Both wore long, hooded cloaks that concealed most of their features, while the shadows cast by their hoods hid their faces, making it almost impossible for ordinary people to recognize them.
Only their eyes could occasionally be seen beneath the dark fabric whenever light passed across their faces.
One of them was a woman, while the other was a man.
“Marek, can you investigate the meteor?
I’ll examine the surrounding area.” Marek gave a slight nod before turning toward the enormous meteor.
“Understood.” The two immediately split up and began their investigation.
Marek slowly approached the massive meteor and carefully observed its surface.
He walked around it several times, inspecting every crack, mark, and unusual formation left behind.
His hand moved across the cold surface of the meteor as he searched for any traces of energy or anything that could explain where it had come from.
He examined the ground beneath it and carefully searched the crater for anything unnatural.
Every broken stone and every crack in the earth received his attention, yet no matter how carefully he searched, he found nothing.
Not a single clue.
Meanwhile, the woman carefully inspected the surrounding land.
Her eyes moved across the broken trees, destroyed rocks, and the massive crater created by the meteor’s impact.
Everything around her suggested that something extraordinary had happened here, something powerful enough to completely change the surrounding landscape.
Yet there was no evidence of what had emerged from the meteor.
No footprints,no remains.
Nothing that could help them understand what had happened after the meteor landed.
After nearly an hour of searching, Marek finally returned to the woman.
His expression alone was enough to reveal the result of his investigation.
“Marek?” “There is nothing here.
I searched the entire meteor and the ground surrounding it, but I couldn’t find anything useful.” The woman sighed before looking back at the enormous crater.
“Same here.
Whatever happened at this place left almost no evidence behind.” Silence remained between them for a few moments as both tried to understand how something capable of causing so much destruction could leave behind so few clues.
Finally, the woman turned away from the meteor.
“Then let’s move.
The nearest village should have seen something.” Marek nodded, and the two began walking away from the meteor site.
As they continued moving toward the village, Marek glanced at the woman beside him.
A question had remained in his mind ever since they had begun this investigation, and he finally decided to ask it.
“Why are you so focused on finding the boy who came from the meteor?” The woman remained silent for a few moments before answering.
“Marek, you know I trust my instincts.” Marek nodded.
He knew that very well.
“That boy…” The woman’s expression slowly became serious.
“I have a bad feeling about him.
I feel like he is somehow connected to all the disasters our Empire has faced recently.” Marek frowned after hearing her words.
“That’s a serious accusation.” “I know.” The woman looked toward the distant horizon as the wind gently moved her cloak.
“But I can’t ignore this feeling.
The Emperor is already struggling to protect the people, and our Empire has faced too many unexplained disasters recently.
Now, a mysterious meteor suddenly falls from the sky, and according to the information we received, a boy was found near it.” Her eyes gradually became colder.
“If that boy is truly a threat to the Empire, we’ll arrest him.” She paused briefly before continuing.
“And if necessary, we’ll eliminate him.” Marek released a tired sigh.
“Fine.
But killing has never been my style, and you already know that.” A faint smile appeared on the woman’s face.
“Yes, I know.” The two continued walking, and soon the distant buildings of the village appeared before them.
At the same time, Ank was running through the village streets.
His body had recovered enough for him to move freely again, although he was still far weaker than before.
Every movement reminded him of the enormous difference between his current body and the body he once possessed, but he had slowly started becoming accustomed to the weakness.
Suddenly, a desperate cry echoed through the village.
“Someone help me!” Ank immediately stopped and turned toward the voice.
A woman had collapsed onto the ground, and tears streamed endlessly down her face as several villagers slowly gathered around her.
“My daughter!
Please, someone save my daughter!” Her voice trembled uncontrollably.
“She went into the mountains and hasn’t returned!” More villagers gathered around the crying woman, yet fear quickly appeared on their faces.
Everyone knew what lived in those mountains, and no one wanted to say it aloud.
Mutated Wolves.
Dangerous creatures possessing Mortal Blessings.
Even experienced adventures avoided them whenever possible, especially when the wolves gathered in groups.
Entering the mountains without proper preparation was almost the same as willingly walking toward death.
The woman continued crying as she desperately looked at the villagers surrounding her.
“Please!
Someone save her!
She’s only a child!” The villagers slowly lowered their heads.
Some avoided the woman’s gaze, while others looked toward the mountains with fear clearly visible on their faces.
Nobody moved and wanted to risk their life.
Then a voice suddenly came from the crowd.
“I’ll go.” Everyone immediately turned toward the source of the voice.
Ank stepped forward.
The villagers stared at him in disbelief, and even the crying woman stopped for a moment as she looked at the weak fifteen-year-old boy standing before her.
