-- Chapter 4

A sapling residing on the floor of the forest shadowboxed as it were conditioning for a fight rather than simply a plant.

For several days, Hui had spent his time “practicing” which involved the sapling equivalent of crossfit. Though he had not yet figured out the activation of his skill, Hui was content in his development. After the nourishment of the mysterious energy, Hui was gradually able to contort his body in any manner.

The energy automatically circulated within him as Hui finished another bout of exercise.

‘Soon I’ll be able to leave this spot and search for treasured herbs and plants.’

As Hui indulged in his cannibalistic dreams, the energy tapered off before finally dissipating.

‘Hm, that’s odd. Has the energy from the bunny run out?’

‘I suppose it’s time to move from this spot and search for more prey.’

The sapling released a fiendish aura as it pulled its roots from the ground and began moving as it were a spider.

--

A youth slipped away from the supervision of its parents into the freedom of the forest as it searched for the delicacies nearby that might have been missed by its peers.

Though it had heard of the disappearance of one of the children recently, it scoffed at the danger. It wasn’t foolish, and its sense of danger was finely honed. It felt confident in itself as it wandered away from the safety of the burrow.

As it turned a corner, its eyes glistened with fervor as it spotted what appeared to be a sapling.

Perhaps it was its imagination, but it felt as if the sapling were beckoning to it, swaying seductively in the breeze, almost welcoming itself to partake of its succulent leaves.

As the youth approached the sapling and leaned forward, it sensed an ominous feeling.

Before it could react, a split second of pain was felt before everything went dark.

--

Hui untangled his body from the bunny and retracted the leaves and roots he had pierced into its fur.

Though Hui had not yet successfully activated the skill he aptly named “Silver Leaf”, he was capable of fatally injuring small animals especially when attacks were unexpected.

He had gotten into a routine of brutally murdering helpless animals to extract their essence for practice purposes followed by cultivating vigorously till it was absorbed.

Hui found himself enjoying the simplicity of this second life, save the borderline psychopathic bits.

Time passed as Hui traversed the area of the forest he was born in, growing day by day.