However if it was Also very strong, with it’s traces of showing domination wit numbers, it should have come out and gone all out to clear it’s opposition.
However this one didn’t.
So except it was in its nature to be cautious, its Intelligence probably told its opponent this time weren’t easy.
Michael felt this should be the case.
Grand knight Verren seemed to have been lured out of the camp at first before several monsters then showed up.
Perhaps the plan was to first lure the strongest then kill the weakest ones before concentrating all it’s power on eliminating the bigger threat.
So.
“I’m the reason it’s still hiding?”
Michael turned to look at Gale.
Though he believed he had concealed his aura well, against beings of similar or greater strength, it wasn’t much of a disguise.
However…
“Except for my mana, I’m mostly likely weaker than it. Perhaps, even with my mana…”
A thought came to Michael.
His path to power differed from the traditional cultivators and knights of this world.
Unlike them—who fortified their bodies with mana which left traces in and them—he enhanced his physical strength through attribute points.
Just like most other Awakeners, even those in physically-oriented classes, his appearance was deceiving.
He recalled a female knight he’d seen a few days ago at camp. She was massive, her build muscular and dense, which looked oddly fitting despite her short stature.
Then, he thought of his classmates back at Aurora—Mira and Lilian. Both were physically strong, Lilian especially so. Either of them could probably go toe-to-toe with that female knight, yet they looked no different from before their awakening.
Stat improvements didn’t affect appearance much.
The changes were there, but subtle.
Unless someone relied on sharpened instincts that grew along with them, it was easy to underestimate an Awakener’s physical prowess.
“Still… I should be weaker than it. This might work.”
Michael had Gale descend into a clearing and leapt off with a serious expression. He addressed the beast aloud
“Search the area for any strong monster like you or close to you and engage them.”
But mentally, he gave a different order.
“Just fly in wide circles for a while, then head back to camp.”
He had to maintain the act.
There was always a chance the monster was watching him now.
Yes.
Michael had made a decision: he would act as bait.
It was risky—extremely risky.
But it just might force the monster to reveal itself, even if only slightly.
All he needed was a trace. A clue.
With his high Intelligence and the equipment protecting his mind, Michael felt somewhat confident in his edge.
He didn’t believe the monster could kill him instantly from a distance.
And if things went south, he’d release Prince immediately and let them have a rematch.
As for facing the monster himself?
If he could just land the final blow, he’d be more than satisfied.
He was confident, yes—but not foolish.
The monster was possibly two dozen levels above him and was even in an higher rank
Even with mental defenses, Michael wasn’t about to leave his mind completely exposed.
“I should be weak enough for it to seek me out… right?”
Michael had several thoughts running through his mind.
He couldn’t afford to appear too weak.
If he did, the monster might simply send another one of its controlled beasts rather than come out itself.
He had to strike the right balance—strong enough to be taken seriously, but not so strong as to pose a real threat.
Just dangerous enough to be worth the monster’s attention.
That should do it.
That should make the monster take him seriously.
With deliberate steps, Michael began walking slowly through the forest, carefully scanning his surroundings.
And as expected…
Not long after—
A monster stepped out into his path.
[Forest Ape – Lv. 33]
With its huge body, the black tentacles on its body revealed its origin.
With a spear in hand, Michael took the first step forward and charged.
‘Let’s make this fight look just a little easy.’
Michael didn’t rush.
He met the monster head-on, his spear held low.
The Forest Ape roared and swung its arm, aiming to crush him in one blow.
Michael side-stepped cleanly, his body moving with calm precision.
The spear jabbed forward.
Just enough to graze the ape’s side.
It howled, more in anger than pain.
Michael backed off again.
He could’ve pierced deeper, maybe even crippled it. But that wasn’t the point.
He needed this to last a little.
So he held back.
The monster charged again.
Michael spun to the side and swept his spear in a wide arc.
Clank!
The shaft struck the ape’s knee, making it stumble—but only for a moment.
It recovered and came at him with both hands raised.
Michael ducked low, rolled under the swing, and stabbed upward.
The tip of his spear scraped the ape’s ribs, drawing a thin line of blood.
Still not fatal.
Still holding back.
He moved in again. His spear danced around the monster, always just a bit too fast, always just barely slipping through its guard.
He let the Forest Ape swing again and again.
Clang!
Boom!
Their clashes echoed through the trees.
But Michael’s face stayed calm, eyes sharp.
He wasn’t trying to win—just perform.
Strong enough to challenge—but not win.
A threat, but a beatable one.
Minutes passed.
The Forest Ape’s movements grew sluggish.
Michael, in contrast, barely looked tired.
His strikes had become more daring—pushing deeper, brushing vital spots.
The Forest Ape lunged again.
Michael responded with sharper movement this time—two quick steps forward, ducking low as his spear thrusted up in a clean arc.
It pierced the ape’s shoulder this time, making it stagger backward.
Michael stepped in again—this time, no more holding back.
The spear flashed.
A clean thrust pierced straight through the Forest Ape’s throat.
It didn’t even have time to react.
Blood spurted as its body staggered backward, then crashed to the ground.
Dead.
Michael yanked his spear free and let the blood drip.
Quick. Clean. Efficient.
He stood still, eyes sweeping the treeline.
“Now then…” he muttered.
“If that wasn’t enough to draw you out, I’ll just keep going.”
At the edge of his lips, Michael had a smile on his face.
He hadn’t seen the monster but he noticed something.
The forest Ape he just killed now.
It seemed a bit too alive..
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