After dealing with the first beast, Julian did not lower his guard. He could feel there were more.
He continued tracking the group to the west, the sensation of another presence following them pressing on him. He moved lightly and swiftly among the trees, chasing silently. Then, sudden flashes appeared and vanished. Julian ducked behind a tree, but when he looked again, they were gone—vanishing as quickly as they had appeared. He gritted his teeth, sensing another predator.
But this one was different from the first—smarter, movements deliberate, as if it wasn't hunting for food but looking to toy with him.
Julian's hand rested on his sword hilt, ready for any sudden attack, body coiled for combat. He muttered under his breath, "Show yourself."
A low growl answered him, and another came from the opposite side. His chest tightened—there wasn't just one. Two, hidden in shadows… three… four. Their numbers seemed to grow, spines curling like embers, eyes sharp with intelligence.
Wind mana gathered instantly around Julian's feet. His thoughts raced. He couldn't take them all on alone—not all at once.
He moved through the trees, forcing them to follow, testing their speed. They pursued him without hesitation, leaping silently from tree to tree, staying above him, relentless.
The chase intensified, each second weighing heavily on his chest. Then, abruptly, he stopped. Between the trees, he sensed a powerful mana signature—not of a beast, but of a human. The voices carried on the wind—they were people. He had found them.
But danger behind him hadn't disappeared. It gathered, circling him. Julian gripped his sword tightly and surged through the underbrush toward the flicker of the campfire. He used his blade to clear obstacles—branches and debris—heart pounding with relief. He had found them.
Then came the growls—four shadows trailing him, eyes glowing, jaws lined with stone-like fangs, breath heavy with hunger. The flame ahead revealed moving figures, voices sharp in the night.
Julian didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, the sword glinting in the firelight. Steel met fang, his arms rattling with the impact. The first beast toppled aside—but another came from behind, unseen.
Then a Fangs erupted from the ground, pushing the beast away from them, sending it flying. Someone from the camp had joined the fight. "What the hell are these things?!" A voice shouted.
Julian remained silent, completely focused. His legs moved with wind mana, cutting down one beast swiftly, avoiding a claw that could have killed him. Two remained—their fangs glowing like molten coal, striking together.
He braced himself. Then, from his side, a figure appeared, blade raised, blocking one of the attacks. Steel rang against steel.
"Stranger or not," the man said through clenched teeth, "you'd better fight like hell if you want to live."
Julian gave a sharp nod, the moment searing itself into his memory. In firelight and blood, surrounded by enemies and strangers, the fight had only just begun.
In the eyes of those watching, this was the first glimpse of the mysterious young warrior who had stumbled into their camp while danger lurked close behind.