After listening to the humans, Gavin commanded his clone to return to the forest. There, magic beasts roamed freely, providing him with a source of nourishment. However, consuming them restored his life force far too slowly—he would need to hunt at least a hundred magic-rank beasts to fully recover.
That would take months of searching and hunting. Too long.
So, he reconsidered. Perhaps hunting a Bronze-rank magic beast would be a better option.
Still, he knew that allying with humans was dangerous. He understood not just human nature but the psychology of all races—if they ever discovered his weaknesses, they would undoubtedly exploit them.
Thus, before even considering an alliance, he needed to ensure that his life force was fully restored. Only then could he negotiate from a position of strength?
Suddenly, Gavin sensed his clone had stopped a short distance from the passage leading into the valley.
Connecting with his clone's spirit, he quickly discovered the reason. While following the humans earlier, the clone had noticed strange fluctuations of magic energy—emanating from the shadows of the trees the humans had passed by.
Now, the same fluctuation was present—inside the shadow of a rock near the passage.
Though on high alert, the clone maintained a calm exterior, appearing relaxed as it leaped up toward the passage. As it moved, its steps carried it right over the rock's shadow.
Then, it stopped.
The fluctuations moved, shifting from one shadow to another, flowing along the ground.
The wolf's ears twitched. It spoke in a deep, measured voice.
"Will you wait for an invitation, or will you come out on your own?"
Silence.
The wolf narrowed its eyes. "Yes, I'm talking to you—the one hiding in the shadows."
More silence. Then, the fluctuations surged, shifting from the shadow behind the wolf to the shadow in front of it.
Slowly, the surrounding shadows gathered together, coalescing into the shape of a person.
The shadow spoke, its voice laced with shock. "How did you detect me? And more importantly… how are you able to speak?"
It mumbled to itself, "An Earth Wolf… with an initial Bronze-rank bloodline? Impossible. Only magic beasts with a Golden-rank bloodline or higher should be able to speak the common tongue."
Gavin, from within his sealed space, observed the interaction through his clone.
The wolf replied evenly, "Why should I tell you? And who are you?"
The shadow hesitated before responding. "I am a Shadow Spirit of Lord Yara. Lord Yara is the totem of the Dark Panther Tribe."
Inside his sealed space, Gavin froze for a second.
His clone, unfazed, continued, "Why were you following me?"
The shadow began, "Lord—"
The clone quickly realized he couldn't use his true name. Before the shadow could finish, he received a message from his main body and smoothly interrupted,
"You can call me Lycan."
The Shadow Spirit immediately adjusted its tone. "Lord Lycan, I was not following you. I was ordered to wait here to discuss matters with members of your tribe."
It paused before adding, "Had I known you were capable of communication, I would have appeared before you immediately, Lord."
The clone's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps you weren't following me, but I sensed the same magic fluctuations from the shadows when you were trailing the humans."
The Shadow Spirit hesitated. "I am unaware of that… but perhaps another of Lord Yara's spirits was present."
The wolf remained silent for a moment before pressing on. "Then tell me—why were you waiting for me?"
The shadow finally revealed its purpose. "Lord Yara wishes for the Statue Tribe to agree with the humans' plan."
Upon hearing this, Gavin's mind began turning.
His clone, instantly linked to Gavin's thoughts, knew exactly what to do.
The Shadow Spirit suddenly sensed a change in the wolf. The beast seemed to stand taller, an air of righteousness radiating from its very being.
Then, the wolf scolded him with a voice full of conviction.
"What nonsense are you speaking?! How could our tribe—a proud member of the Three-Eyed Race—ally with the despicable outsiders who have destroyed our people's tribes?"
"Our tribe will NEVER be traitors!"
The Shadow Spirit froze, completely stunned. It had never considered such a reaction and had no immediate response.
In its limited consciousness, the Shadow Spirit struggled to form a reply. It had no choice but to return to Lord Yara for further instructions.
The shadow bowed. "Then, I will inform Lord Yara of your decision, Lord Lycan."
As the darkness around it began to disperse, the wolf's ears twitched in surprise. This wasn't the outcome he had intended.
"Wait! Wait!" the wolf called out.
The Shadow Spirit hesitated, puzzled by the interruption. "Lord Lycan...?"
The wolf's gaze sharpened. "Lord Yara only mentioned the alliance—nothing else?"
The faceless shadow tilted its head to the side, as if in thought. A moment of silence passed before it muttered, "Uhh... what?"
Even without facial expressions, the wolf could tell the Shadow Spirit was confused.
Carefully, it elaborated, "I mean... was there any mention of rewards?"
The Shadow Spirit remained motionless for a few moments before finally speaking. "Rewards…"
Another pause. Then, "Yes. Lord Yara mentioned that if the plan succeeds, both he and the tribe will offer a heavy reward to your people."
Inside his sealed space, Gavin sneered. So the Dark Panther Tribe wants me to bake the cake while they sit back and eat it?
His clone let out a low growl. "Even if the reward is great, our tribe will not become traitors. You may leave."
The Shadow Spirit began to dissolve, but before it fully vanished, the wolf suddenly spoke again.
"Inform Lord Yara that our tribe lacks the practice method for Bronze-rank hunters and shamans."
The shadow wavered. "Why?"
The wolf's voice remained steady. "Your Lord will understand."
The Shadow Spirit, which had almost dispersed, regathered itself as if recalling something.
"I nearly forgot—Lord Yara's daughter will be coming to challenge you."**
The wolf's eyes narrowed.
"Lord Yara asks that you show some mercy and not seriously injure her."
The wolf gave a slight nod, and with that, the shadow finally dissolved, returning to its original place.
Gavin, through his clone, sensed the faint magical fluctuations moving southward, away from the passage.
But just as the Shadow Spirit departed, both the wolf and Gavin noticed something unusual.
A tiny purple spider clung to the back of the Shadow Spirit.
The creature went unnoticed, riding along with the shadow as it moved south. But just before it vanished from sight, the spider suddenly leapt off, disappearing toward the east instead.
---------------------------
Elsewhere…
A frozen wasteland, a land of terror and monstrous creatures, stretched endlessly beneath a sky choked with icy winds.
At the heart of this desolation, a towering White Tower stood, surrounded by a pool of blood that endlessly flowed from its base.
Despite the freezing environment, the blood pool did not freeze—as if defying the very laws of nature.
At the tower's peak, inside a dimly lit chamber, a figure sat upon a throne, silent and still.
He wore a white mask, and his massive cloak shrouded his form, concealing his identity in layers of mystery.
Then, the doors creaked open.
A figure stepped inside—blue-skinned, with three pairs of blood-red eyes and large bat-like wings. The being approached the throne and knelt.
"King, everything has gone according to your plan. The spiders have received the news."
The man on the throne remained silent, offering only a slight nod in response.
Without another word, the kneeling figure stood and departed.
As the doors closed behind him, a whisper echoed through the White Tower, its voice like a ghost drifting through the halls.
"When everyone begins playing chess… they do not realize they have already become pieces on someone else's board."