Chapter 304: The Horned Giant Snake

"Look... that annoying boy finally shows his abilities," Luna said with a satisfied tone. "Even Kim Jisoo and Asuka Endo wouldn't be able to defeat Haruto if he gets serious."

Pricilla stared at Luna with a stunned expression.

Meanwhile, in the stadium and throughout Fortress City 085, the spectators watched in silence... before an explosion of cheers filled the air.

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In the dense forest, where sunlight could only penetrate through the gaps in the thick foliage, Haruto slowly but surely discovered every herb, poisonous plant, and various types of flora.

Haruto's hands moved deftly, his fingers accustomed to handling various plants, easily identifying leaves that could be used as medicine or poison. Haruto's sharp eyes observed every corner of the ground, searching for something valuable among the sprawling tree roots. He knew very well that every second in this competition was extremely precious.

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On the other side, a faint rustling sound could be heard among the thick leaves. In a hidden part of the forest, a girl with a flat expression looked around.

The girl's clear eyes reflected calmness, but there was a thin tension at the corners of her lips. As if considering her next move, the girl took a deep breath before finally darting nimbly between the trees, almost silently.

Before her stood a giant tree towering high, its trunk so thick that it would take several adults to encircle it with their arms. However, what was more striking was not the tree itself, but the figure of a creature dwelling near it—a giant horned snake with pitch-black scales that gleamed like obsidian.

The snake's glowing red eyes stared sharply at the girl, as if it sensed the intruder in its territory. The snake's tongue flicked out, tasting the foreign scent that now disturbed the tranquility.

Without hesitation, the girl extended her hand forward. A crackling sound was heard as the air around her suddenly turned cold. From the palm of her hand, ice crystals began to form, shooting rapidly towards the giant snake. Sharp shards of ice attacked at high speed, striking the snake's hard scales.

However, instead of injuring the beast, the attack merely left light scratches. The giant snake whipped its massive body, creating a wave of air that sent leaves flying around.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar shook the forest.

The snake lunged forward, its massive body moving with unbelievable speed, as if slicing through the air with such agility. The girl remained calm, but her body reacted instantly. With a swift movement, she spun to the left, narrowly avoiding a deadly attack aimed at her.

The snake's sharp claws dug into the ground, creating deep marks in the damp earth. But the girl did not stand still. She immediately ran towards the giant tree, her steps light as if she barely touched the ground.

The horned giant snake would not let its prey escape so easily. With a threatening growl, the creature lunged again, chasing the girl with astonishing speed.

However, the girl had another trick up her sleeve. As she approached the tree, she suddenly stepped into the air. Beneath her feet, a layer of ice formed rapidly, creating a transparent foothold that sparkled under the dim light of the forest. With agility, she continued to run upward, creating ice steps one after another, climbing higher and further out of the giant snake's reach.

The snake roared in anger, leaping to try to catch the girl with its gaping jaws. But then, something unexpected happened.