"Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win."
— Stephen King
---
Nightmare Class ShadowFang Wolves.
It was a wolf that had the strength of 5 wolves combined.
Their fur shimmered with an unnatural darkness, absorbing the moonlight rather than reflecting it. Eyes like burning coals pierced the gloom, and their fangs dripped with venom potent enough to paralyze even the bravest hunter.
Legends whispered that a single ShadowFang could stalk its prey for days, never making a sound, never leaving a trace. When they hunted in packs, even the fiercest monsters of the forest fled before them.
To face a ShadowFang Wolf was to face the embodiment of fear itself.
What would happen if they faced a Nightmare-class version of such a wolf?
---
Everything was silent except for the sound of the beast tearing into its prey.
The group froze, staring at the massive wolf in front of them. Its fur was so dark as if there was no trace of light in the world, and its eyes glowed a deep, angry red.
Mira whispered, "That's... that's a Nightmare Class ShadowFang Wolf."
Jin's hands shook as he spoke, "Are we fighting that?"
Lira swallowed, her voice barely a whisper. "We don't have a choice. If we run, it'll chase us. If we fight together, we might have a chance."
Eren gripped his sword tightly. "We stick to the plan. Mira up front, Lira supports, Jin covers us, and Kain—"
Kain nodded, stepping forward. "I'll try to distract it. Watch for an opening."
The wolf lifted its head, blood dripping from its jaws. It stared at the group, then let out a low, rumbling growl that made the ground tremble.
Without warning, the wolf lunged at Mira, moving faster than anything they'd seen before. Mira barely raised her shield in time, so that the impact sent her sliding back, boots digging into the ground.
"Now!" Eren shouted, rushing in from the side. He slashed at the wolf's leg, but it barely scratched the surface.
Jin fired an arrow, aiming for the wolf's eye. The arrow struck, but the beast shook its head, snapping the shaft in two.
Lira raised her staff, chanting quickly. "Barrier!" A faint blue shield appeared around Mira, just as the wolf snapped its jaws at her again.
Kain darted behind the wolf, swinging his sword at its hind leg. This time, the blade bit deeper, drawing dark blood. The wolf howled and spun, its tail whipping out and knocking Kain off his feet.
"Careful!" Mira called, bracing herself as the wolf charged again.
The wolf lunged at Lira, sensing her magic. Mira threw herself in the way, taking the hit on her shield. The force knocked her down, but she got back up.
Eren managed to cut the wolf's side, and Jin landed another arrow in its shoulder. The beast roared, blood spraying across the clearing.
Lira shouted, "It's getting weaker! Keep going!"
Kain saw his chance. He rushed in, sword glowing faintly as he poured all his strength into one strike. The blade sank deep into the wolf's neck.
The wolf howled, thrashing wildly. The group attacked together—Mira bashing with her shield, Eren slashing, Jin firing arrows, and Lira sending bursts of magic.
Finally, with a last, shuddering growl, the Nightmare Class ShadowFang Wolf collapsed.
The clearing was silent again, except for the group's heavy breathing.
They had survived. But as Kain looked at the fallen beast, he knew this was only the beginning.
---
[ ~*~ System Notification ~*~ ]
[Nightmare Class ShadowFang Wolf defeated!]
[All party members gain +240 EXP.]
[You have leveled up!]
Level 2 → Level 3
+1 Stats Points
[ -- System Mission -- ]
[Mission: Level up to Level 5]
[Rewards: 'Blood Manipulation' Bloodline ability.]
---
The group took a moment to catch their breath, but there was no time to rest for long. The noise of the battle had drawn other beasts from the shadows, a pack of smaller ShadowFang Wolves appeared, their eyes glowing but not as fiercely as the Nightmare class.
"Here they come again!" Jin shouted, quickly firing arrows at the closest wolf.
Mira stepped forward, shield raised. "We can handle these. They're not as strong!"
Lira cast a quick spell, sending a burst of light that blinded two wolves. Mira bashed another with her shield, knocking it aside.
Kain also slashed the wolves with full thrust. He had added his one point in strength, hence he felt himself getting stronger.
[System Notification: ShadowFang Wolf defeated! +30 EXP]
[System Notification: ShadowFang Wolf defeated! +30 EXP]
Kain could see the experience building up inside him. He moved on to the next beast, his attacks getting sharper and more confident.
The group pressed forward, fighting through the pack. Soon, the last wolf fell, and the forest was quiet again.
[System Notification: Level Up!]
Level 3 → Level 4
+1 Stats Points
But the forest was not done testing them. As they moved deeper, they were attacked by a group of giant horned boars. The beasts charged, tusks gleaming.
"Watch out!" Mira called, blocking a boar with her shield.
Kain dodged to the side and slashed at the boar's leg. Eren jumped onto another's back, stabbing down with his sword. Jin fired arrows from a distance, and Lira sent a wave of fire that scattered the beasts.
[System Notification: Giant Horned Boar defeated! +40 EXP]
[System Notification: Giant Horned Boar defeated! +40 EXP]
Kain felt another surge of power. He was getting close.
The group kept moving, facing more beasts—giant spiders, wild apes, and even a huge snake that tried to ambush them from the trees. Each time, they fought together, growing stronger as a team.
