The wolf's body collapsed like a discarded toy, its glowing veins flickering out.
The boy in front of them stood calmly, the silver threads coiling around his fingers like living snakes. He didn't look older than them—maybe fifteen—but there was something unsettlingly mature in his gaze.
He tilted his head slightly."Hmm. I wasn't expecting anyone to cut through my threads."
His eyes flicked to Kaito.
Kaito froze. He didn't know what he had just done—only that the threads that touched him simply… vanished.
Hina stepped forward, shielding Kaito behind her."You're controlling these wolves?" she asked.
The boy smirked."I'm only borrowing them. They're useful tools for cleaning up trash."
More wolves emerged from the shadows, but instead of attacking, they stopped. Their glowing eyes turned toward the boy, awaiting silent orders.
Kaito whispered, "He's… making them obey…"
"Exactly," the boy said. He raised one finger, and instantly the wolves lunged at another group of fleeing children. Screams echoed through the dark forest.
"Stop it!" Hina shouted, her aura flaring. "You're just killing people for fun?!"
The boy's smile didn't change.
"This is a culling, isn't it? Survival of the fittest. Why pretend otherwise?"
He pulled the threads tighter. Two wolves dragged a crying boy back into the darkness.
Hina clenched her fists. "You bastard—"
"Careful." The boy's eyes glinted. "If you move, I'll make these wolves tear apart that girl over there."
He flicked his wrist. A distant child—barely hanging on—suddenly screamed as a wolf pinned her down, teeth at her throat.
"You…!" Hina took a step, then stopped, teeth grinding.
Kaito's chest tightened. Rage mixed with fear.
The boy turned back to him, curious."And you. What are you?"
Kaito blinked. "…What?"
"When my Seiki touches someone, they either die or become mine to control. But you…" He held up a severed thread. "It disappeared. Devoured. Interesting."
The boy smiled faintly, a predator's smile."I'm Riku. Remember that name."
He snapped his fingers. Wolves surrounded them in a tight circle.
Hina tensed. "So we're fighting?"
"No." Riku shook his head. "If I wanted you dead, you'd already be dead."
He stepped closer, his aura threads retracting into his palm."I'm curious. You might be more useful alive."
Kaito stared at him. "…You're not going to kill us?"
Riku chuckled. "Not yet. The Ravine is dangerous. It's smarter to travel in a group… at least for now."
Hina's brows furrowed. "You think we'd trust someone like you?!"
"You don't have to." Riku turned away, his controlled wolves scattering into the shadows."But if you don't, you will die."
And with that, he began walking deeper into the forest without looking back.
Kaito and Hina exchanged a glance.
"Don't tell me you're thinking of following him," she hissed.
Kaito hesitated. Riku was dangerous, yes. But he also clearly understood Seiki better than either of them. If they wanted to survive the Ravine, they needed that knowledge.
"I… think we should," Kaito said quietly.
Hina groaned. "Unbelievable. Fine. But if he tries anything—"
"Then we fight," Kaito finished.
They followed the boy with threads, their footsteps swallowed by the dark forest.
Behind them, the faint sound of dying children echoed like whispers.