Doc sat with Fish on the fallen log, considering the enormity of the problem before him. Twenty-five people trapped in a hostile forest that had nearly killed him despite all his advantages. They couldn't stay indefinitely, but rushing into the Hollow Vale unprepared would be suicide.

  "Lux, let's break this down methodically," Doc said quietly. "Before we even consider forest navigation, what are the immediate critical needs we need to address?"

  "Running analysis," Lux replied through their neural connection. "Based on camp observations and conversations, critical priorities include: inadequate food supplies, limited potable water, and significant structural vulnerabilities in the camp defenses. Current shelter arrangements are suboptimal for protection against local apex predators."

  Doc nodded, watching the camp's activity with a clinical eye. "We need a checklist. Solve the immediate survival needs first, then work on an exit strategy."

  "Logical approach," Lux agreed. "Recommend retrieving your emergency supply pack as first action item. Contains water purification modules, emergency rations, and medical supplies that would address several immediate concerns."

  Doc had almost forgotten. Before infiltrating the camp, he'd cached his main pack with additional supplies in a hollow tree approximately half a kilometer from the camp's perimeter. He'd traveled light for the assault, bringing only essential weapons and tools.

  "Good point," Doc said, rising from the log. "Let's retrieve those supplies first, then reassess."

  Fish stood with him, stretching her limbs before falling into step beside him. Doc made his way toward the camp's main gate, mentally cataloging what was in his pack and how it might help their situation. The water purifier alone would be invaluable, capable of processing up to twenty liters per hour.

  As he approached the gate, Doc noticed several former captives staring at him with expressions ranging from confusion to alarm. A female dog person with a lean build stepped forward.

  "You're not thinking of going out there, are you?" the women asked, eyes wide. "You just woke up!"

  "I have supplies cached nearby," Doc explained simply. "Won't take long to retrieve them."

  The women looked as though Doc had suggested a leisurely stroll through an active volcano. Before he could respond, Doc heard quick footsteps approaching from behind.

  "Hey! Where do you think you're going?"

  Doc turned to see Mazoga jogging toward him, with Kesh following at a more measured pace. Her face was a mixture of concern and irritation.

  "You've been unconscious for two days, and now you're just walking out the gate?" Maz asked, planting herself between Doc and the exit. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

  Kesh arrived beside her, his amber eyes studying Doc with quiet intensity. "The forest is particularly active at this hour," he noted, his voice low and measured. "Not ideal for travel, even short distances."

  "I left supplies nearby before I came to this camp," Doc explained. "Equipment that could help with our immediate problems."

  Doc studied the skeptical expressions on both their faces. "It's not just my personal gear. I have a water purification system that can process twenty liters per hour, emergency rations, medical supplies, and tools that could strengthen the camp defenses."

  Mazoga crossed her arms, unconvinced. "And how far away are these magical supplies of yours?"

  "Half a kilometer, at most," Doc replied. "I cached them in a hollow tree before approaching the camp. The benefits outweigh the risks."

  Maz glanced at Kesh, who tilted his head slightly. She sighed before the hunter pulled her aside a few paces away, speaking in hushed tones.

  Doc watched them with mild curiosity. "Lux, can you enhance audio reception?"

  "Enhancing," Lux confirmed through their neural link. "Focusing directional input."

  The distant murmurs suddenly sharpened in Doc's ears.

  "—could be useful," Kesh was saying. "Besides, I want to see what he's capable of. The way he fought the void-walker was unlike anything I've encountered."

  "Fine," Maz replied. "But if he drops dead out there, I'm blaming you."

  "I'll go with him," Kesh said. "Keep an eye on him."

  They returned, with Mazoga wearing a resigned expression. "Kesh has volunteered to accompany you," she announced. "Try not to die out there."

  Kesh nodded. "I may not be high-level, but I have skills that could be useful. My Hunter's Insight skill allows me to scan creatures, identify their strengths and weaknesses."

  Doc raised an eyebrow, curious about this ability that sounded remarkably like Lux's scanning functions, but decided questions could wait. "I appreciate the company. Ready when you are."

  The feline beastkin adjusted his bow across his shoulder and gave a curt nod. Without further discussion, they passed through the gate and into the dangerous forest beyond.

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  Kesh moved through the forest with practiced ease, keeping his steps light as he guided the stranger toward the cached supplies. The man—Doc, as he called himself—followed at a measured pace, his strange metallic suit making surprisingly little noise. The wolf pup that had somehow evolved into something far more dangerous prowled ahead of them, occasionally disappearing in flashes of violet light before reappearing several meters away.

