Episode 4 – Scene 2: Dance with the Wolves

Location: The Macabre Forest

William moved through the forest, his steps silent, almost absorbed by the packed earth. Around him, the Veil unfolded, an invisible extension of his being, stretching out in a 100-meter radius like an ethereal skin. He breathed deeply, in harmony with the forest. Every breath seemed to resonate within him, every rustling leaf or wind's whisper passed through him with newfound clarity, like a forgotten language he had just rediscovered.

Iris, floating to his left in the form of a glowing will-o'-the-wisp, executed a quick scan ahead. A data interface appeared in his field of vision, cold and clinical.

— William (thinking): "So the Veil lets me manipulate the space around me, exchange physical elements for digital fragments... but there's a two-second delay. It's reversible, right?"

— Iris: "Exactly, Master. Your perception radius is now extended to 100 meters."

William closed his eyes for a moment, letting himself sink deeper into the environment. The forest was no longer simply visible to him; he could feel it.

A fly, light and quick, fluttered before him.

He sensed every beat of its wings, every fluid movement, as if the air itself had become tangible.

He activated temporal halt, and the fly froze, suspended in mid-air.

He snatched it with a fluid motion, observing it for a moment before releasing it.

Time resumed, and the fly continued its flight as if nothing had happened.

— William (smiling): "Not bad. It's almost instinctual now."

— Iris: "Congratulations, Master. You've mastered a small portion of the temporal pause. With more practice, this could become a powerful tool."

Around him, the forest seemed to vibrate with new life. He could feel the energy currents in the air, detecting even the most subtle disturbances in the matter. It was like he had awakened a third eye, able to see beyond the visible.

— William (in awe): "It's like... I can see behind the scenes of reality."

— Iris: "Your Veil interacts directly with the environment and the source code of the Zero server. You can exchange physical elements for digital fragments, or extract energy to enhance your abilities."

His gaze landed on a small, feathered rodent scurrying quickly across the path. A barely perceptible movement, but the Veil had caught it instantly. William could feel the presence of everything around him, every detail, as if the world were a puzzle, and he now held all the pieces.

— William: "So I can exchange any element for something more powerful?"

— Iris: "In theory, yes. But more complex or deeply embedded elements in reality will require greater trade-offs."

He paused for a moment, savoring the sensation of absolute control. He raised his hand, connecting to the energy in the ground. He activated another exchange.

— William: "So I can also use this energy to enhance my abilities, right?"

— Iris: "Correct. You now have access to a fragment of 'digital power.' It can be used to improve one of your attributes."

William smiled slyly. It was a simple power, but its flexibility was infinite. He was ready to explore its limits.

But then, an eerie silence fell over the forest. Life seemed to be suspended. Not a single bird sang, not a single insect buzzed. A heaviness settled in the air, as palpable as a cold wind. This silence was not a blessing but a warning.

Beneath his feet, a subtle vibration, almost imperceptible, was felt. The ground shivered. Then, a low rumble rose from the earth, like an ancestral echo. The trees quivered, as if nature itself was preparing for a confrontation.It wasn't the wind. No... something was coming. A presence.

Iris manifested as a will-o'-the-wisp, projecting essential information into his field of vision.

— Pack detected: 10 individuals. Formation: inverted arc. Strategy: guerrilla, wear-down attack. Alpha Status: inactive.

Adrenaline slowly surged in William, and a wry smile tugged at his lips.

— William: "A strategic ambush, huh? Do they think they're Sun Tzu or something?"

— Iris (analyzing the opponents): "Lunar Wolves detected. Your enemies have an increased adaptability and an evolving tactic based on their opponent."

William's smile widened, a spark of challenge in his eyes.

— William: "Interesting. Let's see if their intelligence lives up to their reputation."

The Hunt BeginsThe silence lingered, as heavy as a shadow. The forest seemed to hold its breath. No bird chirped, no insect buzzed. Nothing. Just an oppressive void, as if the world was waiting for the first move.

A shiver ran down William's spine. His primal instinct screamed that something was lurking in the shadows. A vibration beneath his feet. At first faint, almost imperceptible, then growing stronger.

A low rumble rose from the ground, vibrating through his bones. The trees quivered without the wind's intervention. This wasn't natural. This wasn't right.

William narrowed his eyes, amplifying the Veil to scan his surroundings. And then, he saw them.

Massive silhouettes, hidden in the darkness, blending with the mist like steel specters. They were still, but William could feel their presence.

Then, slowly, the pack emerged from the shadows.

They were enormous.

Werewolves, their massive muscles carved from the very earth itself, marked with scars of a life shaped by war. Their dark fur seemed to absorb the light, and their yellow eyes pierced the darkness with terrifying intelligence.

They were more than animals.

They were predators.

A red signal flashed before him.

— Ennemis : Lunar Wolves

— Rank : 5

A deep, almost primal growl rose from the pack. The air vibrated with a palpable threat. A fetid breath, mingled with blood and decaying flesh, filled the air, saturating William's nostrils. He briefly averted his gaze, fighting back the nausea.

In a calm, almost measured voice, he murmured:

— William: "Shit..."

He prepared himself. Every fiber of his being tensed, adrenaline flooding his veins. The enemies closed in around him, like a trap ready to snap shut. But in his mind, everything slowed. Every movement became sharp, every gesture more precise. This was no longer just a matter of survival. It was a dance—a dance with death. And in this dance, he was not merely a dancer. He was the music.

The scouts slithered through the shadows, attempting to lock his trajectory. The hunters tightened their circle, their movements deliberate and calculated. The wolves of support stayed in the back, ready to intervene at the slightest sign of weakness.

William immediately sensed the tension in the air. Every wolf had its role. This wasn't a blind charge. It was a precise hunt.

He shivered. They were good.

But he was better.

He swept his gaze over the forest, his mind analyzing every angle, every possibility. His eyes locked onto a clearing, open, bordered by rocks and soft ground. A clearing.

Open, exposed, with scattered rocks and soft earth.

The perfect place to control the fight.

He sped up slightly, forcing the Lunar Wolves to adjust their rhythm.

Then, he leaped into the clearing.

The BaitHe stopped abruptly.

A simple, brutal halt, with no sign of fatigue.

The Lunar Wolves hadn't anticipated this sudden interruption.

The five hunters charged instinctively, thinking they had an opening.

Mistake.

William was ready.

Iris immediately confirmed their trajectories, projecting a precise schematic of their attacks.

— Time to impact: 3 seconds.

— Triangular formation: synchronized pincer attack.

— Priority targets: neck and left flank.

William waited.

Two seconds.

The wolves' muscles tensed.

One second.

He moved.