The mist still covered much of the forest, although the morning sun's rays were already filtering through the towering trees. The Brumenoire Forest seemed to breathe more slowly than usual, as if it too were preparing to let them go.

"Finally, the last day..." Sora said softly as he looked at Elwen sitting next to him.

More than two months had passed since they had managed to survive their first night and their encounters with the Night Hunter.

That night, they had narrowly escaped, but thanks to that battle, Sora had managed to gain a second skill: Beast Sense. And God knows how many times it had saved their lives. Although Elwen didn't know this, Sora had preferred to keep his system and skills a secret.

Too many people already knew about its existence.

"Do you know when he's coming?" asked Elwen, getting up and leaning on a branch next to her.

"No... But I'm sure he found us a long time ago, he's just waiting for the right moment to show up. He likes to make himself desirable," " Sora declared, rotating his shoulders, which were still sore from their past battles.

He never thought he would feel this way, but right now, Sora was really looking forward to seeing the haughty mercenary who had brought him to this cursed place.

Because of him, he had spent more than two months having to watch his every move, having to pay attention to the slightest noise around him, having to adapt, having to fight, and above all, having to survive.

But thanks to this eccentric guy, he had actually become much stronger than he ever thought possible, he had gained a new skill, improved the one he already had, and his whole body had become much more powerful.

Sora hadn't looked at his profile much since he'd been here, not because he no longer thought about it, quite the contrary, it was surely one of the things that occupied his mind the most, but because he wanted to wait until the last day to see how much progress he had made, to see the fruits of his hard work.

And that famous day, which he thought would never come, had finally arrived.

He took a deep breath, hesitated for a few moments, and finally thought as hard as he could. "System0, use Stats Scan."

For the first time in over two months, Sora heard that metallic voice echoing in his mind again.

[ Affirmative. ]

[ STATS SHEET ]

[ - Name: Sora ISOSHI ]

[ - Age: 17 ]

[ - Gender: Male ]

[ - Status: 86% (86 HP) ]

[ - Level: LV.0 ]

[ - EXP: 83/100 ]

[ ABILITIES ]

[ - Strength: 0.98 ]

[ - Intelligence: 0.87 ]

[ - Agility: 0.94 ]

[ - Speed: 0.91 ]

[ - Vitality: 0.77 ]

[ - Magic: _ ]

[ - Magic Resistance: 0.42 ]

[ SKILLS ]

[ - The Collection ]

[ - Piercing Teeth ]

[ - Bestial Sense ]

[ TITLE ]

[ - The Climber ]

Sora stood speechless for several seconds. Absolutely all of his stats had increased by at least a third. Compared to when he arrived here on Ark a few months ago, he was no longer the same man. He probably still couldn't beat Jarek in a fight, but he felt that at least he would have the chance to defend himself, or even hurt him.

He admired his improvement for a few more seconds before turning his gaze to his skills. Had they improved too, had they increased by one level? Sora had no idea, but he wanted to know.

"System0, use Skill Scan on Piercing Teeth and Beast Sense," he ordered silently.

[Negative.]

[System0 Cannot Use: Skill Scan on Two Skills at Once.]

"Ahh... This damn stupid system, I almost missed it with all these restrictions," he thought, a smile on his lips.

"Then use Skill Scan on Piercing Teeth," he continued, keeping a happy expression on his face.

[ Affirmative. ]

[ Skill Scan ]

[ - Type: Offensive ]

[ - Name: Piercing Teeth ]

[ - Level: LV.1 ]

[ ABILITIES ]

[ - Strength: + 0.15 ]

[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]

[ - The Climber Throws One or More Teeth at the Enemy, Inflicting Damage ]

"Damn, it didn't increase, but then again, I wouldn't have been surprised if it did, since I haven't used it much. Now use Skill Scan on Bestial Sense. "

[ Affirmative. ]

[ Skill Scan ]

[ - Type: Passive ]

[ - Name: Bestial Sense ]

[ - Level: LV.2 ]

[ ABILITIES ]

[ - ]

[ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ]

[ - The Climber More Easily Perceives Living Presences Around Him Within a 15-Meter Radius ]

His smile widened when he noticed the small 2 appear on the Level line. During those two months, he had thought he felt an increase in the range of his skill when he used it, but he wasn't sure.

But now, seeing it in black and white well, black on light blue, to be more precise he had confirmation that his skill had improved.

He didn't think it would happen so quickly, but given that he had been using it every day for over two months, it made sense that he had improved.

Still absorbed by his exciting news, Sora hadn't noticed Elwen, who had been watching him smile like an idiot for a few moments.

"What's with that stupid look on your face?" she asked, tired of seeing that stupidly radiant face right next to her.

"Nothing," he replied, without letting the smile fade from his lips. "I'm just happy we managed to survive."

A slight sigh escaped Elwen's lips as she nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we were definitely lucky. "

Elwen stretched, her muscles still sore from their daily training, then sat back down against a mossy tree trunk.

"Lucky... Well, I think it's mostly because we learned to fight together. "

Sora turned to her, a little surprised.

