The Moonlit Stranger

The woman stepped forward, her movements fluid and deliberate. In the pale moonlight, her features became clear—sharp eyes with a glint of playful malice, her hair flowing like a dark waterfall. She carried herself with the air of someone who had seen much and regretted none of it.

Wei Ling tilted his head, flipping his coin absently. "Well, she looks friendly. What do you think, heads or tails?"

Xu Tian glared at him. "Stop flipping that thing! This is serious!"

"Relax," Shen Feng chimed in, his grin unwavering. "I'll handle this."

The woman's smirk deepened as Shen Feng stepped forward. "Ah, the brave one speaks. Tell me, what's a mismatched trio like you doing in these woods? Treasure hunting? Running from a debt? Or just looking for a good place to die?"

Xu Tian held up his hands defensively. "We're just passing through! No treasure, no debts, and definitely no plans to die!"

The woman's gaze shifted to the glowing seal on Xu Tian's palm. "Interesting. That mark… It's been a while since I've seen one of those."

Xu Tian instinctively hid his hand. "It's just a rash. Nothing special."

She laughed—a sound both melodious and sharp. "A rash that glows and attracts beasts? Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

The beast below let out another roar, clawing at the rocks in frustration.

The woman glanced down, unimpressed. "That thing won't give up. If you want to survive the night, you'll need my help."

Shen Feng crossed his arms. "And what's the price for this… help?"

Her smirk widened. "Nothing much. Just your loyalty. For now."

"Loyalty?" Xu Tian echoed, incredulous. "We don't even know your name!"

She shrugged. "Names are overrated. But since you insist, call me Yue Lin."

Wei Ling clapped his hands together. "Yue Lin! Lovely name. Now, about that beast—can we discuss loyalty after we're not about to be eaten?"

Yue Lin drew a slender blade from her waist, its surface etched with faint runes that shimmered in the moonlight.

"Here's the plan," she said. "We split up. Two of you will distract the beast, while I take care of the root of the problem."

Xu Tian blinked. "The root of the problem?"

She pointed at the seal on his palm.

His eyes widened. "Wait, you mean me? Why does everyone think I'm the problem?"

"Because you are," Yue Lin said flatly. "That mark is drawing the beast. Stay here, and it'll tear you apart. Let me examine it, and I might be able to stop it."

"Might?" Xu Tian repeated. "That's not reassuring!"

Shen Feng clapped him on the back. "Don't worry, buddy. I'll keep the beast busy. You just focus on staying alive."

Xu Tian groaned. "Why do I feel like I'm getting the short end of every stick?"

While Yue Lin began her examination of the seal, Shen Feng and Wei Ling descended into the clearing to confront the beast.

The creature was massive—its body a writhing mass of fur and muscle, its claws glowing faintly with the same energy as the seal.

Shen Feng twirled his dagger lazily. "Hey there, big guy. You look like you need a nap."

The beast roared and charged.

"Terrible idea," Wei Ling muttered, flipping his coin. "Heads, we run. Tails, we run faster."

Shen Feng grinned. "Or we fight smarter."

The two worked in tandem, leading the beast in circles around the clearing. Wei Ling's unpredictability kept it off balance, while Shen Feng's agility ensured he was always one step ahead.

Meanwhile, Yue Lin studied the glowing seal, her fingers tracing its edges.

"This is no ordinary mark," she murmured. "It's ancient—far older than you, or me, or even those bumbling fools down there."

Xu Tian shifted nervously. "Older than you? Are you saying you're old?"

She shot him a glare. "Focus. This mark... it's both a blessing and a curse. If you don't learn to control it, it will consume you."

Xu Tian paled. "Consume me? As in… kill me?"

"Or worse," she said cryptically.

Below, the beast let out a furious roar, its movements growing more erratic.

Shen Feng glanced at Wei Ling. "Any bright ideas?"

Wei Ling flipped his coin. "Heads, we keep running. Tails, we—"

Before he could finish, the beast suddenly froze. Its glowing eyes dimmed, and it collapsed with a heavy thud.

Both men stared in shock.

"What just happened?" Shen Feng asked.

Above, Yue Lin withdrew her hand from the seal, her expression unreadable. "I temporarily severed the connection. The beast was linked to your mark, feeding off its energy."

Xu Tian exhaled in relief. "So it's over?"

Yue Lin smirked. "Not even close. This is just the beginning."

As the group regrouped in the clearing, a low hum filled the air. The seal on Xu Tian's palm began to glow again, brighter and more intense than before.

Wei Ling stepped back, flipping his coin nervously. "Uh, heads, we leave him behind. Tails, we really leave him behind."

Shen Feng snorted. "Too late for that."

Yue Lin's eyes narrowed. "Something—or someone—is trying to reactivate the seal. And they're not far."

From the shadows, a figure emerged, cloaked in darkness, their presence radiating menace.

"Well, well," the figure said. "It seems I've found my prey."