Chapter 2: The Village Beneath the Moonlight

The faint glow of lanterns welcomed Ishar as he approached the outskirts of the village. Nestled in the shadow of a jagged mountain range, the settlement was small and unassuming, surrounded by wooden fences that had clearly seen better days. The scent of wood smoke and damp earth hung in the air, accompanied by the occasional bark of a dog. Ishar paused just beyond the treeline, his cold gaze sweeping over the settlement. His two skeletal minions remained hidden in the shadows, waiting for his command.

"Task Updated: Gather Information About the Mortal Realm."

The system's voice reverberated in his mind. Ishar pulled the hood of his tattered robe lower, concealing his pale, deathly features. He needed to move carefully. The sight of an undead mage and his skeletal warriors would cause panic at best—or provoke immediate hostility.

He entered the village quietly, blending into the shadows. The streets were deserted, save for a few flickering lanterns illuminating the dirt paths. Most of the homes were modest, built from rough-hewn wood and stone. Through a cracked window, he could see a family huddled around a fire, their faces etched with worry.

"Something's wrong here," Ishar muttered to himself. The air felt heavy, tinged with unease. He made his way toward the village square, where a small crowd had gathered near a well. The villagers spoke in hushed tones, their voices tinged with fear.

At the center of the group stood an elderly man with a wiry frame and a long gray beard. He leaned heavily on a staff carved with intricate runes, its faint glow indicating a rudimentary connection to qi. Ishar lingered at the edge of the square, listening intently.

"Another one's gone missing," a young man said, his voice trembling. "This time it was Old Zheng's daughter. She was taken last night."

The elder's face darkened, his grip on the staff tightening. "The beast grows bolder. If we do not act soon, it will claim us all."

"Elder, we're no match for such a creature," a woman said, her voice on the verge of tears. "Even you, with your cultivation, can't stop it. What are we to do?"

The elder sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "I have sent word to the city for aid, but it will take weeks for reinforcements to arrive—if they come at all. Until then, we must hold out as best we can."

Ishar's interest piqued. A beast terrorizing the village could provide him with an opportunity to test his abilities and gather resources. He stepped forward, his hood casting a shadow over his face.

"What kind of beast?" he asked, his voice cold and steady.

The villagers turned to him, their faces a mix of surprise and suspicion. The elder's eyes narrowed as he studied the stranger. "And who might you be?"

"A traveler," Ishar replied. "I heard your plight. Perhaps I can be of assistance."

The young man who had spoken earlier scoffed. "You? What can a lone traveler do against the Bloodfang Wolf?"

Bloodfang Wolf. Ishar's mind raced. He had read of such creatures in his past life—demonic beasts known for their ferocity and cunning. Their cores were said to contain potent energy, invaluable for cultivation.

The elder raised a hand, silencing the younger man. "You would face the wolf?"

"For a price," Ishar said bluntly. "I have no interest in charity."

The elder's expression hardened. "We have little to offer. But if you can slay the beast, you may take its core and any treasures it guards. We only ask that you protect our people."

Ishar nodded. "Agreed. Tell me where to find it."

The villagers provided him with a crude map, marking the Bloodfang Wolf's territory near an abandoned mine on the outskirts of the forest. As Ishar left the square, he signaled his skeletons to follow. The villagers recoiled at the sight of the undead creatures, but no one dared to question him.

Feeding off the fear in their eyes, Ishar smirked. These people were weak, bound by their fear of death. But he—he had transcended death. He would use that to his advantage.

The forest grew darker and more oppressive as Ishar ventured deeper into the Bloodfang Wolf's territory. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decay. His skeletons moved silently beside him, their glowing eyes scanning the shadows for threats.

Eventually, he reached the entrance to the mine, its gaping maw like the jaws of some great beast. Claw marks scarred the ground, and the faint stench of blood lingered in the air. Ishar raised a hand, signaling his skeletons to spread out.

"Come out," he called, his voice echoing into the darkness. "I know you're there."

A low growl rumbled from within the mine, and a pair of crimson eyes appeared in the shadows. The Bloodfang Wolf stepped into the moonlight, its massive form covered in matted fur streaked with blood. Its fangs gleamed, and its eyes burned with a predatory intelligence.

"Enemy Identified: Bloodfang Wolf (Mortal Realm - Mid Stage)."

The system's analysis appeared in Ishar's mind, offering a brief summary of the beast's abilities and weaknesses. He smirked. "Let's see how strong you really are."

The wolf lunged, its claws tearing through the air. Ishar's skeletons intercepted, their weapons clashing against the beast's deadly strikes. The fight was brutal and chaotic, the wolf's strength far surpassing that of a normal opponent. But Ishar observed carefully, waiting for the right moment.

When the wolf's movements slowed, he raised his hand. Shadows erupted from the ground, ensnaring the beast's legs. The Bloodfang Wolf howled in fury, thrashing against its bonds. Ishar's skeletons pressed the attack, their blades finding purchase in the beast's flesh.

Finally, with a surge of dark energy, Ishar cast Dark Grasp, the shadows tightening around the wolf until it collapsed. He approached the fallen beast, its crimson eyes dimming as its life force faded. Reaching down, he extracted the beast core, its pulsating energy radiating through his fingers.

"Task Complete. Rewards: 20 System Points. Bloodfang Core Acquired."

Ishar turned to his skeletons, their weapons bloodied but their forms intact. He smirked. "Not bad. Let's see how far this power can take us."

As he made his way back to the village, the Bloodfang Core clutched tightly in his hand, Ishar felt a flicker of satisfaction. This world was harsh and unforgiving, but he would rise above it. He had been given a second chance, and he would not waste it.

The Mortal Realm was vast, and his journey had only just begun.