CHAPTER 57: HUNT

Astrael’s view shifted the moment he crossed the boundary.

The morning sun filtered through a canopy into narrow beams, painting shifting patterns of gold across the mossy ground. The air grew more cooler, tinged with the damp scent of earth.

Towering trees rose on all sides, thick trunks wrapped in creeping vines, their crowns vanishing into the green haze above. The faint rustle of unseen creatures sounded through the undergrowth, mingling with the occasional drip of water from leaves.

As he pressed on, the sounds of other travellers faded until they were little more than distant echoes. The well-trodden path forked ahead, one side leading deeper along the marked route, the other vanishing into a wilder, shadowed section of the forest. Without hesitation, Astrael stepped off the other shadowy path.

The deeper he went, the fewer signs of human passage he saw. The wilderness here was untouched. He moved like a shadow, deliberately avoiding areas where he could still hear faint voices or the occasional clang of a sword from other adventurers.

He walked at an unhurried pace, letting his senses drink in the serenity of the forest depths. The forest here was almost tranquil. Suddenly, he stopped mid-stride, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his sword.

GRRR!!

But in the next moment, the low, guttural growl sounded through in the tranquil forest.

Astrael glanced over his shoulder and spotted a wolf positioned roughly six meters behind him...

A wolf emerged from between two gnarled trunks. It was massive—easily eight feet tall at the shoulder.

One giant wolf, around 8 feet tall. Their eyes were completely red which was completely focused on the prey.

Its eyes glowed an unnatural, blood-red hue, locked onto him with a predator’s single-minded hunger. Its body was a striking blend of crimson and midnight-black fur, each muscle beneath rippling with coiled strength. Saliva dripped from its bared fangs as it circled a half-step, gauging the man before it.

To the beast, Astrael wasn’t a threat. He was the morning breakfast.

[Target: Bloodmaw Direwolf]

[Tier: 0]

[Level: 24]

[Threat: Mid]

[Status: Hunting, Focused, Bloodlust Active]

[Note: Mutated Elderwood direwolf variant, exhibiting enhanced muscle density and accelerated regeneration. Aggression level elevated due to recent blood consumption. Caution: Bloodlust state increases speed and attack power by 40%, but impairs tactical judgment. Severing the spine or destroying the heart is the most efficient kill method.]

Astrael’s lips twitched faintly. "I just stepped into the forest and already, my first prey shows up... and it’s a high-level one at that."

The Crimson wolf’s claw tore into the earth. Its massive frame rippled with muscle.

Astrael’s fingers curled around his sword hilt.

The Bloodmaw Direwolf pounced with frightening speed, its shadow blotting out the light as it came down on him. Astrael twisted to the side, feeling the rush of air as its claws slashed past his chest; even that grazing wind carried enough force to sting his skin

He swung his sword upward, aiming for its ribs, but the beast jerked back, only the tip of his blade grazing fur and drawing a thin line of blood. The wolf’s growl deepened, more enraged than wounded.

’Damn... its reflexes are sharper than I thought’ Astrael’s eyes narrowed, every muscle tightening. If I can’t match its speed, I’ll have to force an opening

The wolf charged again, its jaws snapping shut inches from his arm. He shoved his shoulder into its flank, rolling under the massive body, but the movement was clumsy against such raw power. A claw raked across his side, his leather armour absorbed most of the blow, but the force sent him staggering

’Too strong head-on... I’ll bleed myself dry if I just trade blows’

He ducked as the wolf spun with unnatural agility, its tail whipping the air like a club. I need one good strike... just one, right where it counts

The direwolf’s crimson eyes locked on him again, as if sensing the thought, and it began circling with slow and deliberate steps, pressing down on the dirt with a sound like distant drums.

Astrael’s fingers tightened on his sword hilt, breath steadying as he let the noise of the forest fade away. He activated the skill [Predator’s Clarity], sharpening every sound, every flicker of movement. The surrounding area’s time became slow. The rhythm of the wolf’s breathing, the twitch of its hind legs, the subtle shift of weight in its shoulders... all of it lit up in his mind like a map of intent.

