Sunlight spilled through the window like golden silk. Caelen groaned, eyes fluttering open. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and glanced around. The room was empty.
"…Riven? Dren?"
Silence.
He sat up with a jolt. "Crap… I overslept!"
He quickly washed up and rushed outside, brushing past the creaky wooden door. Just outside, under the morning sun, he spotted them—Riven, Dren, and Lady Lyra standing in front of Mr. Ben.
"Good morning, Lady Lyra," Caelen said, bowing his head slightly.
Lyra smiled. "Morning, sleepyhead."
Dren chuckled. "About time. You sure like your sleep, huh?"
"Sorry," Caelen muttered, scratching his head. "I didn't mean to oversleep."
Riven waved it off. "Don't worry. We were just talking with Mr. Ben about the mission."
Mr. Ben nodded solemnly. "We traced the Frostfang wolves. According to a hunter's report, they're coming from Frostveil Grove."
Caelen frowned. "Frostveil Grove…?"
"Yeah," Riven confirmed. "That's where we'll start."
Lyra turned to Mr. Ben. "Will you accompany us as a guide?"
The old man looked down, lips trembling. "I… I'm sorry. The villagers, we… we're scared. None of us dare go near Frostveil Grove anymore. We've set a curfew for everyone to be indoors before dark." He looked at them with sincere eyes. "I hope you understand."
Lyra nodded gently. "It's fine. We'll follow the map. Thank you, Mr. Ben."
---
The group made their way through the lively village. Merchants called out their prices, kids ran through the streets, and the air was filled with the scent of bread and roasted meat.
Caelen watched everything. So the village is this alive by day… but when night falls, fear takes over. Fear of the wolves.
They left the village behind and entered the forest, their boots crunching against dry leaves and twigs. The sunlight dimmed as the canopy thickened.
Hours passed.
Eventually, they stopped near a clearing. Dren pulled out his waterskin and took a swig, then passed it around.
Just then—rustle.
Everyone tensed.
Riven's hand went straight to his blade. Dren cocked his gun.
Another rustle.
The bushes burst open—!
"—Bunnies?" Dren blinked.
A herd of rabbits scurried past them in panic.
"Seriously… just rabbits?" Caelen muttered.
Riven snorted. "Who cares?"
Lyra tilted her head. "You okay, Caelen?"
He narrowed his eyes. "...No, it's nothing."
But in his mind—Why were those bunnies running like that? Were they afraid? Of what?
Then it hit him.
"EVERYONE, DUCK!" he shouted.
Too late—!
A wolf exploded from the shadows, jaws wide, claws aimed straight for Riven.
SHINK!
BANG!
A single gunshot echoed.
The beast dropped, dead. Blood pooled at Riven's feet.
Riven let out a shaky breath. "Tch… That was close. Thanks, man."
Dren lowered his smoking gun. "You're welcome. And thanks, Caelen—for the heads-up."
Caelen nodded. "I just had a feeling."
Lyra smiled. "I'm just glad we're all safe."
Riven's grip tightened on his blade. "Let's keep moving. It's dangerous here."
---
Snow.
Frost began to coat the trees. The warm green slowly faded into white and silence.
"We're close," Riven muttered. "Let's camp. It's too risky to fight them at night."
Lyra agreed. "Let's find shelter."
They stumbled on a cave and quickly lit a fire. They huddled in, pulling on coats, snowflakes still clinging to their clothes.
The flames danced as Caelen stared quietly.
Frostfang Wolves—D-rank. Weak alone, deadly in packs. Their strength lies not in power, but in stealth, numbers, and snow manipulation. Untrained adventurers have died thinking them easy prey.
He glanced at the others. They were already asleep, warm under their cloaks.
This mission is meant for beginner heroes like me. The others… they're probably here to guide me through it.
Caelen slowly reached out, extinguishing the fire. "Better not take risks. A single flame could invite death."
Lying back on the cold cave floor, he stared at the stars peeking through the cave's mouth.
"Iris… I haven't written to you since I got here," he whispered. "You must be worried. I'll write once this is over."
He turned toward Lyra, her peaceful face glowing under the moonlight.
