Chapter 11: A Mark of Worth
Wolfgang wiped the blood from his face as he stood over the lifeless corpse of the Nightmaw Alpha. The mist of the Twilight Ravine swirled around him, thick and cold, carrying the faint scent of death. The beast's size and savagery made it clear why no hunter had returned before him.
The system's soft chime cut through the silence.
[Quest Complete: Prove Your Worth]
Reward Acquired: Guild Entry Offered + 300 Gold.
Wolfgang stared at the prompt, his cold grin returning. Guild entry? That wasn't what he wanted. Roderic's guild would be a stepping stone at best—a means to gather information, bounties, and resources. Wolfgang wasn't here to play soldier under someone else's banner.
But they didn't need to know that. Not yet.
With a final glance at the fallen Alpha, Wolfgang grabbed one of its massive fangs—a trophy—and slipped back into the shadows of the ravine.
Return to the Outpost
The guild outpost came alive with noise as Wolfgang walked through its gates. The Nightmaw Alpha's fang, still slick with blood, was tied to his belt, a grim testament to his success. Conversations stopped mid-sentence as mercenaries turned to stare.
"That's him."
"He killed it. Alone."
"That's the Alpha's fang… He's insane."
Whispers followed him, but Wolfgang ignored them. He strode directly toward the Guild Hall, where the firelight spilled across the clearing. He pushed the heavy wooden doors open, the hall falling into a stunned silence at his arrival.
At the far end of the room, Roderic sat in his throne-like chair, goblet in hand. He looked up, and for a moment, even his scarred face showed surprise.
Wolfgang stepped forward and tossed the Alpha's fang onto the table with a loud thud.
"There's your proof," Wolfgang said, his voice calm.
The hall erupted into murmurs, voices overlapping.
"He actually did it?"
"How is that even possible?"
"That beast wiped out entire teams!"
Roderic stood slowly, his lips curling into a sharp grin. "Well, well… Mozart. I'll admit, I underestimated you." He gestured toward the fang. "That's no small feat. You've earned your place among the Crimson Conquerors."
The system chimed softly.
[Guild Entry Offered: Crimson Conquerors]
• Accept Guild Membership?
[Yes] [No]
Wolfgang tilted his head, his sharp blue eyes locked onto Roderic. The murmurs in the hall quieted, mercenaries waiting for his answer.
"I'll take the reward," Wolfgang said, his voice even. "But I don't need your guild."
Roderic's grin faltered for just a moment, replaced by something colder. "You're turning me down?"
Wolfgang nodded. "I don't serve others. I carve my own path."
The hall fell silent again. Some mercenaries gawked, others muttered insults under their breath. Wolfgang ignored them, his gaze never leaving Roderic's.
"You're bold," Roderic said, his voice low and dangerous. "But bold doesn't keep you alive out here."
"Strength does," Wolfgang replied, turning his back to leave. "And I have plenty of it."
Roderic's laughter followed him, sharp and bitter. "You'll regret this, Mozart. Lone wolves don't last long in the Wildlands."
Wolfgang didn't stop walking. "Then I'll be the exception."
An Offer in the Shadows
Outside, the outpost buzzed with activity, but Wolfgang moved through the crowds like a shadow. He paused near the edge of the camp, gazing out at the dark forest beyond.
"Leaving already?"
The voice was sharp but curious. Wolfgang turned to see a woman leaning against a post. She wore black leather armor and carried a curved bow over her shoulder. Her green eyes glimmered with sharp intelligence.
"You're Selene," Wolfgang said, recognizing her from earlier whispers.
She smirked faintly. "Word travels fast, Mozart. You've made quite the impression—killing the Alpha and rejecting Roderic's offer. Either you're the smartest man here or the dumbest."
"Or both," Wolfgang replied coolly.
Selene pushed off the post, studying him with interest. "So, what's next? You've made enemies already."
Wolfgang glanced toward the darkened horizon. "Enemies are just obstacles. I'll deal with them when they come."
Selene's smirk widened. "Then let me give you some advice. The other guilds—the Black Talons and Iron Fang—aren't any better than Roderic's Conquerors. They'll notice you soon enough."
"I'm counting on it," Wolfgang replied.
Selene tilted her head, her expression amused. "You're crazy, Mozart. But I think I like that."
She turned to leave but paused, looking over her shoulder. "If you survive long enough, maybe I'll see you again."
Wolfgang watched her disappear into the shadows, her footsteps silent.
[New Objective: The Independent Path]
• Explore the Wildlands and gather allies.
• Build your strength to challenge the guilds.
• Reward: Unlock Recruitment System for Future Guild.
Wolfgang exhaled slowly, his lips curling into a faint grin. The Wildlands were vast, untamed, and dangerous. Guilds ruled through numbers and fear, but Wolfgang would tear through them all—one step at a time.
He turned toward the forest, his hand resting on Shadowfang's hilt as the wind whispered through the trees.
This is just the beginning.
The forest's edge loomed ahead, dark and unyielding. Wolfgang moved beyond the Crimson Conquerors' outpost, his mind sharp, his body recovering from the grueling fight with the Nightmaw Alpha. He welcomed the silence of the wilderness; it gave him time to plan.
The system's chime rang softly in his head again, as if prodding him toward the next phase of his journey.
[System Update: Independent Path Activated]
• Objective 1: Secure resources and allies.
• Objective 2: Establish dominance in a region of the Wildlands.
• Optional: Investigate unexplored ruins or beast territories for hidden rewards.
