Chapter 17 - Adventurers’ Encounter

A couple of hours before the events in the forest.

The adventurers' camp buzzed with quiet anticipation as the group prepared to move. Five individuals gathered around a makeshift map spread over a tree stump, the flickering firelight casting long shadows over their faces. Their leader, a stocky man with a commanding presence and a finely polished sword strapped to his side, spoke first.

"Alright, let's go over this again," he said, tapping the map with a gloved finger. "The target is a Nightrend Beast. It's a D-rank creature, known for its speed and defensive prowess, but when in aggressive state it can be low C-rank. Our job is to secure its core and bring it back to the guild. Completing this mission bumps us to C-rank group. No mistakes."

"Honestly," said a lanky man with short blonde hair, leaning against a nearby tree, "If I wasn't stuck with you lot, I'd already be an B-rank adventurer by now." He smirked as the others rolled their eyes. 

"Yeah, sure," the leader replied dryly. "And I'm a king's bastard son. Keep dreaming, Rennick."

The feline beastfolk with a warhammer slung over their shoulder let out a low, rumbling chuckle. "Go ahead, try it alone," they purred, their golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "See how far you get against a Nightrend Beast without backup."

Rennick raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Point taken. Let's just get this over with."

The woman with runes etched into her tanned skin, her brown hair tied into a loose braid, chuckled. "We all know you'd miss us too much. Who else would you brag to?"

"Ease up," Rennick said, laughing. "Just a joke. Don't get your boots twisted."

The group's laughter faded as they returned to the task at hand. Despite their camaraderie, an undercurrent of tension hung in the air—a shared awareness of the danger that lay ahead.

...

Back to the forest.

The adventurers moved swiftly through the dense underbrush, their movements practiced and coordinated. Shadows danced around them as the moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting an eerie glow over the forest floor.

"Back to the mission," the leader said, his tone growing serious. "The beast is injured and on the run. We'll track it by its blood trail and finish it off quickly. Gorruk, you'll provide heavy support. Rennick and Mira, flank it. Rael, keep everyone shielded. Let's not give it a chance to recover."

The feline beastfolk, Gorruk, nodded, their golden eyes narrowing. "Understood. My warhammer's ready."

Rael, the runed woman, added, "I'll make sure everyone's protected. Stay close, and I can boost your speed when needed."

"Good," the leader said. "Let's move."

...

The forest was eerily quiet, save for the faint rustling of leaves as the adventurers moved through the underbrush. The blood trail left by the Nightrend Beast glistened under the pale moonlight, a crimson path that led them deeper into the woods.

"It's still fresh," Rael murmured, her glowing runes pulsing faintly as she crouched to inspect the ground. "It can't be far."

"We need to pick up the pace," the leader said, his voice low. "Stay sharp. This thing is dangerous even when wounded."

Max trailed them from a distance, his enhanced senses picking up their hushed conversations. His instincts hummed with anticipation, the thrill of the hunt still fresh in his mind. He remembered the way the Nightrend Beast's blood had tasted, the way its struggles had ceased as he drained it completely. A faint smile played on his lips. 'They're walking into my playground now.'

The adventurers came to an abrupt halt as they entered a clearing. There, lying in a crumpled heap, was the body of the Nightrend Beast. Its massive frame was eerily still, the moonlight casting a ghastly glow over its matted fur and gaping wounds. The ground beneath it was stained dark with blood, and its once-glowing eyes were now lifeless.

"Damn," Gorruk muttered, stepping closer. "It's dead."

Rael's brow furrowed as she approached the body. Her runes flickered with a faint light as she ran her fingers along its torn hide. "These wounds… they're not from us."

"What?" the leader asked, his grip tightening on his sword. "Explain."

Rael glanced back at him, her expression grim. "Something or someone else got to it. These claw marks are too precise, and…" She hesitated, her glowing fingers brushing against the beast's neck. "It's been drained of blood."

"You've got to be kidding me," Rennick said, his voice laced with irritation. "What the hell is that? A vampire in this neighborhood? On top of that, hunting the wretched beast?"

Mira scanned the surrounding trees, her bow drawn. "Whatever it was, it's not far. The blood trail leads here, but it doesn't end."

The leader raised a hand, signaling silence. His eyes darted across the clearing, his every muscle tense. "Stay alert. We're not alone."

Max crouched low in the shadows, watching as the group drew their weapons and formed a defensive circle. His crimson eyes gleamed faintly, a predatory hunger simmering just beneath the surface. 'They're cautious. Smart. But not smart enough.'

...

The adventurers began to fan out, their movements deliberate as they searched the area. Mira and Rael stayed close to the body, while Rennick and Gorruk circled the perimeter. The leader stood at the center, his sharp gaze scanning the treeline. 

"This doesn't feel right," Rael murmured, her runes flaring brighter as she cast a protective barrier around herself and Mira. "It's too quiet."

"Maybe whatever did this is long gone," Mira offered, though her tone lacked conviction. She kept her bow at the ready, her eyes flicking to every shadow.

Meanwhile, Rennick ventured farther from the group, his curiosity getting the better of him. He muttered to himself as he kicked at the underbrush. "Nothing here. Probably just some wild animal."

Max saw his opportunity. Moving with inhuman speed and silence, he closed the distance between himself and Rennick. The adventurer barely had time to react before Max pounced, his claws slicing through armor and flesh with ease. Rennick's scream was cut short as Max's fangs sank into his neck, the warm rush of blood fueling his strength.

*Gulp*Gulp*Gulp*

"Yeah, that`s better than the fucking beast. Maybe I can find even more delicious blood in this world." Max said while a slight crazy smile was on his lips. "But I should not relax... now."

...

Back at the clearing, the group heard the faint sound of a struggle. 

"Rennick?" the leader called, his voice sharp. There was no response.

"He's probably off chasing something... like always," Gorruk said, though his grip on his warhammer tightened. "Or he went to the toilet." Mira added.

"Stay together," the leader ordered. "Rael, Mira, check the body. Gorruk, with me. We find Rennick first, then regroup."

Max crouched in the darkness, his gaze locked on the remaining adventurers. His pulse raced as he weighed his options. 'One down. Four to go. Let's see how well they fare without him.'