BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 22: Shadows in the Wild

Kael crouched beside the merchant, pressing two fingers to the man's pulse. Weak, but steady. He was barely conscious, eyes fluttering open just long enough to mumble something incoherent before slipping back into unconsciousness.

"He's in bad shape," Rivain muttered, scanning the surroundings. "We need to move him before—"

A low, guttural growl interrupted him.

Kael's head snapped up, eyes narrowing as he traced the sound. Beyond the dim glow of their campfire, yellow eyes glinted from the underbrush, reflecting the firelight. The beast was large, its form obscured by the darkness, but its presence sent a chill down Kael's spine.

A predator had caught their scent.

Rivain reached for his sword, but Kael raised a hand to stop him. Instead, he focused inward, activating Arcane Sigil. His vision sharpened, runes lighting up in his mind.

New System Alert: "Predator Detected"

Optional Quest: Eliminate the threat or escape undetected.

Rewards:

150 Arcane Points

Rune Enhancement: "Silent Step"

Kael exhaled slowly. "We have two options. Fight or evade."

Rivain's grip tightened on his sword. "If we run, it'll just follow us."

Kael nodded. "Then we end this quickly."

The beast lunged.

It moved with unnatural speed, its muscular form bursting from the shadows. Kael barely had time to register its features—a wolf, but larger than any normal beast, with jet-black fur and glowing amber eyes.

Mana-infused.

Kael reacted instantly, inscribing Acceleration Rune into his leg with Crimson Sigil. A burst of speed shot through him as he sidestepped the attack. The beast's claws scraped the earth where he had stood just a second earlier.

Rivain capitalized on the opening, his sword flashing in the firelight as he aimed for its neck. The beast twisted midair, avoiding the strike with an unnatural agility.

It was intelligent.

Kael's mind raced. A normal approach wouldn't work. He needed to restrain it.

His fingers traced a rune in the air—Binding Sigil—one of the simpler but more effective techniques he had refined over the months. The glowing crimson rune took form just as the beast lunged again.

The moment its paws touched the ground—the rune activated.

Chains of light erupted from the earth, wrapping around its limbs. The beast snarled, struggling against the sigil's grip, but it was too late.

"Now!" Kael shouted.

Rivain didn't hesitate. He drove his sword into the beast's exposed throat. A wet, gurgling sound filled the air before it collapsed, twitching once before going still.

Quest Completed!

Arcane Points +150

Rune Enhancement Acquired: Silent Step

Kael clenched his fist as knowledge of the rune flowed into him. A technique that muffled movement, perfect for evading detection.

Rivain wiped his blade on his sleeve, exhaling sharply. "That was... bigger than I expected."

Kael nodded, stepping over the beast. The glow had faded from its eyes. Whatever mana had infused it had now dissipated.

But this wasn't normal.

Creatures like this weren't supposed to exist outside controlled territories. Someone—or something—had altered this beast.

And if there was one, there could be more.

He glanced at the still-unconscious merchant. This mission was turning out to be far more complicated than expected.

"We need to move," Kael said. "Now."