Lucas stretched his shoulders as he turned away from the quest shop's counter, the weight of the completed mission lifting off his chest. Another 45 Nexus Coins secured.
His balance was looking good. At this rate, he could start investing in better gear soon.
Just as he was about to browse the available quests, he caught a familiar face stepping through the doorway.
Kael.
The guy wore a deep hood, his posture relaxed but alert, and a lazy grin tugged at his lips as he yawned loudly.
"Well, you're up late," Kael said, stepping up beside him.
His eyes flicked over Lucas's gear, noting the light scratches on the armor and the faint traces of blood on his gloves.
"Had a busy night," Lucas replied with a smirk. "Didn't expect to see you on."
Kael shrugged. "Figured I'd grind a bit before logging out. What about you? You just finish a quest?"
Lucas nodded, motioning to the shopkeeper. "Stealth mission. Wasn't too bad."
Kael gave him an amused look. "You? Stealth? I thought you preferred the 'kick the door down' approach."
Lucas chuckled. "So did I."
Kael glanced at the quest board. "Well, since we're both here… wanna take one together?"
Lucas didn't hesitate. "Yeah. Let's get something good."
They scanned the glowing list of available quests, searching for something worth their time.
[Quest: Night Hunt]
[Difficulty: Hard]
[Objective: Eliminate a pack of rogue Night Stalkers prowling outside Zeroport.]
[Reward: 60 Nexus Coins (shared)]
[Bonus: Additional reward for slaying the pack leader.[
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Night Stalkers?"
Kael grinned. "Fast, deadly, and they hunt in the dark. Should be fun."
Lucas grinned back. "Let's do it."
The streets of Zeroport were eerily quiet as they left the quest shop. The warm lantern lights didn't quite reach the shadowy outskirts of the town, where the quest marker pointed them.
Lucas adjusted his gauntlets. "So what do we know about Night Stalkers?"
Kael hummed in thought. "They're feral beasts, kinda like panther-wolves. Fast, silent, and their eyes glow red in the dark. They attack in packs, and if you take too long killing them, they'll start coordinating."
Lucas smirked. "Sounds like a pain."
Kael chuckled. "Yeah, but good EXP."
Their surroundings changed as they moved beyond Zeroport's outer gates, entering the dense woodland where the quest location marked the Night Stalkers' hunting ground.
The moon barely pierced through the thick canopy above them, casting everything in a dim, unsettling glow.
Kael unsheathed his daggers, twirling them in his fingers. "We should keep our voices low. They hunt by sound."
Lucas nodded, tightening his grip on his sword.
A branch snapped in the distance.
They both froze.
Then —
Red eyes flickered to life in the darkness.
One pair.
Then two.
Then six.
A low growl rumbled through the trees, and before Lucas could blink, the first Night Stalker lunged.
Lucas dodged just in time, the creature's razor-sharp claws slicing through the air where his neck had been. He pivoted, slashing downward —
His blade carved into the beast's side, black blood spraying into the dirt.
Another one charged.
Kael moved first.
He sidestepped, his movements swift and fluid.
In one smooth motion, he ducked low, plunged his dagger into the beast's throat, and twisted.[Critical Hit!]
The creature let out a choked gurgle before collapsing.
"Two down," Kael muttered.
Lucas turned just as another Stalker pounced at him from the shadows.
He brought up his sword, blocking the incoming claws, but the sheer force of the impact knocked him back a step.
The beast snarled, its glowing eyes wild.
Lucas gritted his teeth and activated Monarch Boost.
Power surged through his limbs.
He slammed his boot into the Night Stalker's gut, sending it tumbling back. Before it could recover, he rushed forward, blade flashing —
[You have slain a Night Stalker – 250 EXP Earned!]
Lucas exhaled. "Three."
Kael stood beside him, daggers dripping with blood. "Four left."
The remaining Night Stalkers circled them now, no longer blindly lunging in. Their movements synchronized, as if silently communicating.
Lucas's fingers tightened around his hilt. "They're getting smarter."
Kael grinned. "Then let's kill them before they figure us out."
The creatures attacked all at once.
Lucas dodged the first, parrying a second's fangs with his bracer.
His counterattack was instant — a precise slice across the beast's throat.
Kael flipped over another, stabbing downward as he landed, pinning the creature to the ground.
The fight was fast and brutal.
By the time the last Night Stalker fell, the air was thick with the scent of blood.
Lucas wiped his blade against his sleeve. "That all of them?"
Kael exhaled. "Not yet."
Lucas turned, following Kael's gaze deeper into the forest — where a massive figure loomed between the trees.
A Night Stalker bigger than the rest.
The Pack Leader.
It was almost twice the size of the others, its black fur laced with silver streaks. Unlike the mindless frenzy of its pack, its red eyes were calculating.
Lucas's heart pounded. This was the real fight.
Kael smirked. "Ready for the bonus?"
Lucas cracked his neck. "Always."
The Pack Leader let out a roar.
And the fight began.
It rushed forward with terrifying speed, a black blur cutting through the darkness.
Lucas barely had time to react. He twisted his body, avoiding a swipe that would have torn through his armor.
Kael was already moving. He vaulted over the creature's back, slashing at its hind legs before rolling away.
The Pack Leader whirled around, swiping at Kael —
Lucas intervened, ramming his shoulder into the beast's side.
It stumbled.
Lucas saw his chance.
He activated Monarch Boost.
A surge of raw strength exploded through him.
He leaped, bringing his sword down in a two-handed strike —
His blade sank deep into the creature's skull.
For a moment, the Pack Leader froze.
Then —
It collapsed.[You have slain the Night Stalker Pack Leader – 700 EXP Earned!]
[Bonus Reward Unlocked – 30 Extra Nexus Coins!]
Lucas panted, stepping off the fallen beast.
Kael let out a whistle. "Well. That was fun."
Lucas chuckled. "Not bad for a late-night hunt."
They gathered their loot and started the walk back toward Zeroport.
The moonlight bathed the forest in silver as they moved.
Kael yawned. "Next time, let's pick an easier mission."
Lucas smirked. "You're the one who suggested this."
Kael shrugged. "Fair point."