The Unknown Tree Fruit

The beast that flashed out of the forest trees and blown Ford away with a single swipe was enormous. Even its looks and ambition aura brought captivation to bugs, beasts, and others creatures alike. Pure white fur hung from its body giving others that saw it an intrigued feeling.

So pure in fact, the mind would begin to hallucinate that bright lights were glamouring and flickering in its wake. Cold frosted air breathed out of its mouth and nostrils as if the weather and temperature was snow and low.

And in the midst of all this, it stood on four legs with its two front legs having five razor-sharp claws each that split the ground apart by the slightest touch. Rows of long white sharpen teeth blended in perfectly with the fur on its figure when its mouth opened.

Giant Polar Bear! Five-star beast!

These were the thoughts that screamed out to Black and Donn when they noticed the characteristics of the beast. Ford would have come to the same conclusion if not for the fact he was still lying on the floor a small distance away trying to recover from the sharp blow.

Thankfully, just like the other students, Ford was an above average Adapter. Not only had he avoided the claws, but he had also only received half of the force which was then lessened by him reinforcing his body with his ambition force.

Still, the damage he took, left him sprung out on the floor in bad shape. Just this scene, showed the power and level in which the bear appeared to be. With the knowledge that what stood before them was an animal who could be said to be peerless below a titled Adapter, none of them chose to flee or give up.

They had been in the Evolver Forest for four days now. The first day was used to become a one-star Adapter, the second day they ended up losing Key, the third was used to search for him while both Black and Donn finally mastered their ambition force manipulation.

Now that it was the fourth day, only Ford was still a one-star Adapter and Key's strength unknown. And yet, if one was to put aside Key's situation, the supposed dangers, and difficulties where nowhere to be found.

Because of this, Black and Donn had yet to have a challenging fight as all the animals they met were one-star or two-star animals. There was no better opportunity than now to see their limits and aim for the next level.

A three-star Adapter!

If mastering the ambition force manipulation was the qualifications of a two-star Adapter, then being able to sharpen one's ambition and absorb the force left flowing over from something else would allow the requirements for a three-star Adapter.

The stronger the leftover ambition force was, the more dangerous and quicker one would have a chance to become a three-star Adapter. It was because the residue ambition force would always carry with it an ambition will.

If the will couldn't be erased, the ambition force wouldn't be absorbed entirely. Instead, the person would consume the will in its place causing extreme risks and damages to the mind and soul. "Hey, look behind it. There's a tree with fruits on it in the distance." Black told Donn and the recovering Ford.

Taking a quick glance while keeping one eye on the polar bear, Donn also noticed the tree. After they had arrived at the unknown place, they had never seen edible food and was forced to accept eating grass.

Even the animals they had run into were animals that weren't usual eaten unless one was starving to death like monkeys, lions, and such. If they had run into a deer, rabbit, or even something like a boar that was known to be a delicacy worldwide, they would have given in to their urges for meat.

But the fruits that hung from the tree far away was different. Just having one of the senses such as the sense of sight catch its awareness, flooded the others four senses with an unknown urge. It was like the fruit had its own ambition and wanted the attention of others.

Whether it was the imagination of its taste, the softness once touched, the sound of a delightful melody that brought harmony and serenity to mind, or maybe the pleasant sweet-smelling and fresh fragrance of something delicious, all the senses where effected.

The ambition from the fruit was so striking that, it seemed to have an individuality to it as it created effects on others to make it stand out. It wouldn't be surprising if the symptoms it was producing were the same symptoms that a titled Adapter could invoke into others around them.

"Those fruits aren't ordinary, and this beast seems to be guarding it. This opportunity can't be passed. Try to keep up useless. We need to take this beast seriously." Donn stated. Black gave a low snort hearing the insult from Donn.

Did the guy forget who was number two and who was number three in their student group? He could only refresh his memory in that case. "Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. With this fight, we will see who is more useless between me and you." Black also stated his comeback.

Since the beast's ambition gave off a strong and substantial feel, trying to kill it solo, wasn't even an option for them. Still, Black had to wonder if it was possible for him and Donn to also coordinate together as Key hoped.

If they couldn't, all he could do was say he at least gave it a shot. Before they could make a move, the polar bear shot at the still recovering Ford on the ground. It completely disregarded the other two. "What?!" Black shouted in surprise.

The move was so unexpected that neither Black or Donn could move in time to stop its blitz attack. "Not good! We can't make it!" Black panicked. "Shut up and kill it!" Donn shot back coldly, as he rushed the polar bear despite the futility of the action.

As the polar bear close in, it raised its front paw to swipe down. "Shi.." Ford wanted to say, but a loud sound cut him off as dust and dirt flew into his mouth.

Boom!

There standing on top of the beast buried headfirst into the ground was Key in his tattered blue T-shirt and black pants with a slight wind breeze. "Okay, what did I miss?"