Rustle. Rustle.
The rustling of thick bushes stirred gently amid the towering trees. From behind leaves damp with dew, a pair of eyes watched intently. His black fur merged seamlessly with the forestâs shadowed depths.
Silence. He held his breath. His small body froze, becoming one with the hush of nature.
A few meters ahead, a giant lizard appeared, crystals sprouting along his spine. His long tongue flicked out to taste insects from the ground, unknowing that he had become the target of a newborn predator.
He narrowed his eyes in puzzlement. The longer he remained in this forest, the stranger his own existence felt, as though he did not truly belong to this world.
What place is this, and what kind of lizard bears such sharp crystalline growths?
His stomach rumbled, shattering his reverie and compelling him to act upon his hunger.
Enough. I pray his flesh is edible. My food stores have run dry.
He inhaled deeply. His gaze sharpened. Every sense surged to life. Though he had never hunted before, necessity now forced him to stalk prey in this merciless wilderness.
One silent step.
Knees bent.
Tail lowered.
A powerful leap.
Whoosh!
In an instant, his diminutive form shot through the air. His claws gripped the lizardâs head and nape with exacting precision. Small fangs sank deep into the creatureâs most vital spot, his throat.
The lizard writhed, tail lashing wildly, yet he fought on. The predatorâs bite sank deeper until fresh blue blood coated his tongue.
Then, within moments, the lizard stilled. His limbs went slack. A final, labored breath escaped.
The hunter ripped free his fangs, tearing through flesh before swallowing without hesitation. His chest heaved, spent from the exertion of the kill.
Slurp.
He licked the dripping blood from the corner of his mouth. The warmth and metallic tang mingled with a swell of pride in his chest.
Is this the taste of victory? How exquisite to feast upon the fruits of oneâs own endeavor.
He approached the fallen creature. Yet just as he sank his teeth in again, something whizzed past, splitting the air and nearly striking him. Instinct drove him to bound aside.
His eyes widened at a rusty arrow embedded in the spot he had just stood.
An arrow⦠a hunter?
He spun and melted into the forestâs shadows, his footsteps light as he navigated over tangled roots. After putting safe distance between himself and danger, he dared a backward glance.
It seems I am safe.
He knew humans to be the only beings clever enough to fashion weapons. Since ancient times, they had feared wolves like him, and would fight that fear with ferocity.
Falling into human hands would be a dreadful fate.
Yet he could not abandon his prize so easily. He turned back, padding softly through undergrowth, striving to mask his presence.
His nose twitched, the scent of blood drawing nearer, though he should still be far from the lizardâs abandoned corpse.
Someone must have dragged the carcass here. I must hide.
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He slipped into the adjacent thicket, slowing his breathing to erase his trace.
A peculiar cackle drifted closer.
âGyiiik! Giiih! Kyiiik!â
A dozen green creatures emerged behind a tree, their yellow fangs protruding from black lips, drool dripping as they laughed with chilling delight.
What disgusting creatures are these?
He stiffened. Rage flared when he saw them hoisting the very lizard he had felled.
His legs bent, ready to lunge, but he halted at the glint of rusty blades strapped to their waists and backs, and at the sheer number of them.
No. Not now. That would be certain death.
He shook his head, acknowledging his small form and waning strength. Without a backward look, he turned and withdrew, leaving behind the fury of seeing his prey stolen before his eyes.
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Behind the western horizon. The sun began to pull back its blanket. Dark shadows crept longer across the ground, like long hands trying to seize anyone within reach.
He, the little wolf, wandered dazed over the black earth. His belly trembled violently. His body shook from hunger since dawn.
Damn it.
A gentle breeze blew softly, caressing his thick black fur. He looked up. His nose flared as he sniffed a foul stench carried on the wind. The pungent scent led him to the rat carcass that was its source.
He frowned.
The ratâs body was already blackened, its jaw halfâopen. A corpse unfit for eating.
Disgusting. But I have no choice.
With a weary gaze, he still devoured the ratâs remains. Bitterness spread down his throat. Yet he did not stop, continuing to shove the carcass until it was fully swallowed.
He raised his head, his golden irises fixed on a sky drained of color. Dark clouds covered the stars and moon, as though nature itself refused to look upon him.
Enough... Iâm tired of all this.
His eyes closed, letting the night breeze sting his fur.
Just as he felt himself surrender, the dark clouds parted, allowing moonlight to kiss his face.
His eyes opened.
Not the moon, not the stars. The first thing he saw was the illusion of a woman. Her face was blurred, like mist obscuring his memories of his past life. Yet he knew clearly who she was.
A faint smile curved his muzzle.
You are right. It is not yet time to give up. I must keep fighting until I meet you.
As he stared at the sky, his ears twitched, catching the rustle of bushes behind him. He narrowed his eyes as his nose quivered at the wind.
This scent...
With slow steps that seemed to merge with the night, he turned and slipped into the undergrowth. His golden eyes narrowed sharply, spotting a small green creature through the thorned leaves where he hid.
That creature... the ones who stole my prey.
A low growl rumbled in his throat. His claws scraped the earth. He glanced around; no sign of its companions. The creature was alone.
Time for revenge. I will make you my dinner.
He crept around to its rear, moving with caution, preparing to strike from its blind spot.
The green creature remained unaware of his presence, strolling casually while scratching the back of its bald head.
From behind the brush, he bent his legs, his gaze fixed forward with bloodlust. Then, in one powerful motion, he propelled himself onto the creatureâs back.
Crack.
âGrrrr!â
He used his weight to topple it, his claws digging deep into its back, pinning it so it could not rise. His fangs clamped onto its nape, squeezing tightly as the creature writhed beneath him.
âGyiiik!â
Then, accompanied by a boneâsplintering crack, the green creature drew its last breath.
Once more, an indescribable satisfaction filled him. This time it was not only the joy of the hunt, but revenge on those who stole his hardâwon meal.
Then his ears twitched again, hearing footsteps approaching.
Are its companions coming?
Though he still hungered to tear apart the others, he chose not to risk it. His body was weak from hunger and exhaustion.
He lifted his head and spotted a cave not far away.
That place... my instinct says it is safe.
He bit into his preyâs neck, then dragged it, stumbling toward the cave he had glimpsed.
The cave was damp and dark, its air heavy with the smell of bat guano. Yet strangely, there was no sign of other life inside, as if the cave had never been used before.
At first he felt puzzled, but he paid it no mind. His gaze remained fixed on the fresh meat he had just killed.
A sharp grin spread across his lips before he used his fangs and claws to tear the flesh into smaller pieces for easier swallowing.
Crunch. Crunch.
The sound of bones cracking echoed through the stifling cave, deafening to any who heard. But to him, it was pure delight to fill his belly with satisfying fresh meat.
Hm? Again?
After only a few bites, something warm coursed gently through his veins. So soft and natural that he nearly did not notice.
This... feels somewhat like when I ate that centipede.
His eyes closed. He savored the sensation filling his body. All his strength seemed restored in an instant. He no longer felt hunger. His breath was light.
When he opened his eyes, he surveyed his surroundings; the world seemed to slow in his vision. All his senses sharpened. His smell and hearing could now catch nearly every sound deep in the forest.
Bending his head, his eyes widened at his claws, now sharper and more lustrous. His fur had grown longer and thicker.
What truly happens to me whenever I eat my preyâs flesh?
The power flowing through his body felt gentle and natural, like morning dew dripping from leaves. But what if he could gather those small droplets into a massive lake?
A sharp curve stretched from corner to corner of his lips, revealing rows of teeth gleaming like blades.
I will survive until I meet âherâ!