MTLNOVEL Chapter 9: The Ashfang Ravager
Chapter 8: The Ashfang Ravager
The following morning, Renji stood at the edge of Veydris, his cloak billowing slightly in the early morning breeze. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across the dirt path leading north toward the Highlands.
Ahead of him lay a dangerous hunt—his first Rank D quest since ranking up.
The Ashfang Ravager—a monstrous variant of the Ashfang Wolf that had been terrorizing caravans and merchants passing through the Highlands.
But more than that, this quest was a test.
He had leveled up, absorbed Phantom Step, and adapted to this world's combat system faster than anyone expected. But against the Wraith, he had barely survived.
If he wanted to keep climbing, to keep getting stronger, he needed to push himself further.
And this beast was his next step forward.
The Highlands were nothing like the forests around Veydris.
As Renji traveled, the dense trees gave way to vast, rolling hills and rocky outcroppings, the air growing thinner and colder the further he moved north. Wildflowers and tall grass swayed in the wind, and distant mountains loomed over the horizon like silent giants.
The road itself was worn but traveled, lined with the remnants of past skirmishes—broken carts, abandoned supplies, and the occasional patch of dried blood.
This Ravager has been active.
Renji adjusted the sword strapped to his waist, his eyes scanning his surroundings. He had spent the night studying reports of the Ashfang Ravager.
Unlike the normal Ashfang Wolves, the Ravager was a lone predator.
Faster, stronger, and far more aggressive.
A true apex predator.
And something about that excited him.
It didn't take long to find evidence of its presence.
Deep gashes lined the bark of nearby trees—claw marks, fresh ones. The dirt path was littered with wolf tracks, the imprints twice as large as any normal beast.
Renji knelt, touching the hardened soil.
It rained here recently, but these tracks aren't more than a day old.
He followed them deeper into the highlands, moving cautiously.
The further he went, the quieter it became.
Even the wind felt still.
And then—
A corpse.
Renji stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing at the mangled remains of a merchant's horse, its body ripped open, entrails spilling across the grass.
No scavengers. No birds.
That meant one thing—the Ravager was still close.
Renji's pulse quickened. He could feel his body tensing, muscles coiling as his Predator's Instinct began reacting.
A shiver ran down his spine.
Something was watching him.
Then—
A low, guttural growl rumbled from the shadows of the hills.
There you are.
The beast emerged from the rocks, its powerful form cutting through the misty morning air.
Its fur was dark as charcoal, its eyes burning red, and its fangs glistened with fresh blood. Long, jagged scars crisscrossed its hide, a testament to years of battle.
This was no ordinary monster.
This was a hunter.
A killer.
Renji grinned.
The Ashfang Ravager let out a chilling snarl, lowering its stance. Then it moved.
Renji barely had time to react.
The Ravager moved at blinding speed, crossing the distance in a heartbeat. Its claws slashed through the air, aiming straight for his throat.
Too fast!
Renji's body blurred, Phantom Step activating instinctively. He flickered out of the way, reappearing several feet to the side, his heart hammering.
It's faster than I thought.
The Ravager twisted mid-air, landing gracefully before lunging again—this time lower, aiming for his legs.
Renji countered.
He sidestepped sharply, his sword flashing as he aimed for the creature's exposed flank.
CLANG.
His blade bounced off the beast's thick hide, barely leaving a scratch.
Renji's eyes widened. Its fur is like armor.
The Ravager capitalized on his hesitation.
A backhanded swipe caught Renji's ribs, sending him skidding backward. Pain flared through his body, but he gritted his teeth, rolling back onto his feet.
The Ravager stalked toward him, its movements deliberate. Calculating.
Renji wiped blood from his lip.
This thing isn't just fast—it's smart. It's reading me, just like I'm reading it.
For the first time in a fight, he felt something deeper than just fear or adrenaline.
He felt challenged.
Excited.
The Ravager lunged again.
Renji didn't dodge this time.
He moved forward, meeting the beast head-on.
Their battle erupted in a clash of steel and fang.
Minutes passed, though to Renji, it felt like seconds.
Every exchange was a lesson, every dodge an adjustment. He could feel himself adapting, his instincts sharpening even further.
But he couldn't keep dodging forever.
He needed a weakness.
And then—he saw it.
Each time the Ravager lunged, there was a fraction of a second—a small delay between its initial strike and when it reset its footing.
A pattern.
Renji's eyes narrowed. That's my opening.
The beast lunged once more, its claws gleaming—
Renji activated Phantom Step.
His body flickered, shifting to the side at the last second.
This time, instead of attacking the beast's armored hide, he drove his blade straight into its hind leg.
The Ravager let out a deafening roar, stumbling slightly as dark blood sprayed from the wound.
Got you.
Renji didn't stop. He ripped the sword free, flipping over the beast's back in a single, fluid motion. He landed behind it, gripping his weapon in both hands.
With one final strike, he drove his blade deep into the back of its neck.
The Ashfang Ravager let out a final, strangled growl—before collapsing.
Its heavy body hit the dirt with a thud, blood pooling beneath it.
Renji stood over it, panting hard.
Then, his vision flickered as a familiar blue glow filled the air.
[Skill Acquired: Bloodhound's Sense]
Effect: Enhances the user's tracking ability and combat perception. Allows for heightened awareness of enemy movements, blood trails, and emotional intent.
Renji's body tensed as the skill fused into him.
His hearing sharpened. His sense of smell heightened. He could feel the lingering warmth of the fading Ravager's life, sense the distant presence of creatures miles away.
A slow smile spread across his lips.
This will be useful.
He exhaled, finally allowing himself to relax.
The Ashfang Ravager was dead.
His first D-Rank hunt was complete.
And Renji?
He was just getting started.