LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 7: Shadow Wolf
The six brave children set forth on their journey, stepping into the enigmatic realm of Mist Valley. This land, shrouded in legend, was notorious for its captivating yet perilous creatures, and an environment that played tricks on the mind, distorting reality in ways that could ensnare the unwary. Whispers in the village warned that those who entered the valley unprepared would vanish without a trace, swallowed whole by its mysteries. Yet, among them was Hu Chun, whose presence brought an air of confidence. For him, Mist Valley was familiar terrain—almost a second home.
Hu Chun hailed from a long line of prosperous merchants, whose storied history was steeped in adventure and riches. Among the many treasures his ancestors had amassed, one stood out: a meticulously crafted map of Mist Valley itself. This artifact held an eerie tale—a narrative of a soul emperor who once traversed the valley in pursuit of an elusive treasure. He set off with grand aspirations, but the only remnants of his expedition that returned were tattered rags and the enigmatic map itself. After this fateful journey, Hu Chun's family harnessed the secrets of the map, uncovering rare and astonishing treasures hidden within Mist Valley's depths. As the rightful heir, Hu Chun had unfettered access to this invaluable relic, making him an indispensable guide for the venture ahead.
"So, what are we going to hunt first?" asked Ying in a concerned tone, even though she understood the gravity of the situation and was determined to help the trio. Perhaps it was her pride as the eldest sister that drove her to ask.
"Shadow wolf first," replied Chun casually, his gaze scanning the darkened forest around them. "We'll find the beetle and the elemental at the same location, but the shadow wolf—the elusive hunter of the night—makes its appearance here."
Chen tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "So, what does it look like?" he asked, excitement lacing his voice. After all, it was his turn to track this legendary creature down.
Chun smirked, a playful glint in his eye. "You'll see it in about a minute," he said, his tone a mixture of mock seriousness and anticipation. "Look over there." He gestured toward a thicket, the shadows cloaking the shape of something moving just beyond their vision. "That's a shadow wolf, a 100-year-old one."
Zhi gestured with his hand and summoned his spirit. "Look up the info on the shadow wolf," he spoke. The pages turned quietly and shimmered as the information appeared.
[Name: None]
[Species: Shadow wolf]
[Age: 110]
[Details: A wolf from the Cautious tribe of shadow wolves, this creature is a master of stealth and strategy. Typically found moving in tightly-knit packs, they are always vigilant, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. These wolves are known for their calculated approach; they wait patiently for the perfect moment to strike, lunging at their unsuspecting prey with swift, powerful movements, making every encounter a precise and deadly ballet of instinct and teamwork.]
[Skill: Concealment {E}]
[Darkness {F}]
Other than Chen and Jin, everyone else stared in horror, especially Quing, who had not been informed about any of this. She came along thinking that it would be another normal beast hunt, but unexpectedly, she found herself in an unescapable situation. "What is this, Chun?" she spoke, her voice trembling.
"Shhhh! The wolf might hear us," whispered Chun as he checked on the wolf, which was still idling around, not noticing their presence. "I'll explain it to you later."
"Do you have anything on your mind, Zhi?" whispered Jin, thinking Zhi always had a plan. Even this time, he wouldn't fail them.
"I do," spoke Zhi with a mischievous smile.
The wolf lay motionless, idling in silence when suddenly, a massive panda crashed down upon him. The sheer weight and force of the creature's fall, driven by the unrelenting force of gravity, was enough to inflict severe damage. But for the panda, the wolf served as little more than a soft cushion beneath its bulk. The wolf's eyes glowed a fiery red, bloodlust surging within him as the pain seared through his body. His fur bristled with fury, and with a growl, he stalked forward toward the panda, intent on exacting vengeance.
Just as the wolf advanced, Jin emerged from behind, attacking with precision, targeting the spot where Chun had landed. The added assault sent waves of pain crashing through the wolf, intensifying the agony to a nearly unbearable degree. Desperation began to take hold, and the wolf's instincts screamed for him to call for backup. But before he could give the signal, black spikes erupted from the ground around him, startling him into a step backward.
Before he could react, Ying was upon him. With a burst of speed, she leaped at his head, her dark chain of shadows wrapping around his mouth with unyielding force. She tightened her grip, rendering him unable to call out. In the same fluid motion, she tore two of the wolf's sharp corners from his face and tossed them to Jin and Chun.
And finally, standing before the wolf, Chen loomed like an omen of death, his scythe gleaming with a cruel thirst for blood. The weapon gleamed ominously in the air as if urging for the wolf's lifeblood to spill.
Sheng Zhi remained on the higher ground, along with Quing, due to his inability to fight. He silently smirked at his brilliant plan, which had played out well. Yet just like any other protagonist, their plan didn't end well.
A larger Shadow wolf jumped into the field, its intense bloodlust freezing everyone. Zhi, who was on a higher plane, looked into the status of this beast.
[Name: None]
[Species: Shadow wolf]
[Age: 420]
[Details: A wolf from the Cautious tribe of shadow wolves, this creature is a master of stealth and strategy. Typically found moving in tightly-knit packs, they are always vigilant, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. These wolves are known for their calculated approach; they wait patiently for the perfect moment to strike, lunging at their unsuspecting prey with swift, powerful movements, making every encounter a precise and deadly ballet of instinct and teamwork.]
[Skill: Concealment {C}]
[Darkness {E}]
Danger was the first word that came to Zhi's mind. This wolf exceeded 400 years, and fidgeting with it now was nothing but suicide. Zhi and Quing wanted to help, but they couldn't do anything. They could only watch from the sidelines, helpless.
The same thought ran through the minds of the others as they stood exposed to the bloodlust. The beast, nearly a monster, checked the other wolf. It was almost dead, and the older wolf picked up the smaller one on his back, baring its fangs as if to say, I will come back.
Everyone stood there, shocked by the wolf's appearance. Everyone?