The sun dipped low in the sky, painting the forest with streaks of orange and purple.
Zion's breaths came in slow, heavy puffs as he wiped the sweat off his brow. His eyes scanned the trail ahead.
"I've wasted too much time," he muttered before rushing forward.
A couple of hours passed, but there was still no sign of the Howling Lurker.
The wound he'd inflicted on its leg should've slowed it down, but it seemed to have vanished like smoke.
Twilight crept over the forest, and the dim light made everything harder to see.
'It's getting too dark', he glances at the thick branches that block most of the moonlight. "It's dangerous to keep going, but..."
His eyes flashed with resolve. "No. I'm not leaving without finishing this."
His senses sharpened. Then, a shiver ran down his spine.
That feeling again.
The sensation of being watched.
His eyes darted left and right, scanning every shadow and every tree.
'It's still following me?' he wondered.
He spun around, his eyes narrowing, but there was nothing there.
No glowing red eyes.
No movement.
Nothing but the rustle of leaves swaying in the breeze.
'Stay focused.' He shook his head, clearing away the creeping paranoia. 'Just let them.'
His eyes flickered around, wary of ambush.
He knew better than to drop his guard, especially when alone in the woods at night.
His pace slowed as he crouched, hiding behind a bush.
That's when he saw it.
The Howling Lurker lay ahead, sprawled out under a large tree.
Its chest rose and fell slowly. Blood stained the dirt beneath its wounded leg. It had finally stopped running.
"There you are," Zion whispered, a small grin tugging at his lips.
He kept himself low, careful not to make any sound.
His eyes locked onto his prey. 'This is my chance. I'm ending it here.'
He walk slowly until his range reach it. He pressed his palm firmly against the ground, channeling his energy.
The ground around his hand shifted, tiny bits of soil swirling together.
Slowly, a sharp, jagged stone formed in his palm. He aimed it at the Lurker's head, steadying his breath.
The lurker had grown weak, and even its senses had dulled due to the blood it had lost, leaving it unable to react anymore.
'Just one shot.'
Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air from behind.
SWISH!
Zion's instincts kicked in. He rolled to the side, feeling a searing pain as something sharp grazed his cheek.
Blood trickled down his face. He'd narrowly avoided it, but his heart pounded in his chest. His eyes darted to the source of the attack.
A massive arrow, as thick as his arm, was lodged into the tree next to him, its shaft still quivering from the impact. The swirling wind magic around it faded, dissipating into the air.
Zion's His eyes widened. 'That's not a normal arrow.'
Moments later, the arrow shot forward, piercing the Howling Lurker straight through the neck with a thud.
The Lurker's body twitched once before collapsing onto the ground, its breath ceasing in an instant.
The sound of heavy laughter echoed through the forest.
"Hahaha! He dodged it! Not bad for a little rat!" a rough, jeering voice called out.
Zion's head snapped toward the voice.
Four figures stepped out of the shadows. Their faces were illuminated by the glow of enchanted goggles strapped over their eyes.
Their armor and weapons glinted in the moonlight.
One figure stood out—a large, heavyset man carrying an enormous crossbow resting on his shoulder.
The weapon looked far too big for one man to wield, but he handled it with ease.
The fat man sneered, his grin wide and smug.
"Did ya like that shot, kid? I've got more from where this came from."
He tapped the side of the crossbow.
"Three hundred meters. That's how far I can snipe ya. No rat's getting away from me."
Zion could see it in their eyes—the hunger for easy prey.
'Bandits.'
"Looks like we're just in time," said another man, a slim figure with two daggers spinning casually in his hands.
His grin was sharp, like a predator toying with its prey.
"Our timing's perfect. Took you long enough to wear down that Lurker for us."
"I'm the one who accepted this quest," Zion said.
His eyes locked on each of them, one by one.
"Back off."
The swordsman in the group snickered, resting his blade on his shoulder.
"Listen to this runt, acting like he's got any say in the matter."
He shook his head.
"You're new here, right? Lemme tell ya how this works, kid. We're takin' the kill, and you're walkin' away. Simple as that."
"Or," the brawler added, cracking his knuckles.
"Ya don't walk away at all. We'll just say the Lurker killed you. Easy."
Zion's hands twitched, his heart racing.
"Please leave and I will not tell this to the Guilds," he muttered.
His eyes shifted to the big man with the crossbow. "Are you all okay with that?"
"He's got some nerve!" the dagger wielder's grin widened.
"How 'bout we teach him some manners, boys?"
The swordsman took a step forward, pointing his blade at Zion.
"Hand over the quest, and maybe we'll let you leave."
Zion's eyes darted to the Howling Lurker's lifeless body.
The arrow had pierced straight through its neck.
His fingers curled into fists.
He'd fought so hard, struggled so much, and now these vultures wanted to swoop in at the end?
His mind was calm, but his heart burned with frustration.
Slowly, he lifted his gaze, locking eyes with the crossbow wielder.
"No," Zion said softly. "You're not getting it."
"Then you're dead!" the brawler roared, lunging forward.
The assassin followed, moving to flank Zion's side.
The swordsman circled to his right, ready to box him in.
The one with the crossbow moved backward, as he aimed directly at Zion.
Zion's eyes flickered with calm intensity.
'They're just like the Lurker,' he realized, exhaling slowly.
'But there's one difference.'
He glanced at the fat man.
'You can't run.'
Zion's body moved. He didn't hesitate. With every ounce of strength, he dashed straight toward the crossbow wielder.
His feet pounded against the dirt, heart racing, eyes locked forward. "H-Hey, he's coming straight for us!" the brawler yelled.
The dagger wielder's eyes widened in shock.
"He's not running away?!"
"Stop him!" the crossbow wielder roared, but his voice trembled with panic.
Their faces twisted with fear as Zion's speed became a blur in the dark forest.
His target was clear.
'I'm ending this fast.'