Lucas stood over the fallen werewolf, his chest rising and falling with every labored breath. The forest around him was eerily quiet now, as if the very air held its breath after the battle. He stared at the sigil on his hand, which had faded once again, leaving behind only a faint warmth.
Elena rested a hand on his shoulder. "Good work, Lucas. You fought with instinct and precision. But you hesitated at first. That hesitation will get you killed someday if you're not careful."
Lucas nodded, his jaw clenched. "I'll do better. I promise."
"You will," she replied with certainty. "Because if you don't, the trials ahead will destroy you."
The trek back to the guild was uneventful, but Lucas couldn't shake the weight of what he had learned. The sigil wasn't just a tool—it was a responsibility. He couldn't rely on it blindly; he had to grow stronger on his own.
As they neared the guild gates, the bustling activity of hunters preparing for missions greeted them. Kai was the first to spot Lucas and rushed over, his face lighting up with relief.
"You're alive!" Kai exclaimed, clapping Lucas on the back. "What happened? Did you fight a dragon or something?"
"Not quite," Lucas said with a faint smile. "But it was close enough."
Kai's eyes widened. "You're serious, aren't you?"
Elena stepped in before Lucas could respond. "He did well. But there's still a long road ahead. Lucas, rest up. Tomorrow, we'll discuss the next steps."
That night, Lucas sat alone in his room, staring at the ceiling. His thoughts drifted to the werewolf, the glowing sigil, and the scroll's ominous warnings. The path of the Crimson Hunter was not one of glory—it was one of sacrifice.
A knock at his door pulled him from his thoughts. "Come in," he called.
To his surprise, it wasn't Kai or Elena—it was Raven.
The rogue leaned casually against the doorframe, his dark cloak blending into the shadows. "I heard about your little adventure in the forest," Raven said, his tone as unreadable as ever.
"News travels fast," Lucas replied, sitting up.
Raven smirked. "It does when it's about someone like you. That mark on your hand—it's causing quite a stir. People are starting to wonder if you're really just an E-rank hunter."
"I'm not," Lucas admitted. "But I don't know what I am, either."
Raven stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Then let me give you some advice. The world isn't kind to those who stand out. If you want to survive, you need to stay ahead of the whispers. Find out what that sigil means before someone else does."
Lucas met Raven's gaze, his crimson eyes burning with resolve. "I will."
The following day, Lucas met Elena and Garrick in the guild's strategy room. Maps of dungeons and monster territories covered the walls, and a heavy wooden table stood at the center, piled with reports and documents.
"We've identified the location of the next trial," Elena began, pointing to a map. "It's in the Blackthorn Ruins, about two days' travel from here. The ruins are ancient, predating even the first guilds, and they're said to be cursed."
"Cursed?" Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Superstitions," Garrick grunted, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely convinced. "But the ruins are dangerous. Even experienced hunters avoid them."
Elena continued, "The trial will test more than your combat skills. It's said to force participants to face their greatest fears. If you fail to overcome them, the ruins will claim you."
Lucas swallowed hard but nodded. "When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow at dawn," Elena said. "Get some rest, and prepare for anything."
That night, Lucas couldn't sleep. The thought of facing his fears in the Blackthorn Ruins gnawed at him. What would the trial show him? What was he most afraid of?
His thoughts were interrupted by a faint knock at his window. He turned to see Kai standing outside, balancing precariously on the ledge.
"Let me in before I fall!" Kai hissed.
Lucas quickly opened the window, helping his friend inside. "What are you doing?"
Kai grinned sheepishly. "I figured you might need some company. You've been acting weird ever since that mark showed up."
Lucas sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed. "It's just… everything's changing so fast. I wanted to be a hunter to prove myself, but now it feels like I'm part of something way bigger than I ever imagined."
Kai sat beside him, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Lucas, you've always been the guy who pushes through no matter what. If anyone can handle this, it's you."
Lucas managed a small smile. "Thanks, Kai."
"Now, get some sleep," Kai said, standing up. "You've got a cursed ruin to conquer tomorrow."
As dawn broke, Lucas stood at the guild gates, his pack slung over his shoulder. Elena and Garrick were already waiting, their expressions grim.
"You ready?" Elena asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Lucas replied.
The three set off toward the Blackthorn Ruins, the path ahead shrouded in mist and uncertainty. Lucas's heart pounded with anticipation and fear, but he knew one thing for sure—he wouldn't back down.
The Crimson Hunter's journey was only beginning.
To Be Continued...