BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 24: The Hunt Begins

The first rays of dawn broke through the canopy, casting pale light across the dilapidated outpost. Inside, Kael and Rivain remained in tense silence. The merchant was still unconscious, his shallow breaths the only sound in the small, makeshift shelter.

Kael rubbed his temples, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. The Silent Step rune had given them the edge to get here quickly, but it wasn't enough to erase the gnawing unease in his gut.

"We leave in ten minutes," Kael said, standing up, his voice firm. "We'll make it to the main road as planned."

Rivain was already packing their meager supplies, eyes scanning the area outside through a crack in the door. "I'll take first watch. If anyone's following us, they'll be here soon."

Kael nodded, securing his pack. His mind kept returning to the mana-infused beast they had encountered. The Shadowfang Alpha was no ordinary creature. It was likely only a scout for a larger pack, as Rivain had suggested. But what unsettled him the most was the certainty that someone had sent it after them. Someone knew their every move.

Before Kael could voice his concerns, his Arcane Sigil pulsed again.

System Alert:

New Quest Available

Objective: Escape the area without being detected. Avoid any further conflicts for the next 12 hours.

Failure Consequences: Increased hostility from enemy forces.

Bonus Reward: Completion within 12 hours.

"Another quest," Kael muttered. It was becoming a frequent occurrence. Each quest always seemed to come at the worst possible time, heightening the tension he already felt.

His hand hovered over the quest details, but a sudden rustle from outside snapped his focus back to the present.

"They're here," Rivain said, his voice low and steady. "I heard movement."

Kael didn't need any more prompting. They couldn't stay here. The shelter wasn't secure enough, and with the new threat looming, they couldn't afford to be caught off guard.

"We move now," Kael commanded.

Rivain gave a quick nod. The two of them gathered their things in a flurry of motion and set to work making sure the merchant was secured and ready to move. Kael activated Silent Step once more, and they moved swiftly through the forest, blending with the surroundings as best they could.

Minutes turned to hours as they made their way deeper into the woods. Despite their efforts, Kael couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Every rustling leaf, every snap of a twig set his senses on edge. The Shadowfang Alpha's presence still lingered, its eerie howl echoing in the back of his mind.

They finally reached the edge of a narrow path—just a small dirt trail that led to the main road. But as Kael turned to signal Rivain to approach, something caught his eye. A shadow darted between the trees.

"We're not alone," Kael muttered under his breath. He motioned for Rivain to stay behind him.

A group of figures emerged from the trees—three in total, each cloaked and masked. They moved with the confidence of seasoned hunters, weapons drawn.

"Not bandits," Rivain murmured, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. "But they're not here to help us, either."

Kael's heart raced as he analyzed the group. He couldn't see their faces, but their movements were deliberate. Calculated. These weren't random raiders. They had a purpose.

One of the figures stepped forward, their voice cold and direct. "We've been tracking you."

Kael tensed. "Tracking me?" he repeated, his voice low.

The cloaked figure nodded, their posture menacing. "You're not as inconspicuous as you think. We know about your powers."

Kael's pulse quickened. Someone had been tracking him.

Rivain's blade flashed as he took a step forward. "You're making a mistake. We don't want any trouble."

The figure chuckled darkly. "It's too late for that."

Without warning, the three figures lunged toward them. Kael reacted immediately, drawing his sword and creating a barrier of Crimson Sigil runes, but before he could react further, his Arcane Sigil System pulsed again, filling him with a sense of urgency.

System Alert:

New Quest Available

Objective: Neutralize hostile targets. Ensure the merchant remains unharmed.

Failure Consequences: Failure to protect the merchant will result in mission failure and penalties to stats.

Bonus Reward: Completion without loss of merchant life.

Kael knew what he had to do. This was no longer just about escorting the merchant—it was about survival.

"Rivain, cover me!" Kael shouted, his voice sharp.

The fight began in an instant.