"The bond still hasn't formed… maybe the system's waiting on me."
He sighed, eyes fluttering shut. "Then I'll decide."
---
DAWN.
They packed quickly.
Riven led, map in hand. Suddenly, he raised a fist.
"Stop."
Everyone froze.
"I hear something…"
Dren placed a hand on the ground. His brows furrowed.
"…Footsteps."
Lyra's eyes widened. "Are the wolves… coming here?"
Caelen cursed under his breath. "The fire last night. The smoke must've given away our position."
RUSTLE.
A Frostfang wolf leaped at them.
CLANG!
Riven's blade flashed—a perfect horizontal cut.
SLASH!
The wolf was cleaved in two.
Drenblinked. "Whoa…"
Riven smirked, extending a hand to him. "Looks like I repaid the favor."
Caelen's gaze was sharp. "That one was scouting. The real pack… is on the way."
And then—
Awooooooooooooooo!
A chilling howl tore through the air.
Dozens of wolves emerged from the trees, red eyes gleaming. Some crawled low. Others snarled from above, half-camouflaged in snow.
Dren's grip tightened on his gun. "That's… way more than I expected."
Their strategy was simple—surround. Break the line. Pick them off one by one.
The wolves charged.
"Let's go!" Riven yelled, slashing the first down.
Lyra stepped forward, raising her staff high.
A golden magic circle appeared above her.
"Solar Arcana—Flarefall!"
A blazing orb rose into the sky and shattered—exploding into dozens of fireballs raining down in every direction.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Snow burst up. Wolves yelped. Fire lit up the forest.
But more came. Relentless. Bloodthirsty.
Drenfought beside Riven, covering his flanks.
Caelen stood back, heart pounding.
They're strong… she's stronger. Riven and Dren… they're like warriors from legend.
"Caelen! Go!" Riven barked.
"Huh?"
"You're the healer. If something happens to you, we're screwed."
Dren added, "Don't argue. We've got this. Stay alive."
Caelen hesitated, but nodded. "Fine… I'll wait for you."
---
Caelen ran through the forest, far from the chaos. His breath misted in the cold air. The trees whispered with danger.
Suddenly—GROWL.
He stopped dead in his tracks.
In the clearing—bathed in moonlight—stood a giant wolf.
White fur.
Blue-glowing veins.
And a single, majestic crystalline horn.
A trail of blood marked its flank, painting red onto the snow. But its eyes…
Its eyes burned.
The beast raised its head. Its horn glowed—
WHOOSH!
BLAST!
A burst of frost magic shot out like a cannon. Caelen dove, the beam slicing through trees behind him.
The beast staggered.
And collapsed.
Caelen rushed over, heart hammering. "You shouldn't fight when you're injured…"
He placed a hand on the wound. Why is this one different?
His eyes glowed—Oculus Sight.
A magical sigil flashed in front of him. Time slowed.
The world darkened.
Stats appeared, glowing.
---
Name: Frostfang Alpha — Eira'karn the Palehorn
Species: Alpha Frostfang Dire Wolf (Unique Variant)
Rank: B- (Suppressed)
True Rank: A-
Level: 47
Health: 11,032 / 24,000
Mana: 4,310 / 8,000
Aura: Frost Aura – Freezes terrain within 5 meters
Horn Skill: Glacial Nova
---
Caelen smirked. "A variant, huh? That explains everything…"
He knelt closer, his hand glowing green. "You were betrayed too… weren't you?"
The wolf didn't resist.
"Fine. I'll heal you."
Heal.
The magic surged through his palm.
---
FLASH !
[Soul Resonance Initiated]
!! Warning:Emotional Memory Transfer Detected!!
The world warped.
Snow.
A den.
Pups.
Hunters. Screams. Fire.
A mother shielding her children.
A lone pup. Horned.
Survival.
Battle after battle. Becoming the Alpha.
Then… men in shadows. A poisoned arrow.
Pain. Betrayal. Exile.
Bleeding. Alone.
---
"Gasp!"
Caelen staggered back. Cold sweat drenched his shirt.
"What… was that?"