Re-Awakening: Cannon Fodder With Strongest Talent-Chapter 15: Mid-Bronze Rank Bear!

He approached the Pack leader's corpse first. The E- Grade talent was the real prize here. Activating his devour ability.

He did not gain any stat points, but he could feel that his talent was stronger, although it had not evolved to F+ Grade.

'I need one more E- Grade wolf to devour, then my enhanced speed talent should evolve to F+ Grade.' Ethan thought as he read the next notifications.

Peak-Iron)>

'Not bad. But I don't need that transformation anyway.'

Ethan grabbed the cores of the wolves and left the area, searching for more monsters to kill and devour.

...

Ethan pocketed the wolf cores and vanished into the night, hungry for more prey to devour. His Bronze-rank body could handle most threats in this area - most, but not all.

As he crested a small hill, he spotted it. A massive brown bear snoring heavily beneath an ancient oak, its aura pulsing with Mid-Bronze energy. Even from this distance, he could sense its power.

'Not today,' Ethan thought, backtracking silently. 'I'll remember this spot, though. That bear's core would be worth the risk once I'm stronger.'

He turned away, marking the location mentally for a future hunt. Three weeks ago, he'd have been terrified of even Iron-rank beasts. Now he was sizing up Bronze ones like shopping for groceries.

Progress.

"Hey! You!"

The shout froze him mid-step. Ethan spun toward the voice, muscles tensing for combat.

Four figures emerged from the treeline. Humans, not beasts. All carrying weapons, they seemed to be experienced hunters. Their leader, a scarred man with a crossbow, looked at Ethan.

"Yes?" Ethan kept his voice neutral, lowering his guard fractionally. Humans were safer than beasts, usually.

But then again, humans in his previous life had driven him to his death.

'Never assume safety,' he reminded himself, scanning the group for talent indicators. In this world, a human with the right abilities could be more dangerous than any beast.

...

Ethan sized up the newcomers instantly, his status vision activating automatically.

The others barely registered - Peak-Iron ranks with F Grade talents.

Nothing special.

The leader, though... Mid-Bronze with an E Grade talent? That was someone worth watching.

"Why don't you join us?" The man offered with an easy smile. "Dangerous out here alone. I'm Jano, and this is—"

He rattled off names that Ethan barely processed, too busy wondering why a Mid-Bronze hunter would lie about something as basic as his name.

"I'm Ethan," he replied, keeping things simple.

Something wasn't right. These "hunters" appeared too suddenly, too conveniently. And why would a Mid-Bronze talent holder be looking to party up with a random person he saw in the forest?

Before Ethan could probe further, the night exploded with sound—a roar that shook leaves from branches and sent birds scattering into the sky.

GRRRROOOAAARRR!

"Shit!" The word escaped before Ethan could stop it.

The bear.

Their shouting had woken it up.

Worse, judging by the crashing sounds approaching through the underbrush, it was heading straight for them.

The forest parted like water as the Mid-Bronze bear burst into view.

Standing nearly twelve feet tall on its hind legs, its eyes blazed with rage at having its slumber disturbed.

It's status flashed in Ethan's vision.

"Formation!" Ray shouted, confidence dripping from his voice. "I'll take it down with a few shots."

Ethan couldn't believe the arrogance. "Do you even know what talent this bear has?"

"Does it matter?" Ray scoffed, readying his weapon. "It's just a beast. My new skill will end it easily."

The other hunters spread out, following orders. These weren't random adventurers - they were a team.

A dangerous one.

Ethan made his decision instantly. "Good luck with that. I'm out."

Ray's eyes hardened. "Kid, if you know what's good for you, stay. Otherwise, I kill you before the bear."

No hesitation.

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Ethan activated Enhanced Speed and bolted. The forest blurred around him as he pushed his talent to its limit.

Behind him, Ray cursed but adjusted quickly. His bow snapped up, aimed, and two arrows whistled through the air with unnatural precision.

Ethan sensed them coming.

He spun, activating Iron Enhancement and Protective Shield simultaneously.

The first arrow shattered his hardened shield and connected with his iron skin, but the second punched through, lodging deep in his shoulder.

"Argh!" Pain exploded through his arm, but he kept running. Ray's E-Grade talent and strength was no joke.

"Deal with the bear first!" Ray's voice faded behind him. "I'll find that kid later."

Blood trailed behind Ethan as he darted between trees, putting distance between himself and the danger.

Two threats in one night, the bear and the hunters.