The moment Kael crossed the Abyss Gate, the noise of Ravenfall City disappeared as though someone had closed a door behind him. The bustling streets, cheering families, and ringing bells were replaced by an eerie silence broken only by the rustling of ancient trees.
The air felt heavier here.
Every breath carried the scent of damp earth and moss, while towering black-barked trees blocked most of the sunlight. Strange blue flowers grew between twisted roots, and faint mist drifted lazily through the forest, making distant shapes difficult to distinguish.
A soft vibration came from the silver bracelet on Kael's wrist.
A calm voice echoed in every candidate's mind.
"Welcome to the Hunter Entrance Trial."
"The trial ends at sunset."
"Your objective is to retrieve one Monster Core and return safely."
"Crossing into the Inner Forest is strictly prohibited."
"Candidates who fail to return before sunset will be considered deceased."
The voice faded.
No one spoke for several seconds.
Finally, Finn forced out an awkward laugh.
"They really know how to motivate people."
Marcus smiled. "At least the rules are simple."
"Simple doesn't mean easy," Elena replied as she carefully scanned the surrounding trees.
Kael rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Something about the forest unsettled him.
It wasn't fear.
It was the feeling that countless unseen eyes were watching from the darkness.
Groups quickly began moving in different directions. Larger teams followed marked trails leading deeper into the Outer Forest, while a few confident candidates ventured off on their own.
Marcus unfolded a worn map from his pocket and spread it across a flat rock.
"My uncle drew this after his last expedition," he explained. "There's a stream about two kilometers east. Monsters usually gather there to drink."
Darren nodded.
"Sounds better than wandering around hoping to get lucky."
Everyone agreed.
They headed east, moving carefully between the massive trees. Kael walked near the front while Elena remained at the rear, her bow already strung with an arrow.
The deeper they traveled, the quieter the forest became.
Even birds refused to sing.
Only the crunch of leaves beneath their boots reminded them they weren't alone.
After nearly half an hour, Darren suddenly raised his hand.
"Stop."
Everyone froze.
"What is it?" Finn whispered.
Darren pointed toward the muddy ground ahead.
Fresh footprints.
Large ones.
Kael crouched beside them.
Four clawed toes.
Deep impressions.
"They're recent," he said quietly.
Marcus nodded.
"Probably a Stonefang Wolf."
"One?" Elena asked.
Kael examined the tracks for another moment.
"No."
He looked toward the dense trees ahead.
"Three."
Finn swallowed.
"How can you tell?"
"The spacing."
Kael pointed at several overlapping prints.
"They're hunting together."
Marcus grinned.
"This is why we brought you."
Before anyone could continue, a low growl echoed through the trees.
Everyone immediately reached for their weapons.
The bushes several meters ahead began to shake.
Then another.
And another.
Three dark figures slowly emerged.
Stonefang Wolves.
Each stood nearly as tall as Kael's chest. Their gray fur resembled rough stone, while sharp yellow eyes remained locked on the group.
Thin strands of saliva dripped from their jaws.
Finn's face paled.
"I liked it better when we couldn't find any monsters."
The lead wolf lowered itself.
Kael recognized the posture instantly.
"It's about to charge."
Marcus drew his sword.
"Formation."
Without hesitation, the group moved into positions they had practiced dozens of times during training.
Darren stepped forward, raising his shield.
Marcus and Kael stood slightly behind him.
Finn remained near the center, preparing a spell.
Elena climbed onto a nearby boulder to gain a clearer shot.
The first wolf lunged.
It crashed into Darren's shield with surprising force, pushing him back several steps.
"Heavy..." Darren grunted through clenched teeth.
Before the second wolf could attack, Elena released an arrow.
The projectile sliced through the air and struck the beast's shoulder.
The wolf howled in pain but didn't stop.
Kael rushed forward.
His father's sword flashed beneath the dim forest light.
Steel met claw.
Sparks flew.
The impact numbed his arm.
It's stronger than I expected.
The wolf twisted its body with incredible speed, snapping its jaws toward his neck.
Kael ducked beneath the attack and drove his shoulder into the creature's side, knocking it off balance.
Marcus immediately took advantage.
His blade slashed across the wolf's flank, drawing a spray of dark blood.
Meanwhile, Finn finally completed his spell.
A gust of compressed wind erupted from his outstretched hand, striking the third wolf squarely in the chest.
Though the spell wasn't powerful enough to injure it seriously, it disrupted the beast's charge.
"Nice timing!" Marcus shouted.
"I'll pretend that was intentional!" Finn answered.
The battle continued for several tense minutes.
The wolves fought with frightening coordination.
Whenever one attacked, another attempted to circle behind them.
Had Kael's group lacked teamwork, they would already have been overwhelmed.
"Kael!" Elena suddenly shouted.
He reacted instantly.
Instead of looking toward her, he trusted her warning.
He threw himself sideways.
A wolf that had silently climbed onto a fallen tree leaped toward the spot where he had been standing.
Its claws narrowly missed his face.
Kael rolled across the ground before springing back to his feet.
His heart pounded.
That had been close.
Very close.
The wolf landed awkwardly after missing its target.
Without hesitation, Kael gripped his sword with both hands and swung with every ounce of strength he possessed.
The blade cut cleanly through the creature's neck.
Its body collapsed onto the forest floor.
For a brief moment...
Everything became still.
The remaining two wolves exchanged uncertain glances.
Their leader was dead.
Marcus didn't waste the opportunity.
"Now!"
The group attacked together.
Within moments, the second wolf fell beneath Darren's crushing shield strike, while Elena's final arrow pierced the last one's eye.
Silence returned to the forest.
Heavy breathing filled the clearing.
Finn collapsed onto the grass.
"I've officially decided becoming a Hunter is exhausting."
Marcus laughed as he wiped blood from his sword.
"And we've only just started."
Kael looked down at the wolf he had defeated.
Near its chest, a faint blue crystal slowly emerged from the corpse.
"A Monster Core," Elena said.
She smiled for the first time that day.
"We actually did it."
Marcus carefully picked up the crystal.
It shimmered brilliantly beneath the filtered sunlight.
"One core is enough to pass the trial."
Finn immediately stood.
"Then let's go home."
Everyone laughed.
Kael smiled as well.
Perhaps the trial wouldn't be as dangerous as the stories claimed.
None of them noticed a pair of crimson eyes watching from the shadows high above the clearing.
Far deeper within the forest, something ancient slowly lifted its head.
The scent of fresh blood drifted through the trees.
And it was hungry.