Kain’s boots crunched over loose gravel as he followed Selene along the winding mountain trail. Jagged cliffs loomed on either side, sharp edges cutting into the heavy fog. The Iron Fang outpost was still several miles away, but the path had already grown treacherous.

  “Let me get this straight,” Kain said. “We’re heading toward a faction known for their brutality, paranoia, and complete lack of mercy.”

  “Yes.”

  “And you think they’ll just hand us information because…?”

  Selene didn’t look back. “Because we’ll ask nicely.”

  Kain snorted. “Yeah. And maybe they’ll throw in a gift basket.”

  Selene’s lip twitched.

  Kain spread his arms. “Come on, you’ve got to admit this sounds suicidal.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe?” Kain gave an exaggerated groan. “Remind me again why I agreed to this?”

  “You didn’t,” Selene said. “You decided on your own.”

  “Which is clearly proof that I have terrible instincts.”

  Selene’s smile sharpened. “Perhaps.”

  “Wow.” Kain shook his head. “Just what I needed—encouragement.”

  Selene’s gaze flicked toward him. “Would you prefer empty reassurance?”

  “I’d prefer an escape route,” Kain muttered. “Or a very large gun.”

  Selene’s smile widened. “You’ll have to settle for me.”

  Kain sighed. “Lucky me.”

  A low growl echoed through the fog.

  Kain’s smirk faded. His hand drifted toward the hilt of his sword as the growling multiplied, echoing through the rocky pass. A shape moved through the mist—a glint of yellow eyes, the outline of a lean, predatory body.

  “Wolves?” Kain asked.

  “Dire wolves,” Selene corrected. “Faster, stronger, and much harder to kill.”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Kain’s brow lifted. “Great. That’s exactly what I was hoping for.”

  The growls intensified. Shapes slithered between the rocks—dark fur and flashing teeth.

  Kain pulled his sword free with a metallic scrape. “Alright,” he muttered. “Let’s see how bad this gets.”

  A pair of wolves lunged from the mist.

  Kain ducked beneath the first, his blade flashing. Steel bit fur and bone. The wolf collapsed with a wet grunt. The second wolf’s jaws snapped toward his throat.

  Kain twisted, driving his knee into its ribs. The wolf yelped as it stumbled sideways.

  “You okay back there?” Kain called.

  Selene’s daggers whirled through the air. A wolf collapsed, blood spraying across the rocks.

  “Fine,” Selene said.

  “Yeah, well—”

  Another wolf lunged. Kain spun, burying his blade into its throat. Blood sprayed across his chest.

  “—I’m starting to feel underappreciated.”

  Selene’s lip twitched. “Try harder.”

  Kain growled. “Oh, I’m sorry, am I not putting on enough of a show?”

  Another wolf bounded toward him. Kain shifted sideways, caught the beast’s throat in one hand, and drove his sword through its skull.

  The final wolf circled warily, growling low. Kain’s eyes narrowed.

  “Come on,” he taunted. “What’s the matter? Scared of a guy with a sword?”

  The wolf lunged.

  Kain’s sword blurred. The wolf’s head tumbled across the ground.

  Kain straightened, wiping blood from his face. “That’s what I thought.”

  Selene watched him from a few feet away, her daggers resting at her sides. “Not bad.”

  Kain’s smirk returned. “Please. That was my warm-up.”

  A deeper growl echoed through the fog.

  Kain sighed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  The mist parted. A massive shadow emerged—a wolf three times the size of the others. Its black fur was shot through with streaks of silver, and its eyes burned with unnatural green light.

  > [Dire Wolf Alpha – Level 12]

  [Threat Level: High]

  Kain’s smile thinned. “Now this looks promising.”

  Selene’s eyes narrowed. “Kain—”

  The Alpha charged.

  Kain exploded forward, his sword flashing upward. Metal met flesh with a brutal clash. The Alpha’s claws raked across Kain’s side, sending him skidding across the gravel.

  Pain flared through Kain’s ribs. He coughed and rolled upright. “Okay,” he gasped. “That one actually hurt.”

  The Alpha circled, lips curled back.

  “Kain,” Selene said sharply.

  Kain wiped blood from his mouth. “Yeah?”

  “Stop playing around.”

  Kain’s smirk returned. “Where’s the fun in that?”

  The Alpha lunged.

  Kain’s eyes flashed.

  > [Skill Activated: Adaptive Counter]

  Kain’s body twisted. His sword shot upward with unnatural speed. The blade punched through the Alpha’s throat.

  The wolf’s body crashed to the ground.

  Kain stood over it, his breath ragged. He wrenched the sword free and exhaled slowly.

  > [Level Up!]

  [Strength +2]

  [Dexterity +1]

  [Skill Progression: Adaptive Counter – 30%]

  Kain grinned. “Well, that’s one way to do it.”

  Selene stepped toward him, her expression level. “Satisfied?”

  Kain’s smirk sharpened. “Almost.”

  Selene’s gaze drifted toward the wolf’s body. “You’re dangerous.”

  “I’m adaptable,” Kain said.

  Selene’s violet eyes glinted. “Same thing.”

  Kain chuckled. “I think I’m starting to like you.”

  Selene’s smile deepened. “I know.”

  Kain rolled his shoulder, flexing his hand. His gaze drifted toward the fog-shrouded trail ahead.

  “Well,” Kain said. “Shall we?”

  Selene’s smile lingered. “After you.”

  Kain’s smirk widened as he stepped into the fog.