  Kesh couldn't help but steal glances at the outsider. What manner of man throws himself into the Hollow Vale willingly, then risks death to save strangers? The hunter had spent decades avoiding unnecessary risks, yet this foreigner had charged headlong into danger without hesitation. It didn't make sense.

  Questions formed in Kesh's mind—about Doc's origins, his strange weapons, the unusual way he spoke to himself sometimes—but he kept them locked behind his teeth. The Vale punished carelessness, and idle chatter could attract unwanted attention.

  "Your Hunter's Insight ability," Doc said suddenly, breaking the silence. "How does it function? Is it an innate trait or something acquired?"

  The question caught Kesh off guard. Most adventurers understood the basics of skills and classes without explanation.

  "It's... acquired," Kesh replied carefully. "I gained it after tracking and studying a rare crimson fox through an entire winter without killing it. The system recognized the accomplishment as worthy." He shrugged. "The knowledge just appeared in my mind one morning. Now I can understand creatures more deeply after observing them."

  Doc's expression grew more confused rather than less. His brow furrowed as if Kesh had spoken in riddles rather than straightforward terms.

  "System?" Doc asked. "You mean there's a formalized method for skill acquisition?"

  Now it was Kesh's turn to be confused. "What skills do you possess?" he asked bluntly, curiosity overcoming caution.

  Doc's face immediately grew serious, his expression hardening into something unreadable. Kesh recognized his mistake instantly—asking about another's skills was considered intrusive in many regions, sometimes even hostile.

  "My apologies," Kesh said quickly, raising a placating hand. "You needn't share if you don't wish to. It was presumptuous to ask."

  To his surprise, Doc's expression softened into a slight smile. "No offense taken. I'm not from around here, so I'm still learning the customs. Where I come from, we don't have..."

  Kesh's ear twitched. He raised his hand abruptly, cutting Doc off mid-sentence. Something was moving through the underbrush ahead—something large and heavy. The rhythmic thuds of massive footfalls carried through the forest floor, vibrating against his sensitive pads.

  "Quiet," Kesh whispered, dropping into a crouch. "I hear something. Large creature, approximately eighty meters ahead."

  Doc fell silent immediately, then muttered strange words under his breath "Lux, scan perimeter, identify potential threats". The hunter watched in fascination as Doc's eyes narrowed in concentration. After a moment, Doc pointed directly toward the source of the sound Kesh had detected.

  "There," Doc whispered. "Moving slowly, feeding on something."

  Kesh blinked in surprise. Whatever magic Doc had just employed, it seemed to grant him awareness similar to Kesh's own senses. Interesting.

  "We should investigate," Kesh suggested quietly. "My Forest Step skill allows me to move through woodland without sound. Follow exactly in my footsteps—the skill extends to those directly behind me if they match my movements precisely."

  Doc nodded, and they began a careful approach. Kesh led them through the underbrush, choosing each step with practiced precision. As they drew closer, a distinctive scent reached Kesh's nostrils—blood, offal, and the musky odor of an apex predator.

  They crept to the edge of a small clearing, and there it was—a massive Ravageboar, its tusks dripping with gore as it fed on the carcass of some unfortunate creature. The beast's hide shimmered with traces of magical energy, bone plates jutting from its shoulders like natural armor.

  Kesh activated his Hunter's Insight, focusing his senses on the massive Ravageboar. Knowledge flowed into his mind—not as words, but as intuitive understanding. The beast's hide pulsed with ambient magic, its bone plates nearly impervious to conventional weapons. Those tusks could shear through tree trunks with minimal effort. Most concerning was its charge—once committed, the beast would not stop until it impacted something solid. He'd seen one demolish a magical stone wall during a town raid years ago.

  Kesh turned to Doc, keeping his voice barely above a whisper. "We should avoid this creature. Its hide repels most weapons, and those tusks can cut through armor. If it charges, nothing stops it."

  Doc nodded in agreement, but then did something unexpected. He reached toward the strange metal device at his hip—the same weapon he'd used against the bandits. With practiced movements, Doc adjusted something on its side. The device emitted a soft, high-pitched hum that made Kesh's sensitive ears twitch.

  Doc caught Kesh's questioning look and whispered, "Just in case."

