Chapter 9: The First Hunt
The crescent moon hung low over the Nightmare Forest, casting a pale silver sheen across the trees like a watchful eye. The chilling howls of wolves echoed between the gnarled trunks, and flickers of blue flame danced above the campfires as the tribe prepared for the nightly ritual.
Fury sat near the edge of the encampment, away from the bustle. His sharp eyes traced the motions of the wolves—those sharpening claws, reinforcing armor hides, whispering rituals to the forest. They moved like clockwork. United. Controlled.
He, in contrast, felt like a cracked blade still cooling from the forge.
"You still watch instead of move," came a familiar gruff voice.
Fury didn't turn. "I'm not part of their rhythm."
Varok stepped beside him, arms crossed. His wolfskin cloak fluttered slightly in the evening wind, his expression unreadable.
"You weren't born in their rhythm. But it beats within your blood. You've tasted it in combat."
"I fight alone," Fury replied, eyes hard. "I always have."
"And bled alone too, haven't you?" Varok said sharply. "Don't mistake strength for solitude. The hunt is the lifeblood of the tribe. You wish to belong? Earn it."
There was silence. A heartbeat passed. Then another.
Varok continued, more softly this time, "This hunt is sacred, Fury. Each new moon, we test not our fangs, but our bond. If you still wish to understand your legacy, to touch the Blackstone wolf's forgotten path… this is where it begins."
Fury's claws clenched in the dirt. He didn't know why, but the name Blackstone still echoed in his soul like a fading roar.
He rose. "Fine. I'll hunt."
Varok smiled, just slightly, and turned away. "Good. You won't be alone."
Just then, something shimmered before Fury's eyes.
> [Mission: The First Hunt]
Objective: Hunt alongside the Nightmare Fang Tribe
Reward: 10 EXP per kill
Bonus Reward: Unlock a new skill if 20+ kills are achieved
Time Limit: Until Dawn
He blinked. Another system window. That made two now—first the stat screen, now missions. Was this something only he could see? Or had it been dormant in all wolves until now?
Fury shook the thought away. He accepted the mission silently and followed Varok into the shadows.
---
The hunting party was gathered at the western edge of the Nightmare Glade. Ten wolves in total, including Fury. Each one bore their own scars—young, but seasoned.
"This is Fury," Varok barked. "He joins us tonight as brother."
Some raised their eyebrows. A few bared fangs, but none protested.
"Stay close," muttered a lanky wolf beside him. "And don't slow us down."
Fury didn't answer. His instincts had already begun sharpening. The thrill of the hunt awakened something deep within—something ancient.
The air turned still.
Then, the Alpha's howl rang across the forest—a deep, monstrous bellow that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.
It was the signal.
The hunt had begun.
---
The group dashed into the woods, shadows on paws, barely making a sound. Branches swayed overhead as moonlight filtered down like shattered glass. They moved in formation—two flankers, three attackers, two disruptors. Fury found himself placed in the center, clearly meant to be watched.
He hated it.
But the scent of prey hit his nose. And suddenly, hatred didn't matter.
"Shadow Elk," whispered the leader. "Twenty in total. We go silent. Strike on the third breath."
Fury crept through the underbrush, eyes locked on the large, dark forms grazing in the moonlight. They were massive creatures—twice the size of bulls—with antlers laced in silver and thick shadowy fur.
The countdown began. One breath. Two.
Three.
They lunged.
---
The forest exploded with chaos. Wolves leapt from the underbrush, fangs flashing, claws raking. The elk shrieked and scattered.
Fury moved like lightning. He pounced onto the back of a smaller elk, claws sinking deep into its flank. With a snarl, he twisted mid-air and slashed its throat open.
> [+10 EXP]
Another elk turned toward him, stomping aggressively. Before it could charge, he activated Lunar Pounce—his body shimmered with silver energy as he blinked forward, slamming into the beast's side with enough force to crack bone.
> [+10 EXP]
The other wolves noticed. Their glances grew sharper, more approving.
Fury's blood boiled. Not with rage—but purpose.
He wasn't just hunting. He was growing.
---
Minutes passed in a blur of motion.
He moved like a phantom, tearing through elk after elk. One tried to gore him, but he ducked under the antlers, used its own momentum against it, and snapped its leg. Another tried to flee; he chased it down with inhuman speed and took it from behind.
> [+10 EXP]
[+10 EXP]
He'd lost count.
But the mission hadn't.
> [Current Kills: 19]
Only one more to go.
He spotted a wounded elk limping through the trees, antlers broken. Fury stalked it quietly. No sound. No anger.
He leapt.
But something happened.
The elk suddenly turned, and from the shadows, a pack of Dire Hounds emerged. Six of them—twice the size of normal wolves, glowing red eyes, saliva dripping from serrated jaws.
Fury landed between the elk and the hounds.
"Parasites," growled one of the tribe wolves behind him. "They scavenge off our hunts."
"We kill them," another said.
But the Dire Hounds weren't waiting.
They attacked.
---
Fury reacted instinctively. He dodged the first lunging hound and raked its side with his claws. It yelped and rolled. Another bit his leg—but his body shimmered, and the shadows exploded around him.
> Skill Activated: Midnight Sovereign
His shadow doubled in size. His speed tripled.
He howled—and the air trembled.
He became a blur. Slash, bite, spin—claws and fangs and fury danced like a whirlwind. The hounds never stood a chance.
> [+10 EXP]
[+10 EXP]
[+10 EXP]
> [Kills: 22]
One more Dire Hound rushed toward a young wolf behind Fury.
Without thinking, Fury jumped.
Time slowed.
He opened his jaws and let out a thunderous roar.
> [New Skill Unlocked: Bloodhowl (Active)]
Unleash a piercing howl that stuns enemies and boosts nearby allies' attack by 25% for 10 seconds.
The Dire Hound froze mid-leap, stunned. Fury landed atop it and ended its life in one slash.
> [+10 EXP]
[Kills: 23]
Then the forest fell silent.
Only the sound of heavy breathing remained.
---
Dawn approached. The first light of day filtered through the trees.
The Nightmare Fang wolves gathered slowly, bloodied but victorious. Shadow Elk carcasses littered the glade, and several Dire Hound bodies burned nearby.
Varok approached.
"You killed twenty-three," he said, mildly impressed. "You led without meaning to. That howl…"
"I didn't plan it," Fury muttered, chest heaving. "It just came out."
"It came from blood. And legacy."
Fury blinked as the system window opened:
> [Mission Complete: The First Hunt]
Total Kills: 23
EXP Gained: 230
[Level Up: Lv. 5]
Class System Unlocked
Titles System Unlocked
New Skill Gained: Bloodhowl (Active)
He glanced at the tribe.
For the first time, they weren't watching him with suspicion.
They were watching with respect.
He wasn't an outsider anymore.
He was a hunter.
A brother.
A Nightmare Fang wolf.
---
End of Chapter 9