Primordial Expanse: I have the Strongest Talent!

As they approached the area designated by the mission, the landscape changed drastically.

Compared to the city, where the land was mostly flat terrain to make for easier transportation through the huge place, the jungle outside gave way for rolling hills and dense, untamed forestry.

"Yeah, this is the kind of place you'd expect to find Leopard type beasts in. It looks like we got the right place!"

Mira exclaimed, looking all around them.

Alex surveyed the surroundings with a more critical eye.

The mission had warned them about the extreme danger level, and while it had stated that the beasts here could only go up to C+ rank Variant class, he had no intention of underestimating the situation.

He would only make a judgement on if this place was safe to hunt after checking the validity of that information himself, rather than blindly trusting the word of the anonymous mission poster.

The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustling of leaves.

It was the kind of silence that set one's nerves on edge.

Even Mira had quickly adapted to the situation and had dropped her excitement after a short few moments of surveying the area.

"Stay alert," Alex advised Mira.

"Even though the beasts are supposed to be in this area, they might not make themselves known right away. They're smart and territorial."

Mira nodded, her expression just as serious as Alex's.

"Not to mention our Spatial perception doesn't work in this realm, so we have to be even more alert!"

They moved cautiously through the forest, Alex leading the way with experienced ease.

Mira followed closely, her senses trained on the environment around them at all times.

After a few dozen minutes of navigating through the dense foliage, they reached a clearing with a raised vantage point.

Alex crouched down alongside Mira and they both kept watch with keen eyes, scanning the surroundings of any movement.

"There's something moving over there!"

Mira was the first to spot something and pointed to a section of the forest where the trees seemed to shift slightly.

Alex focused his gaze on the area Mira pointed to.

His eyesight was much more focused and better than Mira's, so he would be able to get a better idea of what was going on over there.

"It looks like a leopard beast just attacked another bird type beast, and that's why we saw the trees shaking, because it was hiding and stalking from the canopy!"

Alex was surprised to see a leopard beast already in their sights, as it hadn't even been an hour since they had been searching yet.

But he was happy nevertheless.

'If it's a Variant class beast that would just be the best!'

Of course, it would only really matter if the beast matched Mira's requirements though, as that was what they were really after.

"Let's get a closer look. It seems like their fight has already concluded, with the leopard beast coming out as the victor."

They moved from their vantage point, making sure to keep a close eye on their surroundings.

They didn't want to be sneak attacked by another beast because they were so focused on this other beast they were tracking.

That would just be embarrassing.

Alex and Mira approached the area where the leopard beast had been observed, moving with stealth.

Their movements and footsteps barely made any sound at all.

The dense foliage made for ample cover, and they carefully navigated their way through the underbrush to avoid making any noise that could alert the beast.

If they were too slow or alerted the leopard beast of their presence, they could scare it into escaping.

While Alex wouldn't have any trouble catching it if it was Variant class, Mira would.

That was why they were being so cautious though, if Alex even interfered in the slightest bit, even blocking the leopard's path of escape without attacking or defending at all, it would count as interference and Mira wouldn't get credit for it as a solo kill.

But of course, this all only mattered if it was a Mutant class beast.

As they approached the bit of underbrush where the battle had taken place, Alex signalled Mira to stay low and move quietly.

His and Mira's sharp eyes scanned the area, noting the faint trails of disrupted foliage and the occasional bloodstains on the ground.

It was clear that a struggle had taken place here, but the leopard beast had won, as evidenced by the half eaten bird beast corpse nearby…

Alex took a position behind a tree, using it as cover while Mira crept forward, her focus entirely on finding the leopard.

The leopard beast, now resting in a shaded patch of the clearing, appeared to be in a moment of repose.

Its sleek, spotted fur gleamed in the dim sunlight. There was a relaxing air around it, like it had just enjoyed a grand feast and entered a food coma shortly after.

"Be ready," Alex whispered to Mira. "It's sleeping, but could still prove dangerous."

Mira nodded, her expression serious.

She drew her weapon, and moved in with precision and agility that came as second nature thanks to all her training.

Alex watched closely, ready to provide assistance if the worst case scenario happened, though he hoped Mira could handle it alone.

Mira approached the leopard beast as silently as she could possibly manage, even making sure to not breathe at all.

The beast remained completely unaware of her presence, resting with its head lowered.

Mira took advantage of this moment of vulnerability.

Taking up an attack stance, she closed the distance and struck with her blade, aiming for the vital spot underneath the leopard's jaw.

This area was nearly unhindered by bone and striking it with enough force and upward motion would allow her to directly pierce through the gaps and right into the beast's brain.

The blade cut through the air with a precision strike, landing exactly where Mira was aiming.

The beast's eyes opened wide with pain and surprise for a split second.

But within moments, it was subdued, and any struggle that may have happened ceased within the instant.

Alex, rushing out of his cover, shouted towards Mira in anticipation.

"Well? Was it a Variant class!?"