  Kesh felt a flicker of appreciation. Whatever class this stranger possessed, he was clearly made of sterner stuff than most. Creatures like the Ravageboar typically sent even seasoned adventurers fleeing—not from cowardice, but from the overwhelming presence of dread they emanated. Doc showed no signs of such fear.

  As Kesh prepared to lead them away with his Forest Step skill, disaster struck. A shift in the wind carried their scent directly to the feeding beast. The Ravageboar's head snapped up, gore dripping from its tusks as it fixed ember-orange eyes on their position.

  The beast released a guttural roar that shook leaves from nearby branches. It lowered its massive head and began stomping its front hooves against the forest floor, preparing to charge.

  Kesh knew they had seconds at most. Once that charge began, nothing would stop it—not trees, not rocks, certainly not flesh and bone. He turned to warn Doc to run, only to find the stranger already in position, weapon raised and aimed directly at the monster.

  "Lux, engage combat mode," Doc said in a calm, measured voice.

  Kesh watched in fascination as Doc's eyes shifted, glowing with an eerie blue light. His stance changed subtly—more balanced, more precise. The weapon in his hand hummed louder, emitting a faint blue glow along its barrel.

  The Ravageboar charged, its massive form accelerating with impossible speed. Kesh tensed, preparing to leap aside—the only defense against such an attack.

  Doc's weapon discharged with a sound unlike any Kesh had heard before—not the crack of a bow or the boom of black powder, but a high-pitched whine followed by a sharp hiss. A bolt of blue-white energy streaked from the barrel, striking the Ravageboar directly between its eyes.

  The beast collapsed mid-charge, sliding to a stop mere meters from their position. No struggle, no death throes—just instant, complete stillness. A small, precise hole marked the entry point, while the back of the creature's skull had simply... ceased to exist.

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  Kesh stared in stunned silence. He'd seen powerful adventurers struggle against such creatures, expending rare potions and specialized weapons. Yet this stranger had eliminated it with a single shot.

  Doc lowered his weapon, the blue glow fading from his eyes as he sighed and offered Kesh a small smile.

  "Well," Doc said with a light tone that belied the extraordinary feat he'd just performed, "I guess that takes care of our food problem."

  Kesh couldn't help it. The laughter burst from him like water through a broken dam—wild, uncontrollable, and completely inappropriate for their dangerous surroundings. One moment they'd been facing certain death from a charging Ravageboar, the next it lay dead with a precision shot that defied everything Kesh knew about combat. The absurdity of Doc's casual comment after such a display broke something loose inside him.

  He doubled over, shoulders shaking, trying and failing to muffle the sound. Days of careful restraint in vale—where noise meant death—suddenly meant nothing. Kesh laughed until his sides ached and tears gathered at the corners of his eyes.

  Doc stared at him with growing concern. "Are you... alright?" he asked, his weapon still held loosely in one hand as he stepped closer.

  Kesh held up a finger, needing a moment to collect himself. When he finally straightened, wiping at his eyes, he caught the genuine worry in Doc's expression.

  "I'm fine," Kesh managed, his voice still unsteady. "It's just—we should be dead. That beast has killed seasoned hunting parties. I've seen one tear through a magically reinforced wall. And you just..." He gestured at the perfectly still Ravageboar. "One shot. Then you make a joke about our food problems."

  He shook his head, the last of his inappropriate mirth fading. "Whatever class you possess, it's unlike anything I've encountered."

  Doc's expression shifted slightly, something unreadable passing behind his eyes. "We should process this animal if we're taking it back," he said, changing the subject. "It could feed everyone for days."

  Kesh nodded, composing himself fully as they approached the massive carcass. The Ravageboar looked even more imposing up close—its hide shimmering with traces of magic, bone plates jutting from its shoulders like natural armor.

  He ran his fingers along the beast's flank, feeling the unnatural hardness beneath. "I don't have a knife sharp enough to properly dress this," Kesh admitted. "The hide absorbs and disperses force. It would take specialized tools or high-tier magic to penetrate it effectively."

  Doc reached to his hip and unclipped a different device—not the ranged weapon he'd used to kill the boar, but something with a sleek handle and no visible blade.

  "Would it be alright if I dressed the beast while you guide me through the process?" Doc asked. "I'm not familiar with the anatomy, but I have the right tool for the job."

  Kesh tilted his head, curious what weapon could possibly cut through a Ravageboar's magical hide. But Doc had already surprised him once today. "By all means," he said, gesturing toward the carcass.

