The forest was silent except for the crunch of leaves underfoot. Pale light from the twin moons filtered through the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. The air was crisp, sharp with the scent of damp earth and pine.
I pressed the hilt of Shadowbane into my hip. Its weight was comforting on my palm. Every step was tentative, intentional. An hour ago, I had managed to leave the castle undetected-not Gregor, not the guards, and not even the watchmen at the gate.
They'd drive themselves insane if they knew.
But I didn't have time for their lectures or their cautious "for your safety" nonsense. I needed this.
The system window flickered to life in front of me, its glow faint enough not to betray my position in the dark.
STATUS WINDOW
Name: Alaric Varelius
Level: 8
Health: 100/100
Mana: 60/60
Strength: 18
Agility: 15
Endurance: 13
Intelligence: 13
Charisma: 18
Skills: Gluttony (Active), Shadowstep (Tier 1)
Stats were okay for the moment. But okay would not do. Not when I was surrounded by enemies inside the castle and out of it. Kaelrith's voice echoed in my mind: Power is nothing without control.
I wasn't going to wait for the next assassin to come knocking on my door. If I wanted to stay ahead of my enemies, I needed to get stronger. And tonight, I had a clear goal.
I moved deeper into the forest, keeping my footsteps light and my senses sharp. This wasn't the first time I'd ventured out alone, but it was the first time I'd sought out something specific.
My thoughts flashed back to an intercepted report from a castle scout-a rumor of monsters prowling near the southern forest. Gravefang Wolves, a pack of them, according to the report. Deadly predators whose teeth were sharp enough to tear through steel and with speed that made them impossible to track.
Perfect.
The first indication of them was claw marks gouged into a tree. Deep, uneven cuts marred the bark, the grooves big enough to fit my fingers. A low growl rumbled in the distance, barely audible but unmistakable.
I moved toward the sound, gripping the Shadowbane Blade tighter as I crouched low. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline sharpening my focus.
And then I saw them.
Five wolves stood in a clearing ahead, their silver-gray fur glowing in the moonlight. Their eyes glowed faintly, a supernatural shimmer that made my stomach tighten. They were bigger than normal wolves—easily the size of horses—with elongated claws and fangs that gleamed like daggers.
System Alert: New Entity Identified.
ENTITY STATUS
Name: Gravefang Wolf
Level: 12
Health: 80/80
Mana: 20/20
Strength: 14
Agility: 18
Endurance: 12
Skills:
Lacerate: Deals heavy bleeding damage.
Pack Instinct: Increases speed and coordination when fighting in groups.
The largest of the pack, the alpha, stepped forward, its hackles raised as it sniffed the air. Its stats appeared next to the others, and I felt a flicker of unease.
ENTITY STATUS
Name: Alpha Gravefang Wolf
Level: 15
Health: 120/120
Mana: 30/30
Strength: 18
Agility: 20
Endurance: 16
Skills:
Lacerate (Enhanced)
Howl of Terror: Paralyzes enemies with fear.
Alpha's Command: Boosts the stats of allied wolves.
I swallowed hard, my mind urging me to keep my cool. This was not going to be easy.
The alpha snarled, its eyes glowing at me. The rest of the pack joined in, growling as one. Hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I raised my blade, racing through every move I'd practiced.
Skill Activated: Gluttony.
The first wolf lunged.
Its speed was blinding but I was ready. I sidestepped at the last second, my blade arcing through the air. The runes along its surface flared as it connected slicing cleanly through the wolf's side.
The creature yelped as it collapsed into a heap with blood pooling beneath.
Stats Absorbed:
+6 Health
+7 Strength
+9 Agility
+6 Endurance
+10 Mana
Skill Gained: Lacerate
Level Up: +6 XP (Half of Monster Level)
I could feel the rush of power hitting me but had no time to revel in it when the next wolf approached me and its claws swooped towards my chest.
I ducked down on one knee, dodging the attack, and stabbed upwards. My blade caught it under the jaw, with the impact sending it to the ground.
Stats Absorbed:
+6 Health
+7 Strength
+9 Agility
+6 Endurance
+10 Mana
Level Up: +6 XP (Half of Monster Level)
Two down. Three to go.
The other wolves began to move in a circle, their movements almost dance-like. The alpha watched me but did not come at me. Its glowing eyes were like lanterns in the dark.
The first wolf charged, a ruse, and the second attacked from behind. Claws sliced across my arm.
Health: 85/112
I clenched my jaw, saying nothing as I spun to lunge at the second wolf. My sword sank into its leg, but by that time, the third was upon me, its teeth snapping inches from my nose.
The wolves pressed the advantage, growling low in their throats as they moved. I ground my teeth together, and the hunger from Gluttony roared up at the mere thought of my blade in their midst.
Skill Activated: Shadowstep.
The world moved around me in a blur as I walked, my body moving much faster than my head could take in. I turned behind one of the wolves as my blade plunged into its spine already.
Stats Absorbed:
+6 Health
+7 Strength
+9 Agility
+6 Endurance
Skill Gained: None
Level Up: +6 XP (Half of Monster Level)
The last of the wolves snarled, its eyes blazing with fury. It launched itself, and this time, I refused to back down. I faced it head-on, my blade slicing through its chest with a single, decisive strike.
Only the alpha remained.