The Crimson Fangs

Song Hae In sprinted down the shortcut path, her movements fluid and precise.

The long, slender sword hung at her left hip.

After a two-kilometer dash through the dense forest, she encountered the first challenge—a colony of white monkeys.

The white monkeys were an unusual sight, with their sleek, ivory fur and large, intelligent eyes.

Roosted in the treetops, they watched her with frightening coordination.

As Hae In approached, the monkeys began their assault, throwing bullet rocks with alarming accuracy.

But Hae In was prepared.

With a swift, calculated movement, she unsheathed her sword and deflected the projectiles with ease.

Her agility and skill were unmatched; she danced through the barrage, her sword slicing the air in precise arcs.

The monkeys, though formidable in their coordinated attack, were no match for her prowess.

Within moments, she had broken through their ranks, leaving them chattering angrily in her wake.

The next kilometer presented a new challenge—rocky terrain with massive boulders blocking the path.

The ground was uneven and treacherous, with jagged rocks jutting out at odd angles.

Ordinary candidates might have found it nearly impassable, but not Haein.

She leaped from boulder to boulder with graceful precision, her lithe form barely touching the ground before springing to the next obstacle.

Her every movement was a testament to her physical training and combat expertise.

She moved with a sense of purpose, her eyes scanning for the best routes, her body reacting instinctively to the shifting terrain.

As she navigated the rocky path, a wild boar suddenly charged from the underbrush. Its tusks gleamed menacingly, and its eyes were wild with aggression.

The boar was a formidable creature, its massive frame and raw power a threat to any who crossed its path.

Hae In, however, remained unfazed. With a swift, calculated strike, she dodged its charge and delivered a precise blow to its neck.

The boar fell instantly, its threat neutralized. Hae In continued her journey, her confidence unshaken.

But the real challenge lay ahead. As she pushed forward, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.

Emerging from the shadows was a creature unlike any she had faced so far—a black-and-gold wolf with crimson fangs.

This was a mid-tier monster, far more dangerous than anything she had encountered in the forest.

The wolf's eyes locked onto her, a predatory glint shining in their depths. It moved with lethal grace, its muscles rippling under its sleek fur as it circled her, looking for an opening.

Hae In tightened her grip on her sword, her mind racing. She had trained for moments like this her entire life, honing her body and mind to perfection.

Yet, this creature was different—it exuded an aura of deadly intent, and she could sense its intelligence.

The wolf lunged, its fangs aimed directly at her throat. Hae In parried the attack, her sword flashing in the dim light.

The clash of steel and fang echoed through the forest as she countered each of its strikes with precise, practiced movements.

Despite her skill, the wolf's relentless assault began to wear her down. It was faster and stronger than anything she had faced before.

Her initial confidence gave way to a creeping sense of dread. Sweat dripped down her brow as she fought to maintain her composure.

The weight of her responsibility as the heir to the Geommu Guild pressed heavily on her shoulders, but she could not afford to falter.

The wolf lunged again, its crimson fangs snapping inches from her face.

Hae In dodged, narrowly avoiding the deadly bite, but the effort cost her precious energy. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, and the fatigue began to take its toll.

She could feel her muscles burning, her movements growing slower and less precise.

The wolf sensed her weakening state and pressed its advantage, its attacks becoming even more ferocious.

Hae In's mind raced as she struggled to keep up with the beast. She knew she was reaching her limit.

Despite her extensive training and unparalleled skill, the reality of the situation was becoming clear—she was outmatched.

The wolf's relentless onslaught showed no signs of stopping, and Haein's strength was waning.

With every ounce of determination she could muster, Haein continued to fight. She parried and struck, her sword flashing in a desperate dance.

But the wolf was relentless, and Haein's defenses were beginning to crumble.

She felt a pang of fear as the realization set in—she might not survive this encounter.

Her thoughts flashed to her guild, her family, and the legacy she was sworn to uphold. She could not fail them.

Summoning her remaining strength, she delivered a powerful strike, aiming for the wolf's exposed flank.

The wolf yelped in pain, momentarily thrown off balance. It was a small victory, but it gave her a glimmer of hope.

Yet, the wolf quickly recovered, its eyes blazing with renewed fury.

It lunged once more, and this time, Haein's exhausted body could not keep up. The wolf's fangs grazed her arm, drawing blood.

Pain seared through her, but she gritted her teeth and fought on, refusing to give in.

—

Rangga continued his ascent, his legs pumping with a relentless rhythm as he raced up the hillside.

The towering trees around him blurred into streaks of green and brown, and the ground beneath his feet was a mere suggestion of solidity as he sped along the forest path.

There were no obstacles now—only the open trail and the distant peak of the hill, his target within reach.

Suddenly, Sora's voice broke through his focus. "Sir, I've detected a nearby combat situation."

Rangga's stride faltered for a fraction of a second as he processed the information.