  Doc pressed something on the handle's side. A humming sound filled the air as a shimmering blue-white blade of energy extended from the device—unlike any sword or knife Kesh had ever seen. It gave off heat and light, crackling faintly as Doc moved it through the air.

  "Where do we start?" Doc asked.

  Kesh indicated the belly. "Usually here, but the hide will be—"

  The energy blade sliced through the Ravageboar's reinforced hide as easily as a hot knife through butter. No resistance, no struggle—just a clean, cauterized cut that parted the magical material like it was nothing. The smell of singed flesh filled the air as Doc carefully followed Kesh's directions.

  Kesh watched in stunned silence as Doc methodically worked, the blue-white blade making short work of bone plates that would have dulled or broken even enchanted steel. Together they worked through the massive carcass, with Kesh providing guidance on where to cut and what parts to preserve.

  When they reached the chest cavity, Kesh held up his hand. "Stop here. We need to be careful with what comes next."

  Kesh stared at the massive cavity they'd opened in the Ravageboar's chest. There, nestled between muscle tissue and the creature's heart, sat what they'd been looking for—a core the size of a man's fist, pulsing with amber-orange energy. Unlike the smaller cores from lesser beasts, this one emanated power that made the air around it shimmer.

  "We need to be careful extracting this," Kesh said, pointing to the glowing crystal. "Monster cores are incredibly valuable to almost everyone in our world. For adventurers like myself, they can unlock skills we don't naturally possess. For beast tamers, they can evolve their companions into something stronger." He glanced meaningfully at Fish, who watched them with intelligent eyes. "And to the magically inclined, cores can amplify enchantments or spells."

  Kesh ran a finger along the edge of the cavity, careful not to touch the core directly. "There are other uses too, but those are the ones that matter most to people like us. A core this size could fetch enough coin to buy a small house in some places—if we ever make it out of the Vale."

  Doc looked genuinely surprised. "I have several cores in my supplies. I've been using them to heal Fish when she was injured, but that's about it."

  Kesh stared at Doc for a long moment before a laugh escaped him. "You're funny, Doc. I like you." He shook his head, certain Doc was making some strange joke. Nobody would waste monster cores as simple healing items, especially not for an animal companion—no matter how remarkable.

  With practiced movements, Kesh guided Doc's energy blade around the core, severing the last connecting tissues without damaging the crystal itself. The core floated free, hovering slightly above the cavity before Doc carefully collected it.

  "You should keep it," Kesh said, gesturing at the glowing crystal. "Your kill, your core. That's the way of things."

  Doc nodded, carefully storing the core in one of his strange pouches. They continued working together, Kesh directing Doc's cuts as they harvested the most valuable parts of the Ravageboar—the tenderloins along the spine, the dense muscle of the shoulders, and the fatty belly meat that would provide much-needed food for the camp.

  As they worked, Kesh found himself studying Doc with newfound curiosity. The stranger moved with precision and confidence, his strange blue-light blade slicing through material that would have required specialized tools or high-level magic. His weapon had dispatched a Ravageboar with a single shot—a feat Kesh had only heard of in tavern tales about legendary hunters or mythical heroes.

  Yet Doc spoke of monster cores as if they were common healing herbs. He fought with weapons unlike any Kesh had seen in his decades of travel. And that wolf companion—Fish—had evolved into something with phase abilities that typically required years of core absorption.

  When they finished dressing the carcass, they bundled the meat into improvised packs made from the beast's own hide. The rest they buried to avoid attracting scavengers. As Doc shouldered his portion of the meat, his face betrayed no strain despite the considerable weight.

  Who are you really? Kesh wondered, watching Doc adjust his strange suit. What manner of being walks into the Hollow Vale and treats its terrors as mere inconveniences?

  For the first time since the bandits had captured him, Kesh felt something he'd nearly forgotten—hope. Not the desperate kind that keeps a man moving when all else fails, but genuine belief that survival was possible. This stranger, with his impossible weapons and casual disregard for the Vale's dangers, might actually lead them all to safety.

  We might just make it out of this forest alive, Kesh thought, a warmth spreading through his chest that had nothing to do with exertion. The children, the elderly, all of us. We might see our homes again.

  It was a dangerous thought—hope often led to carelessness in the Vale—but Kesh couldn't help himself. For the first time in too long, he allowed himself to believe in something beyond mere survival.

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  Doc shouldered his portion of the Ravageboar meat, surprised at how the strange hide maintained a slight resistance even after being separated from the creature. The material felt almost like a semi-rigid polymer rather than organic tissue. He glanced at Kesh, who moved with practiced efficiency despite the substantial load he carried.

