Reborn With the Infinite Gods System

Axel, Josh, and Loki walked in silence, their footsteps muffled by the soft hum of the facility behind them as they approached the towering door. This door, one of several designated exits from the underground complex, loomed ahead like a portal to another world.

Commander Asher had instructed their team to take this path, while the others were sent through separate doors on different sides of the facility.

As they neared it, the door slid open without a sound, as if it had been expecting them. It revealed a world beyond, a stark contrast to the sterile metal walls they had just left behind. The moment they stepped outside, they were greeted by the vibrant and untamed wilderness.

The sight before them was awe-inspiring. Towering trees with thick, sprawling branches reached toward the sky, their leaves a deep, healthy green. The air smelled fresher, richer, with the scent of damp earth and blooming flowers. Bushes grew in clusters, their leaves rustling as small creatures darted through them.

Butterflies and fireflies flitted about, their delicate wings catching the light, while birds of all sizes filled the air with their songs.

Josh and Loki stopped in their tracks, mouths slightly agape. It was as if they had been dropped into paradise. Josh inhaled deeply, savoring the clean, fragrant air. "So, this is another planet," he said, his voice laced with wonder. "It's unbelievable."

Loki nodded, his eyes scanning the expanse of vibrant colors and sounds. "This place is really something else."

Axel, however, remained unfazed. He had seen this contrast before—the chaotic beauty of nature against the clinical backdrop of human technology. While the lush landscape was a feast for the senses, he couldn't allow himself to be distracted. "It may look like paradise, but remember," Axel said, his voice firm, "there are monsters here too. We can't let our guard down."

His words brought Josh and Loki back to the reality of their mission. They were here to hunt, not to admire the scenery. Josh chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Man, I almost forgot we were here to kill beasts."

Axel gave a small smile but kept his hand near the hilt of his sword. "Let's move. We won't find any beasts lingering near the facility."

The trio ventured deeper into the forest, their senses sharp as they navigated the undergrowth. Each step was calculated, careful not to make too much noise or draw unwanted attention. The further they went, the denser the forest became. The thick canopy overhead allowed only patches of sunlight to break through, casting the forest floor in an eerie, shifting light.

As they pushed forward, the bushes thinned out, and they found themselves on a barren path where the trees were sparser, their trunks thinner. This open area stretched out ahead of them, offering a clear view in all directions. They paused, surveying the surroundings.

"This spot is perfect," Josh said, his voice hushed. He tapped his map, recalling the location they had scouted earlier. On the map, it had looked small, but standing here now, they realized the true scale of the hunting ground. "We've got enough space to see any approaching threats. Let's release just enough energy to lure something out."

Loki nodded in agreement, and the three of them began to focus. Loki was the first to release a small fraction of his mana, careful not to overdo it. His wristwatch beeped, displaying the number one—a measurement of his power output. Josh and Axel followed suit, each releasing just enough energy for their watches to reflect the same reading.

Axel lowered his hand to the sheath of his sword, his senses tingling. *With our combined power, we're at a level three. That should be enough to attract a moderate-sized beast without overwhelming ourselves,* he thought, tightening his grip.

Moments later, the ground trembled ever so slightly, as though something massive had been roused from the depths of the forest. A low rumble echoed through the trees, growing louder with each passing second. The underbrush parted, and out from the shadows emerged a hulking figure—a panther-like beast, its sleek black fur glistening as if coated in metal.

It moved with lethal grace, its body rippling with muscle. Two large, curved tusks jutted out from either side of its mouth, and a jagged horn protruded from its forehead. Its golden eyes gleamed with predatory intelligence.

Beep!

{You have encountered a grade two Beast: Panther Beast.}

The three warriors braced themselves as the Panther Beast lunged with terrifying speed, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye. As it charged, its body swelled, muscles expanding until it was the size of an elephant, but much faster—its every movement calculated and deadly.

"Move!" Axel shouted, leaping aside just as the beast's massive paw struck the ground where they had stood, leaving a crater in its wake. Dust and debris shot into the air as the panther snarled, its eyes locking onto the group.

Loki, caught off guard by the sheer speed of the attack, stumbled as the shockwave of the impact knocked him off balance. *Damn, that was too close!* He struggled to regain his footing, but the panther, sensing weakness, immediately targeted him. With a growl, it lunged at Loki, swiping down with its claws.

Loki raised his dagger in defense, managing to block the blow, but the force of the strike sent him flying across the clearing. He hit the ground hard, skidding to a stop as the beast charged at him once more, ready to finish the job.

Axel's heart pounded in his chest. He had to act fast. Drawing his sword, he darted forward, his movements fluid and precise. With a powerful slash, he severed the panther's paw mid-swipe, blood spraying as the beast recoiled in pain, letting out a bone-chilling shriek.

The Panther Beast staggered back, momentarily stunned, but Axel knew better than to give it a chance to recover. He pressed the advantage, rushing in and slamming his shoulder into the beast's nose with all his strength. The blow sent it reeling, its massive form stumbling as it struggled to regain its balance.

"Loki, get up!" Axel yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Loki shook off his disorientation, pushing himself to his feet as quickly as he could. Meanwhile, the Panther Beast had recovered, its furious gaze locking onto Axel. With a feral snarl, it charged again, this time faster than before. Axel barely had time to react as the beast's jaws opened wide, ready to tear into him.

But before the panther could strike, a dagger whizzed through the air, embedding itself deep in the creature's eye socket. The blade sank in with a sickening crunch, piercing straight through to its brain.

The panther let out one last strangled cry before collapsing, its enormous body hitting the ground with a thunderous crash.

Axel blinked in surprise, glancing over at Josh, who stood a few feet away, breathing heavily. Beneath Josh's shadow lay another panther, its body limp and lifeless, a pool of blood forming beneath it.

"You... you took down two of them," Axel said, his voice filled with awe.

Josh grinned, though his exhaustion was evident. "Took a few hits, but yeah..."

Axel nodded in respect, then turned to the fallen beasts. "Let's extract the gems. We'll need them for the next grade soon."

The mission wasn't over yet—not by a long shot.