GEN-Z

The bushy plains were filled with clanging swords and roars of students. The vibrations reverberated throughout the area. But the metallic sounds were not from blades slicing through beasts. Instead, they came from swords striking rocks and missing their targets entirely.

The novice students, with no practical experience, swung their weapons clumsily. Their lack of precision and coordination between mind and body was evident in every move. Their swords struck the ground or nearby stones more often than they hit the agile Sprint Rabbits. The creatures were too fast for the untrained eyes of the students, their rapid movements leaving only blurred trails.

But not all students, like Rook and Allie. Instead, they seem to be quite Skillful. They slash these rabbits as they cut butter effortlessly. Each was able to kill five Sprint Rabbits in very short time and even got time to take a rest. It was not due to fatigue or any other injury but the place have low beast population.

Away from the noisy hunting grounds, the teacher watched these hunters. His sharp eyes noticed every movement, silently criticizing them.

'Those two are real geniuses,', he thought as he watched Rook and Allie with a slight nod of approval. 'They might even reach the second Genesys world with their skill. But the others.' His sharp gaze moved through the struggling teenagers. 'They're not yet prepared for this world.'

One remote corner of the hunting grounds, Rave stood alone while avoiding his instructor's all-observing eyes. He gripped his sword in an iron-fisted grip. from one corner of mouth, blood dripping out dop by drop. It wasn't that fumbly battle of a learner; it was desperate battle of survival.

Before him stood a rabbit he had never seen. It was bigger, more muscular, and much more dangerous than the average Sprint Rabbits. A jagged scar crossed its left eye, marking its ferocity.

Rave used his appraisal skill, and a transparent panel opened before him.

Name: Digger Rabbit [Mutated]

Level: Gene Adaptation Stage

Attack: 4 [+6]

Speed: 17

Defense: 2 [+8]

Skills:

Quick Dash: It dashes in a straight line to avoid basic attacks or quickly close gaps. [With mutation effects, it strikes opponents swiftly and critically.]

Nervous Shift: Changes direction immediately when threatened, making its movements unpredictable for a short time.

As Rave absorbed the information, the rabbit sprang into action. It charged at incredible speed-a blur that distorted the air around it. Rave barely had time to raise his sword in defense, the force of the collision sending shockwaves through his body. His ribs ached from the sheer pressure, and he stumbled, gasping for breath.

The rabbit didn't retreat. It spun sharply, its scarlet eyes fixed on him with deadly intent. This time, Rave didn't wait. He steadied himself, raised his sword, and coiled his muscles for a counterattack.

The creature lunged again, faster than the first time, testing his reflexes. Their collision sent vibrations down Rave's arms, leaving them numb. He gritted his teeth, his mind racing.

'This monster is stronger than me,' he thought, barely dodging another attack. 'I can't keep this up. I need to use my skills. But.. even that, might not be enough.'

This was no ordinary Sprint Rabbit. Its mutation granted it both enhanced speed and devastating offensive and defensive capabilities.

Once again, the rabbit charged, this time it realised the skills and strength of Rave, so it used one of its skills: Quick Dash. Its body glistened with a slick sheen, like it was telling of its skill being used. In a flash, it was out of eyesight, the speed moving it in such manner that it seemed barely visible.

Rave's instincts screamed at him. He ducked, twisting his body just in time as the rabbit's attack narrowly missed. His heart was beating out of control while he tried his best to catch up with such erratic and unpredictable movements.

Steadying himself, Rave moved deeper into the bushes, narrowly escaping the rabbit's attacks. "I can't defeat it with my current strength. I need to come up with a plan." He needed strategy.

Rave wasn't an average fighter. Back home, he had been one of the top students—at least when not comparing himself to Rook and Allie. His combat training, honed through years of rigorous drills and some guidance from his missing parents when they were still around, had made him capable.

"This is it. I've prepared for this my whole life," he muttered to himself, determination setting in.

As the scarred rabbit readied itself for another dash, Rave narrowed his eyes, analyzing its movements.

There had to be a pattern, a weakness. He just needed to find it before it was too late.

This time, when the muscular rabbit charged at him, Rave just found out its next move.

A devilish grin spread across his face. "Yo, meathead. You think I'm weak?" The smile widened as he readied himself.

When the rabbit was almost upon him, Rave sidestepped at the last possible moment, twisting his body and slashing his sword across its side. The strike was severe and unexpected. The rabbit skidded to a halt, blood dripping from the shallow wound. It turned back to Rave in shock, roaring in pain, its glowing red eye burning with fury.

Clutching its side, the rabbit lunged again. But this time, its speed was slightly slower, and its movements were more erratic.

"Hah, that works. Rave, you really are talented," he said to himself, tapping his own shoulder as he readied for the next attack. But the happiness was only skin deep. His hands were trembling from the extreme speed of the movement and the force of the strike that had broken through the rabbit's defense. The fatigue was overwhelming.

When the rabbit lunged again, Rave quickly grabbed a nearby rock. It was for his next plan. He hurled it with all his strength. The stone hit the ground just in front of the rabbit, causing it to lose its footing and almost stumble from the momentum of its own attack.