  "Your Forest Step ability," Doc said as they began their trek back toward his hidden supplies. "That's quite remarkable. I've never seen anything like it."

  Kesh nodded, his movements still eerily silent despite the forest debris underfoot. "It's a passive skill that developed after years of hunting. Not all hunters develop it—only those who spend enough time learning the language of the forest."

  Doc processed this information, fascinated by the implications. "The language of the forest?"

  "Not words," Kesh clarified, "but patterns. Where branches bend, how leaves fall, which roots rise above the soil. The forest speaks through its design, if you learn to listen."

  They continued in companionable silence, with Fish scouting ahead, occasionally phasing through dense underbrush rather than navigating around it. Her new abilities seemed to delight her, and Doc couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

  "Lux," Doc subvocalized, keeping his voice below audible levels. "What do you make of Kesh's Forest Step ability?"

  "Fascinating," Lux replied directly into Doc's neural pathway. "It appears to be a form of environmental harmonization. My sensors detect subtle shifts in his gait that distribute weight perfectly across the terrain. More interestingly, there's a faint energy signature around his feet—similar to the magical resonance we've observed in other phenomena, but highly localized and controlled."

  "So it's definitely some form of magic?" Doc asked silently.

  "Affirmative, but unlike raw manipulation, this seems more like a trained biological adaptation to magical energy. His body has learned to channel ambient magical fields to create the effect. Extremely efficient design."

  Doc considered this as they reached the hidden cache where he'd stored his salvaged supplies from the shuttle. The cloaking field had maintained its integrity, rendering the equipment invisible until Doc deactivated it with a command through his neural link.

  Kesh's eyes widened slightly at the technology, but he made no comment. Doc appreciated the hunter's restraint—most locals he'd encountered from other planets would have bombarded him with questions.

  "This should make the return journey easier," Doc said, efficiently repacking his supplies to accommodate the fresh meat. "With the food we've secured, your group should have enough provisions for several days."

  Kesh nodded, helping to distribute the weight evenly. "The Ravageboar meat will sustain us well. Its flesh contains traces of the magic it absorbed in life—eating it provides more than just physical nourishment."

  Doc found that statement particularly interesting. "So consuming magically infused creatures provides benefits beyond caloric intake?"

  "Of course," Kesh said, as if stating the obvious. "Why else would adventurers hunt such dangerous prey? The benefits are temporary for most people, but still valuable. Enhanced stamina, faster healing, sometimes even temporary resistance to certain elements."

  Doc filed this information away for later analysis. The implications for cellular regeneration alone were fascinating—perhaps explaining his own accelerated healing after consuming Fish's previous hunts.

  "Your Forest Step skill," Doc said as they began their return journey to camp. "Does it develop naturally, or is it something that can be taught?"

  Kesh considered this as they walked. "Both, in a way. The potential must exist within you—usually tied to your class affinity—but proper instruction can accelerate the process. Some skills emerge spontaneously through need or repeated action; others require deliberate training."

  "Interesting," Doc replied, genuinely fascinated by the organic development of abilities in this world. It seemed to combine biological adaptation with metaphysical energy manipulation—a truly remarkable evolutionary pathway.

  Doc walked alongside Kesh as they made their way back to camp, the weight of the Ravageboar meat a satisfying burden across his shoulders. Fish trotted ahead, occasionally disappearing in a flash of violet energy only to reappear several meters forward.

  "She seems quite pleased with herself," Doc observed, watching Fish's playful movements.

  "As she should be," Kesh replied. "Phase abilities are rare even among evolved beasts. Usually takes years of careful core integration to develop such skills."

  Doc smiled, feeling a surge of pride as he watched Fish. The journey continued without incident, the forest eerily quiet around them as if the death of the Ravageboar had sent ripples of caution through the ecosystem.

  When they finally approached the camp perimeter, Doc noticed the improved defensive measures the group had implemented—sharpened stakes facing outward, makeshift watchtowers constructed from salvaged materials, and what appeared to be alarm systems made from stretched wire and suspended metal scraps.

  Mazoga and Dulric emerged from the main tent as they approached, their expressions shifting from vigilance to surprise as they took in the enormous bundles of meat.

  "By the old stones," Mazoga exclaimed, her tusked jaw dropping slightly. "What in the seven hells did you two find out there?"

