Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

Chapter 371: Instincts Screaming

A few days earlier.

In a small, secluded hut in the wilderness, far from any known settlements or well trodden paths.

The hut was weathered and old, almost camouflaged by the overgrown vegetation surrounding it.

Inside, the dim light of a single lantern flickered, casting long shadows across the cramped room.

Two figures stood by a table, their features obscured by the dark hoods and cloaks they wore. Both of them were dressed in stealthily, dark attire that blended seamlessly with the shadows.

It was clear they were making every effort to conceal their identities.

The taller of the two broke the silence first, his voice low and gravelly.

"Is it done?"

The second figure, slightly shorter but with an air of composed authority, nodded.

"Yes. The request has been completed. The bait mission is already up on the mission hall’s boards, and the fake rumours about increased Variant class beast activity in the area have spread like wildfire among the adventurers."

The taller man let out a small, satisfied grunt, leaning back against the wall. "Good. And you’re certain they took the bait?"

"Positive," the shorter figure replied, pulling up a small rolled parchment and laying it flat on the table. It was a detailed map of the Evermoor forest region and everything within 100,000 kilometres surrounding Tenebrus city.

"The pair we’re targeting, Alex and Mira, were seen heading to the region not long after. They’re already in position."

A grin spread across the taller figure’s face, barely visible beneath the shadow of his hood.

"Perfect. They’ve no idea what they just walked into."

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The shorter one straightened up, his tone turning more businesslike. "This mission is dangerous enough as it is. I don’t know how you found that beast, but are you sure we can control this? If they get suspicious—"

"They won’t," the taller man cut him off, his voice carrying a sense of finality.

"Once that beast is awakened, they are dead meat. It’s impossible to kill it with their strength, I’d even bet my life on it. Besides, no one will think twice about a couple of adventurers going missing, that shit happens all the time. Especially not when we set the reward for this mission so high. The other adventurers will think its just another high risk, high reward mission."

The shorter man hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the map. "I hope you’re right. We can’t afford any loose ends. If something goes wrong—"

"Nothing will go wrong." the taller man said sharply, pushing of the wall and stepping closer to his companion.

"We’ve prepared for this. And once they’ve been taken care of, we can take their loot for ourselves. Strong adventurers like them are bound to have riches in their storages."

The shorter man let out a slow breath, nodding.

***

Back in the wilderness, Alex and Mira continued to move slowly and stealthily toward the massive reptilian creature that had appeared in the clearing.

The atmosphere was tense, but there was also a strange air of confidence in Mira.

It was like after she took down that Black Leopard, the confidence she had in her own abilities had grown.

After all, the Galephant she took down when she first arrived in this place was of the same level of strength as the Leopard, yet she didn’t even need to make use of her talents to kill the Leopard like she did with the Galephant.

Alex’s gaze flicked around the surroundings, searching for anything that might be an obstacle to them.

"Remember to strike fast and take it down before it has the chance to react. Try and make replicate the kill you had with that first Mutant class Leopard."

But as they moved into position, something strange began to tug at the back of Alex’s mind. It was subtle at first, just a nagging feeling that something was off with this beast.

The region they were in felt too… quiet. Too perfect. And the fact that this massive creature was resting so calmly in the middle of a clearing without a worry in the world only made things feel more weird to him.

Typically, not even Variant class beasts would be so nonchalant and worry free.

Like with the Black Leopard for example, it was very cautious in its approach to the Leopard corpse Alex and Mira had placed to bait it in.

The whole time it was checking its surroundings, utilising every sense it had at its disposal to make sure the area was clear.

After all, while Variant class beasts might be the dominant beasts of whatever area they inhabit, there were more Variant class beasts out there that could threaten them.

But this new beast Mira was about to take down was different…

It was like it didn’t have that worry at all…

The dense forest seemed to close in around them as Alex watched Mira creep through the shadows, drawing ever closer to the massive reptilian creature resting in the clearing ahead.

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, Mira’s confidence radiating from her as she eyed her target.

Alex, however, couldn’t shake the growing unease in the pit of his stomach.

The closer Mira got, the more his instincts screamed at him that something wasn’t right.

His mind raced, trying to piece together whatever it was that was gnawing at him.

The Black Leopard had been cautious, alert to its surroundings.

"Mira," Alex whispered, his voice low but urgent, "hold on for a second. Something’s not right."

But Mira was laser focused on the beast at this point and had basically blanked out Alex’s words.

Her eyes were locked on the creature’s exposed flank, her muscles coiled, ready to strike.

She was about to make her move when Alex’s mind clicked, and the pieces of the puzzle slammed into place.

"Mira, wait!" Alex’s shout tore through the stillness, his heart pounding through his chest as he surged forward, sprinting with every ounce of speed he had.

His voice cracked with desperation as he pushed his body to its limit, the realisation that they might have mistaken the beast’s strength hitting him like a hammer.

Mira barely had time to react, her body instinctively freezing at Alex’s shout.

She turned her head slightly, confusion flickering in her eyes, but before she could ask why, Alex had already closed the gap between them.

"Get back! —"

But he was too late.

The beast had already awakened.