Zion's eyes scanned the trees ahead, his hand tightly gripping the worn handle of his knife.
His breathing was steady, his steps light. The woods were eerily quiet, with only the rustle of leaves and distant chirping of birds breaking the silence.
His gaze dropped to the map he had purchased from the capital. He unfolded it carefully, his eyes tracing the rough outlines of the forest paths and marked hunting zones.
"I should be close," he muttered to himself, turning the map slightly to align with his surroundings. His eyes darted around the dense foliage. "Unless I'm lost again..."
A small sigh escaped him. Navigating wasn't his strong suit, but he'd learned enough from Tata's training to recognize landmarks.
As he lowered the map, a chill ran down his spine. His instincts screamed danger. Zion's eyes narrowed, and he slowly turned his head to scan his surroundings. Nothing. No movement, no sound.
But he knew something—someone—was there.
"Is someone following me?" he muttered under his breath, his gaze sharp and alert.
He quickened his pace but kept his movements smooth to avoid making noise. "No... just stay calm," he reminded himself. "I cant use my Blood Magic. Not here. Not where someone might see it."
His brow furrowed as he clenched his fist. Blood magic had always been linked to dark power, and with the shattered Affinity Sphere incident still fresh in everyone's mind, he couldn't afford to draw suspicion.
"If they see me using it, it may be danger for having this prohibited affinity," he thought grimly. "I'll stick to earth magic... I'll make do with that."
Zion's thoughts were interrupted by the distant sound of crunching. Faint, wet, and rhythmic.
He crouched low, stepping silently as he followed the noise. It grew louder, more distinct. He slipped behind a thick bush, peering through the leaves.
There it was.
The Howling Lurker.
It was larger than he'd expected, standing on all fours, its broad back rising and falling with each gnashing bite it took from its prey.
Blood dripped from its fangs as it tore flesh from the carcass of a wild deer. Its black fur shimmered with an unnatural sheen, and its red eyes glowed faintly in the shadowy underbrush.
"It's bigger than me,"
He approach, he crouched lower, controlling his breathing. "I have to end this fast." His muscles tensed, ready to lunge.
Suddenly, the Lurker's head shot up, its blood-stained muzzle twitching. It's eyes locked on Zion's position. A low growl rumbled from its throat. Zion's heart leapt, but he didn't hesitate.
"No choice now!" he muttered, springing from his hiding spot. His feet dug into the ground, propelling him forward at full speed.
His knife gleamed as he dashed toward the Howling Lurker, aiming to end it with a single, decisive blow.
But then it howled.
The deep, reverberating cry echoed through the forest, causing Zion's ears to ring. Shadows shifted unnaturally around him.
From those shadows, five wolves emerged, their eyes glowing the same eerie red as the Lurker's. Zion's eyes widened.
"Summoned wolves?!" he gasped, grinding his heels into the ground to stop his forward momentum. The shadow wolves moved with unnatural speed, forming a defensive wall in front of the Lurker.
"I didn't know it can summon!" Zion's voice trembled, not from fear but frustration. His eyes darted between the wolves and the Lurker. 'Is this really a Rank D mission?'
The first wolf lunged at him. Zion's body moved on instinct, stepping to the side as he swung his knife in a clean arc. The wolf's head snapped back, a thin line of shadowy mist seeping from its neck. It dissolved into black smoke, but the other four wolves pounced immediately.
"Tch!" Zion clicked his tongue, eyes darting for an opening. He planted his hand on the ground. "Earth Magic" A sharp stone erupted from the ground, narrowly missing one of the wolves but striking another in the side. It howled, fading into mist like the first.
But there was no time to breathe. A shadow blurred in his peripheral vision—the Lurker itself. Its claws raked across his side. Zion's body jerked from the impact, blood staining his tunic. "Argh!" he staggered, clutching his side. "Sneaky piece of…" he muttered, his eyes flashing with resolve.
The wolves circled him again. Zion's breathing was heavier, his movements slower. He'd already taken hits.
"No… I'm not going to die here," he muttered, his eyes burning with determination. "I'm getting stronger. For her." The image of Myr flashed in his mind. "I'm not stopping here!"
He ducked under the swipe of a wolf's claws, his knife flashing upward, slicing through its chest.
Another wolf lunged for his leg. Zion twisted his body, narrowly avoiding the bite. He slammed his hand to the ground, and roots coiled up, trapping the wolf's legs. Without hesitation, he drove his dagger into its head.
Two left.
The Lurker charged again. This time, Zion was ready. He spun to the side, driving his knife into its leg.
The beast yelped, stumbling back with a deep wound. Blood dripped from its leg as it struggled to stand properly. "Not so fast this time." Zion panted, sweat dripping down his face.
The last two wolves rushed him. Zion's eyes flickered with exhaustion, but he gritted his teeth. He placed both hands on the ground.
The soil beneath the wolves softened into thick mud. Their legs sank, and they thrashed wildly, unable to move.
Zion dashed forward, slashing his knife through them one by one.
Now, it was only him and the Howling Lurker.
The Lurker's breathing was ragged, its leg bleeding heavily. Its eyes darted around, scanning for an escape. It turned to flee. Zion's eyes narrowed. "No you don't," he hissed, dashing forward.
But as he lunged, new shadows rippled across the forest floor. Five more shadow wolves emerged in front of the Lurker, their glowing red eyes fixed on Zion. He skidded to a stop, heart pounding in frustration.
"Again?! How many times can it summon these things?" he growled, his breath ragged.
The Lurker took the chance to slip deeper into the woods, its limping figure fading into the dense trees. Zion's eyes darted to it, then to the shadow wolves that blocked his path. His teeth clenched in anger.
"Out of my way!" he snarled, slamming his palm on the ground. Spikes of jagged stone shot up from the earth, piercing one wolf clean through the chest. It burst into black mist, but the others moved in, unrelenting.
Zion's blade slashed through another, his speed fueled by frustration and desperation. His eyes flickered back toward the Lurker, but it was gone. The shadow wolves were the only threat remaining.
"Fine," he muttered, his breath coming in sharp gasps. "I'll tear through all of you."
He ducked beneath the swipe of one wolf, spun low, and drove his dagger upward into its chest. The beast dissolved into smoke.
And a couple minute passed, the sound of slash can be heard as he defeat the remaining shadow.
He stood there, breath heaving, eyes scanning the treelined. His fingers curled into fists, the exhaustion in his body finally catching up to him.
The Lurker had escaped.
Zion grit his teeth, his gaze hard. "You won't get away."