Chapter 12: The Wolf
The wind in the Veilmoor forest cut like a wet razor, carrying the scent of decayed leaves, old moss, and something more subtle — iron. Dried blood, mingled with the earth.
Eren Vale advanced with calculated steps. The machete hung at his side, swinging almost silently thanks to the heavy cloak that muffled its movement. His eyes, accustomed to the digital twilight of game maps, adjusted well to the gray dusk of the real world.
Every branch that snapped under his feet created a contained echo, betraying his presence, but he wasn’t worried. That sound was part of the test.
Predator. Intelligent. It’s listening to me. Smelling me. Assessing.
The forest was dense in some spots, with twisted trunks resembling exposed ribs. Glowing fungi clung to roots, illuminating blue patches on the ground. He didn’t avert his gaze. He cataloged everything.
These fungi are good. Limited visibility for it too. No unilateral advantage.
He paused for a moment to examine the ground. Footprints — deep, distorted. Three long toes. Claws that sank into the mud with ease.
Weight confirmed. Humanoid. Capable of jumping. Suggested AI: aggressive, but cautious.
Further ahead, the terrain sloped downwards, forming a shallow valley covered in thin mist. He took a deep breath, listening to the sounds of the night. Owls, the rustling of rodents — but also something deeper, dragged out.
A distant growl.
It knows I’m coming. It’s testing territory. Trying to scare me.
Eren didn’t smile, but his eyes gleamed with a satisfied coldness.