  Kesh's face broke into a rare grin. "We encountered a Ravageboar and decided to hunt it," he said with exaggerated casualness, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "It was quite an experience."

  Doc couldn't help but chuckle at the understatement. The memory of the massive creature charging them, only to be stopped by a single precision shot, seemed almost absurd in retrospect.

  "The food supply issue should be taken care of," Doc said to Mazoga, adjusting the weight on his shoulders. "I'll focus on our other problems after a good night's rest."

  Mazoga circled them, examining the quality and quantity of meat with an expert eye. "This is premium stuff. Ravageboar meat keeps well and provides twice the sustenance of normal game."

  "Where should I take this?" Doc asked, preparing to carry his load to whatever passed for their food storage area.

  Kesh placed a hand on Doc's shoulder. "You've worked hard enough. Just leave it here—I'm sure others will volunteer to help process it." He turned toward the gathering crowd of former captives. "Won't you?"

  Several people stepped forward immediately, eager to assist with the bounty that would feed them all for days. Doc gratefully relinquished his burden, feeling the strain in his muscles as he straightened.

  As the evening progressed, the camp transformed. The mood lightened considerably as the smell of roasting meat filled the air. Doc observed the community coming together around this simple but crucial victory—children playing with renewed energy, adults laughing as they worked to preserve portions of the meat for future meals.

  Near one of the shelters, Doc noticed a small group of children curled beneath a blanket. A freckle-faced girl with honey-blonde braids gently rocked a younger child in her lap, humming softly. Her voice was quiet, barely more than a whisper, but the melody drifted clearly in the still night air.

  "Wander not where shadows fall,

  Where silent trees stand straight and tall.

  But if you must, tread soft, tread light,

  For what sleeps there brings endless night.

  Yet worse than beasts that hunt and roam,

  Is she who guards and calls it home."

  Doc paused. The tune was simple, but the words pricked at something deeper, too precise to be nonsense, too old to be invention. The girl said nothing more. The child in her lap was already asleep.

  No one else in the camp seemed to notice.

  ____________________________________________________________________________

  Later that night, as Doc sat near his tent with Fish curled beside him, one of the village children—Jem, if he remembered correctly—approached with a wooden plate bearing a large, perfectly cooked piece of Ravageboar.

  "Mr. Bran helped cook this special for you," the boy said, offering the plate with solemn formality. "He says it's the best cut, for the one who brought it back."

  Doc accepted the plate with equal seriousness. "Please thank Bran for me."

  The meat was surprisingly delicious—rich and flavorful with a subtle sweetness that Doc hadn't expected. He savored each bite, watching the stars emerge above the canopy as the camp settled into evening routines.

  "Nutritional analysis complete," Lux's voice announced in his mind. "The meat contains trace magical elements consistent with enhanced cellular regeneration and energy production. I recommend regular consumption while supplies last."

  Doc took another bite, chewing thoughtfully. "So I'm basically eating magical pork chops?"

  "Affirmative, though the magical signature is more complex than previous samples. This creature appears to have absorbed significant ambient energy during its lifetime."

  Fish looked up hopefully at Doc's plate, her amber eyes tracking each movement of his fork.

  "Don't even think about it," Doc told her. "You already had your portion."

  Fish tilted her head, as if to say she hadn't been properly consulted on portion sizes.

  "I've been reviewing our encounter data," Lux continued. "Your single-shot neutralization of the Ravageboar was quite efficient. However, I calculate that Fish is now convinced she assisted in the hunt and deserves equal credit."

  Doc glanced at Fish, who was still staring intently at his plate. "Is that so? And what exactly was her contribution? Looking fierce from a safe distance?"

  "According to my analysis of canine psychology, she believes her moral support was crucial to your success."

  Doc laughed, breaking off a small piece of meat and offering it to Fish, who accepted it with dignified restraint before immediately looking expectant again.

  "You know," Doc said, settling back against a tree trunk, "for a highly advanced AI, your understanding of 'moral support' seems suspiciously biased toward additional food rewards."

  "I merely interpret the data," Lux replied. "And the data suggests Fish finds your hunting abilities... boar-ing without her assistance."

  Doc groaned at the terrible pun while Fish tilted her head, clearly wondering why her food supply had suddenly stopped.

  person from this world. The Ravageboar was no joke, but the fight wasn’t just about showing power—it was about contrast. For Kesh, this mission wasn’t just eye-opening; it was a moment where disbelief started turning into possibility.

  Chapter 13 drops Tuesday.