Of course, it only lasted for a brief moment. Once it regained its balance, it scowled and looked around, searching for Rave.

But shockingly, it found nothing. Only the high bushes swaying gently in the wind.

Confused, the rabbit's face twisted into a snarl. It scanned its surroundings, but Rave was nowhere to be seen. Its frustration mounted, and with a furious roar, it increased its speed. The air shimmered as it moved like a streak of light, its speed tripling. In its wake, the grass was cut down, and the ground trembled, creating chaos in the small area.

Far from that area, the instructor's attention shifted from the students' dull battles to the muscular Sprint Rabbit. "Mutated beast!" he exclaimed, his voice carrying across the field and reaching the ears of every student, even Rook and Allie.

At the mention of a mutation, all the students—who had been desperately chasing harmless rabbits—turned to look in the direction the instructor was watching. Their eyes widened in shock as they spotted the mutated Geno beast. The muscular rabbit was tearing through the grassy field in a frenzy, dashing crazily and wreaking havoc. One hit from it would be enough to cripple anyone instantly.

"Is that how a mutated beast looks? It's so strong," one boy said, his voice filled with amazement.

"Oh, please. What's with that face? Are you planning to fight it or something? Remember, you were just struggling to catch a normal Sprint Rabbit a moment ago," a girl beside him retorted, shaking her head.

Another student chimed in, agreeing with her. "If you faced that thing, it'd crush you between its underarms in no time."

While the other students were caught up in their chatter, Rook and Allie's expressions shifted. Excitement gleamed in their eyes as they stood up, energized and ready to face the challenge.

The instructor, still observing the beast, didn't flinch. His focus shifted to the top two students, who were now preparing to take on the mutated rabbit. A small smile played on his lips. "I think I'll finally see their real strength."

Rook unsheathed his sword, but before he could take a step, a voice cut through the air.

"Hey, boy! Your name's Rook, right? That's my prey. Don't touch it!" Allie called out, leaping toward the beast without hesitation.

Rook stood still for a moment, confused. 'What's with that girl? Is she crazy? Or am I crazy to let her steal this opportunity?' he thought with disdain before charging after her toward the beast.

Neither of them showed any fear of the mutated rabbit's strength. They didn't see it as a threat but as a rare opputunity.

Mutated beasts were special. Unlike normal Geno beasts, their Genesys Crystals provided extra Genesys points and could significantly enhance the genes of the one who claimed them. Some even carried higher-tier Genesys Crystals, offering power far beyond their level.

The two of them almost reached the beast, but Allie was slightly ahead. Seeing this, Rook shouted, a thin layer of golden light surrounding his body, much like the mutated beast's aura. However, unlike the rabbit's white light, his was golden.

"Aura!" he yelled, activating his skill. His strength surged, and with the boost, he outran Allie.

Allie, refusing to accept defeat, shouted as well, activating her own aura. "Aura!" she cried, her light a milky white, brighter than the rabbit's. But despite her efforts, Rook still stayed a step ahead.

"Haha, it's my prey!" Rook gloated as he closed the gap to the beast.

This light, called aura, was the hallmark of the second power level, Gene Aura Manifestation—a level above the Gene Adaptation Stage. Due to their family backgrounds and exceptional genes, both Rook and Allie could partially manifest this aura before reaching that stage.

But for the mutated beast? How could it release an aura? The answer lay in its title: mutated.

As Rook and Allie drew closer, the mutated beast sensed them. Its fury rose. First, it had missed Rave, and now, two more threats were closing in from behind. Without any warning or dramatic roar, the Sprint Rabbit dashed toward them, using its skill with terrifying speed.

Rook's smile widened. He raised his sword, ready for the clash. The rabbit, undeterred, accelerated even more, aiming straight at him.

But then—

Thud!

Blood splattered as the rabbit's body was sliced cleanly in half mid-dash. Its attack stopped dead.

The scene was shocking—not just to Rook and Allie but to every student watching. Even the instructor, who rarely reacted, burst into laughter.

"Haha! Rave! What an entry! I never expected it!"

As the instructor had said, Rave emerged from the bushes, his sword still in hand. He had hidden himself, perfectly timing his ambush to strike the rabbit with a single, flawless slash. The mutated beast hadn't even noticed him.

Rook and Allie froze in place, their steps halting. Their expressions were blank, unable to process what had just happened. Rook had anticipated an epic battle to claim victory, yet the reality was far beyond anything he'd imagined.

Host has killed a Gene Adaptation Stage beast.

A mechanical female voice echoed in Rave's mind. He dropped to his knees in exhaustion. His sword, now fragile from the strain of the fight, began to crack. With a faint sound, it shattered into pieces before his eyes.

"I think I finally managed it," he muttered, his breath heavy as sweat dripped down his face.

All around, the other students stared in disbelief.

"Rave… Rave killed a mutated beast?" one student stammered, still in shock.

"Rave? But how?" another whispered, unable to comprehend.

As murmurs of astonishment filled the air, a golden light began to rise from the beast's severed body. The glowing phenomenon caught Rave's attention, leaving him just as stunned as everyone else.