ASCENSION OF THE FORSAKEN DISCIPLE

Chapter6: The Beast Hunt

The mission scroll burned faintly in Kai’s hand.  The inked letters detailed their task, “Hunt and kill one Scarlet Fang Wolf within the Mistwood Range. Proof of kill is required. Bring back the beast’s scarlet fang core.”

The disciples gathered at the sect gates roared with excitement. This was the first trial for outer sect members. It was a chance to prove themselves. Yet, most eyes weren’t on the scroll. They were on Kai.

“Trash dares step into Mistwood?”

“He’s bait and nothing more.”

“Scarlet Fang Wolves feast on weaklings like him.”

Kai ignored the murmurs. His calm expression masked the racing of his heart, though within him, the System’s interface pulsed faintly with unread quests.

“System Quest: Prove Strength through Action Complete a Martial Mission.

Reward: +10 Attribute Points. Combat Insight (Passive).”

Ten points are enough to push him beyond the shackles of ridicule and enough to silence the sect.

Li Shen stood a few paces ahead, smirking. Behind him lingered his lackeys and three sneering disciples who had shadowed Kai’s every humiliation.

As the group set out, the path twisted from stone to dirt, and the towering trees of Mistwood swallowed them whole. Shadows clung thick and the air was dense with the musk of beasts.

“Stay sharp,” the squad leader, Senior Disciple Han, commanded. He was older with calm-eye, and he carried himself with the authority of one who had seen real bloodshed. “Scarlet Fang Wolves hunt in pairs. If one appears, another lurks near.”

His gaze swept across the group before pausing on Kai. “And you. Don’t drag us down.”

Kai inclined his head slightly. “I won’t.”

Li Shen snorted. “Don’t worry, Senior. If trash slows us, I’ll be sure the wolves get their fill with his flesh.”

Laughter rippled from his lackeys.

They moved deeper, the forest tightened around them. 

Somewhere in the gloom, a hungry, gluttal, long howl split the silence. The disciples stiffened with their hands tightening around the blades.

“Formation!” Han ordered.

But as they shifted into position, a faint crunch of leaves echoed behind Kai. He turned with his instincts sparking and just in time to see one of Li Shen’s lackeys shove his foot toward a loose stone.

Kai’s footing slipped. His body tilted toward a slope of jagged rock.

It was a sabotage.

“System Notification: Danger detected.

Activating Combat Insight…”

The world slowed at that moment. Arrows of possibility flared across his vision. One path led to a broken neck. Another to torn flesh. But one glimmered faintly as he sidestepped.

Kai twisted, rolled down the slope instead of falling headfirst. He hit the earth hard with breath ripping from his lungs, but he rose, although bruised.

A snarl ripped the air. From the underbrush, a Scarlet Fang Wolf lunged forward with its red-fanged maw gaping.

“Perfect,” Li Shen’s voice rang from above. “The beast gets his meal early.”

Claws slashed. Kai barely rolled aside, the wolf’s strike carving a furrow in the earth. Its eyes burned red, its body corded with sinew and killing intent.

Steel flashed. Kai’s blade swept low, sparks flew as claws met steel. The impact numbed his arms.

The wolf’s speed was monstrous. Its killing instinct is suffocating. Each attack forced Kai back and his blade clashing desperately.

“System Warning: Host Vitality dropping.

Unlock condition met: Martial Combat Skill Initiation.

Skill Acquired: Shadow Step (Level 1).”

Power ignited beneath his feet.

The wolf lunged again. This time, Kai vanished. His form blurred. He slipped through the beast’s strike as though shadow itself cloaked him. He reappeared at its flank. He used his blade to carve across its ribs.

A howl of pain split the forest. Blood sprayed scarlet against green grass.

The disciples watching from above gasped.

“Did you see that?!”

“He… moved like a phantom!”

The wolf’s fury only sharpened. It pounced, with its claws scything downward. Kai slid beneath its belly. He used the Shadow Step to move swiftly where instinct alone could not. He drove his blade deep into the wolf.

The beast roared, blood poured from its lips. Still, it fought, thrashing wildly. One claw grazed at Kai’s side, tearing his cloth and skin. Agony seared through his skin, but he didn’t falter.

With a final move, Kai planted his foot and activated the Shadow Step once more. He sprang upward and drove his sword into the wolf’s throat.

The beast convulsed. Its red eyes dulled. Slowly, it collapsed, the forest echoing with silence.

Kai staggered. His body was drenched with blood and his chest heaving. Yet the system chanted his victory.

“System Notification: Scarlet Fang Wolf defeated.

Reward: +12 Stat Points. Skill: Shadow Step upgraded to Level 2.”

Gasps echoed as the disciples descended toward the corpse. Even Senior Han’s eyes widened with surprise.

“You killed it,” he said slowly. “All alone.”

Kai wiped blood from his chin. “I did what needed to be done.” He replied stiffly. 

Li Shen’s face twisted. His lackeys stared in disbelief.

“This… this is impossible! He cheated somehow!” Li Shen spat with his voice trembling with rage. “No trash can kill a Scarlet Fang Wolf!”

Before Han could retort, a sudden cry cut through the clearing. It was one disciple that was cornered by a second wolf, stumbled and fell. Its jaws descended toward his throat.

Kai didn’t hesitate. Shadow Step carried him across the clearing in a speed. His blade flashed, intercepting the beast’s strike just as its fangs grazed flesh.

The disciple gasped, terror-stricken.

“Go!” Kai barked, straining as the wolf’s weight pressed against his blade. “Move!”

The disciple scrambled back. In that moment, Kai’s eyes burned with unyielding fire. He pivoted, used his blade to slice deep into the beast’s neck.

The wolf fell and silence stretched.

The disciple stared at him as a girl with raven-black hair matted with sweat and dirt. Her eyes were wide with shock and softened slowly into awe.

“You… saved me.”

Kai pulled his blade free, exhaling raggedly. “Anyone would have.”

But the girl shook her head. “No. You risked your life for mine. I, Xiren Wren, will not forget this debt. I’ll repay it no matter what it takes.”

Her words hung in the forest air. It carried weight far greater than the blood still staining the earth.

Above them, Li Shen’s fists clenched so hard his nails drew blood. His pride had been shattered and his schemes undone.

Kai stood tall amidst the corpses of the beasts, wounded. His calm and steady gaze swept over the disciples.

The whispers spread again, but this time they were different.

“Trash? He killed two Scarlet Fang Wolves…”

“Did you see how he moved? Like lightning itself.”

“Impossible… yet undeniable.”

Kai’s lips curved faintly. For the first time, the weight of chains began to lift.