In one smooth breath, he let [Quick Draw] flow through his body. His blade snapped from its sheath in a silver arc, faster than sight, aimed right for the thick muscle at the base of the wolf’s neck — the perfect kill point.

Steel met fur, then it stopped at the inch-deep of the beast’s hide as if striking a wall of dense stone wrapped in hide.

A shock jolted up his arm. The Bloodmaw Direwolf had twisted at the last instant, its crimson fur bristling as a faint shimmer rippled over its body with mana, hardened like armour. The blade cut shallow, barely breaking skin before it was forced back.

The beast’s eyes burned brighter, lips curling into a snarl that almost looked like mockery.

The wolf lunged without warning, and this time its paw slammed down toward his head like a falling tree.

The paw crashed into the ground where Astrael had been a heartbeat before, the force sending dirt and leaves bursting into the air. Even with his dodge, the edge of those claws grazed across his shoulder, a searing line of pain flaring under his shirt, warm blood dampening the fabric.

Astrael clenched his teeth and rolled back to his feet. His stance changed, with low, coiled eyes fixed on the beast. The relaxed attitude he had earlier had vanished.

"You..." his voice was low, almost a growl of its own, "...have just forced me to use my secret technique."

The Bloodmaw Direwolf froze for half a second, ears twitching, body lowering instinctively. Its eyes narrowed, mana crackling faintly over its frame as if expecting a lethal strike.

Astrael’s hand gripped his sword tighter. He took one decisive step forward... then bolted in the opposite direction, breaking into a full sprint through the undergrowth.

The wolf blinked, stunned for a moment, as if unable to comprehend the absurdity. Then, with a furious snarl that shook the leaves, it lunged after him, snapping branches in its wake.

"Let’s see how fast you really are," Astrael muttered under his breath, the ghost of a grin touching his lips as he darted between trees.

...

Astrael tore through the undergrowth, legs pounding the earth. Branches whipped against his arms and face, but he didn’t slow; the heavy, rhythmic thud of the Bloodmaw Direwolf’s pursuit was right behind him, each step closing the distance.

’That thing’s faster than I thought’ Astrael’s mind kept working even as his body moved instinctively. He had come here to train, to hunt, to grow stronger... but damn if this wasn’t a little too much of a welcome gift from the forest.

The beast wasn’t just chasing blindly. Every time Astrael angled toward an opening between the trees, it shifted, cutting him off with frightening precision. It wasn’t just brute force; it was experienced, a predator that had hunted countless prey before him.

"Persistent bastard," Astrael muttered under his breath, leaping over a fallen log.

The wolf’s snarl was like a gust of hot wind at his back. Its claws tore up soil and roots, throwing dirt into the air. It lunged for his side, but Astrael twisted mid-stride, letting the strike slice past him before launching forward again.

’This isn’t like in stories... I thought I could kill it. I came to hunt, but instead I became the prey.’ His jaw clenched.

The Bloodmaw moved with lethal economy, never wasting an attack, every snap of its jaws aiming for the kill. Astrael could feel its hunting rhythm, block the escape routes, then strike when the prey falters.

The trees ahead began to thin as sunlight spilt through. Astrael’s eyes narrowed. The scent of open air, and something else, reached him.

He skidded to a halt at the tree line. Below, the ground fell away to jagged rocks and a fast-flowing river.

"Tch... really?" he exhaled sharply. His gaze flicked back to the wolf now stalking forward, slow and deliberate, crimson eyes locked on him.

’Perfect... so it’s been herding me here from the start.’

The Bloodmaw’s lips peeled back in a low growl, as if it knew exactly what was going through his mind. One way or another, it was intended to feast. Today, he would definitely have his breakfast.

Astrael’s foot dug into the dirt as he took a step back from the cliff’s edge, wind whipping past his face. The rocks below were like jagged teeth waiting to swallow him whole, and the river churned with violent currents far too eager to drag him under.

’If I jump, I’m dead. If I stay, I’m dinner.’ His eyes flicked to the Bloodmaw Direwolf now prowling toward him, head low, crimson gaze fixed with mocking certainty. It moved like it already owned his corpse.

He rolled his shoulders, letting out a slow exhale. "I really didn’t want to use this... but you’ve forced my hand."

[Blood Berserker]