His first instinct was to continue toward the finish line, but the thought that he would be the first one to finish the test made him hesitate.

He knows it must be Song Hae In, so he decides to see the situation first. 

"Show me the location," Rangga said, his voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline.

Sora tells the coordinates, and without another word, Rangga alters his course, sprinting towards the source of the disturbance.

The forest thickened around him, but he moved with unwavering precision, each step propelling him closer to the sounds of battle.

Within moments, Rangga reached the edge of a clearing. He stopped, walking slowly to assess the situation.

There, in the midst of the clearing, was Song Hae In, her form tense and sword poised. Facing her was a black-and-gold wolf with crimson fangs.

The creature moved with deadly grace, its eyes locked onto Hae In with predatory intent.

Hae In's exhaustion was evident; her usually precise movements were beginning to falter, and the balance of the fight was tipping against her.

Rangga's decision was instantaneous. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance between himself and the monster.

Just as the wolf lunged at Haein, fangs bared, Rangga threw himself into the fray.

His shield met the wolf's body with a resounding crash, the force of the impact sending the creature skidding across the ground.

The wolf rolled and quickly regained its footing, shaking off the attack with a low, menacing growl.

Rangga, too, had to steady himself after the collision. He rose to his feet, shield, and sword at the ready, positioning himself beside Haein.

The wolf's eyes flicked between its two opponents, a fierce snarl rumbling from its chest.

The beast appeared even more ferocious, its crimson fangs gleaming in the dim forest light.

"You!" Hae In's voice was tinged with surprise. She hadn't expected anyone to disrupt the situation.

"Stay focused," Rangga replied, his eyes never leaving the wolf.

The wolf seemed to sense the change in dynamics.

It paced before them, its movements a blur of muscle and sinew, waiting for the right moment to strike.

—

The crimson fang lunged forward, its eyes locked on Hae In, who had no shield to protect herself.

Seeing the danger, Rangga leaped in front of her, his shield raised to intercept the monster's claws.

The impact was powerful, and Rangga grunted as he pushed back with all his might, straining against the beast's strength in a desperate battle of will and muscle.

Hae In seized the moment.

She leaped from behind Rangga, her sword poised to strike.

She brought her blade down in a swift arc aimed at the wolf's back.

The wolf, sensing the attack, twisted its body, and Hae In's sword cut deep into its right flank but failed to deliver a fatal blow.

Blood sprayed from the wound, yet the wolf remained undeterred, leaping backward and preparing to pounce again.

Hae In, now directly in front of Rangga and visibly fatigued, braced herself as the wolf lunged at her, its jaws snapping viciously.

Reflexively, she raised her sword horizontally, and the beast's fangs clamped down on the blade.

With a ferocious snarl, the wolf used its powerful neck muscles to fling Hae In backward.

She was sent flying, her body crashing into Rangga's, both of them tumbling to the ground several meters away.

Rangga's shield and sword slipped from his grasp, clattering to the dirt.

Gritting his teeth, Rangga scrambled to his feet, positioning himself protectively in front of Hae In, who lay groaning on the ground. Her consciousness was slipping, and Rangga knew they were running out of time.

"Sora, what's the weak spot?"

"Below the neck, sir" Sora responded.

"Can you disrupt the drone signal?"

"Affirmative, sir"

"Do it!"

With Sora's confirmation, the drone signals flickered and distorted.

Rangga reached for his shield, lying nearby, and hurled it with all his strength at the wolf.

The beast monster was caught off guard, failed to dodge in time, and the shield struck it square in the face, momentarily dazing it.

Before the wolf could recover, Rangga sprang into action.

He dashed forward, his left wrist flicking to release a hidden blade from his bracelet.

In a fluid motion, he spun around the wolf, his dagger slicing through the tendons of its legs with lethal precision.

Blood sprayed from the wolf's wounds as it howled in agony, collapsing to the ground, its legs rendered useless.

Rangga, breathing heavily, staggered back to his original position, then lunged forward one final time.

He drove his shoulder into the wolf's neck, sending the creature sprawling backward.

The wolf lay on the ground, but its eyes still burned with a fierce, desperate light.

Rangga quickly retracted his blade before Hae In saw it.

Hae In, who was beginning to stir, winced as she pushed herself up, her eyes meeting Rangga's.

Rangga said, his voice weary but determined, "Attack the neck bottom!"

Hae In, drawing on her last reserves of strength.

She retrieved her sword from the ground and turned to face the wolf, which was struggling to rise.

With a burst of speed, she closed the distance between them.

Her sword flashed in the dim light, and in one swift motion, she slashed across the beast's neck.

The wolf's body collapsed, finally still.

Hae In stood over the fallen monster, breathing heavily, blood dripping from her sword.

The forest around them was silent, the echoes of their battle slowly fading.

Rangga sank to the ground, exhausted but relieved.

--end chapter--