Hunt Race

"The strongest hunters don't fear death. They fear the enemies they've yet to defeat."

The forest fell deathly silent.

Not a single beast moved.

Not even the wind dared to stir.

Kael's eyes searched the darkness beyond the trees.

The voice had come from everywhere...

And nowhere.

Darius stepped forward.

The faint smile on his face had vanished.

"So..."

"You're finally showing yourself."

A low chuckle echoed through the forest.

"Twenty years..."

"And you're still alive."

The trees trembled.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the darkness.

Boom.

Boom.

Boom.

A massive silhouette emerged from the shadows.

It stood nearly four meters tall.

Jet-black fur covered its muscular body.

Two enormous horns curved backward from its head.

Its crimson eyes glowed like burning embers.

A long scar stretched across its left eye.

The beast smiled.

"So we meet again..."

"Darius."

Kael felt his body freeze.

This creature...

Could speak.

The other hunters immediately drew their weapons.

Even Lyra's confident expression disappeared.

The giant tightened his grip on his battle axe.

"Captain..."

Darius raised a hand.

"Nobody moves."

The hunters obeyed without question.

The beast's smile widened.

"You've trained them well."

Darius's gaze never wavered.

"What do you want, Varkhan?"

"So that's its name..."

Kael whispered.

Varkhan laughed.

"I like this one."

His crimson eyes shifted toward Kael.

"The boy..."

"He's different."

Kael instinctively stepped back.

Every instinct screamed at him to run.

Varkhan took a single step forward.

The ground cracked beneath his feet.

"I wonder..."

"Will he survive long enough to become interesting?"

Kael gripped his spear with trembling hands.

"I..."

Before he could finish—

Darius stepped between them.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Bold of you..."

"...to think you can take someone under my watch."

His massive sword pointed directly at Varkhan.

For several long seconds...

Neither of them moved.

The pressure between them became unbearable.

Even breathing felt difficult.

Then...

Varkhan laughed.

A deep, thunderous laugh that echoed through the entire forest.

"No."

"Not today."

He slowly turned away.

"But remember this, Darius."

"The next time we meet..."

"I won't leave empty-handed."

With a single leap, Varkhan disappeared into the darkness.

Silence returned.

Kael finally released the breath he had been holding.

He looked at Darius.

"Who... was that?"

Darius stared into the forest for a long time.

Then he answered.

"A nightmare."

He turned and continued walking.

"We're leaving."

Kael hurried after him.

His mind raced with questions.

Why had Varkhan recognized Darius?

Why had Darius protected him?

And why...

Had that monster called him...

'Different'?

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