Finally, after defeating a huge armored bear that guarded a hidden cave, Kain felt a rush of energy.
[System Notification: Level Up!]
Level 4 → Level 5
+1 Stats Points
[ -- System Mission Complete -- ]
[Reward Unlocked: 'Blood Manipulation' Bloodline ability.]
Kain stood still for a moment, feeling the new power settle inside him. He could sense the blood in his own body and even in the beasts around him. He knew he had unlocked something important.
Eren clapped him on the back. "You did it, Kain! Level 5 already!"
Mira smiled. "We all got stronger, but you pulled ahead."
Jin grinned, picking up his arrows. "Let's see what else this forest has for us."
Lira nodded. "But let's be careful. There are always bigger monsters out there."
Kain nodded, feeling ready for whatever came next.
---
The group pressed on, moving deeper into the forest.
They faced more beasts—packs of wild wolves, giant lizards, and even a swarm of venomous insects.
Each fight made them stronger, but also wore them down.
Kain felt his new power growing with every battle, but he also noticed the exhaustion in his friends' faces.
After defeating another group of wild apes, Mira wiped sweat from her brow. "Let's take a short break," she said, but before anyone could sit, the ground began to shake.
From the shadows, a massive beast emerged. It was a Forest Ogre, twice the size of a man, with thick green skin and a club made from a tree trunk. Its roar echoed through the trees, making birds scatter.
Jin's eyes widened. "That's not a normal beast. That's a boss-ranked beast!"
The ogre charged, swinging its club.
Mira blocked the first blow, but the force sent her flying into a tree.
Lira tried to cast a spell, but the ogre's roar broke her concentration.
Jin fired arrows, but they bounced off the ogre's thick hide.
Kain and Eren rushed in, trying to draw their attention. The ogre swung wildly, smashing the ground and sending dirt flying.
Eren managed to cut its leg, but the beast barely noticed.
Lira tried to cast another spell, but the ogre's club came down too fast. She was knocked aside, groaning in pain.
Jin tried to help her, but the ogre caught him with a backhand swipe, sending him crashing into the bushes.
Mira struggled to stand, but the ogre stomped the ground, knocking her down again. She didn't get back up.
Kain's heart pounded. Only he and Eren were left standing. The ogre turned its red eyes on them, roaring in anger.
Eren gritted his teeth, blood running down his arm. "We can't run, Kain. If we do, it'll kill the others."
Kain nodded, feeling the weight of the moment. "We fight together."
The ogre charged. Eren dodged left, Kain right. They attacked from both sides, trying to confuse the beast.
Eren slashed at its arm, drawing blood. Kain leapt onto its back, stabbing down with all his strength.
The ogre howled, reaching back to grab Kain. Eren shouted, "Now, Kain!"
Kain drove his sword deep into the ogre's neck. The beast thrashed, trying to shake him off. Eren ran in, stabbing the ogre's leg again and again.
But the ogre was too strong. With a final roar, it swung its club, catching Eren in the side. Eren flew through the air, landing hard and not moving.
Kain's eyes widened. "Eren!"
The ogre turned, raising its club to finish Eren off. Kain jumped down, putting himself between the ogre and his friend.
He felt the Sin of Greed surge inside him, pushing him to take more, to win at any cost. He gripped his sword tightly, ready to fight to the end.
The ogre roared and swung its club down at Kain.
At that moment, something inside Kain snapped.
A greenish-gold light flickered in his eyes.
He felt a strange energy fill his body—a hunger, a desire to claim everything for himself.
[Cardinal Sin of Greed - Treasure Sense Activated.]
[You can sense the weak points and hidden power in your enemy.]
Suddenly, Kain could see faint glowing lines running through the ogre's body—its weak spots.
He dodged the next swing and slashed at a glowing spot behind the ogre's knee.
The beast howled in Pain.
Kain continued to attack, striking at every weak point he could see.
The ogre grew slower, its movements clumsy.
Kain felt the Sin of Greed urging him on, making him faster and stronger with every blow.
Finally, with a burst of strength, Kain leapt onto the ogre's back and drove his sword deep into the back of its neck, right at the brightest glowing spot.
The ogre let out a final roar and collapsed, shaking the ground.
Kain dropped to his knees, breathing hard. The Sin of Greed's power faded, leaving him exhausted but victorious.
He crawled over to Eren, who was barely conscious and bleeding badly. Kain remembered something from the system—a ritual that could heal wounds using blood.
A faint voice echoed in his mind, guiding him through the steps.
---
"Eren! Eren! You alright?" asked Kain as he had a worried expression on his face.
Eren nodded slightly, but then he coughed up blood and went unconscious.
"No. No..No.No. What to do?! Herbs! Yes Herbs! We had some medical herbs, did we not?", thought Kain as he asked himself and looked around.
Kain scrambled to Eren's side, searching through their packs. His hands shook as he found the small leather bag of herbs Mira had prepared.
He tore it open, grabbing a handful of the healing leaves.
He crushed the herb between his fingers, releasing its sharp, earthy scent, then pressed the pulp gently onto Eren's wound.
"Come on, Eren, stay with me," Kain whispered.
He watched anxiously as the herb did its work. Eren's breathing steadied a little, though he remained unconscious.
Kain let out a shaky breath, relief flooding through him.
---