Wolfgang smirked, his pace steady as he entered the forest.
"Secure resources and allies, huh? Seems like the system has big plans for me," he muttered, gripping Shadowfang.
An Encounter in the Wild
Hours into his trek, the sun dipped low behind the mountains, casting the Wildlands into shadow. Wolfgang pressed on, but his keen senses pricked at something—movement.
He froze, crouching low behind a massive tree trunk. Leaves rustled, and faint murmurs echoed through the forest.
"You're sure he came this way?"
A gruff voice. Wolfgang's gaze sharpened. Roderic's men.
"Positive," another man growled. "Boss wants Mozart's head. Says no one rejects the Conquerors and lives."
Wolfgang's lips curled into a dark smirk. "They don't learn."
Three mercenaries emerged into the clearing, swords drawn, their armor gleaming faintly under the moonlight. Wolfgang's hand hovered over his dagger. Taking them head-on would waste time—but they were sloppy, unaware of how vulnerable they were.
He whispered softly. "Shadow Step."
The world warped as Wolfgang disappeared into darkness.
The first mercenary didn't see him coming. Wolfgang materialized behind him, Shadowfang flashing as it cut cleanly across his throat. The man collapsed with a strangled gasp, blood pooling beneath him.
The other two spun around, panic in their eyes. "Where—?!"
Wolfgang darted forward, his enhanced Agility making him a blur of movement. He activated Shadow Infusion, his dagger crackling with dark energy as he parried a desperate strike. A slash across the second man's chest sent him staggering, and Wolfgang ended him with a clean stab to the heart.
The last mercenary turned to flee.
"You're too slow," Wolfgang said coldly.
He hurled a throwing dagger, the blade embedding itself between the man's shoulder blades. The mercenary crashed to the ground, unmoving.
The system chimed.
[Enemies Defeated: Experience Gained.]
[Health: 160/180]
Wolfgang stood among the corpses, wiping the blood from Shadowfang's blade. "Roderic's already sending dogs after me? That was sloppy."
He searched their bodies, collecting a pouch of gold coins and a Guild Insignia—a badge worn by Crimson Conquerors' hunters. Wolfgang tucked it away, smirking faintly. It would come in handy.
The Merchant and the Marauders
As night deepened, Wolfgang's path brought him to the edge of a dirt road winding through the forest. Up ahead, lantern light flickered—a small merchant caravan, its wagons creaking as they rolled through the Wildlands.
Wolfgang's eyes narrowed as he spotted figures in the darkness—marauders lurking in the trees. They crept closer, weapons drawn, waiting to ambush the unsuspecting caravan.
For a moment, Wolfgang considered walking away. It wasn't his problem. The Wildlands were brutal, and weakness invited death.
But then the system chimed softly.
[Optional Quest: Defend the Caravan]
• Objective: Eliminate the marauders.
• Reward: 200 Gold + Potential Ally (Unknown).
Wolfgang sighed, a faint smirk on his lips. "Fine. I'll play hero—for now."
The marauders moved quickly, surrounding the lead wagon as one of them shouted, "Drop your cargo, and we might let you live!"
The merchant, a wiry man with sweat dripping down his face, stammered, "Please—we have nothing of value!"
One of the marauders raised a blade. "Wrong answer."
Before the blade fell, Wolfgang's voice cut through the night.
"Do you want to die that badly?"
The marauders turned sharply, their faces a mix of shock and anger as Wolfgang emerged from the shadows. His figure was calm, unhurried, but the bloodstained dagger in his grip gleamed under the lantern light.
"Who the hell are you?" one marauder spat.
Wolfgang smiled darkly. "Your worst mistake."
The marauders rushed him.
Wolfgang vanished, activating Shadow Step to appear behind the first attacker. Shadowfang flashed, slashing across the man's back as he screamed. Wolfgang moved like liquid shadow, weaving between them, his strikes quick and lethal.
A marauder lunged, but Wolfgang ducked under his swing and countered with Executioner's Strike, his blade driving into the man's gut with crushing force. Blood sprayed as the body fell limp.
The remaining two hesitated, fear creeping into their eyes.
"Too late for regret," Wolfgang said softly.
He activated Shadow Flare, the burst of dark energy exploding outward, staggering them. Before they recovered, Wolfgang finished the job—one clean strike to each throat.
The fight was over in seconds.
[Optional Quest Complete: Defend the Caravan.]
Reward Acquired: 200 Gold + Potential Ally Unlocked.
Wolfgang turned as the merchant stepped down from the wagon, his face pale with disbelief.
"You—you saved us," the merchant stammered, bowing deeply. "I owe you my life."
Wolfgang shrugged. "I need no thanks."
The merchant hesitated. "I may not have much, but if you're ever in need of supplies, you'll find my shop at Highwall Camp, a day's journey north."
Wolfgang nodded faintly, storing the name away. "I'll keep that in mind."
As the merchant wagons rolled away, the forest was silent once more. Wolfgang crouched beside one of the marauder corpses, searching it and finding a crude map—a scribbled note pointing toward a region labeled "The Forsaken Hollow."
The system chimed again.
[New Objective Unlocked: Forsaken Hollow]
• Investigate the Forsaken Hollow for signs of rare beasts and resources.
• Difficulty: Unknown.
Wolfgang's smirk returned. "The Wildlands keep getting more interesting."
With the map in hand and the system guiding him, Wolfgang turned toward the dark forest once more. His path was set, and his legend was only beginning.
End of Chapter 11