The king sat at the grand dining table, his stern gaze sweeping the room. The golden glow of the chandeliers cast shadows that danced over the velvet drapes and the long stretch of polished mahogany. Queen Althea sipped her tea quietly, her eyes betraying a flicker of worry, while Julia, dressed in an elegant blue gown, shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"Where is Kane?" The king's voice was cold, cutting through the clatter of silverware.
Julia hesitated. She hadn't seen Kane in his chambers or anywhere nearby. But letting the king know that would only worsen his disappointment. "He's… training, Father," she finally said, forcing confidence into her words.
The king's brow lifted, a bitter smile playing at his lips. "Training, you say? Do you take me for a fool, Julia? You know as well as I do that your brother is more likely to be lazing about than preparing for his future."
Julia glanced down, unable to meet his eyes. The queen placed a reassuring hand on her arm, but said nothing.
Kane stood in the forest, his chest heaving, the sharp scent of iron and sweat filling the air. His hands were coated in the dark, sickly green blood of goblins, his once-pristine clothes torn and smeared with grime. Around him lay the lifeless bodies of goblins, their twisted limbs and frozen expressions telling the story of their last, violent moments.
A sudden chime echoed in his mind, the system's voice cold and emotionless. He see floating words, "You have acquired the skill of goblins : Sense of Danger. Do you wish to accept?"
"Yes," Kane whispered, his voice hoarse. He hadn't stopped hunting for days, driven by something deeper than mere survival. He needed to prove himself, to grow stronger in the shadow of his failures.
His senses sharpened instantly. The forest around him seemed to breathe with life, every rustle of leaves and crack of branches vibrating through his core. He changed into one of the spare tunics he'd salvaged and ventured deeper into the woods, dagger ready at his side.
The forest thickened, ancient trees casting twisted shadows under the dimming sky. He noticed that the goblins he encountered before were now nowhere to be seen. They must have felt the shift in his presence, the silent threat he now posed. Their primal instincts warned them to stay away.
Suddenly, Kane heard a guttural snarl. He turned, eyes narrowing as he spotted an orc, its hulking body covered in gashes and fresh wounds. The beast looked cornered, eyes filled with a mix of rage and desperation. Without hesitation, the orc charged, its massive fists swinging wildly. Kane dodged and struck with a precision that surprised even himself. The orc's roar faltered, and with a final, brutal thrust, Kane's dagger found its mark. The beast fell, lifeless, but the system did not respond. Not any orcs skill appeared.
Kane frowned. He'd slain orcs before but never received a reward. He wondered if there was more to it—if the system required something he hadn't yet discovered.
A growl rumbled through the air, vibrating in his chest. Kane's muscles tensed as he glanced toward the sound. Emerging from the shadows was a Bauk, its colossal form covered in thick, black fur that seemed to swallow what little light managed to pierce the trees. The big black bear like monster,Its curved horns gleamed dully, and fangs jutted out from a snarling mouth. Claws like sharpened scythes dug deep furrows into the earth as it prowled forward.
But something was wrong. Deep gashes marred the creature's powerful frame, fresh blood seeping from its wounds and staining its midnight fur. Kane felt a strange mix of awe and horror. Bauks didn't venture this close to the edge of the forest. They were creatures of the deep woods, where sunlight was a myth and only the most dangerous beasts dared roam.
Before he could make sense of it, another figure emerged—a Psoglav. Its wolf-like head twisted from side to side, a single, gleaming eye set in its broad, scarred face. Saliva dripped from its mouth, its jagged teeth gnashing as it took in the scene. The air between the two beasts crackled with tension, their roars shaking the ground beneath Kane's feet.
Suddenly, Kane felt the pulse of the Sense of Danger flare, a cold, sharp sensation that told him he was on the edge of a precipice. He could turn back, retreat to the palace, and pretend he hadn't seen these creatures—pretend that his only worries were his father's scorn and his sister's worried eyes. But something inside him pushed back.
The Bauk lunged, claws outstretched, and Kane's heart stuttered in his chest. Its roar echoed through the trees as it clashed with the Psoglav. The ground erupted under their massive bodies, sending rocks and dirt flying as their battle raged. Kane watched in stunned silence as the Psoglav swung its massive paw, catching the Bauk's side that splattered the trees with dark blood.
Kane's breath came in short, rapid gasps. He knew he should run, but his feet were rooted to the spot. The sight of the two monsters, creatures that could decimate a village with a swipe of their claws.That thought give him chill ,what if they reach kingdom.