality.
They departed from the security of the cave and ventured into the muggy morning the recollection of the massacred aspirants standing as a stark warning of the fate that awaited the negligent.
Their goal was to achieve two aims: obtain water and ensure their meal.
For three hours they moved silently through the forest floor blanketed with leaves that softly gave way under their footwear.
The atmosphere was thick and motionless. Suddenly a fresh noise arrived, a hopeful whisper that gradually blossomed into the crisp flowing melody of moving water.
They moved forward side, by side bound by a shared look of hope.
Pushing past the growth of purple-leafed plants they noticed it. A river about twenty meters wide winding its way through the forest.
The water was incredibly transparent allowing them to observe each multicolored stone on the riverbed.
It was a perfect, deceptive refuge in the middle of a hostile world.
Finally " Ragnar breathed out a surge of relief spreading across his face as a smile emerged.
Sophie meanwhile raised a hand her posture stiffened.
She surveyed the surroundings tilting her head while her 'Tactical Eyes absorbed the view.
"It appears clear " she stated in an careful tone. "I don't notice any dangers."
But be careful. Be ready for anything."
Her wariness was wise. The allure of crystal- water was impossible to resist. Brans face was pale and moist, with sweat. He paused for not a second.
He was the most desperate, his body still weak from his earlier ordeal.
He faltered beside Ragnar. Sank onto his knees by the riverbank shaping his hands to carry the fresh sustaining water to his mouth.
"It's… it's incredible " he gasped, drinking eagerly.
Ragnar chuckled quietly shaking his head. "Calm down kid. Don't want you to explode."
The instant he uttered words the tranquil river surface abruptly shattered.
Amid a torrent of streaming water and dispersed rocks, a massive creature rose from the depths.
It looked like a blend, between a fish and an ancient crocodile stretching at least ten feet in length its form enveloped in dense overlapping scales of deep green hide.
Its jaws, lined with rows of slender, needle- teeth spread wide before snapping shut tightly on Brans shoulder.
[Fangmaw Crocodilian - Level 1]
Stats: High Strength, High Vitality, Moderate Agility
Threat Analysis: attacker. Strong jaw. Tail lash. Protective skin withstands puncturing strikes.
Brans sigh of relief suddenly morphed into a loud piercing scream as the fangs tore through his uniform and sank deeply into his flesh.
The creature began to resist its body twisting as it tried to drag him into the water.
Ragnar let out a roar, driven by instinct a noise filled with raw rage.
"Stoneskin!"
He rushed into the river the water rising to his waist and seized the struggling creature.
"Let go of him you giant reptile!" he shouted.
Summoning a surge of power he hoisted the giant creature fully out of the water slamming its heavy body onto the riverbank with a resounding crash.
The Crocodilian, stunned by this burst of power let go of Bran, who fell onto the damp earth blood streaming, from his shoulder.
Released from its capture the creature swung its robust tail in a fierce sweep. It struck Ragnar directly in the chest.
Even though his 'Stoneskin' absorbed most of the blow with a crack the force of the strike made the big man reel back with a grunt.
"Sophie, vulnerability!" Daniel shouted, pulling out his F-Grade Vibro-Knife. He pushed out a grunt putting on a show, for his squad.
"Enhance!"
"Under the jaw, at the throat!" Sophie cried out her eyes gently gleaming with the light of her power. "The armor is weaker there!"
The furious beast disregarded the collapsed Bran. Charged at Ragnar, its teeth clamping shut with the force of a steel clamp.
This was Daniel's chance. He sprinted forward his boots slipping on the wet moss-covered rocks, beside the river.
He dropped into a crouch shifting smoothly beneath the creatures' snapping jaws the gust of air, from their miss ruffling his hair.
With all his strength he plunged his knife into the pale flesh of the creatures neck.
The F-Grade blade on the hand encountered a tough leathery skin. It scarcely pierced, embedding itself an inch before halting.
The Crocodilian emitted an angry hissing bellow and swung its head flinging Daniel backward.
He struck the earth with force the air expelled from his lungs as he slid over the mud.
At the moment the creature fixed its icy scaly gaze on him Ragnar regained his strength. With a bellow he seized the Crocodilians whipping tail.
He grounded his feet his muscles swelling with exertion and started to twirl.
He swung the squirming creature like a club, its armored body a flash of green.
With a shout he smashed its head into a huge granite boulder beside the river.
A sickening wet crunch resounded sharply making everyone flinch. The creature's body went limp its rage stopping once.
[You have vanquished: Fangmaw Crocodilian (Level 1)]
[Experience Gained: 12 EXP]
[Level 0: 24/50]
The ensuing silence was broken by Brans whimpers. Ragnar rushed to him gently lifting him up. "Hes losing a lot of blood."
Sophie was present already her expression focused as she took out a bunch of leafy herbs she had gathered along their trip.
"I can slow it down " she said, her fingers quickly mashing the leaves into a pulp. ". He needs to rest."
Daniel forced himself upright his heart racing.
"Both of you take him to safety " he ordered, his tone calm, with the rush of adrenaline flowing through him.
Find shelter. I'll go get the croc for nourishment.
Ragnar agreed silently hoisting the conscious Bran, in his arms as though he were weightless.
As his group vanished among the trees Daniel looked back at the lifeless beast.
His personal covert operation was about to start.
He sank to his knees placing a hand on the torso and his mind gave the silent command.
A wave of power fiercer and wilder, than that of the Crawlers flowed into him. It was raw, energy brimming with the savagery of a predator.
[Soul Assimilation successful on Creature: Fangmaw Crocodilian (Level 1)]
[Gain: Strength +13]
[Gain: Vitality +13]
[Gain: Agility +10]
[Assimilation Charges Consumed (8/10 Remaining).]
He noticed the transformation. His muscles seemed denser his body tougher. It was a sensation.
Grunting he lifted the carcass onto his shoulder and trailed his team into the woods.
He was a predator hiding in plain sight, and now, he was just a handful of kills away from a whole new level of power.