The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth as Arin followed the old man into the depths of the forest. It was the same forest—the one that had nearly claimed his life a year ago. The trees stood tall, their branches weaving a dense canopy overhead, blocking out most of the sunlight. The eerie silence of the Death Valley Forest made it seem almost alive, as if it were watching them with bated breath. The very ground seemed to hum with a strange energy, the same energy that had nearly consumed him when he was struck by the black lightning. But that was a part of his past he hadn't shared with the old man. He hadn't told him everything, especially not about that mysterious surge of power.
Arin walked alongside the old man, who led him deeper into the woods, a strange glint in his eyes as he observed the surroundings. The path was rugged and narrow, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Arin's thoughts wandered back to that fateful day when he had come here to hunt, only to be struck by that unearthly bolt of lightning. He remembered the panic, the pain, and the surge of strange, impossible power that had coursed through his body. But he said nothing. The old man didn't need to know about the lightning.
As they moved further into the forest, Arin spoke casually, his voice breaking the heavy silence. "This is where I almost died a year ago... in this very forest. It was a rank B monster that almost got me," he said, his voice steady, but with a slight edge of nostalgia. He glanced over at the old man, expecting him to ask for more details.
The old man, however, simply nodded and continued walking, his face unreadable. "A rank B monster, huh? Not bad for a boy who barely knew his way around the wilds. But, you've come a long way since then. I can see it in you."
Arin didn't reply. He kept his gaze ahead, his thoughts lingering on the past. The pain. The fear. The unrelenting hunger that drove him to survive. But those memories had hardened him. Made him stronger. The old man wasn't wrong; he had come a long way.
They eventually reached a clearing, a wide open space where the trees parted like curtains, revealing an ominous sight in the center. There, basking in the dim light filtering through the trees, was a creature unlike any Arin had ever seen.
A monstrous serpent, its body coiled tightly around a massive stone pillar that rose from the ground like a jagged finger. Its scales shimmered with an iridescent sheen, shifting colors with every movement, like liquid metal. Three massive eyes, each the size of a human head, stared out at them from the serpent's head, glowing with an eerie, unnatural light. The Triple-Eyed King Snake. A creature of legend. A monster that even seasoned hunters feared.
The old man stopped beside Arin, watching the beast intently. His voice, low and gravely, carried a sense of finality. "This, my boy, is the Triple-Eyed King Snake. Rank A. You've never faced anything like it before. It's a true test of your abilities. Some hunters spend their entire lives seeking it out, only to be swallowed whole."
Arin's breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of the massive serpent. The sheer size of the creature was intimidating—its coils were like a mountain range, and its eyes were terrifying, their cold, calculating gaze fixed on him.
The old man turned to him then, his expression serious. "You have two choices: You can take your time, train, and prepare. Or... you can attack the King Snake now, without hesitation. But know this, Arin—this is your challenge. If you succeed, you will not only prove your strength, but you will also earn a reward. A true test of your potential."
Arin met the old man's gaze, his heart racing with the weight of the decision. He had trained for this moment, worked for this challenge. But this monster—this creature—was beyond anything he had ever faced.
The old man continued, his voice like a whip crack. "There is an entrance exam for the Magic Academy in 30 days. If you can kill the Triple-Eyed King Snake, take one of its eyes, and present it to the Magic Academy, I will help you unlock your true potential. I will teach you what I know. I will guide you, and you will grow beyond what you can imagine."
Arin stood there for a moment, his mind racing. The challenge was audacious, and the stakes were high. But something within him stirred. His heart, once heavy with doubt and fear, now surged with excitement. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. A chance to prove himself not just to the world, but to himself. The idea of gaining access to the Magic Academy, of advancing his knowledge of magic and martial arts, was too enticing to pass up. The old man's offer was a rare one, a chance to grow stronger and faster than anyone else. But there was the King Snake. The monster that would either break him or elevate him to new heights.
Arin's lips curled into a small, determined smile. "You're right," he said, his voice calm but filled with resolve. "I'll take the challenge. I'm not afraid to face it. But I'll need every bit of power I've gained to take that thing down."
The old man's eyes gleamed with approval. "Good. That's the spirit. But remember, this won't be easy. You'll need more than just strength to defeat it. You'll need strategy, timing, and a clear mind. And don't forget—time is ticking. The entrance exam to the Magic Academy is in 30 days. If you can pass that exam, and give me that eye, I'll make sure your training doesn't stop there."
Arin nodded, the challenge now set before him. He felt his pulse quicken, the adrenaline already beginning to surge through his veins. This was more than just a hunt. This was a battle for his future. A chance to prove that he was more than just a survivor. He was going to win. He had no other choice.
As Arin turned his gaze back to the Triple-Eyed King Snake, the massive serpent's eyes locked with his. For a moment, it felt as if the creature could see straight through him, gauging his every move, waiting for him to make the first strike. But Arin wasn't intimidated. He had a plan.
The old man stepped back, giving him space. "Take your time, Arin. Train if you need to. But when you're ready, strike. I'll be here, watching."
With a final glance at the King Snake, Arin felt his heart settle into a rhythm of determination. The countdown had begun. The exam, the monster, and his future were all intertwined now. There was no turning back.