“You?” Ank did not answer.
Before anyone could stop him or ask another question, he turned around and immediately began running toward the mountains.
The villagers exchanged uncomfortable glances.
A weak boy had stepped forward without hesitation, while all of them had remained standing there because of their fear.
Slowly, several villagers gathered their courage.
“If even that boy is willing to help, then what excuse do we have?” “I’m going too.” “Let’s help.” Soon, several villagers gathered whatever weapons they could find and followed behind Ank.
However, Ank had already entered the mountains.
The moment he stepped into the forest, the atmosphere completely changed.
The trees became thicker, blocking most of the sunlight, while the air around him grew noticeably colder.
The view of the village slowly disappeared behind him until only the sound of leaves and the remained.
Ank continued moving deeper into the forest.
Then a low growl echoed nearby.
Ank immediately stopped.
His eyes slowly moved toward the trees surrounding him.
Several pairs of glowing red eyes appeared within the darkness.
One after another, enormous wolf monsters slowly emerged from between the trees.
Their bodies were covered in dark gray fur, while sharp claws extended from their massive paws.
Large horns grew from their heads, giving them an appearance far more dangerous than ordinary wolves.
Their glowing red eyes remained fixed on Ank as they silently watched him.
They were waiting.
Judging their prey.
One wolf slowly stepped forward, followed by another and then another.
Within moments, seven Monster Wolves completely surrounded Ank from every direction.
Ank slowly clenched his fists.
The first wolf suddenly attacked.
Its sharp claws moved directly toward Ank’s throat with enough force to tear his neck apart.
Ank immediately moved his head and barely dodged the attack, with the claws passing only a few centimeters away from his skin.
The second wolf attacked before Ank could regain his balance.
Its massive horn was aimed directly at his chest, but Ank quickly jumped backward.
The wolf missed him.
Its horn pierced the tree standing behind Ank.
Crack!
The tree split apart under the force of the attack.
Ank barely had enough time to look at the destruction before the third wolf attacked from his side.
He immediately lowered his body, allowing the creature’s claws to pass above his head.
Then the fourth wolf lunged at him from behind.
Ank threw himself toward the ground and rolled away as the wolf passed over him.
Dust exploded around his body, but he immediately forced himself back onto his feet.
The wolves did not stop.
For several seconds, Ank continued dodging their attacks, moving left and right while constantly changing his position.
Every claw, horn, and bite barely missed him as his body instinctively responded to the danger surrounding him.
His strength was gone.
His power was sealed.
But his experience remained.
Ank had fought countless battles throughout his life.
He had faced gods, monsters, and beings capable of destroying Universe.
Compared to them, these wolves should have been nothing.
But there was one problem.
His current body could not keep up with his experience.
His mind knew exactly how to dodge.
His instincts knew exactly when an attack was coming.
Yet his body was simply too slow.
A fifth wolf suddenly appeared behind him.
Too fast and too close.
Ank realized the danger, but his body could not react in time.
Slash!
The wolf’s claws tore through Ank’s back.
Blood sprayed into the air as unbearable pain exploded throughout his body.
Ank stumbled forward, nearly falling to the ground, but somehow managed to keep himself standing.
The wolves immediately sensed his weakness.
Their glowing red eyes became even more furious as they slowly surrounded him once again.
Another wolf suddenly jumped toward him.
Its claws sliced across Ank’s shoulder, tearing through his skin and causing more blood to flow down his body.
Before Ank could recover, a third wolf attacked.
Its horn pierced his side.
Ank gritted his teeth as pain spread throughout his entire body.
His breathing became heavier, and blood slowly dripped onto the ground beneath his feet.
Yet he refused to fall.
The wolves continued circling him, their glowing eyes watching every movement he made.
They no longer attacked immediately.
Instead, they waited patiently, hunting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
They moved like predators enjoying the suffering of their wounded prey.
Ank slowly raised his hand and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
He looked at the crimson liquid covering his fingers before slowly raising his gaze toward the seven wolves surrounding him.
Then he smiled.
It was a dangerous smile that did not belong on the face of a weak fifteen-year-old boy.
The wolves suddenly hesitated.
Their movements stopped.
For a brief moment, every Monster Wolf felt something mysterious and terrifying coming from the wounded boy standing before them.
It was something their instincts could not understand, yet every part of their bodies screamed at them to run.
Something that should not exist within such a weak body.
The presence of an Waestor.
It appeared for only an instant before disappearing completely.
Yet that single instant was enough.
The wolves stared at Ank.
Ank stared back at them.
And deep within the darkest part of the forest, far away from the battle, something that had remained silent for a very long time slowly opened its eyes.