"Together? You mean without you I'd be dead already?" he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

Elwen raised an eyebrow, her usual cold expression returning immediately.

"I never said that. But it's true."

Sora's stifled laughter echoed among the trees. For the first time in a long while, it wasn't forced or nervous laughter, but genuine, almost lighthearted laughter. Elwen simply looked away, embarrassed by the sudden warmth in his tone.

Silence returned, lulled by the rustling of the mist that still crept along the ground. But it was no longer a heavy silence like the previous weeks: rather, it was a fragile, almost soothing respite.

They remained like this for several minutes, each thinking back on their two months together in this inhospitable forest.

The mist still crept between the roots and ferns, diffuse like a veil that refused to lift despite the morning light. Sora and Elwen were enjoying this deceptive calm when, suddenly, a muffled crack echoed above them. Not the sound of an animal, not the rustling of a branch shaken by the wind. More precise. More intentional.

Before they had time to react, a figure slid down from the top of a tree, hanging by his legs, upside down. The man swung quietly above them, as if gravity were nothing but a game.

"Well..." Jarek said in a feigned tone of surprise, his amused eyes first settling on Sora. "You survived. Not bad, kid. I was starting to bet against you."

Then his gaze shifted, locking onto Elwen. His lips stretched into a mocking smile.

"And on top of that, you found yourself... a roommate? Or is she a survival assistant that came with the Brumenoire package?"

He let himself fall with a smooth movement, landing silently despite his casualness, then put his hands back in his pockets, as if none of this was unusual.

"I guess you'll have to introduce me, because I don't think I signed up for a duo."

Sora, torn between relief and annoyance, raised an eyebrow.

"Still as annoying as ever, huh... Couldn't you have arrived normally, like everyone else?"

Jarek shrugged, his smirk barely fading.

"Oh, I see you've gained confidence since we last met. Not everyone has the nerve to insult me. But let's let it slide this time... Arriving normally is boring. And look: you seemed too relaxed. I had to liven things up a bit." "

He nodded toward Elwen, his eyes sparkling with genuine amusement.

"On the other hand, I have to admit I didn't expect this. When I left you here, you were alone and scared half to death. Now you're posing, sitting next to a... His gaze slid over Elwen, taking her in with quiet insolence. "...princess of the woods? Seriously, kid, you've made progress I didn't anticipate."

Elwen, who had been motionless until then, frowned and gave him an icy stare.

"I am neither a princess nor the subject of your joke."

Jarek let out a small, frank, light laugh that contrasted sharply with the tension he was creating.

"Ah! She talks. And she bites, too. Not bad. I think I'm going to like you." "

Sora sighed loudly, rubbing his neck.

"Jarek, this is Elwen. She's partly responsible for my survival here. So cut the crap, for once."

The mercenary pretended to think, as if he had been asked to do the impossible.

"Cut out the bullshit? Hmmm... that's part of my charm, you know. But hey, if she's the reason you're still standing, I guess I can make an effort."

Elwen crossed her arms, never taking her eyes off him.

"Good, because I won't be able to stand you for long otherwise."

A new smile stretched across Jarek's lips, wider and more sincere this time.

"Oh, interesting... I think I've just found someone even more entertaining than you, Sora."

Elwen didn't flinch, her eyes still fixed on Jarek's.

"Entertaining or not, I'm not here to be evaluated." "

"Evaluated?" Jarek repeated, bursting into a short laugh. "No, no, you're wrong, Sleeping Beauty. I don't evaluate. I gauge. The difference is that if I'm wrong in my judgment, it could kill me. So believe me, I've learned to be precise. "

Sora raised a hand, annoyed to see the two eyeing each other like predators.

"Tch... cut the crap. You're giving me a headache just talking."

Jarek turned to him with that same smirk that made you want to punch him in the face.

"Still as touchy as ever when someone touches your ego, kid. But hey, I'll be honest: I didn't leave you alone in that forest for fun. "

A heavy silence fell, broken only by the rustling of the branches as they swayed in the wind.

Jarek put one foot down and, with a nonchalant gesture, cracked his knuckles.

"Two months in this hell. You're still breathing, you've gained some muscle, and you've even learned to smile like you're proud of yourself. Not bad. But..." He tilted his head to one side, his eyes shining with an almost predatory gleam. "...I want to see for myself how far you've really come."

Sora frowned.

"What, you mean..."

"Exactly." Jarek spread his arms slightly, as if inviting him. "You and me. A little fight. Not to the death, eh, I'll leave that luxury for later. But if you think you've evolved, then prove it to me."

Elwen immediately stood up, wary.

"You show up like a thief and you're already talking about hitting him? You've got a problem."

"Oh, I've got plenty, but this isn't one of them," Jarek replied with a wink. "And don't worry, princess: I don't kill promising kids."

Sora took a deep breath, his heart beating faster at the thought of finally facing him. A mixture of apprehension and excitement ran through his body. He had been waiting for this moment without admitting it to himself.

"All right," he said, standing up, his fists clenched. "You want to see how much I've improved? I'll show you."

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